Tour Strokes: Mysteries of Medvedev’s Forehand

Yes, Daniil Medmedev won the U.S. Open. But does anyone really enjoy watching him hit the ball? If he was the only player you could watch, I might stop watching pro tennis.

We put up a little inconclusive You Tube video about his forehand in the Forum a few months ago. (Click Here.) But what You Tube video isn’t inconclusive?

But now we have some great high speed footage that allows us to create a comprehensive picture of his forehand. It’s not pretty. It violates some of the key metrics that other great players share and that we have documented over the years. (Click Here to see a more comprehensive portrait this month in the Interactive Forum.)

But I think it’s important to understand the forehand of the player who is currently at or close to the top of the game. My conclusion is that talent and determination are more important in his success than technique.

Grip

If we look at Daniil’s grip it’s conservative compared to most elite pro players. About as conservative as the great Roger Federer.

His index knuckle is probably on the edge between bevel 3 and bevel 4. His heel pad is about the same…