February 1, 2011
New DVD (2 Disk-Set) – "TennisOne's Stroke Secrets: Keys to Better Groundstrokes"
We've packed 4.5 hours of stunningly crisp video instruction (typically 4-5 DVDs) into this 2 DVD set you'll want to keep in your tennis library for years to come. When you want a tune-up on your groundstrokes, you'll always have the best minds in the game ready at hand.The topics in this 2-DVD set include:
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Unbelievable Pressure Suspect Second Serves vs. the Best Returner in the Game Jim McLennan Australia is the home of so many of our tennis legends: Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Frank Sedgeman, Lew Hoad, and John Newcombe. And from a more recent era we have Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt. But to return to the "Rock" for the center court is aptly named the Rod Laver Arena – This years's final showed us a match that highlights a quote attributed to the Rocket (as well as many others who truly knew the game), "You are only as good as your second serve."
Players keep the ball deep to gain time and reduce the opponent’s angle of play. Said another way, when the opponent is deep and well behind the baseline the ball will take longer to cross the net, and the opponent's hitting angle is smaller than when he is inside the baseline, or inside the service court. But the second serve, by definition, cannot be hit as deep, such that the receiver has more options when returning the second serve than when rallying (often corner to corner) from the baseline. And on paper, were Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray hitting groundstrokes from the baseline, their skills are comparable. Yes, Novak is now extremely confident from his Davis Cup victory, and his straight set drubbing of Federer in the semi-finals, but again all things being equal – the Australian open finalists both move well, both understand offense and defense, and both can keep the ball in play with error free tennis from the backcourt off both wings. But (and this is a considerable but), there is a world of difference when it comes to their serves. Over the years in numerous articles I have questioned Murray’s delivery. Oft times the second serve was 80 mph or less (though that is now much better) and his disguise and confidence has been lacking to go for the corners. On this score the best second serve in the game at this point belongs to Roger (and unfortunately for Andy, the best return of serve in the game belongs to Novak).
Statistics always tell the story, and this match held true to form. Murray hit twice as many second serves in the course of the match than did Djokovic. Murray faced 18 break points. Their winning percentage on first serves points played was comparable. But take a moment with the set-by-set breakdown of points won on second serves. The first set was close, and the score reflects just that. But the second and third sets were a beat down. Cumlative Effect of Pressure So to translate all this for either Andy, or for your game and mine – pressure has a cumulative and indelible effect on players. And pressure definitely ratchets up on second serves, and even more so when facing nearly a score of break points. The announcers remarked on Murray’s frame of mind, and even on some uncharacteristically poor footwork. But I chalk this all up to how the mental affects everything else, and how more than any other aspect of the game, the performance on the serve totally influences one’s frame of mind. Andy’s post match comments totally missed the mark. He said he would continue working hard, trying to improve, training hard, and taking the game seriously. But to truly improve, he will have to make two major adjustments. Murray Must Retool His Serve Consider how the pitcher uses his back leg on the pitching rubber, keeping the weight back, and using this leg to initiate the unwinding. When it comes to the serve, Andy and many others use a pinpoint stance, so named because the server brings the back foot forward. Others use a platform stance where the feet do not appreciably move during the service motion (Nadal and Federer for sure). As you contrast the two videos, note the difference in the use of the feet. To my mind, if Pete and Roger and Rafa use a platform stance, and most of the poorly serving women use a pinpoint stance – there must be something to keeping one’s weight back longer and one’s feet still. Further, Andy does not deliver the second serve with weight, placement, or confidence. Far too many serves landed in the middle of the service box. And this as much as anything else, stoked Novak’s confidence.
Finally there appears to be far too much difference between his first and second serves. Note that the difference in velocity between Novak’s first and second serve was 35 KMH, whereas the difference in velocity between Andy’s first and second serves was 50 KMH. This may sound like we are quibbling with details, but as much as anything else this goes a long way to explaining why he won only 14% and 29% of the points on his second serves in the second and third sets. Sampras and Federer serve with more spin and speed combined, which occurs from more racquet speed at impact. Notice how much momentum Andy holds in his hand and racquet on the follow through (somehow pushing his hand forward) and contrast this with the whip like hit of a Pete or Roger. Fairly simply, if you want more racquet speed, snap or whip the racquet at the top of the swing. Pronounced follow-throughs like Andy’s actually decrease racquet speed for the service delivery. Murray Must Play All and Only On His Own
Murray constantly talked to himself and to his box. He even made occasional eye contact with the opposing box. This phenomenon is not uncommon in the modern game, when players have an over-reliance on an entourage that includes coach, trainer, nutritionist, and so much more. But at the end of the day, this is a solitary game, head to head, no one in the corner like they have in boxing, no timeouts like in basketball. Federer provides the model; he is focused, he does not berate himself; and he is in control of his winning and losing and is responsible to himself. Similarly, Pat Cash, winner of the 1987 Wimbledon final, described keeping his entire mind within the confines of the court. No dialogue, no looks to the crowd or his box. Just going about his business, quietly, confidently, without distraction. Perhaps it was the pressure of the moment and Novak’s peerless play – but as regards Andy, we did not see a demonstration of “mentally tough.” On the other hand, before occasional points I noticed Novak actually seemed to smile – enjoying the moment and the competition. Take a few moments on your own to evaluate and compare the two service deliveries shown here. Darren Cahill remarked on the incredible improvement in Novak’s serve, where in 2010 his double faults outnumbered his aces (an incredible stat)! Andy can, if not must, make a similar improvement with his delivery. All his opponents comment on his talent, and how somehow someday he will capture a Grand Slam. It will all have to start with his serve, and his attitude.
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