The martial art form “Jujutsu” involves manipulating the opponent’s force against themselves.
Phrases that arise include flexible, pliable or yielding.
I see so much of this in Federer’s game. Especially his low, short skidding slice.
Yet somehow I find a lot of the material on the internet is about bigger shots, more power, more spin, with very little about this “other side of the street.”
Yes there is offense in tennis. But equally there is the ability to test the opponent and win points without outright winners.
For those of you who remember players from a previous era recall Miroslav Mecir – the “Big Cat” or for sure John McEnroe. And do not forget Fabrice Santoro!!!
Yielding, pliable, flexible, manipulating their opponent’s style against them – but lethal when the court opened.
Are you working on finesse?
Can you expose your opponent’s Achilles heel?
Can you short the ball with a low slice to bring them to the net?
Our game may not always be about “go big or go home” – what is yours?
Jim. Want I to know how much your messages re the game mean to me. Had lung cancer surgery March 2018. After treatment was cancer free. However shortly after radiation I was diagnosed w/radiation caused pneumonia which took many months to come out of and then I got type a flu. Hospitalized again. Had home care and Now feeling better and stronger each day.
All the above bla,bla,bla. Is to let u know how I enjoyed thinking about what the body is capable of doing tennis wise and hoping to be able to get back on the court remembering your instruction. Will let u know when I can hit deep, drop shot and then lob while playing mid court Thanks Jim. Cookie
The martial art form “Jujutsu” involves manipulating the opponent’s force against themselves.
3 Comments
Eugenio Ovalle
May 21, 2019Jim:
Good point bringing the slice and its various applications
This is what I call having an all court game applying variety.
Doris de Ross. Cookie
May 20, 2019Jim. Want I to know how much your messages re the game mean to me. Had lung cancer surgery March 2018. After treatment was cancer free. However shortly after radiation I was diagnosed w/radiation caused pneumonia which took many months to come out of and then I got type a flu. Hospitalized again. Had home care and Now feeling better and stronger each day.
All the above bla,bla,bla. Is to let u know how I enjoyed thinking about what the body is capable of doing tennis wise and hoping to be able to get back on the court remembering your instruction. Will let u know when I can hit deep, drop shot and then lob while playing mid court Thanks Jim. Cookie
Jim McLennan
June 26, 2019Cookie – thanks for this note – and for our memories of tennis in Mexico – always the best – Jim
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