Bull's Eye
Is it OK to slam a shot at your opponent from point blank range? During the 2006 Davis Cup semifinals in Buenos Aires, Argentina, mild-mannered Aussie, Mark Philippousis, creamed a sitter forehand directly at David Nalbandian. When Philippousis hit the shot, he was standing right behind the service line and Nalbandian was at net inside the service line. Philippousis' shot almost “decapitated” Nalbandian, but he managed to veer out of the way of the shot. I’m sure that Philippousis meant no ill-will by the shot. It just seemed like the best shot in the moment, but Nalbandian’s glare across the net after the point made it clear that he did not appreciate the near miss. Every player on Tour has probably hit a shot directly at an opponent during some match and some players use the tactic frequently. Everyone is taught that hitting directly at the opponent is a smart, fair strategic play in certain situations. But then there is the difference between the spirit of the law and the letter of the law… have you ever nailed your opponent? Did the score or your feelings about your opponent impact your shot selection?
|| Comments (0)
