The game played today is getting further and further than the game that was played in the 80’s and 90’s and is almost unrecognizable compared to the tennis played before the 70’s. For better or for worse, here are the aspects of the game you rarely see anymore.
1. Tennis Whites
Sure you’ll get to see those tennis whites on display once a year at Wimbledon but people are far more worried about branding and fashion statements then upholding tradition. On one hand self expression (and sponsorship money) is usually a good thing but those tennis whites look pretty damn fresh.
2. Serve and Volley
The days of Pete Sampras’ dominant serve and volley are long gone. Whether in professional tennis, the college game or playing with friends you’d be kind of dumb to base your game around the serve and volley. The speed of the game and advancements in racquets are the main reason for this change, but no matter the reasons, baseline play is king now. Heads are sure to turn when someone starts serving and volleying.
3. Wooden Tennis Racquets
Nothing has done more to change the game than carbon fiber composites. Have you ever tried to play with an old wooden racquet? I’d have trouble not hitting it on the frame every other shot. You’re more likely to see them adorning the wall of a trendy Rhode Island mudroom then anywhere near a tennis court.
4. One Handed Backhand
Much like the famed tennis whites you’ll see the one handed backhand once in blue moon. Some of the top players still use it (See Federer, Wawrinka and Gasquet) but most coaches don’t really teaching it anymore. It must be said, there isn’t anything more beautiful than seeing the elusive perfect one handed backhand.
5. Short Rallies
This goes hand-in-hand with serving and volleying but it’s no less archaic. The best player in the world, such as Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are happy to grind it out with you on the court to win a match. In Rod Laver’s day, and even as recent as the 90’s, if a point lasted more than six shots then that was considered an eternity. It’s funny how the game has has gotten faster but points have gotten longer, whereas the game used to be slower but points were shorter. Crazy man.
6. A Shot Without Topspin
You do know that you can hit through the ball right? The way that strings, racquet head sizes and lighter racquets have evolved, top players and casual players alike can now rip the ball and keep it in the court with topspin. Did you know that “topspin” wasn’t even in the dictionary before players starting taking advantage of the shot in the 70’s. That’s very untrue but you get the point.
7. Not Jumping on a Serve
Prior to 1961 players had to keep at least one foot on the ground when they delivered their serve. And not until Ashe in the 70’s, and even more so with Mcenroe in the 80’s, did the jump serve really take off. Jumping on a serve is as intertwined with the modern game as peanut butter and jelly.
8. Taking it Easy Off the Court
People used to think it was odd that players like Ivan Lendl and Martina Navratilova used to partake in strength training but today it’s the norm. Hyperbaric chambers, fanatical diets and warrior like conditioning regimens are what it takes to be a top player in today’s game. Imagine Novak Djokovic crushing beers, smoking a couple cigs and not knowing the difference between quinoa and a pepperoni pizza. Yeah, I can’t either.
9. Teenage major champions
The last teenagers to win Grand Slams in the men’s and women’s games respectively were Rafa Nadal in 2005 and Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2004. Before Nadal the last one to achieve the feat was Pete Sampras in 1990. Needless to say the game is evolving to the point where it’s going to be tough for an underdeveloped (mental, physical, skill) teen to win a title. It would be fun to see a fresh young face win one but I hear millennials are the worst.
