Masterstrokes

Sampras Serve

Pete Sampras' serve may be the best stroke in the history of Tennis. Effortless, rhythmic, deadly accuracy, never really goes off form, a truly reliable weapon. Fred Earle once told me the secret to Sampras’ serve was his “loose arm” and for Fred, Sampras had the loosest and most relaxed service whip ever.

Compare Sampras serve with the more muscular version used by Rafter, with the far less heavy version used by Agassi or Chang and you see pronounced differences in technique and rhythm. Sampras has it all.

In a previous era Lew Hoad and Pancho Gonzalez were the servers of the day, and the parallels of style and service snap are obvious between Pete, Lew and Pancho.

For an in depth analysis of the Sampras Serve, see John Yandell's series in the TennisONE Lesson Library. For a more complete visual analysis, study the Sampras serve in the TennisONE ProStrokes Gallery.

Rosewall Underspin Backhand

Ken Rosewall drove the underspin backhand hit with pinpoint precision and uncanny balance. Sampras and Courier use a similar shot but with far less effect.

For an in depth analysis of the Rosewall Backhand, see Jim McLennan's article "The Rosewall Underspin Backhand" in the TennisONE Lesson Library.

Budge Dive Backhand

Don Budge perfected the drive backhand drive, taking the ball early, hitting the corners. A story goes that a young Pancho Gonzalez was unable to come to the net behind his serve when playing an exhibition against an aging Don Budge, because of the weight and accuracy of Budge’s returns. And truly, one is hard pressed to find such a backhand today (and yes I know the game has changed).

For a more complete visual analysis, study the Budge Backhand in the TennisONE ProStrokes Gallery.

Agassi Service Return

Return of serve, the best of the best belongs to Agassi and Connors. These two fisted backhands are taken well inside the baseline, with a pure economy of motion. The briefest of strokes hit with maximum force and unerring accuracy.

Jimbo and Andre both played well within the baseline, and drove the ball equally well crosscourt or down the line. When practicing, emulate the simplicity and the early preparation, and learn to take the ball early and on the rise.

For a more complete visual analysis, study the Agassi Return in the TennisONE ProStrokes Gallery.

Last Updated 12/1/00. To contact us, please email to: webmaster@tennisone.com

<% ns_puts [nsv_get mkm_includes mkm_oldContentFooter_inc] %>