I watched Ben Shelton today on Tennis TV lose to Paul Jubb. Nice win for Jubb, long match.
Commentators were Simon Reed and Robbie (always going over the top) Kroenig. Reed commented more than once that Ben was fanstastic yesterday, I didn't see yesterday's match.
However, today he looked distinctly average. And I mean, distinctly average...
He could have been carrying a knock (as the commentators like to say) but does that explain sending mid court balls under no pressure into the backfence?
Well, I've been watching him for almost two years. What are Ben's attributes exactly? Which will help propel him to the next level?
My thoughts:
Serve:
Considered to have one of the best serves on the Tour. Clearly has the lefty advantage on the ad court where he can swing it away from opponents. Tends not to serve and volley so perhaps not making the most use of it.
Haven't really looked at his second serve in great detail. I haven't noticed anything profound, example going deep into the corners to set up the next shot.
Was serving in the 140s mph last year but I am sure most people would agree that is totally unsustainable and he needs to find a rhythm of between 115 and 135 consistently.
Return of Serve:
I haven't noticed anything exceptional in his returning ability. I also haven't noticed any clear strategies or coherent game plan on return of serve. I could be wrong and he does have a strategy, I just haven't noticed.
Forehand:
Has that typical lefty hooked forehand. Like so many lefties, it looks awkward and ungainly. Angelique Kerber is one of my favourite ever players but her forehand also looked awkward. It's that lefty swing and follow through.
He has a penchant for overhitting the ball, way beyond the baseline on a regular basis. This is irritating to watch an elite professional sportsman do that over and over. Can it be the racquet set up? Are his strings too loose?
Backhand:
It's okay but again nothing special as far as I can discern at this stage.
Volleys:
Hmmm......
His high backhand volley is very good. His smash is very good. He's a tall strong powerful guy so to be expected. Conventional volleys? Not bad on the backhand side, not sure about his forehand volley. Forehand volleys are difficult, even the very best can struggle on the forehand volley. That's because on the forehand volley you have to do more work and it requires more technical skill. With the backhand volley, it can be more instinctive, opening the face and letting the ball slide off with slice. Forehand volley has to be taken earlier, out in front of the body, with a firm wrist.
I feel Shelton can work more on volleys to get them to a better level.
Footwork and movement:
This is one area I am simply not impressed. Again, he's a big guy. On this occasion, being a big guy is a clear hindrance. He is too heavy on his feet, he does not dance around the ball to hit it, more like clumsy steps. Sometimes he gets caught in position (like a statue) as he doesn't move his feet in time.
This has been an issue on the WTA Tour for a number of years. A high percentage of WTA players would let the ball come to them and just muscle it back, or stoop and hit it back. Radwanska, Kerber and others did that. Konta also had poor footwork.
People would look at Konta and see her little footsteps and think she's doing the right thing. But often she was not getting in position, it was like false steps. Players like Henin and Graf are better examples of how to get into position.
Shelton is not a WTA player obviously, but his footwork is seriously lacking if he really wants to get to Top 5 level.
Mental game:
Well, where is Shelton in the mental game stakes? Beacuse he makes so many wil errors over and over again, I cannot gauge his mental strength.
Surely, you and your team will say, okay, let's look at some videos, let's look at how we can cut down these unforced errors. Do we need to amend the racquet and strings? Do we need to take a three quarter swing? Shorten the backswing?
Whatever the solution is, we have to find it!
What do you guys think? Where do you think he needs to improve? And what do you think he is doing right so far? He has progressed through the rankings quickly, so is doing something right so far. But how about that Top 5 level?
Commentators were Simon Reed and Robbie (always going over the top) Kroenig. Reed commented more than once that Ben was fanstastic yesterday, I didn't see yesterday's match.
However, today he looked distinctly average. And I mean, distinctly average...
He could have been carrying a knock (as the commentators like to say) but does that explain sending mid court balls under no pressure into the backfence?
Well, I've been watching him for almost two years. What are Ben's attributes exactly? Which will help propel him to the next level?
My thoughts:
Serve:
Considered to have one of the best serves on the Tour. Clearly has the lefty advantage on the ad court where he can swing it away from opponents. Tends not to serve and volley so perhaps not making the most use of it.
Haven't really looked at his second serve in great detail. I haven't noticed anything profound, example going deep into the corners to set up the next shot.
Was serving in the 140s mph last year but I am sure most people would agree that is totally unsustainable and he needs to find a rhythm of between 115 and 135 consistently.
Return of Serve:
I haven't noticed anything exceptional in his returning ability. I also haven't noticed any clear strategies or coherent game plan on return of serve. I could be wrong and he does have a strategy, I just haven't noticed.
Forehand:
Has that typical lefty hooked forehand. Like so many lefties, it looks awkward and ungainly. Angelique Kerber is one of my favourite ever players but her forehand also looked awkward. It's that lefty swing and follow through.
He has a penchant for overhitting the ball, way beyond the baseline on a regular basis. This is irritating to watch an elite professional sportsman do that over and over. Can it be the racquet set up? Are his strings too loose?
Backhand:
It's okay but again nothing special as far as I can discern at this stage.
Volleys:
Hmmm......
His high backhand volley is very good. His smash is very good. He's a tall strong powerful guy so to be expected. Conventional volleys? Not bad on the backhand side, not sure about his forehand volley. Forehand volleys are difficult, even the very best can struggle on the forehand volley. That's because on the forehand volley you have to do more work and it requires more technical skill. With the backhand volley, it can be more instinctive, opening the face and letting the ball slide off with slice. Forehand volley has to be taken earlier, out in front of the body, with a firm wrist.
I feel Shelton can work more on volleys to get them to a better level.
Footwork and movement:
This is one area I am simply not impressed. Again, he's a big guy. On this occasion, being a big guy is a clear hindrance. He is too heavy on his feet, he does not dance around the ball to hit it, more like clumsy steps. Sometimes he gets caught in position (like a statue) as he doesn't move his feet in time.
This has been an issue on the WTA Tour for a number of years. A high percentage of WTA players would let the ball come to them and just muscle it back, or stoop and hit it back. Radwanska, Kerber and others did that. Konta also had poor footwork.
People would look at Konta and see her little footsteps and think she's doing the right thing. But often she was not getting in position, it was like false steps. Players like Henin and Graf are better examples of how to get into position.
Shelton is not a WTA player obviously, but his footwork is seriously lacking if he really wants to get to Top 5 level.
Mental game:
Well, where is Shelton in the mental game stakes? Beacuse he makes so many wil errors over and over again, I cannot gauge his mental strength.
Surely, you and your team will say, okay, let's look at some videos, let's look at how we can cut down these unforced errors. Do we need to amend the racquet and strings? Do we need to take a three quarter swing? Shorten the backswing?
Whatever the solution is, we have to find it!
What do you guys think? Where do you think he needs to improve? And what do you think he is doing right so far? He has progressed through the rankings quickly, so is doing something right so far. But how about that Top 5 level?
