
Tennis keys - Forehand / backbeat attack / backhand volley

from Tennis Magazine (issue of March 1990)
by Patrice Hagelauer
translated into English by Mauro Cappiello
1. Notice the overall balance of Edberg's body in this end of gesture with the bust very straight slightly angled toward the center of the court. The head is upright, which keeps the axis of the body well straight. Legs are in open stance. In today's tennis, it's essential to know how to play the forehand without crossing your legs in order to save time. In this position, the upper body and pelvis rotate but not the legs. Also note how the racket gets to the far left side.
2. Having established the effectiveness of his shot, Stefan decides to go to the net. These net approaches must be done striding with a relaxed upper body. Edberg's release is truly remarkable. The head and torso are straight while the racket is held before the body. The position is kept relatively low thanks to the squat.
3. Just after the resumption of balance, Stefan opens his left leg to find strong footing on the backhand side. It is the quality of this support by the left leg that will determine the whole balance of the body and the control of the backhand volley. The legs are bent. Stefan keeps his head and torso straight. The shoulders begin to turn and the arm is fully extended.
4. The right leg is advanced for a wide and low stride. This way, Stefan will be able to hit with all the impulse of the body. He will not play his ball from a still position. The bust is slightly leaning forward. The arm is strong, well extended and allows better control. Be careful not to bend the elbow!

- How Stefan Edberg used his forehand to take the net
- Federer and Edberg: serve&volley footwork analysis
- Stefan Edberg's and Roger Federer's backhands compared
- "I didn't envy Boris"
- Tennis Warehouse interview to Stefan Edberg
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