My Thoughts on the McEnroe Forehand...

[gordonp]

I would tend to agree with what you are saying. Like I said, I didn't grasp what he said 100 percent but I didn't persist. My coach at the time, George Bacso didn't think he was using that much wrist either.
It's funny but when I later questioned Jimmy Connors in regards to his flat forehand he became very argumentative-- the complete opposite of McEnroe. Had Connors hit with a tad more spin would his results have been any better ?

[don_budge]

Thanks gordonp...

Hi Bottle,

He showed me how he rolled his wrist to create spin. I checked out the first forehand video on tennisplayer with McEnroe. If you start at the beginning and hit the arrow key it occurs at frame 37 to 38. At frame 37, you see McEnroe's palm and fingers, the next frame it appears he rolled his wrist. I believe that was what he talked about. I tried it the next day but couldn't do it.
Please understand this interview happened many years ago I never expected John to take his racket out of his bag and demonstrate it. I was taken aback. We had just finished a twenty minute one on one interview and he was still dressed in his towel. I knew he wanted to get out of there.
I thought of asking more questions but that wasn't the reason I was in the lockerroom so I stopped myself. It was my first interview with a pro athlete. I will say John was genuine and engaged in our conversation.
In regards to an earlier comment, the continental and Eastern forehand grips were standard at the time at Port Washington but the game was beginning to change and evolve into today's ATP forehand.
I wonder if new equipment (strings and rackets) had more to do with the demise of the continental forehand than anything else.

Your story about your interview with John McEnroe at the South Orange Tennis Club in South Orange, New Jersey is like a breath of fresh air...like a cleansing wind in a dusty, moldy room that has been boarded up airtight for many years. The vision of John McEnroe leaping to his feet clad only in a towel...excitedly and passionately demonstrating his forehand technique is an image that is etched in my mind forever. Thank you very much for your contribution to the forum these past few days. I have found it to be quite enlightening.

McEnroe may have said he was rolling his wrist but it looks to me as if his whole arm is rolling. By the way...my very own forehand has never been better since I changed my grip some few months back. My arm rolls with the weight of the racquet head coming over and through the ball.

[don_budge]

Born To Run...Bruce Springsteen...and Tennis Bums

A tramp like me...like some runaway American Dream. The audacity to dream...and to think clearly. To diverge from the path well worn...by the herd. Living outside of the box mentality and rejecting conventional wisdom. If...and only if. Turn up the volume...if you dare.

I'll love you with all the madness in my soul
I want to know if love is wild, girl I want to know if love is real

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65xF8SThFaw

Born to Run...Bruce Springsteen

In the day we sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream
At night we ride through the mansions of glory in suicide machines
Sprung from cages out on highway 9,
Chrome wheeled, fuel injected,and steppin' out over the line
Baby this town rips the bones from your back
It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap
We gotta get out while we're young
`Cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run

yes, girl we were

Wendy let me in I wanna be your friend
I want to guard your dreams and visions
Just wrap your legs 'round these velvet rims
and strap your hands 'cross my engines
Together we could break this trap
We'll run till we drop, baby we'll never go back
h-Oh, Will you walk with me out on the wire
`Cause baby I'm just a scared and lonely rider
But I gotta know how it feels
I want to know if love is wild
Babe I want to know if love is real

Oh, can you show me

Beyond the Palace hemi-powered drones scream down the boulevard
Girls comb their hair in rearview mirrors
And the boys try to look so hard
The amusement park rises bold and stark
Kids are huddled on the beach in a mist
I wanna die with you Wendy on the street tonight
In an everlasting kiss

1-2-3-4!

