[paseo]

Standing near/on the baseline. Hitting the ball on the rise. Taking time from opponents. Half volley from the baseline.

Who's the best? Federer? Davydenko? Nalbandian? Agassi? Who?!

 

[n8]

You mention Agassi so I guess you're going for all time. From what I've seen Agassi was the best at taking the ball early.

 

[paseo]

You mention Agassi so I guess you're going for all time. From what I've seen Agassi was the best at taking the ball early.

Do you know more players from previous era that are great at this? you know, before Agassi?

 

[guyha4]

Roger!!!

 

[samanosuke]

nadal obviously

 

[green25814]

Best I remember seeing was Agassi

 

[MaxPower]

Fedureeer is the best overall. Agassi was good but not as good. Federer got the half-volley of the gods especially when on the move. Davydenko (in shape) was fantastic too. Key for him was the very quick footwork.

Agassi was maybe the best at early RoS. His BH return when stepping in was legendary.

 

[LawrenceOfTennis]

Agassi by far.
I do not understand the Davydenko hype on MTF for years. He is nothing special, was a very good player, but not an extremely big talent.

 

[asmazif]

Monfils

 

[Sophocles]

Agassi. Before Agassi and modern strings shots weren't coming as hard & fast from the baseline, so it's very hard to compare, but in their day Connors & McEnroe both took the ball very early. Honourable mentions to Federer, Nalbandian, Davydenko. Djoker isn't bad either, though not in their league.

 

[BroTree123]

Tobias Kamke.

 

[TBkeeper]

Davydenko --> Agassi (by a little fraction but Davy's a little faster)
In fact it is:
Agassi better than Davydenko in defensive half-voleys from the baseline. (Federer is better than Davy in defensive half-voleys)
Davydenko better than Agassi (so it means than everyone) in aggressive half-voleys from everywhere around the baseline BUT he can do them 3-4 metres inside the court too! and they'll still be aggressive. JUST LOOK some of his matches and you'll know it

 

[nalbyfan]

Agassi, Nalby and Davydenko

 

[philosophicalarf]

Chela.

 

[Mystique]

I hear Agassi. Truth is, I didnt use to watch tennis in the 90s, have only watched highlights of some great matches. But what I can say is that even at 30, the Agassi I saw could take the ball on the rise like no one can - at least in today's game.

 

[Shirogane]

Llodra. The man even takes it before the ball bounces, how the hell does he do that.

 

[Branimir]

Andre Agassi

 

[Li Ching Yuen]

Davydenko and Agassi.

 

[SaFed2005]

I definitely have to give the nod to Federer in terms of defensive half- volleys. How many times has he hit winners off of half volleys at the baseline? I see it so often. Even as recent as the AO, he was hitting half volley winners against Del Potro's super forehand shots! (especially with his BHs).

Overall, I would say Agassi. Honorable mentions to Nalbandian and Davydenko.

 

[Ajk822]

Federer. He built his entire career on taking time away from the other player.