WTA’s 2017 top tier Player profile
View(s):It is easy to notice that the top twenty women are not playing at the same venue. This could mean they are still working into their game to peak at the right time. When the european season proper begins, the top players will not have the luxury of game adjustments. Although not noticeable to untrained eyes, the experts will know what changes every player has made from last year. From the little seen this year, Women’s Tennis is going to be Serves, Returns and Positioning, to use the Ground Stroke as a weapon.
The Serves of Pliskova
It is known that Women do not generate a great deal of power in Serves and Returns. Those who do, have a big error rate, with some exceptions of course. The known formula to win in Tennis is by getting over 70% of the 1st Serves in. Of all known tactical calculations to win, the most reliable one is this. When the 1st Serve is in, accurate and fast, the chances are the player will win 90% of the ensuing rallies. This has been one of the unchanged formulas to win, ever since Tennis was played.
Big Serve and correct percentage could be observed in Serena Williams in recent years. Going back in time, Martina Hingis, Steffi Graff and Martina Navratilova had it. It is very interesting that, last year, it has appeared again in certain players. They have enhanced their speed and accuracy. While many can speed up the Serve, only a few are able to get the effective winning percentage along with it. The few who have shown big Serves-percentage correct in 2016 are Karolina Pliskova, Elina Svitolina, Madison Keys and Angelique Kerber. Of them, Pliskova has the best aggregate. Her flat swing in Ground Strokes and Serve is Russian by signature. Russian coaches have shown significant success with their players in recent times, with this. The understanding is simple. All types of spin curves the flight, giving more time to the opponent. Flat is a straight line hence, little time for the opponent.
Maria Sharapova
In interviews of players, many have said that Pliskova’s Serve and her ability to Return, to be the reasons for her success in reaching the top 10 last year. In her Return, it is her sighting ability that puts her at the top. She is able to sight the direction of the opponents’ Serves very well, and almost instantly after contact. A 1st Serve, if sighted early, position to Return very effectively could be got to upset the Server. The Server always has the advantage of the stroke, but also the disadvantage of recovery after the stroke, to regain the balance to move. The Serve is a very involved stroke and, if the Return comes with the power delivered by the Serve, it puts the Server in a spot. One of the known formulas to Serve against a good Returner is to spin and slow the Serve, to get time for recovery. This too has its disadvantages.
Calculation in Tactics
Whatever way one looks at it, one has to be a technician and a tactician to win at Tennis in 2017. With so many good players with very strong Ground Strokes and Serve, winning needs effective tactical calculation. Relying on Ground Strokes to win works, but at the expense of huge physical strain. It is the biggest cause of Tennis injuries, especially among Women. To win a tournament, a player has to win between five and eight matches. That is lot of matches to win with Ground Strokes only. Every player develops with Ground Strokes and, at a higher level of competition, tries to get out of this to escape the strain and its limitation in tactics. In the calculation of tactics, to come out of Ground Stroke dependency, the strokes available are Volley, Drive Volley, Half Volley [Serena, Radwanska use them], conversion of the Backhand to Forehand, good Return and Serve. To constitute a game based on these, also needs a different line of thinking and mindset.
One of the teaching methods queries why Ground Strokes are over emphasised in beginners, because the rally begins with Serve or Return. There is much logic in this question.
Novelty
One of the novelties of modern Tennis is Positioning. It is universally and logically accepted that the best position to take, to defend the court and to attack, is to stand behind and at the centre of the baseline. This is no more so. Players prefer off-centre, where conversion of Backhand to Forehand is easily possible. Very good players with highly advanced mobility, use it very successfully. They cover their Forehand court by restricting their opponent’s shot selection and with speedy foot movement. It is common to see players now playing Forehand positioning outside the side line, leaving the court completely open. Unless their opponents are very good, they are in safe area for success. This too, will be common to see in Women’s Tennis in 2017.
In 2017, we are going to see a great deal of winning formulas. Maria Sharapova will come out of suspension, and an event in Stuttgart has already given her a ‘wild card’ entry. Her 6-foot frame covers the field very well, making it difficult to Serve at her.
–George Paldano, Former intl. player; Accredited Coach of Germany; National, Davis-Cup, Federation Cup captain/coach– geodano2015@gmail.com