Evaluating the players' techniques: Wimbledon
Wimbledon makes an important mark in the history of tennis. It is the world’s oldest tournament of tennis, and perhaps the most celebrated one. The tournament lasts for 2 weeks, with 5 major events contested each year. Wimbledon fans know the traditions of the championship events- stern dress code for contestants and fun for the spectators along with Pimms spritzers and lots of strawberries and cream. That’s right- Wimbledon is a huge tennis event, and also a strawberry equivalent of the Super Bowl.
The greatest players
Comparing their plays, and going by several videos watched over slow motions, Nadal certainly has a faster swing than Federer. But you cannot forget about Federer’s forehand, which is considered the best.
Roger Federer
He has a winning technique over his forehand, and thus is a great player. If you carefully watch him play, you can observe that within the last 17-19 inches of meeting the ball, his racquet accelerates quickly. Normally for a top spin forehand that necessitates a slightly vertical racquet face to meet the ball, the lower your ball is met; the farther back your racquet can go, using a small range. He also uses the inside-out forehand on many occasions, with his wrist slightly laid back at the contact point. This forehand is the choice of many tennis pros, when you direct the ball toward the backhand of a right handed competitor.
Rafael Nadal
Talking about Rafael, he hits a fiercely heavy topspin forehand that mandates rapid racquet movement. His grip enhances the downward slant on his backswing. When he swings forward, his strings turn toward a bit of a vertical plane. His swing is definitely the most important play to focus attention on. Nadal uses his topspin to permit powerful and influential drives to make greater shots- to make his competitors feel uneasy.
Andy Roddick
Calling upon tennis strategies, we mustn’t forget Andy Roddick, who has the most powerful first and second serves. His first serves are hit at about 140+mph, and he sports a world record for the fastest serve (155mph). He uses the Continental grip, and delivers the serves with a strong force. His serves are worth studying. He lets go of the ball at a fairly high point, with all his fingers opening up simultaneously and he watches as the ball comes down. At the right position, he swings his racquet with what can be more accurately termed as a powerful explosion. A secret behind Roddick’s powerful serve could be his back arch and big knee bend. This position stores a lot of potential energy in the muscles, thus shooting out a powerful serve.
Serena Williams
Focusing attention on the female players, let us first discuss the moves of Serena Williams. Her best shot is her serve, but we can’t forget her backhand. Her preferred posture is semi-open that grants her a lot of rotational and linear energy. She keeps her wrists laid back to increase her whip speed, giving even more power. She also uses her two handed backhand grip, using her left hand in Eastern forehand position, and right hand in Continental position.
Venus Williams
Venus is known for her two hander open stances. She lays back her wrists, and whips the racquet forward with an uncoiling movement. Venus does not normally hit with a heavy topspin, and favors focusing her energy on a forward drive. This is a major reason of her Wimbledon success, because flat shots skid across grass.
Who’s gonna win?
Certainly a debatable issue, it is hard to determine who the best player is, and who will take the trophy this time. Roger Federer is no doubt, the number one choice of people after marking a complete Fed-Era, securing the French Open Grand Slam last year, and then making a winning streak at Wimbledon. Again marking an unbelievable achievement during Australian Open Grand Slam, he shone above his major competitor Rafael Nadal. But with Nadal thrashing him in straight sets, things changed at Roland Garros. With another defeat by Tomas Berdych, Fed-Era seemed to be fading away. While he did win the Wimbledon last year, the game is on between Federer and Nadal.
Federer is no doubt the greatest player of all times, but his winning streak losing away, Nadal has come with strong chances. These two players are certainly the best and deserve the Wimbledon trophy, though another name that is worth mentioning here is of Andy Roddick, who has been playing really well at many tournaments.
In women, we have 2 strong candidates: Serena Williams and Venus Williams. No doubt these sisters have been burning some strings in tennis lately. But with the return of Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin, it has become difficult to zero in on just one or two names.
All in all, Wimbledon is sure a heart thumping event with world’s eyes set to the Wimbledon courts this time. It’s going to mark important entries in the careers of many tennis stars.