Expert: Tim Jopling - 4/3/2005

Question
Dear Tim

I have been playing tennis for the past 20 years and play my forhand and backhand doublehanded.  I am a first league player, but would like some advice on the grip I should use, as well as the technique to produce optimal shots.

Could you advise me on a video that I can purchase that would help me.

Regards
Anton Mostert  

Answer
Hi Anton,

Thanks for the question. Unfortunately I can't reccommend any videos for you, as there aren't many tennis video's available, well not here in the UK anyway. Not sure where you are.

Anyway, hopefully I can still be of use. You sound like you are going to change your technique? I've been in your position before when I decided to change my topspin backhand. It never really amounted to much, so I decided to change it by following Cedric Pioline's backhand as a template. Sounds crazy but it worked perfectly for me, maybe it could help you.

Basically I recorded some of his matches off the TV and got lucky in the fact that the broadcaster would show some slow motion shots of his backhand and with my coaching background was able to analyse his stance for the shot, his grip, angle of the racket, the swing and follow through etc. I would also reccommend TENNIS magazine (US version) which always has step by step photo's on certain shots and can be a god send. To gain optimal technique you need to copy the best pro's, not just any. Copying Roddick's backhand would be a big mistake for example, it's a terrible shot. I think you should look at some 90's players as that was such a great era for tennis.

Just remember one thing Anton, great style leads to great technique, which leads to very affective shot making.

Find a shot that is worth copying, analyse it (with a coaches help preferably), work hard on it, practice in front of a mirror, and put it into practice.

Does that help?

Tim