The highway's jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive
Everybody's out on the run tonight
but there's no place left to hide
Together Wendy we can live with the sadness
I'll love you with all the madness in my soul
h-Oh, Someday girl I don't know when
we're gonna get to that place
Where we really wanna go
and we'll walk in the sun
But till then tramps like us
baby we were born to run

Oh honey, tramps like us
baby we were born to run

Come on with me, tramps like us
baby we were born to run

The continental gripped forehand is a viable option...so is the eastern, western and all points in between. To reject any of it is pure madness...living in a box, teaching in a vacuum. I am not saying that the ATP forehand isn't popular...one only has to open their eyes. That is easy. But guess what...the game the way McEnroe played and many before him is equally viable. It is only that the coaching was hijacked in 1984 and the coaching world was seduced. Of course it's the equipment with the racquets and things...the strings, the courts. But the real pathetic nature of it all is that the minds were hypnotized by the slogan that "image is everything". That was all that they had to say...with some slick advertising, some slick coaches spokespersons and the herd followed over the cliff.

To teach the continental forehand and backhand is irresponsible...that is some crazy talk. Every tennis coach worth his salt should be able to teach every shot from every conceivable angle. From the baseline to the net and all points in between. With a Continental, Eastern or Western...what the hell throw in the Galactica Grip...why not? Cookie cutter box mentality. What does the USPTA testing look like? I have never seen it. Does that make me ineligible to teach tennis? Why would Patrick McEnroe and Jose Higueras advocate following the Spanish mode of operation? Has America run out of someone capable of taking the bull by the horns? I guess that I answered my own question...look at Washington. Look at American Tennis.

But think about it...four American champions in the past 40 years. I would say great but that would include Agassi...Mr. Image is Everything. Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. Four different styles...two left handed and two right handed. Two two handed backhands...two one handed backhands. One of each. It's perfect. There are four monkeys for you...go from there.

Like some runaway American Dream...

[don_budge]

In Conclusion...The Continental Grips of John McEnroe

My journey into the continental gripped game as best exemplified and the latest example by the great American tennis player John McEnroe is now over. For the time being. At least as far as any more posting on the forum. For the meantime. I reserve the right to change my mind. I have reposted my thoughts and the video clips for my convenience and for yours if you find them of any interest. Now these threads can drift into obscurity with the rest of the words that I have chosen to write to you. To all of you...my good fellows and ladies too.

The journey was based upon a collage of comments, threads and posts that were viewed here on tennisplayer.net. Wilander vs. McEnroe, stroke, Does McEnroe Flip?, Karsten Popp...and on and on and on. It sort of morphed into a dream...even a hallucination at times. Connect the dots...seek the meaning of life. You will find that it is simple and simply put. Do your best. For yourself and by others. Have a little respect. For the past. For your elders. For life in general. Don't seek the path of least resistance...go for the one that is less travelled. Don't let the other guy outwork you. Don't let the other guy outthink you. Be aware!

I will continue to pursue playing tennis in this continental gripped manner and dedicate my efforts to all of the classic tennis players of the past. And to the great teachers of the past. Before the days of virtual reality...and virtual morality (my term). Before the days of "modern tennis". And to bottle. Keep an open mind everyone! Be free! Or die! I think it was stroke who opined that this manner of playing the game was best for seniors and I am wondering with the results that I have gotten if this style might not be revived except for the fact that conventional wisdom frowns upon it and from this point forwards there is only one way to play the modern game of tennis. Of course with all of the engineering of equipment, court surfaces and the brain washing with the politically correct mentality, it is a hard sell to think differently.

Well the herd is going one way and I the other. Nothing new under the sun...as I look out on the Swedish country side from my office window...like Johnny Depp in the The Secret Window. A winter's day or a winter's night. Depending upon where you are. I am here and you are there. Over and out...from yours truly...don_budge.

[don_budge]

Repost...The John McEnroe forehand as viewed as a DROP SHOT...

Repost for easy reference...

FH DropShot CourtLevel Front1- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

after having elicited the weakest of returns from his opponent...perhaps after torturing him with four or five variations and combinations of forehands and backhands he is looking at a ball that he just plays safely and softly over the net and assumes the ready position just in case his hapless opponent manages to get to this before the second bounce. he just used a bunting technique on this ball with no muss and no fuss.

