LDVTennis Videos

Steffi Graf Forehand (BJK on Steffi's Forehand)

Steffi Graf Forehand, Billie Jean King on: Here Billie Jean King analyzes Steffi's technique on the forehand. Note that she is careful not to say that the technique is flawed or incorrect. Instead, she asserts that the late point of contact works for Steffi because of her overall dynamics on the shot, her racquet work, her racquet speed, and her leverage on the shot. Let me add one more thing that follows from what she says. By having a later point of contact, Steffi keeps the ball on her ...

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Steffi Graf Serve (BJK on Steffi's Best Serve)

Steffi Graf Serve, her best serve according to Billie Jean King: This seems to me to be the flat version of that serve. Steffi also hit a topspin version and a twist version. No matter the spin, her ability to hit this serve and her placement on it were uncanny. Billie calls it "the best." Elsewhere, Billie has added that it's the best outwide serve in the woman's game ever. Wimbledon 1999

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Steffi Graf Forehand Return (Opponent's View)

Steffi Graf Forehand Return, Opponent's View: From this point of view, one gets to appreciate just how devastating Steffi's forehand return could be. One more note about this match. It was Steffi's first tournament victory in a year that began with Steffi's comeback from major knee surgery and was marked here and there with one minor injury or other. You can tell that Steffi thought she had turned a corner of some kind by winning here. She really wouldn't get back on track until later that ...

Tags: Steffi Graf Forehand Return Opponent's View Jana Novotna

Steffi Graf Forehand (Opponent's View)

Steffi Graf Forehand, Opponent's view: This view of Steffi's forehand allows you to see the problem her forehand posed for every opponent. In the 15-0 point, Jana ends up hitting a shot to Steffi's backhand that gives Steffi the opportunity to run around and hit her forehand. Defensively, Jana takes up a position left of center, cheating to her backhand side, expecting the inside-in forehand. Against Steffi's forehand from the backhand corner, however, Jana's position does not bisect the ...

Tags: Steffi Graf Forehand Opponent's view Strategy Jana Novotna

Steffi Graf Athleticism (BJK on Steffi's Athleticism)

Steffi Graf: Here Billie Jean King comments on Steffi's athleticism. She concurs with Jim Lampley that Steffi could have played any sport she wanted. Her comments here dovetail with what she says in the clip "Steffi Graf Forehand (BJK on Steffi's forehand)." There she opines that Steffi Graf is probably the most "gifted athlete" to have ever played women's tennis. For comparison sake, see what Billie has said about Venus and Serena when given the chance. Her comments on the eve of the 2009 ...

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