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Note the quick turn of the shoulders and compact backswing as Agassi prepares to hit a backhand return and Hingis hits a forehand return.
In this final excerpt from “Maximum Tennis,” Nick Saviano continues his analysis of the true fundamentals of the return, the volley, and the serve.
Improving your return technique will pay big dividends. Here are a few of the keys to hitting returns well. These points are applicable to both forehand and backhand returns.
Split step. Start your split step right before your opponent strikes the ball. Focus on when contact is made to track the ball.
Front shoulder. Think in terms of a quick turn of your front shoulder to rotate your upper body. Technically, other things will be happening, but you don’t need to worry about them. A quick loading of the upper body will enable you to take a short backswing yet still generate power on your return.
Compact backswing. Often this will happen naturally if you get a quick turn of your front shoulder. The harder the serve, the smaller the backswing.
Footwork. Your objective is to hit the ball in your optimum hitting zone by moving your feet. Try to keep your…