FH DropShot CourtLevel Front2- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

here is a drop shot with a little more delicate nature. like a federer featherer only much riskier...johnny can hold on to his intentions until the last moment by assuming his normal take back stance and the racquet in backswing mode. at the last possible moment he lifts the racquet face up and behind the ball and applies the knifing action to kill the ball from bouncing significantly. although he is using quite a bit of arm motion on this shot the rotation of the shoulders is doing the brunt of the work even on this touchy feely drop shot.

FH DropShot CourtLevel Rear- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

here you go...some brilliant disguise. assuming the backswing stance and halfway through the backswing it turns into something totally different. the opponent never saw it coming until it was way too late. mcenroe sort of cupped this attempt which is the ultimate demonstration of touch and risky wrist movement on the forehand side. well...afterall he is a genius with a tennis racquet. say what you want.

FH DropShot Rear1- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

after viewing all of the different things that he is capable of pulling off from this position on the court the opponent has the daunting task of guessing what is going to come off of that racquet. he may have driven the previous three balls deep into the forehand corner from this position but here he decides to kill him softly...ever so softly.

[don_budge]

Repost...The John McEnroe forehand as viewed SLICE...

Repost for easy reference...

FH Slice Wide CourtLevel Rear- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

of course one cannot complete a study of the mcenroe forehand without mentioning the slice. we have talked about the disappearance of the slice forehand and it could very well of gone extinct when johnny said good bye. johnny bye bye for all of you springsteen fans. take a look at this little defensive gem because he may play this slice in a variety of ways ranging from purely defensive purposes to subtle attack. just before impact this shot from behind the baseline has all of the appearances of a volley like stroke. the racquet head is even higher than the level of his hand. this particular shot hit off a very aggressive ball from his opponent has the appearance of a safe play into the middle of the court which will leave mcenroe with only option on the next ball...to guess where his opponent will be trying to finish the point. if he guesses right my money is on his trying to further neutralize things or to try to his some kind of brilliant winner. if he guesses wrong he will only be hoping for an uncharacteristic miss from his opponent. you cannot rule out the miss either because keep in mind that mcenroe has been jerking his opponent all over the court for the duration of the match and nothing seems to be a given...even the sitters take on the sense of an adventure. the unpredictability of the mcenroe game takes its toll on you as an opponent...that is without even factoring in the mental gymnastics.

[don_budge]

Repost...The John McEnroe forehand as viewed SHORT...

Repost for easy reference...

FH Short Front- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

one of the most interesting features of the continental forehand is the variety of shots that can be played inside the baseline...as in approaching the net. here mcenroe is moving slightly to his right electing to play on the forehand side and in a semi open stance he hits his trademark low slightly flatter forehand to his opponents forehand. the continental forehand has the distinction of landing the player with the weight moving forwards and with less falling over to the opposite side. by directing the weight more forwards for playing approach shots the natural inclination will be to move towards the net.

FH Short Front1- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

here from virtually the same position in the court mcenroe elects to close his stance to a semi closed and now he sends a dart to the opponents backhand side. his hooking left handed spin will have the additional effect of keeping the ball moving away from his opponent as well. these two forehands are also an excellent example of the element of disguise and control built into this shot. on the first short forehand it appears to me that the normal approach from an open stance would be cross court and not the inside out that he plays. in this second example the reverse is true...it appears that his natural inclination from this setup would be to play reverse cross court but instead he has tucked it neatly into the opponents backhand side where no doubt they will be digging it out of the pavement and hitting up to the catlike mcenroe ready to pounce at the net.

[don_budge]

Repost...The John McEnroe forehand as viewed INSIDE OUT...

Repost for easy reference...

FH InsideOut CourtLevel Front- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

one of the big advantages of the mcenroe continental forehand is his ability to deceive and hold onto to his intentions until the very last moment. here it appears that he has set himself up on the backside of his court in a closed stance and he is going to drive into his opponents backhand court but instead he has turned around and hit something that looks like it is going to be deep into his opponents forehand corner. no doubt he is already thinking about all of the likely responses and deciding on his next move. mcenroe plays a lot of chess on tennis court as he always seems to be one step ahead of his opponent...tactically speaking.

