Serve and Volley
All you need to improve your net rushing game is a basket. Yes, a
basket. By Dave Gary The best way to sharpen your serve and volley
technique is to practice it in matches or with a partner. But here?s
Chip Shot When
returning serve in doubles, sometimes touch trumps power. By Paula
Scheb In doubles, if the opposing server doesn?t rush the net, try
attacking off your return of serve with a chip. On the forehand (shown
here), hold your racquet
Michael Llodra's High Backhand Volley The
Frenchman makes the most difficult stroke in the game look like nothing
at all. By Lynne Rolley 1. There are many challenges to the high
backhand volley, so it pays to prepare quickly. Llodra shows us the
perfect way
How To: Hit a Closed-Stance Forehand By
Katrina Adams These days, almost everyone hits ground strokes with an
open stance, from Roger Federer to the 7 year old beginner. There?s
room, however, for an old school weapon in your arsenal the closed
stance forehand. If you
Rafael Nadal's Backhand By
Paul Annacone Core Nadal?s bulging biceps and calf muscles get the most
attention, but it?s his midsection that makes all his strokes, and
especially this stretched out, open stance backhand on clay, so
phenomenal. Any other player attempting to
How To: Change the Direction of the Ball End
a crosscourt rally with a backhand down the line. By Ken DeHart
Crosscourt rallies are a safe way to play, but there are three times
when it?s a good idea to change the direction of the ball and rip
The Kick Serve with Katrina Adams One
of the most overlooked parts of a well rounded game is the second
serve. Your first serves aren't always going to stay in, so you'll
often need to rely on your second serve to start off the point. But
The High Backhand of Caroline Wozniacki The
young Danish player's two hander has the look and feel of a left handed
forehand. By Mary Joe Fernandez 1. Wozniacki uses a Continental grip
with her dominant right hand, but it's her left hand that merits
attention. She
How To: Make Your Slice Bite Transform
your soft, floating underspin backhand into a penetrating weapon. By
Elke Juul 1. Turn your shoulders and bring the racquet back with the
face slightly open. Your off hand should remain on the throat of the
racquet to steady
Gael Monfils' Forehand There's
the modern forehand, and there's the Monfils forehand. by Tracy Austin
1. Shoulders This is one of the most extreme forehands you?ll see.
There?s so much rotation in Monfils? shoulders that you would think he
has ball bearings in
Learning from Dinara Safina Now
that she's no longer in the shadow of her older brother, Safina can
teach us a lot about tactics and confidence. By Paul Annacone 1. Take
control If you want to master the art of putting your opponent on
Richard Gasquet's One-Handed Backhand From
start to finish, the Frenchman's one hander is a thing of beauty. By
Leif ShirasPhotos by Manuela Davies Doublexposure 1. Gasquet?s first
move is to get his upper body into position. His high take back makes
for a full
Small Steps to Success Improving
your footwork will make you a more consistent player. By Jeff
HawesPROBLEM When you move to the ball, you take long steps and tend to
lunge at the last second. At the point of contact, you?re off balance
and
Novak Djokovic's Drop Shot The
world?s No. 3 player takes a break from pounding two handed backhands
to hit a delicate one handed drop shot. By Mary Joe Fernandez 1.
Players who hit two handed backhands usually don?t find the one handed
backhand drop
Learning from Maria Sharapova The
21 year old Russian?s intensity and tactics can teach you how to win
consistently. By Paul Annacone 1. Discipline, discipline, discipline
Sharapova has a lot of interests outside tennis, from fashion to art,
but she always puts tennis first.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's Forehand A
relaxed, efficient motion makes this Frenchman?s forehand one of the
most lethal weapons in the game. By Paul RoetertPhotos by David Kenas
1. Tsonga moves so well that his footwork often looks casual, but he
wastes no time preparing
Learning from Serena Williams' Determination Photo
by Al Bello Getty Images1. Intimidate with attitude Since winning the
2007 Australian Open, Serena Williams has improved her conditioning and
returned to the top of the game. But the most important part of her
resurgence, I believe, is
Anna Chakvetadze's Backhand 1
Chakvetadze is about to receive a slow, high bouncing ball (look at
where her eyes are focusing), but she?s not wasting time with her
preparation. Her racquet is all the way back and ready
Lessons from Andy Roddick The
hard serving American may claim to be a dumb jock, but he?s a high
percentage player. By Paul Annacone 1. Be steady Everyone wants to talk
about Andy Roddick?s serve, and for good reason It?s among the biggest
weapons
The Serves of Serena Williams and Martina
Navratilova These
two all time greats came up in different eras, but their deliveries
have a lot in common. By Brenda Schultz McCarthy 1. EXTENSION Williams
is hitting a ? atter, harder serve with just a little topspin.
Navratilova is hitting
