We have created Superheroes, but what about Super Tennis Players? If I could pick and choose each shot from the greatest players on the tour to create a Super Tennis Player, this is what he would look like:
First Serve Return: Novak Djokovic
Yup, that happened.
Second Serve Return: Andre Agassi
Impressive, my friend.
Forehand: Roger Federer
You are never safe when you hit the ball to his forehand.
Two-handed Backhand: Novak Djokovic
Where’s it going to go? You never know!
One-handed Backhand: Stan Wawrinka
Because my super tennis player would have both backhands.
And that 100 miles/hour down-the-line backhand is pure beauty!
Serve: Pete Sampras or Roger Federer
Very similar, very versatile, and very reliable, especially on key points.
Slice: Roger Federer
No words needed.
Flexibility: Novak Djokovic
The stretching and the ballet are really paying off!
Movement: Novak Djokovic with a touch of Gael Monfils’s flair
A tough decision, but Djokovic’s movement is prettier to watch than Nadal’s (in my eyes, at least). And who doesn’t love Monfils’s just pure athleticism.
Mental Game: Rafael Nadal
Especially in his prime when his body could keep up.
Drop Shot: Roger Federer
Maybe not the most conventional here, but damn what a good shot.
Volley: Roger Federer
Kind of a cop out, but I’ve never really been exposed to amazing volleyers on the pro tour in my short life.
Overhead: Pete Sampras
The originator of the Tennis Slam Dunk, of the Sampras Smash. Also, his confidence in it! “It was like take your time, move your feet a little bit and basically hit a serve, but you’re hitting a serve from the service line instead of the baseline,” Sampras says. “It was one of my best shots.”