FH InsideOut CourtLevel Rear- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

just to the right of center mcenroe is set in an open stance and once again it appears that he may be leaning on hitting a cross court shot but instead he elects to go down the line with a low bullet. his opponent was clearly unsure as to what side to commit to and now he will be chasing and hitting up to an approaching mcenroe as he has sensed that he has his opponent in all kinds of trouble and is sneaking into the net to seal the deal.

[don_budge]

Repost...The John McEnroe forehand as viewed while RUNNING...

Repost for easy reference...

FH Running Rear1- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

running to his left mcenroe arrives at the ball having perfectly measured his steps striking the ball just before his front foot meets the ground. the preparation of the racquet while hurrying to get into position is done a great deal by merely turning the shoulders again swing the arm backwards into position to deliver the standard payload of the continental grip loaded wrist. the pulling of the butt cap appears to be abbreviated but i think that the racquet face is more exposed to the ball and stays that way longer before and after impact thereby insuring more contact with the sweet spot of the strings. by driving off of his back leg with his last step towards the ball he has also engaged the lower body to do its part of the work. more golf on the run.

FH Running Rear2- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

an interesting angle of the mcenroe forehand hit on the move. here at the “bottom” of his backswing the racquet head is partially below his knees...at this point of the backswing his wrist is not in the position that it will need to be in to go forwards so the racquet will be “lagging” behind his hand. this shot is hit in a rather open stance after moving somewhat backwards but the weight yet appears to be in a stable position without giving any ground to the ball at impact. this shot will most likely be played in a neutral mode.

FH Running CourtLevel Front1- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

a great shot of the mcenroe “ready position” at the start of this clip...the ready position sets up the backswing and this ready position is custom suited for the mcenroe backswing with the position of his racquet and hand. by using the same grip for forehand and backhand he is equally ready to go either way at all times. this in itself is an advantage in terms of the split second timing tennis requires. here he is a bit out of position from an aggressive shot by his opponent so he has returned to a position where he anticipates that he will have another play to seek the advantage and at the same time is returning into the court for better position. like federer...mcenroe seems to have the uncanny ability to gather himself as he swings without appearing to be off balance.

FH Running CourtLevel Front2- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

in an era where topspin is deemed king the mcenroe technique shows much more flexibility in the repertoire of shots that he has command over. here on the run he demonstrate the ability to flatten out the forehand. the racquet starts forward barely below the ball and rises up barely over the level of his shot with his follow through. notice how stable the face of the racquet is and how long the face stays on the path of the ball. mcenroe is always smoothly rotating his shoulder through his shots. he never seems to consciously be using his wrist to manipulate his shots. it merely behaves as it should...as a passive hinge.

FH Running CourtLevel Rear- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

here is a shot that mcenroe appears to be steering into an area of the court to neutralize a fairly aggressive play from his opponent. he is a master of neutralizing points and then immediately turning the tables to get on top of the situation. it appears that his opponent has hit aggressively reverse cross court to the forehand and mcenroe may have been anticipating a backhand. he has to make a long trek wide to the far side of the court to play something low and cross court to once again turn the tables of control back to him.

[don_budge]

Repost...The John McEnroe forehand as viewed going WIDE...

Repost for easy reference...

FH Wide Front- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

while moving to his left the racquet swings back into position with just enough momentum to lay the wrist back into position. the shoulders and leading hand are in exactly the same position every time whether he is moving or stationary. the shoulders rotate back to the ball and the arm and racquet follow. there is no excessive wrist activity...in fact there is minimal. there is a always a generous amount of energy engaged with the lower body.

FH Wide Side1- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

this looks like a sharply angled forehand pass on an approaching net rusher as evidenced by a sharper and more abrupt pass on the ball upwards in motion. a nice angle of the camera shows that mcenroe is pulling the butt cap at the ball in the early stage of his forward swing. there is plenty of energy loaded into the wrist action in the mcenroe forehand. the term “weaker grip” is a bit misleading. his eyes on the ball remind me of someone...federeresque.

