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In general the returns in pro tennis are hit with less spin than the groundstrokes.
In the first article on our study of spin rates using high speed cameras, we looked at the results for groundstrokes and the serve. This article adds the data on returns and the net game to complete our picture of the amazing spin rates we found in world class tennis.
We also take a look at another surprising factor in generating spin–the bounce of the ball on the court. Again, we found something amazing. The friction of the bounce more than doubled the amount of spin already on the ball in the air, and converted it to pure topspin after the bounce, or something very close.
On the backhand return, Chang was the exception, hitting roughly the same amount of total spin as on his backhand.
Return of Serve
Although there were significant exceptions, our data showed that in general the top players hit their returns with less spin than their groundstrokes. During our filming we were able to record over 25 returns on the men’s side and almost 40 on the women’s. It makes sense that the returns would have less spin going out,…