Tsitsipas& #39; Slice Thread https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🧵" title="Thread" aria-label="Emoji: Thread">

1/ Tsitsipas can struggle with his open/closed stance on his slice. Ideal stance for slice backhands is closed, i.e for right hander to step across themselves w right foot, making contact while right leg is leading à la Federer, Dimitrov, Thiem below:

2/ Here& #39;s a Federer slice (Top) vs one of Tsitsipas& #39; slices today in Vienna (Bottom)https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎥" title="Filmkamera" aria-label="Emoji: Filmkamera">

Federer = closed stance, right foot across body, making contact while right leg is leading. Tsitsipas = open to semi-open stance, making contact while left leg leading

3/ Biomechanically it& #39;s extremely difficult to get the requisite power & downward cut on a slice backhand unless you& #39;re in a closed stance & lead with that right leg (for a right hander). The players right arm wants to stay tight to the right leg during that downward slice swing

4/ A semi-open stance slice = much less control & power on the slice swing with a more open body position & less support from the right leg if it& #39;s dragging behind à la Tsitsipas

This is one of the big reasons Tsitsipas& #39; slice can either float up or lack power

Few examples:

5/ Tsitsipas doesn& #39;t do this all the time (can hit both closed & open stance slices). & he& #39;s certainly improving a shot which is quite unnatural compared to many elite single handers (probably because his topspin backhand is so great, so less need, especially on slower surfaces)

6/ But his semi-open stance variant regularly results in errors or easy, floaty put-aways for opponents.

And it& #39;s one of his most important area to improve, as that running slice backhand is vital in combatting the primary disadvantage of single handers: backhand defence.

7/ But I& #39;m sure we& #39;ll see him planting that right leg out in front more he develops. And it& #39;s testament to how truly great the rest of his game already is that he& #39;s top 5 regardless

\Fin

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