FH Wide Side2- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

good view from the backside of the backswing on the run. notice how the last bit of backswing swings the wrist into the slightly laid back position. much less lay back than the stronger grips being played in the “modern game”. even while moving the shoulders and body are meticulously positioned to rotate into the swing. mcenroe elects to hit this one from an open stance probably to add to his deceptiveness on this particular shot.

FH Wide CourtLevel Front- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

mcenroe moves well into the court to take this ball early and possibly on the rise to hit it sharply into the backhand side of his opponent. this ball is going to be on top of the opponent in a hurry due to the flatness of the stroke. the placement tends to be uncanny as well. the backswing and later contact also contributes to his ability to disguise his intentions until the last split second. this ball could easily have been rocketing up the sideline down the line.

FH Wide CourtLevel Rear1- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

moving to his left mcenroe takes this ball that bounces on the service line from the cross court and sends it down the line with a little higher trajectory. you can see a good view of the position of the wrist and the gentle flex in the backswing and the pulling of the butt of the racquet towards the ball to initiate the forward motion of the racquet. using a bit of a jumping motion to propel the ball back mcenroe never allows the arm and racquet to get ahead of the shoulders.

FH Wide CourtLevel Rear2- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

an almost identical location as the preceding shot mcenroe using an almost identical motion except that he appears to be a bit more stable in his stance hits the ball sharply up the line on a lower trajectory for what appears to be a clean winner.

[don_budge]

Repost...The John McEnroe forehand as viewed from the CENTER...

Repost for easy reference...

FH CenterFront- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

back foot perpendicular to target...right hand stretched out in front of the body in order to turn the right shoulder at the ball...racquet back in perfect alignment with the shoulders. even though hitting from an open stance the alignment of the upper body and racquet is as if the stance were closed. hips initiate the swing followed closely by the shoulders in order to swing the arm and finally the racquet through the ball. the path of the racquet face is directly through the path of the ball. wrist action...as a completion of the back swing the wrist is “laid back” into position and at impact it delivers the “bruce lee” one inch punch effect. effectively, a very compact stretch shortening cycle (i hate that term).

FH Center Side1- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

on a ball hit directly at mcenroe...he back steps himself into position with no less than 5 small steps into perfect alignment to hit a closed stance forehand...shoulders, racquet and feet in 3 neat lines ready to go forwards...swing initiated with the lower body, feet, legs and then the hips...working its way up to the shoulders as indicated by both hands moving in the same direction at the same speed...at the same time. all of the moving parts kept neatly in the same plane. left shoulder driving into the ball with minimal stretch shortening in the wrist action. but even though this is minimal movement and barely detectable at full speed...it is delivering the payload in a perhaps more efficient use of motion. this accounts for his accuracy, power and deception.

FH Center Side 2- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

on a ball hit slightly to his left...he again positions himself with 5 small steps...notice the backswing and how small a distance his left hand actually has to travel to get in position to swing...the hand is definitely leading the racquet head, butt first to the ball...contact perhaps even or even slightly behind leading hip. impressive use of body once again to encourage a free swinging arm throughout the entire swing as indicated by the full follow through with the hand finishing shoulder high. the arc of his swing tends to be from the waist at the initiation of the forwards movement and depending upon the height of the ball the head drops slightly below the ball...the hand generally finishes in the shoulder height area.

FH Center CourtLevel Front 1- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

mcenroe is playing this ball with a slightly open stance...the reason is that he is going to play the shot with a little additional topspin. he sets himself in his standard 3 neat line stance (even though the foot is not perfectly in line his body, his stance has all the characteristics that it is)...to generate the extra spin he drops the racquet a bit more below the ball and comes over and across it a bit quicker with the assistance of his semi open stance following through more pronouncedly to the right with the racquet head doing a bit of the “wiper” motion that is being hyped as something new in modern tennis.

FH Center CourtLevel Front 2- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

this appears to be a bit of a defensive shot. he does not appear to have had the time to get his feet in perfect alignment and stabilize himself...so he does the smart thing and plays the ball safely in the court with a neutralizing ball. even so his alignment with his racquet and shoulders is perfect and the follow through at shoulder height indicate a safe percentage play from a less than balanced position.

