Rafa: The Hidden Dimensions. From Anand 101. Thanks.
Posted by tennisplanet on June 9, 2008
Anand 101
Rafa: The Hidden Dimensions
Fed once called Rafa one-dimensional. He alluded to the way Rafa single-mindedly hits his topspin forehand (not to mention the serve) into Fed’s one-handed backhand.
In a way this is basically repetition of a single angle, something that would (and does) bore the skulls out of viewers and probably opponents.
However, watching the final left me realizing that it was Fed and all the others who are missing a dimension — the vertical. Rafa has the unique ability to toss those forehands high up into the air and bring it back down inside right at the edge of the court, with a lot of topspin.
If you looked at Fed and Djoker’s game for example, it is very flat in comparison. All their angles are in two dimensions. Rafa’s is in three dimensions.
Of course that one angle still doesn’t make for great viewing but Rafa has always had spectacular on-the-run gets and how now added other explosive strokes on his backhand side to take our breath away.
Back to you Fed and Djoker. What can *you* do better next year?
Bento said
Excuse me, but Nadal’s game is poor close to Federer’s. Please, give me a break, Federer is going through a rough moment right now. The guy has dominated tennis for a long time. Can you even imagine the pressure? By the Australian Open that pressure was already unbearable. Perfection cannot be ok with a little less than perfection. His mindset is on things too big. He is part of the history of tennis, forever. And I don’t mean “that kid that was impossible to beat at RG” kind of place in history. I mean Rod Laver level; center courts having his name.
It’s just a matter of time. Roger will return and show once again who he is. He is the top dog at Wimbledon still this year, in my opinion, by far.
Raf said
Agree with your analysis, it he keep this level, he’ll continue to dominate, at least at RG. I think to beat him at RG, at his best, takes great height, great strength to hit the high ball down. Neither Fed or Novak has enough muscle to do it. It is great to have a few different styles at the top, hopefully someone will beat Rafa at RG.
Smox said
Well that’s a trait of Rafa’s game. Always been. The fact that someone labeled it one-dimensional speaks volumes about that persons sense of observation.
But never the less, its a valid point there Anand 101. Such massive power invested in it has huge advantage on clay – basically never nets the ball and has developed in-the-zone touch for long-distance projectiles which we witnessed last fortnight (yet again). Corner here, line there…
What I didn’t notice earlier was the magnitude and consistency of inside-side-spin the ball gets on dtl shots to ad-court, targeting Feds chicken-wing. Its down to extreme grip coupled with power I suppose. Such weird trajectory baffles opponents with (basically) weak BHs – esp one-handers.
More I think about it, more it makes me wonder – was there any other SCORE possible. I guess it was – Fed was so down on himself (probably ’cause his ambition was to be unfulfilled, normal) that some of those volleys could have gone IN court, as opposed to out or in the net (talk about mentality/complex/choke). But from the baseline, hard to see any other outcome there.
Though one should say, some of those shanks were simply appalling.