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Sunday 17 May 2009

Dont think about it- Playing Style - Part 2

Nadal on Action in Cincinnati Masters, Ohio, USA.


Do u ever tried to play like him?


Nadal generally plays an aggressive behind-the-baseline game founded on heavy topspin groundstrokes, consistency, speedy footwork, and tenacious court coverage. Known for his athleticism and speed around the court, Nadal is a capable defender who hits well on the run, constructing winning plays from seemingly defensive positions. While primarily a baseliner, Nadal is also a comfortable net player, using well-struck approach shots, drop shots, and volleys when situations dictate.Nadal's touch and skill at net and his ability to finish points from that position on the court are one of the most underestimated aspects of his game.


Nadal employs a full western grip forehand, often with a "buggy-whip" follow through, where his left arm hits through the ball and finishes above his left shoulder—as opposed to a more traditional finish across the body or around his opposite shoulder. Nadal's forehand groundstroke form allows him to hit shots with heavy topspin—more so than many of his contemporaries. While Nadal's shots tend to land short of the baseline, the characteristically high bounces his forehands achieve tend to mitigate the advantage an opponent would normally gain from capitalizing on a short ball. Nadal is also able to hit his forehand with a more traditional follow-through when a deeper, more penetrating shot is called for.

Nadal has developed his serve into a solid weapon since his earlier years as a pro. Nadal is able to deliver a high percentage of first serves, struck with pace and placed strategically. Nadal's second serve usually employs a hard left-handed slice towards right-handed opponents' backhands. Nadal relies on the consistency of his serve to gain a strategic advantage early in the point and earn a respectable amount of aces and service winners. Nadal's mental resiliency and strategic approach to the game is another noted strength. Nadal is able to avoid discouragement regardless of match score, allowing him to singularly focus on winning the current point and gaining an advantage. As a strategic player, Nadal can assess outside variables such as court surface, weather conditions, and his opponent's tactics in order to adjust his own play to best adapt to present conditions.


While Nadal's game is best-suited to clay courts, Nadal is no longer considered a "clay court specialist" due to continued success at tournaments played on other surfaces. Despite praise for Nadal's talent and skill, some have questioned his longevity in the sport, citing his build and playing style as conducive to injury. Nadal himself has admitted to the physical toll hard courts place on ATP Tour players, calling for a reevaluated tour schedule featuring fewer hard court tournaments.

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