FH Center CourtLevel Rear1- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

on a ball that bounces inside of the service line mcenroe is set to pounce and angle this ball sharply cross court with top spin. his abbreviated and open stance give him the proper angle from which to launch himself into this shot driving with his legs forwards so that once his shot is finished he is scampering to the net to more than likely finish things with a nice tidy volley. notice the perfect alignment with his racquet and shoulders. the abbreviated backswing allows him the split second to decide...and deceive. the follow through is quickly over the ball and the momentum will carry him forwards to the net.

FH Center CourtLevel Rear2- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

less than perfect balance but the alignment is again as good as it can possibly be. racquet and shoulders in alignment with the stance slightly open. it appears he will play this ball reasonably safe with extra topspin as indicated by the path of his racquet. i think it is interesting to note that it appears that mcenroe could very well catch his follow through up at shoulder high with his free hand but he elects to let it drop downwards into his free hand waiting below. this makes sense as this is where he will initiate his backswing without the tracking movement of showing the face of the racquet to the ball that is a part of federer’s approach to swinging on the forehand side.

FH Center CourtLevel Rear3- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

i love this shot. mcenroe is anticipating a short ball as he is standing well inside the baseline but instead the ball has him retreating a bit backwards. he gets himself self set up as solid as a brick wall on his back foot and elects to drive the ball down the line for an apparent winner. placement and lack of spin are a winning combination in this instance.

FH Center CourtLevel Rear4- https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

one of the most distinguishing features of the mcenroe forehand is his ability to disarm his opponents with his control and disguise. here he is simply playing one of his many neutralizing balls from an open stance before he resumes his attack. he appears to have hit something in an off speed manner with perhaps a little extra spin and extra net clearance...after he strikes this ball you can see that he is confident that from where he has hit this shot his opponent will not be able to hurt him and he rather calmly prepares for the next ball.

[don_budge]

But anyways....

It has been a lot of hard work this continental road and if it doesn't make me a better tennis player, which really isn't the point, it will definitely make me a better tennis teacher.

But as far as progress goes...I am really happy with the forehand and the backhand is slowly progressing. Today I had the opportunity to test everything against a 35 year old big hitting Swede named Mats. I played him even without coming over the backhand yet. Almost...but not quite. A bit flatter.

We hit for 30 minutes before we played and it was really good practice to work against his speed. The underhanded backswing is a big advantage because it takes less time to prepare. The swing is more compact through the hitting zone so less can go wrong. Somehow the technique is more conducive to getting my weight on my front foot. I really feel that I can step into the ball and if I initiate things with a pull of the butt of the racquet to the ball everything seems to take care of itself. With the wrist in laid back position it rolls through the ball with a resounding "whack".

I practiced the backswing for 15 minutes before my partner arrived...racquet head descending as I landed into my hop step, or skip step...or split step. It is much less complicated than the "Federfore" backswing and more to the point. Who gives a flip if it flips or not?

[bottle]

No, don_budge, don't regret the poll, it was fun. And profound in the differing responses elicited. Isn't there a film-- RASHOMON-- that does something like that? Personally, I like the idea right now of "cueing" a McEnfore. There have been a few days-- not many-- where I did poorly in tennis but went into a bar at nighttime and cleaned out the joint with long shots hit soft.

Just think of alternating one's McEnfore with one's Federfore and then hitting the full Ben Hogan with a hell of a tail.

Chrissy Evert can talk all she wants about how more variation is more to go wrong (exactly the predictable thing we would expect her to say-- she was more suitable girlfriend material for Geraldo or Greg Norman than for me).

My in fact over-specialized 16-year-old girlfriend with game identical to Chrissie's was a control freak who ended up spending her entire adult life as tennis champion of a mental institution. But Ochi, a contributor to this forum just before you, suggested that I wanted to crack up like her so that I could join her there.

For insane love.

