I think he's got all the tools to succeed, but although the backhand has shortened, I really think the forehand is the shot that needs to shorten if he is to feel truly comfortable on quick hard. Lower the elbow if possible.
Wouldn't moving further back to give himself more time likely to work better? That way he can choose to do it only on faster courts. Changing his forehand might mean he loses power across all surfaces, possibly a trade off that's not worth it across 12 months?
possibly, although it seems he is intent on going the other way (more offensive/in the court) so if that's the stylistic direction he is going in.. But I do wonder sometimes why he doesn't play more defense given how fast he is, especially to change the rhythm
Are there players that have different ground strokes per surface (compact for fast, longer swing for slow) and switch back and forth seasonally effectively? Or are the players who are effective across surfaces just ones who have a style that suits all surfaces?
To me maybe the match of the year. I love this tournament and I too really like the old 1 week tournament format. Ugo is a great indoor player. And he competes so well. The French could have used him years ago when they lost the Davis Cup Finals, in Paris, to Switzerland. It takes that level of belief to win matches like this. The Ugo lefty swing serve is nasty, Mannarino like.
I know it's a but off topic, but I remember you talking about how Rune was really good technically on both sides, but even in this run in Paris, it always seems like he can't really generate pace easily on that side, is the problem somewhere else or maybe he wasn't balanced enough?
well I think he can generate pace when he intends to, but I think if there was a technical issue it might be how early he releases the left hand which means he may not coil as well. I think his main issue is he doesn't have a clear game plan or player identity. He's all over the place and it is reflected in his behaviour, his team, his game.
100% agree. Which is kind of one of the best problems to have as a pro. Much better than having a technical weakness. With experience and discipline your games-style and on-court identity can improve
Hugh, I love your observation on the Ugo forehand and how his off hand really stays with the shot, ensuring it stays compact and not over rotating. If you think about it, when doing chest flys at the gym, one is at a much stronger posture when your arms/elbows are closer together performing the move.
It is, yet no one talks about it. Another possible correlation, when one throws, underhanded side type toss, a heavier medicine type ball, one would naturally use 2 hands for the most efficient throw.
I think tennis (whatever that is) needs to consider two things with tournaments 500 and up:
1. the quality of the televised product...compare the camera angle/work of Paris against that disaster of a center court in cincinnati
2. local tennis culture...this is more of an issue the lower you go, but I'm not sure there are better crowds in terms of energy than France and South America.
How tennis hasn't come to a consensus, or at least some defined latitude, on what are the best camera angles is incredible. It was one of the first sports to be televised and they've had decades to get feedback on "high angle bad".
South America deserves a 1000. Amazing tennis culture, great history of players, and a huge potential fan base (they are already enthusiastic fans)
This is probably the last big hurdle for Carlos...fast courts.
I think he's got all the tools to succeed, but although the backhand has shortened, I really think the forehand is the shot that needs to shorten if he is to feel truly comfortable on quick hard. Lower the elbow if possible.
Wouldn't moving further back to give himself more time likely to work better? That way he can choose to do it only on faster courts. Changing his forehand might mean he loses power across all surfaces, possibly a trade off that's not worth it across 12 months?
possibly, although it seems he is intent on going the other way (more offensive/in the court) so if that's the stylistic direction he is going in.. But I do wonder sometimes why he doesn't play more defense given how fast he is, especially to change the rhythm
Would that be a change across all surfaces or just when he's on fast courts?
Are there players that have different ground strokes per surface (compact for fast, longer swing for slow) and switch back and forth seasonally effectively? Or are the players who are effective across surfaces just ones who have a style that suits all surfaces?
I’m not aware of players changing strokes seasonally. I think position on the court and speed of the court can influence that thought unconsciously
To me maybe the match of the year. I love this tournament and I too really like the old 1 week tournament format. Ugo is a great indoor player. And he competes so well. The French could have used him years ago when they lost the Davis Cup Finals, in Paris, to Switzerland. It takes that level of belief to win matches like this. The Ugo lefty swing serve is nasty, Mannarino like.
He used the energy so well, but in that Davis Cup they played that on clay!
Hi Hugh, thank you for the article.
I know it's a but off topic, but I remember you talking about how Rune was really good technically on both sides, but even in this run in Paris, it always seems like he can't really generate pace easily on that side, is the problem somewhere else or maybe he wasn't balanced enough?
well I think he can generate pace when he intends to, but I think if there was a technical issue it might be how early he releases the left hand which means he may not coil as well. I think his main issue is he doesn't have a clear game plan or player identity. He's all over the place and it is reflected in his behaviour, his team, his game.
I love Jim Courier’s comment that Rune’s game is just freeform jazz, no discernible structure
100% agree. Which is kind of one of the best problems to have as a pro. Much better than having a technical weakness. With experience and discipline your games-style and on-court identity can improve
Rune certainly has not lived up to his hype. All the coaching changes may have taken his game back unfortunately
Important to remember he is still just 21. Novak won slam number two at 24.
Hugh, I love your observation on the Ugo forehand and how his off hand really stays with the shot, ensuring it stays compact and not over rotating. If you think about it, when doing chest flys at the gym, one is at a much stronger posture when your arms/elbows are closer together performing the move.
Yeah it's one of those reactive breaks that are so important into channeling the energy into the racquet
It is, yet no one talks about it. Another possible correlation, when one throws, underhanded side type toss, a heavier medicine type ball, one would naturally use 2 hands for the most efficient throw.
Sidebar:
I think tennis (whatever that is) needs to consider two things with tournaments 500 and up:
1. the quality of the televised product...compare the camera angle/work of Paris against that disaster of a center court in cincinnati
2. local tennis culture...this is more of an issue the lower you go, but I'm not sure there are better crowds in terms of energy than France and South America.
How tennis hasn't come to a consensus, or at least some defined latitude, on what are the best camera angles is incredible. It was one of the first sports to be televised and they've had decades to get feedback on "high angle bad".
South America deserves a 1000. Amazing tennis culture, great history of players, and a huge potential fan base (they are already enthusiastic fans)
The Sunshine Double should be Indian Wells on slow hard and Mexico City on clay. Transition to Europe.
Or maybe...dump Miami for a full on clay masters in Charleston.