[Gabe32]

The #1 for me is the underhand serve. I know it can be seen as disrespectful, but if you had a big or effective serve like Fed, it would just be another way to keep your opponent on their toes. I think it should be considered a legitimate shot.

But the one I really wanted to talk about happened last night.(Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d71sBNQmSg#t=1m57s)

It is a drop-shot I guess just because it is hit softly and short -- but to me it looks completely different than a drop shot because it appears to be a full swing/follow-through, just hit very very weakly. Is this taught to people? If so, I rarely ever see it used, but it seems very effective in the right situations. For example, I think Tomic used it in a perfect spot in that video. He had the whole open court but didn't seem to be able to get a read on which way Federer was leaning, so he hit it weakly because Fed was a few meters behind the baseline.

Thoughts? Anymore shots that are useful but seldom used?

[Nole Rules]

FH slice probably. Fed has a great FH slice but he very rarely use it. He doesn't need it anyway but it can be effective shot.

[The Bulldog]

The underarm serve is completely disrespectful, and a sign of massive weakness. The reality that it's not used at all pleases me, and I would lose faith in the sport if it started to become popular to any degree.

I think the art of volleying has been lost. Too many players these days only have a standard 'guide' volley and a more complicated 'drop' volley in their arsenals. Nobody can really punch through a volley like professionals in the past could. Yes it's a lot slower and higher bouncing these days, opportunities to come to the net are limited, but when players find themselves there, they aren't ambitious enough.

[Fujee]

Yeah FH slice is a great shot. Low error rate, good depth, draws the opponent out. That one Fed pulled in the Wimbledon final last year

[Federer in 2]

Serve & volley

[Prodigy.]

Hitting the ball off the rim/frame to good effect.

[Pratik]

Originally Posted by Gabe32

But the one I really wanted to talk about happened last night.(Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d71sBNQmSg#t=1m57s)

It is a drop-shot I guess just because it is hit softly and short -- but to me it looks completely different than a drop shot because it appears to be a full swing/follow-through, just hit very very weakly. Is this taught to people? If so, I rarely ever see it used, but it seems very effective in the right situations.

You rarely see it used because it is extremely tough to execute. Tomic has been doing this for a very long time(I first saw him do it in 2011)

This was sometime in the start of last year(iirc)


Another one(again sometime in the start of last year)

[peRfect-Tennis]

Originally Posted by Pratik

You rarely see it used because it is extremely tough to execute. Tomic has been doing this for a very long time(I first saw him do it in 2011)

This was sometime in the start of last year(iirc)


Another one(again sometime in the start of last year)

That't just a drop shot but the way Tomic holds the racket means he has to play it like that.

[Pratik]

Originally Posted by peRfect-Tennis

That't just a drop shot but the way Tomic holds the racket means he has to play it like that.

Agreed. I was just responding to the OP. Tomics drop shot is reasonably well disguised. His setup and follow through is very similar to those on a normal FH.

[End da Game]

Originally Posted by Gabe32

The #1 for me is the underhand serve. I know it can be seen as disrespectful, but if you had a big or effective serve like Fed, it would just be another way to keep your opponent on their toes. I think it should be considered a legitimate shot.

But the one I really wanted to talk about happened last night.(Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d71sBNQmSg#t=1m57s)

It is a drop-shot I guess just because it is hit softly and short -- but to me it looks completely different than a drop shot because it appears to be a full swing/follow-through, just hit very very weakly. Is this taught to people? If so, I rarely ever see it used, but it seems very effective in the right situations. For example, I think Tomic used it in a perfect spot in that video. He had the whole open court but didn't seem to be able to get a read on which way Federer was leaning, so he hit it weakly because Fed was a few meters behind the baseline.

Thoughts? Anymore shots that are useful but seldom used?

I was about to say the same thing when I clicked on this thread

its an absolute no-brainer, when you have nadal and djokovic standing about 20 metres behind the baseline, ffs just hit a weak serve that barely makes over the net, bring them forward so you can then sweep an easy winner, bunch of morons

[Travod]

I'm of the opinion that players should start practicing getting net cords. Free points erry day. Most people put their hands in the air, I'd be like, "COME ON!"

[Whiznot]

The backwards between-the-legs topspin-sidespin serve in the ad court is so underutilized.

[156mphserve]

definately the underhand serve, when used sparingly it can be quite effective.

[Gabe32]

Originally Posted by 156mphserve

definately the underhand serve, when used sparingly it can be quite effective.

Yeah exactly. But it is one of the 1000 things in tennis that are unnecessarily "unsportsmanlike." Like having to wave your hand every time you unintentionally clip the net (though I like this one -- as it doesn't limit your play).

I'd love to hear a sensible argument against the drop-serve without using emoticons or just saying it is disrespectful just because.

[Eddy DoubleD]

Originally Posted by Pratik

You rarely see it used because it is extremely tough to execute. Tomic has been doing this for a very long time(I first saw him do it in 2011)

This was sometime in the start of last year(iirc)


Another one(again sometime in the start of last year)

This is a sick shot