Features — May 22, 2013

Should Nadal Be Seeded No. 1 at the French Open?

Seeding controversies have raged periodically, usually about whether seedings should be based strictly on rankings, or whether to take into account players’ records on a particular court surface. One of the most clear-cut and potentially precedent-setting cases currently involves Rafael Nadal, who is widely considered the greatest clay court player in men’s tennis history. So, Paul Fein asks the question, "Should Nadal have been seeded No. 1 at the French Open?"

Three Tips for Singles Strategy

Winning tennis is usually more about consistency than glamour shots. Even at the pro level, the outcome is usually determined by who makes less errors rather than who hits more winners. You don't have to crush the ball to come out on top, understanding the percentages and keeping the ball in play is a better way to go. Here, Tom Avery offers three simple tips for successful singles strategy that can improve you outcomes.

ProStrokes 2.0 — Sari Errani, Backhand

Italy’s top WTA player, Sara Errani, has stormed the women’s tour with a breakout 2012 season where she reached the final at Roland Garros, the quarters in Australia, round three at Wimbledon, and the semis of the U.S. Open. As a junior, Sara spent four years at the Bollettieri Academy in Florida before moving to Spain and began working with Pablo Lozano and David Andres. Sara has an excellent serve and a big, grinding baseline game. Errani is also a phenomenal doubles player (Ranked #1 in 2012 and 2013),and that puts her in an elite class of players who can potentially win at any event. New this issue, Sara Errani's backhand.

From Last Issue

The Scientific 7-Minute Workout 

I came accross this article in the May 12 issue of The New York Times Magazine and I thought it was worth sharing. In 12 exercises deploying only body weight, a chair, and a wall, it fulfills the latest mandates for high-intensity effort, condensing it into about seven minutes of steady discomfort — all of it based on science. Now there really is no excuse, so get off the sofa and give it a try. After all, what do you have to lose…a pound or two? — Jay Margolies, TennisOne Managing Editor

Throwing vs Swinging, part 2

In part 2 of his treatise on throwing vs swinging, Doug King clarifies more of the basic components to effectively hitting a tennis ball, particularly, the often confusing tip, "out in Front." Using Nadal as his model, Doug delineates the technique that differentiates the modern game from the classical approach. Once again, the concept of throwing vs swinging is expounded upon.

The Economy Serve and the Supplemental Serve

Serve and volley-maestro, Pat Rafter advises, "With the toss, let the arm go straight up."I Obviously, the more control you have at the ball toss, the more reliable your serve will be, right? But that bates the question: why did master servers like Pancho Gonzales, Pete Sampras, Richard Krajicek, and at the moment, Roger Federer bring the tossing arm back to the body and toss the ball with an arc? And that is question Jerôme Inen explores in the Economy and the Supplemental Serve.

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