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Tip of the Week: Whose Ball Is It?
August 31, 2020 | By Steve Annacone
Photo Credit: Ryan Loco/World TeamTennis
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d2lkdGg6MTAwJTtoZWlnaHQ6YXV0bzt3aWR0aDphdXRvO3RyYW5zaXRpb246dHJhbnNmb3JtIDAuMjVzIGVhc2V9LnRiLWltYWdlIC50Yi1pbWFnZS1jYXB0aW9uLWZpdC10by1pbWFnZXtkaXNwbGF5OnRhYmxlfS50Yi1pbWFnZSAudGItaW1hZ2UtY2FwdGlvbi1maXQtdG8taW1hZ2UgLnRiLWltYWdlLWNhcHRpb257ZGlzcGxheTp0YWJsZS1jYXB0aW9uO2NhcHRpb24tc2lkZTpib3R0b219IH0g
Bob and Mike Bryan decided to retire prior to this year’s U.S. Open. They have to go down as one of, if not the best, doubles teams of all time.
Watching them play helped me teach my students how to cover the ball hit down the middle in doubles. It always seemed like there were no dividing lines on the tennis court when these two played together. Both players were always covering the middle and, based on the different situations, each took their turn making incredible shots on balls that would have gotten past 99 percent of the players who have ever played the game.
There are many different answers to the “Whose ball is it?” question. The person with the forehand, the person closer to the net, the more aggressive player, the better volleyer, and many others, have been used by pros over the years. My advice is for both players to move and play as if every ball is their responsibility. Communicate with each other after the point if you feel that the shot down the middle was not covered as well as it could have been. Always be ready to hit that next volley and don’t divide the court in half using the center strap or center service line as the determining factor.
Taking the ball down the middle is the responsibility of both players and doing it well is one of the keys to winning the hotly contested points at the end of the match.
Thanks Bob and Mike!
Steve Annacone
Steve Annacone, USPTA Elite Pro, is the Director of Annacone Tennis, www.annaconetennis.com and MyHamptonsPro, www.myhamptonspro.com throughout the Hamptons, NY. In addition, Steve, Phil Lepisto, and Amanda Reller run the ACT (Advanced Competition Team) program at the Tucson Jewish Community Center (Tucson, AZ) for high level players ages 8-18. Please contact Steve at info@annaconetennis.com
