| He isn't nicknamed "The Bull" for nothing. Tennis' #1 | | | | below the ball. The more it is under the ball, the more |
| player Raphael Nadal had risen to #2 in a remarkable | | | | topspin you will get when you swing. It really is up to |
| amount of time, then proceeded to sideline Federer | | | | you. Also, have the stringbed be parallel to the ground. |
| and finally took the throne this year. The aspects of his | | | | Make sure the strings are facing down (they don't |
| game that shot him up to #1 include speed, defensive | | | | have to be exactly parallel). |
| maneuvering, and power. But the most important | | | | Rule #5- Proper Swing |
| aspect is one that is admired the world over- his ability | | | | So now the ball is in front of you, you have gone |
| to generate massive amounts of topspin, exceeding | | | | through the backswing, and have the racquet under |
| 3200 rpm! By following these simple rules, you will form | | | | the ball. Now, you start the swing. The swing should be |
| the foundation for hitting topspin, and by sticking to | | | | from low to high; this is so you can put spin on the ball. |
| them, you will become a topspin pro. | | | | You want to "brush" up the back of the ball- by |
| Rule #1- Proper Grip | | | | brushing, your strings move vertically, so the ball is |
| You have to grip your racquet with the semi-western | | | | forced to spin forward. |
| or western grip. This is imperative. Without the racquet, | | | | To get a better understanding of this, watch Novak |
| one could not play tennis, and without proper grip, one | | | | Djokovic in this video: At 13 seconds, he's ready to do |
| can't swing the racquet correctly. If you can't swing the | | | | the swing- he positions his racquet beneath the ball, |
| racquet correctly, you can't hit correctly. Grip should be | | | | then swings low to high. At the contact point, his |
| the number one priority in your game. Make sure to | | | | stringbed is facing the ball, and as he swings up, the |
| switch to either the semi-western or western (the | | | | strings move up, imparting spin. All you want to aim for |
| latter is used for hitting with the most spin) and keep it. | | | | is swinging the racquet down to up, so the strings |
| At first, it will feel weird, but keep swinging with it and | | | | move low to high, and this makes the ball spin forward. |
| you'll eventually get in the habit of using this grip. | | | | Rule #6- Proper Follow Through |
| Rule #2- Proper Ball Positioning | | | | You may be surprised at the way Novak finishes his |
| Have the ball in front of you, by at least 12 inches | | | | swing. After he contacts the ball, it seems like he |
| (meaning your racquet should contact the ball 12 inches | | | | creates an arc with his racquet. This is the follow |
| in front of you). This should be 12 inches from your | | | | through. Without it, your swing isn't complete, and you |
| lead foot. Whether you hit the open stance or closed | | | | won't get as much topspin on the ball. Creating this |
| stance forehand is up to you, but make sure the ball is | | | | "arc" is vital to imparting topspin. With this follow |
| in front of you. Everyone hits at a different distance, | | | | through, your ball is more accurate and you get a |
| so start off with 12 inches and try to find your optimal | | | | cleaner swing. If your racquet follows this "arc," you |
| contact point. | | | | naturally impart spin on the ball. Novak finishes with his |
| Rule #3- Proper Backswing | | | | racquet over his shoulder- you may do this, or you |
| The backswing is the taking back of the racquet. | | | | may finish with the racquet at waist level. Andy |
| Forming a loop is the best way to get your racquet in | | | | Roddick is known for doing this. |
| position to generate huge topspin. Practitioners of the | | | | If you have never hit with topspin before, it feels like a |
| loop include Raphael Nadal, Fernando Gonzales, | | | | new sensation, a completely different stroke than |
| Lleyton Hewitt, and Carlos Moya. Take the racquet | | | | what you're used to. If you stick to these 6 important |
| above your head, loop it, and have it near waist level. | | | | rules, you will get used to striking the ball this way. The |
| You don't need a really big loop, but any kind of loop is | | | | key is to "brush" up the ball with your racquet, to |
| optimal. | | | | achieve topspin. Now that you know how to hit |
| Rule #4- Proper Racquet Positioning | | | | topspin, try to hit it as good as Nadal. It's time to |
| After finishing the loop, make sure your racquet is | | | | "Vamos!" Get out there and give it your all! |