McEnroe Serve Article

[Stefan]

Great article on McEnroe. The reference to Pete's serve focused on the stance similarities. Are there any other similarites? Are there any current players that use this motion? Is this motion similar to the Edberg serve a.k.a. the "American Twist?"

Is there a waste of energy by starting with the straight stance vs. the side stance like McEnroe/ Pete?

[johnyandell]

Stefan,

I would say that Pete was a 3/4 McEnroe and Federer is a 3/4 Pete. The american twist is something else entirely. Not sure what Edberg's shoulder turn looked like exactly, since there is no good video resource.

I think the players that start more square will often turn away, but when they do they rarely get as much turn as these guys. So don't know if I'd call it a waste of energy. Even just getting 90 degrees with your shoulders will give you a significant turn to the ball.

Regards,
John Yandell