The Richard Gonzalez Serve...

[don_budge]

Still occupied. The powers that be are not listening. Just like tennis power that be...they didn't listen either and look where we are now. I never gave up...I don't know how.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1a5rk647RE

[doctorhl]

Who are the best pro examples today of serve fluidity?.

[don_budge]

Who are the best pro examples today of serve fluidity?.

Superb question doctorhl. Where is the fluidity in the modern service motion?

The home page's main article this month illustrates an interesting difference between classic and modern. There is no kick back with McEnroe's serve - who just swings the left leg through to ensure he hits the ground running. In stark contrast, the modern baseline player slams the brakes on immediately after serving to ensure he/she can get back behind the baseline in double quick time.

There is none. To my knowledge there is nothing that strikes as being fluid. Serves are designed to "shock and awe"...like an attack on a soveriegn country under the guise of protecting your own. There is very little tactical acumen in play. stotty makes a poignant observation regarding the John McEnroe delivery. No kick back. Why? Because he is scooting to the net lickety split, as quick as he can. McEnroe's serve was fifty percent power and fifty percent tactics. Much as the Stan Smith video I posted along with this video. Smith had a beautiful and fluid motion as well. Both Gonzales and Smith were following a majority of their serves to the net.

I remember saying the same thing stotty is saying in his post. The kick back is a by product of the braking and retreat behind the baseline. Modern serves are all about speed with less regard for tactical manuevering. In my book this is another example how the modern game is fundamentally different from the classic game. To me this is devolving. Brute force replacing thoughtful tactical serving.