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Often ignored, but extremely relevant IMO, is Nadals tremendous ability to return basically anything he can reach is magnified at RG specifically (which is what
by addicted 7y ago
Often ignored, but extremely relevant IMO, is Nadals tremendous ability to return basically anything he can reach is magnified at RG specifically (which is what we mean by clay, for the most part) by the really deep backcourts. RG has the most space between the baseline and the stands, and Nadal takes full advantage of it.
I’ve always wondered why players haven’t tried taking advantage of that, with maybe an underhanded serve, and for the first time Kyrgios tried that this Wimbledon and actually won the point.
It may not be as useful in RG because of the bounce, but the ability to draw Nadal closer to the Net during serve would be huge IMO.
- osrec 7y agoInteresting point. Never thought about the area behind baseline, but it's a very valid point. I think you're correct that it gives him time, which given his speed lets him return even more. I'm personally not a fan of the underhand serve (bit traditional in that regard!), but yeah, it does catch him out sometimes.