Tennis

Myths of Tennis: The Forehand Contact Point

By Jim Klein Let’s address one of the most common myths of tennis that has been around for decades and has morphed into another myth that has been around for less time but does just as much damage to unsuspecting tennis players.

Most players have heard tennis commentators, professional players, coaches, and teaching pros repeat the phrase “come over the ball for topspin.” That phrase to some extent has been replaced by the “windshield wiper forehand.” Both are “myths” of tennis. And if you are someone who has this in your tennis tool box as a “fact,” you are certainly a victim of this myth. Time to clean out the tool box.

The following pictures will help clear up this myth. Let’s use the best of the best for our pictures. Professional players for the most part should be studied rather than interviewed for their understanding of the game, especially stroke mechanics. Just because a player excels at striking the ball does not mean they know how that strike took place. When learning how to hit a tennis ball, you are much better off listening to the Vic Bradens, Steve Smiths (Great Base Initiative) and Dr. Howard Brodys (Ph. D., Professor Emeritus of Physics, University of Pennsylvania, and Member of USTA Sport Science and Technical Committee) of the world rather than the players we envy who make shots we can only dream about. Granted, Rafael Nadal could beat Vic, Steve, and Howard 6-0 6-0 with a frying pan, but when taking a lesson you want the “teacher,” and the incredible wealth of information they bring to the game is second to none.