Do your playing style and personality match?
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- čas přidán 13. 11. 2022
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I think once you get to a certain level the playing style does indeed reflect the personality. How you play is a form of self-expression. But again, I think you need to reach a certain level of play in order to reveal that self-expression. You need to have enough shots in your toolbelt to do that. There is only so much an artist can do with two crayons.
Very true and well put indeed!
Love this topic. I'm at heart a junkballer who loves Fabrice Santoro, and I use sidespin slice, drop volleys, can-openers serves. I wanted to get better, and moved from a 3.0 to 4.0 making those shots better but also just making my game more boring and consistent. But I reached a point where I found tennis less fun, less engaging, I'd leave even matches I won in a bad mood, etc.
I had to take a step back and ask *why" I played tennis, and the answer was fun and exercise. Losing isn't fun, but neither is warping your personality and natural inclinations to win that one extra point, one extra game. Accentuate and improve the parts of your game that bring lightness and joy and keep you coming out the next day.
For me, a tennis game is like art in motion, the crafting of shots, the trajectories /paths the balls make when they flew through the air and they land, and yes- definitely the flair of each player's strokes. That, i lose almost all of my games... but I have a lot of fun and am happy when I get to hit the shots I want and make the trajectories / paths that I want, appear...
I like the phrase "art in motion"!
My dad taught me how to play tennis, he played throughout the 60's and 70's (went on to run the Davis Cup teams here in Argentina), so he had a very very rigorous idea on stance. Needless to say, he was not very happy when I started training as a teenager in the mid-to-late 00's and discovered that an open stance is not an absolute sin, I also do remember being the only kid who was focused on keeping points short and finishing quickly - the other kids wanted to be Nadal, and here I was, with my little serve-and-volley - I always felt like an old soul! Buuut I always had (still have) fun playing like that, there's a poetry to it, it's like prosody: I'm writing in meter while my opponent's writing in free verse
Same here 😊 was also taught tennis foundations by my dad who was pretty good player in national league. We trained on asphalt courts with Tretorn pressureless balls which were like small rocks 😅 Dad was also relentless attacker and had a good kick serve and strong volleys. When I started with trainings more seriously I had luck and was trained by coach who played serve'n'volley. I was absolutely thrilled with this style of play. With being the only lefty serve'n'volley player in the group everybody hated playing sparring matches with me as there was barely any long rallies. Remember everybody loved Connors, Agassi, Courier but I was always more Laver, Edberg, Sampras and then of course Federer type 😉
Nowadays I still actively play in the club and from time to time my opponents have to count with messing their rythm, serve'n'volley on second serves at break points, chip'n'charge returns, SABRs, dropshot returns, etc. I just enjoy more how the game is played and enjoy it all the way. On the other side, sometimes a little more fighting spirit and focus wouldn't hurt as my style of play depends more on a daily form. Cheers and all the best playing the best sport there is 💪🎾
Very interesting topic, almost philosophical.
I think it is almost impossible to go against your nature of the game.
And even if you could it would be almost disappointing.
If you can refine and improve the limits of your style of play, to make it more consistent and less frustrating.
It is part of the richness of tennis, there is always room to improve and to change. I am 56 years old and I necessarily had to transform my game (with the help of a racket as well), but always without losing the essence of my style. From Argentina.
I like this topic. I think if winning is not a job, then it’s more important to have fun. So that everything makes you feel better is generally good. Love testing rackets? So test them. Love particular style even if it’s not the most efficient one regarding points won, who cares? Do what makes you happy or make money winning on ATP tour :)
I can certainly relate! I've played like you since I was a kid up until last year, when I realised that consistency and smart gameplay wins more much more points than just hitting hard.
I was an aggressive baseline/midcourt player with a big serve as a young player. After returning from 25 years away from the game, I convinced myself I needed to play more patient tennis now that I'm slower, wiser, and have more self-control (on a good day!). In 2 years of playing, I have learned a lot about playing defense and point construction. However, I have had more fun and success returning to my big serve +1 style in the last few months. I have actually started training in this style with my coach. I couldn't be happier with the direction of my game. Hitting more winners. Exerting my will on the court. I feel more "myself" in matches. I have also had to adjust my racquet and strings to suit the playstyle.
Can't agree more. Being a Federer fanboy, and mostly grown up on fast courts, I had to switch to playing on clay due to a number of reasons.
From a rational point of view, I should have gotten a pure aero, and start playing as a defensive baseliner, e.g. pusher, and I've have these skills. In reality, I went PT57a2 route and still play balls to the wall with massive serves and one-twos. Can't enjoy that more, even if it's not my best day.
Just enjoy tennis, no matter what, unless you go completely insane (hard to admit, but sometimes I do, even though in normal life I'm a composed and calm guy overall).