[don_budge]

Racquet butt pointed at the target...

https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/john-mcenroe/

The simplicity of the McEnroe forehand is amazing. I regret the poll. Without a clear definition of the word "flip" as in "flipping the forehand" it is meaningless. Is that a description of the same motion that is used for flipping pancakes? It might just be. That being said...I tried every way I could to delete the poll but could not find the way out.

I don't like the word flip when it is used in conjunction for explaining what happens in the mechanics of the forehand stroke...therefore I will never use it in describing the motion. It is a meaningless term to me. But that is not to say that others will find solace in "flipping" their forehands. I wish them well...seriously. I prefer the term roll...as in the hinge of a door.

In order to truly understand the difference in what is happening here with the McEnroe motion you have to wear it for a while...in every detail that we can observe in the videos and this requires careful study and it also requires the ability to discern. In this case the hand (and wrist) are definitely quicker than the eye. The value of the ability to stop action the video is not to be underestimated.

When McEnroe dips into his legs from his split step (another term that I disdain) his racquet simultaneously dips into the backswing. This is an important action because you will never achieve the same position of the wrist in the set up position if you try to backswing in a loop and set the racquet there. It is vital that the last bit of energy in the backswing is used to lay the wrist back ever so gently...into proper and perfect position. It must be a repeatable motion therefore it is only achievable from below and not from above. Trust me.

When you stop the video just as Johnny makes his first movement towards the ball you will see that this movement is clearly made with a pulling motion that is initiated by the hips ala Ben Hogan. This is evidenced by the butt of the racquet being pulled initially towards the ball before the racquet head makes any kind of move towards the ball. The wrist is still "laid" back and ready to roll. The pulling of this motion and the action of the racquet is much quicker and briefer than the "modern" forehand and in this case less just may be better...in some cases. Most will argue differently...I understand the argument too.

Björn Borg was dominating the tennis scene when John McEnroe was bursting into his own as well. Borg's game was built on topspin much as the modern game is today but certainly the difference in speed was appreciable. McEnroe's interpretation of the game allowed him to go in hard and low at the topspin groundstrokes of Borg which opened up a whole range of possibilities tactically speaking wise to dismantling the one dimensional aspect of the Swedes game. His ability to hit the ball on the rise was instrumental in his success.

Tilden would argue never give your opponent a ball that he prefers to hit. These days players prefer the ball to be his hard with topspin and in the strike zone...and they are really freaking good at this. Djokovic and Murray looked like they were playing a video game at times with the trading of laser like bullets. Tilden might be hard pressed to deliver balls outside of the strike zone of the modern tennis player but somehow I believe that he would persist until he found something that worked.

Federer at times seemed to understand this little conundrum in his semifinal against Murray when he resorted to mixing in underspin of various speeds but he did not persist...he is not really programmed to persist at this tactic either. When out gunned...out smart. The 11% percent difference in the size of his racquet is a variable that will stand in his way from now until the end of his career of his having any meaningful chance of upsetting the current top two or three if you include MIA Nadal. Everyone is hitting bullets with laser like precision and finding the center of the sweet spot doesn't get any easier if you are a half a step slower in your gait even if you are two steps in front with regard to class and savvy.

I wonder if this is a possibility that has not been adequately explored in the current paradigm. Could it be that Johnny could be right...when asked at the Champion's Final by the comely announcer, Boris Becker's femme fatale in his Ralph Lauren promo lessons, if his game could work against the modern game of today...he simply answered "yes".

[stotty]

ATTITUDE

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes." - Charles Swindoll.

"There will always be people that will be there to tell you why something will not work. I don't really need them...I know the score. It is the rare bird that will persist...alone and independent of the rest. Seeking a brighter tomorrow. A new horizon with each and every dawning day.

People will always ask you...is the bottle half full or is the bottle half empty? As if by this simple question that they will get you to commit yourself to being an optimist or a pessimist. Me...I choose to be a realist. The bottle is of course half full and half empty. The way is forwards...with an eye in the rearview...keeping an eye out for the authorities." - don_budge

Great post, really great.