?? TopspinPro September Newsletter

In this edition: Physics & Chemistry of Doubles ?? The perfect Topspin Forehand ?? Deep Groundstrokes ?? Ryan Reidy explains Topspin ?? The Ben Shelton Serve ?? Parting Shot

The Physics & Chemistry of Doubles

Last Saturday, under a warm end-of-summer sun, I played in the Elstead Club Championship Doubles Final. It reminded me of why I love doubles so much. I was in my happy place.?

The Physics? 4 players mean a return of serve faces challenging constraints that make settling into a rhythm, as a predatory net player lurks, difficult. On the other hand, a wider court brings into play tantalising topspin cross-court exchanges and Pythagorean angle volley opportunities. Tactics tend to override technique. Sometimes simply standing in a different place can dramatically improve your performance. It can be extraordinarily easy to hide a weakness. For example, a left-right team could, in theory, play an entire match without hitting a backhand groundstroke.

The Chemistry The social side is one of the reasons we tennis players live longer. You can’t take yourself too seriously. I love the regular changeovers - perfect for a well-timed quip. We’re not going to win Wimbledon which means we play with a real sense of fun. And that often unlocks better tennis. There’s teamwork. It’s not quite football, but you’re part of something bigger than you. As a pair, you get to decode the challenge in front of you.

Did I win? Well, when last year's defending singles and doubles champion reached out looking for a partner, it didn't take me long to realise that physics and chemistry were converging...

PS: I recently played with some old friends. I was struck by the gaps in their doubles knowledge. They happily played 1 up 1 back for ages, oblivious to the weakness of this position. I later sent them a video I made before TopspinPro launched ?? Doubles for Beginners: Roles at the Start of the Point.?

How to hit the perfect Topspin Forehand

Tom Avery gives us a great explanation of the topspin forehand and breaks it down in an easy-to-understand way.?

Why Depth is more important than Power: Control the Court with Deep Groundstrokes

Tennis is a game of mistakes, yet many players focus on power, thinking it will lead to easy winners. While power has its place, forcing your opponent into errors or setting up easier shots is more important. Hitting deep, consistent groundstrokes is often a more effective way to control the court and dictate the match. Depth keeps your opponent behind the baseline, limits their offensive options, and creates openings for you to take control. In this article, we’ll explore why hitting deep groundstrokes is such a powerful tool, how it compares to focusing on pure power, and offer some practical tips to improve your depth.

?? Read the full article here

Ryan Reidy explains Topspin

We have shared this video before but it remains one of our most popular ever posts. Check it out for a simplified explanation of topspin.?

The Ben Shelton Serve

Here are some frames showing you the Ben Shelton aggressive kick serve down the T. Because he is going down the line aggressively he is using more of a hybrid serve, a classic kick second serve mixed with a first serve.?

?? See the Ben Shelton Serve here

TopspinPro next Gen

Here’s @gosia_tenis inspiring the next generation.

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The TopspinPro Team