I used to be a huge fan of Murray when younger, and now I just adore Djokovic’s game. I overall however like «shot-makers» best, like Karatsev, Shapo, but mostly solid, precision-based ones rather than super flashy Kyrgios, Federer-like stuff.
I’ve noticed my own game is very much precision, solidity and defence based, where I like a neutral rally until I can punish a mistake.
Now I would really like to cross the racquets with you once. As if you'd describing my attitude towards the game, style of play and favourite players. Can totally relate what you've said. Besides the ones you mentioned, I'd also add Dimitrov and F. Lopez
Good insights. I've always played the McEnroe style. Come to the net, get the point over early. I enjoy the danger of coming to net. It's exciting. Doesn't always work. But just hitting from the baseline wouldn't be that fun.
👌👍Agreed
you are so right with the fun factor. it´s about having fun on the court, unless you are a pro - i like that statement. i am bad with my volleys, but it is so much fun to hit a clean volley in a match, that i try to get to the net again and again, although this might not be the best tactic for me.
This video went to a different place than I was expecting it to. I agree with those saying the process is is more fun than the result and that I had, inadvertently come to similar conclusions than the one drawn from this video, although not with it's focus and clarity. I do have some aspects of my personality mixed into the game: I'm a stubborn person and don't mind putting in the work so I don't mind if the point goes long and I have to grind it out, I'm patient so I don't mind to wait for the right opportunity, but I'm also quite anxious, so nerves are usually my undoing in court, and give me serious issues off court. Lastly, while I dislike to fail, I'll take failing over feeling that I did my opponent wrong(as much as I've found it hard to accept, I'm not a rebel, I like following rules), so if a call is really close, I'll give the opponent the call they believe is right, unless there's a third party making the calls. Also, as a nerd growing up, I am 100% A-OK with you finding me boring, so while I try to make everything look good and be smoothly stylish, I will try to find what works and stick with it until it doesn't work.
This is a fun and interesting topic. My cousin plays similarly to Federer and also used Pro Staffs with Champions choice and executes it all very well... he can be very tough to play against!
However, I love to feel like I'm working hard and love to be a fast, defensive counter puncher as well as executing winners after a grind; it gets me fired up! This makes our hits very intense and a lot of fun - almost as Nadal vs Federer (but not as good).
His ball is flatter and heavy whilst mine is very spin-heavy.
These match our personalities well as he has a somewhat quick temper and likes to get things done quick whereas I just love the satisfaction of progress in the grind and hard work. I am a little meticulous.
The feeling of making contact with all kinds of crazy balls and getting them back is like nothing else so I certainly chase them!
Love this concept and 100% agree.
Very interesting topic Jonas. I'm agree with you about playing excessively aggressive against great defensive players. I'm trying to improve and apply more tennis tactics and learn how to be more patient on Court. Cheers
I'm also an aggressive player. I would be ok with being more flashy, since it does feel more natural. However, I hate losing and I find playing defensively almost always yields me better results. The one aspect of tennis I enjoy is getting better at difficult shots. I find more enjoyment there than being really good at not missing.
Makes sense, I always value improvement over winning, but it can be painful
It’s about having fun but to me the key is being confident in shot selection and I guess that translates to a lot of things in life
I think I'm a "Defending Baseliner" ..
Consistent, topspin, slice, lobs etc...
Playing for exercise, socialising and fun... 👍🏻
Also I give a thumbs up 👍🏻 or applaud with my racket to my Opponents or team mates good shots....👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻
👍🏻 👍🏻 😃 😎😁
The way I play tennis has always matched my personality 80 - 90%.
Tactically it's not always good, because I like the beauty of great shots as well which isn't always backed up with technical skill.
I'm also creative and risk taking by nature, but tend to get impatient 🤯
Working on the balance though 👍
Tennis is such a mental trip, which (I find) helps in the work environment.
I ALWAYS was an aggressive / fun-style / show-off'y player (good to watch - just like Mussetti, Shapovalov, or - back in my days - Henry Leconte) ... then I had a 15 years break (doing running and swimming and cycling on a nearly-semi-professional level - but I left triathlon & marathon because the training hours are enormous - and were BOOORING like hell !) and now it is much HARDER for me to play that style. I NEVER was a great "technician" and compensated that disadvantage with fighting, running, flexibility, strength, speed, willpower and concentration. I still can fight and I still have the willpower and the concentration on the court - but the speed, the flexibility, the running & the strength (mainly : my BODY) is giving in. Now I need to play more controlled, have longer rallies (although my lungs & feet do not like that YET), have to play fewer risky shots & aiming more scarcely at the corners or the BIG, flashy points. I don't enjoy this playing style very much (because it doesn't fit my outgoing, funny, courageous, swashbuckle'y personality) - but I have learned to almost-accept it . Although I WANT to play my OLD style again (but only sometimes do so - with some kind of success ... but when all things come together - then it's BOOOM all over again !) I have to let my BODY dictate the way I play physically - it is nearly 53 years old, riddled with operations (3 slipped disc operations so far - the last one just half a year ago) and not as good / fit / fast / flexible/ strong and lean as it used to be. But that's just the way it is, Baby : we all have to (eventually) slow down, relax and take it easy in OLDER age ("don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy" - meaning FOR ME : do what you like - but don't overestimate your physical or mental abilities - or you will be sorry for doing harm to your body or your mind !) ... or we won't achieve any TRUE FAITH (aka FUN) in Tennis anymore and have to start hiking / swimming / cycling or even GOLFING - to set our minds and bodies at ease !
