TENNISVIEW Fall 2010 Issue has an article out on Rafa Nadal & his awesome Slice backhand.
Excerpt:
SLICE BACKHAND
Call it lazy, sneaky or brilliant, the slice backhand is a staple stroke in the pro circuit.
By Teresa Thompson
WHEN JOHN ISNER MET RAFAEL NADAL AT INDIAN WELLS LAST SPRING, IT WAS THEIR FIRST ENCOUNTER. The American, void of expectations, recalled the Spaniard’s impressive bag of tricks. “His ball has some junk on it, which is, you know, tough to handle,” said Isner, referring specifically
to Nadal’s slice backhand.
Nadal typically hits a two-handed backhand with topspin, but gusty weather conditions at the Southern California desert tournament led to adjustments in his tactics. “It wasn’t easy using the backhand with topspin when you’re playing somewhere with wind. I felt like the
ball would fly off my racquet,” commented Nadal. “The slice is a good change, no?”
A backhand slice travels low over the net and skids with backspin when it bounces, adding extra difficulty for tall players such as 6’9” Isner.
“He [Nadal] makes you work so hard for every point.”
Ultimately, Nadal toppled the giant, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.
The World No. 1 is a fierce competitor who embraces change.
“I have more things to learn and do during the match, but I think I am a better player than before. I improved my slice backhand a lot,” said Nadal.
Roger Federer is another top player who utilizes the slice backhand. Grand Slam champion Martina
Navratilova says the stroke is one of Federer’s biggest weapons and that Federer made a tactical error when he abandoned the slice backhand during the Madrid Open final. The decision, she explained, may have cost him the title.
“Roger was slugging it out with Nadal too much and didn't use his slice backhand hardly at all. Roger knows what he needs to be doing. But, he was too stubborn with his tops and backhand. I didn't think he used his slice enough. He could have mixed it up more,” said Martina.
A shot that’s hard to read, difficult to defend and can be frustrating to no end, recreational players who want to drive their opponents crazy should add the slice backhand to their game. As Martina said, it’s not enough to know how to hit the stroke you must know when to hit it as well...
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