Pete Sampras – An in Depth Look at His Game: Part 1

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: March 25, 2010

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There has been so much talk and so many articles about the Agassi-Sampras tete a tete in Indian Wells two weeks ago, I thought that it was time to get back to tennis!  I would like to take a look at Sampras’ game in detail.  I think I will break this article into two parts.  In the first part I will discuss his game in technical detail with some of my youtube clips.  And in the next part I will take a look at some of his most important rivalries throughout his career.

 

Pete’s serve

This has to be the most talked about and most recognised part of Pete’s game, and for good reason, it was a tremendous shot! What made it so good? I’ve read a lot of theories over the years, from his very flexible shoulder to his ability to put the ball on a dime as the Americans would say.  To me all of that is true.  Also, it’s often said he had the best second serve in the business, was not afraid to go for deep second serves, or even aces in tricky situations, and if his opponent got the ball back he was ready for a volley, a forehand or passing shot.

To me, it’s the thought process which made his serve stand out, along with the ability to hit slice and kick with equal ability. On the deuce court, Pete liked to go to the forehand to open up the court for the next shot.  Going to the forehand is always a risky shot but you have to take risks to win.  Pete discussed in his book that by going to an opponent's strength you can break it down, a tactic he often used against Jim Courier for example.

On the ad court, this is where Sampras’ serve stood out and where other players, male and female, have studied him and implemented the tactic in their games.  As we know the ad court is the decision court where games are won and lost and break points saved.

Sampras stood very close to the centre line and with the same ball toss, oft...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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