I'm the opportunist, if you have a weaker b/h I'll find that and exploit that. If shaky at the net Ill exploit it and anything else that could produce points predictably. If wind or sun advantage me I will definitetly use them in my favour like lobs if oponent stares into the sun. The more you frustrate or confuse your opponent, the more you take them off their game. Making them question their ability can harvest many points in your favour. 😈
I'll mix up serves b/hs, f/hs slices topspin, dropshots and hardshots constantly probing for a weakness to exploit plus it's more interesting for me too! Keep your opponent guessing questioning, doubting, off balance and out of their comfort zone. I win easier this way and that's not a bad thing. The underhand serve I don't use b/c it could indicate an injury to my opponent... 🤔
Same. No risk it no biscuit
The best racquet review channel.
Great video. Yes, personality and style have to merge . I unfriended a moon baller hahahaa…. Definitely the way one plays reflects the personality.
I'm pretty much like you. Just enjoy playing tennis. (btw, your video looks great today)
Thanks Kris!
I tend to be more aggressive out on the courts. I am starting to get more into creative shot selection and messing with the rhythm, and minds, of opponents. This seems to get them to return shots back that are easy pickings for big aggression.
As for podcast(s) or YT content, I would love to see a series on what it really takes a recreational player to become a threat at their level. Too many YT videos are full of nonsense, and far too high level for most rec players out there.
4:16 so similar to Opelka
I have started to realise that I'm a little bit too nice on court. I've only started transitioning from playing 100 percent rallies to match play and I think I still hit with a bit of a rally mindset. I am a professional jazz musician which has much more of a collective mindset than an individual one. So I'm trying to break out of that and find a little bit more of an aggressive play style. I would definitely look up to Federer and Tsitsipas in terms of all-court game and that's what I hope to try and achieve. Obviously not at their level :)
Any articles or books related to Jimmy Connors style of "beating yourself tennis"? Would love to learn more about it! Thanks
Greetings, Mr. Nerd, sir.
Tennis can tend to be overwhelmingly deconstructed into tactical/ mechanical/ biological terms only, and this was a nice fresh take on how a balanced, player-centric perspective also provides a universe of details and subjective metrics that deserve discussion as well.
Ironically, I did have a more technical/terminology question for you though (lol). When play testers refer to the "control" of a racket, I've noticed that some are vaguely referring to only a sort of forgiveness in terms of overswinging but having confidence in the ball staying in, while others also incorporate 'directional' control/ placement as part of this term too (i.e. some might say a racket lacks feel and connection to the string bed but still rates it high in control). Would you say in general enthusiasts are mainly referring to "low-powered" as "control" or is it more expansive? Any clarifications would be greatly appreciated!
A huge fan from Korea,
-A
My playstyle doesn't match my personality at all. I like to hit as heavy of a ball as I possibly can, and be extremely brutal. Which is the exact opposite of my personality cause you'd assume I'd be the plotting and placement type of player if you met me.
It is alwayys a question, how ambitious in competition you are... For myself, I´m also not very competive. My friend, who is a fulltime tennis-coach always loves the competition, he now wants to get in the ITF-Seniors Top50 for over 50years old and he has good chances, when he plays more tournements again. I don´t need that. I love to play with young players, which are college or high league players and for me it is enough, when I can tease them with my Del-Potro-Forehand, I don´t have to win against them in a match, they are 30 years younger then me, but I feel good, when one of this guys tells me, that my forehand is unbelievable an that I have fast arms and why I don´t play more competition. But for what, to win the golden ananas ? I pratise sometimes with somebody, who is 36, who lost very close to Nadal in the U18 european-championships-finale and also was an ATP-pro. He never ask me, why I don´t do more competiotion, he understands my passion/love to tennis and hard-hitting, that´s why he even likes to practise with me... I guess, it is a question of ego. Some people need it, to feel better, they have to win, others, only love the sport. Another friend of me gets with 54years even 2000€ for a winning in league-matches, that´s not bad, but also this is no motivation for me to change my playing-style and to play league or tournements...
I don‘t know. Sampras playstyle was the complete opposite of his temper
I always wanted to play like gonzalez :P but that FH is not replicable
yes that was a one of a kind forehand :)
Dimitrov syndrome... to many options not good. go back and forth between styles, way too much. thats me.