G’day!
This is a very cool way to watch a forehand = on repeat!
Let yourself be mesmerized by the forehands playing again & again every 1-2 seconds. These GIFs are meant to be watched for 30 seconds to a minute and sometimes more before you go on to the next one.
Here’s how to get the most out of them.
- Read what I have written in the tweet, so you know what you are looking for.
- Lock on to a specific part of the stroke (racket, feet, contact, etc) and literally stare at it on repeat. Know that your understanding of the stroke will improve the more you look at it.
- By watching the stroke dozens of times, you will notice smaller, subtle elements of their technique that you really can’t see when you watch it once or twice.
- Try and “feel” what the player is feeling as they hit the ball.
- Lastly, imagine incorporating elements of the same timing, balance, preparation, and energy into your own strokes.
Below are the featured players (so far).
- Roger Federer
- Novak Djokovic
- Rafael Nadal
- Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Carlos Alcaraz
- Francisco Cerendolo
- David Goffin
- Alex De Minaur
- Andrey Rublev
- Daniil Medvedev
- Dominic Thiem
- Dan Evans
- Denis Shapovalov
- Naomi Osaka
NOTE: These embedded tweets will probably take a little time to load on your page. Be patient. It’s worth it!
ROGER FEDERER
Roger #Federer Forehand Winner
Left hand sets racket high. ↖️
Racket starts slow then ball is pulverized. 💥
Right shoulder rotates fast into contact, rotating hard against lower body. 🔁
Extra flick at the end for topspin to control the power. 🔝
Energy at contact is… 🎾💣 pic.twitter.com/mmsEbdFzoj— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 15, 2022
Roger #Federer Return +1 Forehand #Wimbledon practice.
A hallmark of Roger’s greatness is his explosiveness with his hands & feet. 🧨
Lots of small adjusting steps to get spacing right. 📏
Then the racket rips through at contact while hitting off the back foot ↗️🌪
Legendary. 👀 pic.twitter.com/HTGmPoGwBf— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 16, 2022
Roger #Federer Approaching – #Wimbledon. 🌱
Short Ball Hunter Analysis:
Roger hits 73% of approaches as a forehand.
Win %
– FH Approach = 76% won
– BH Approach = 53% won
Best strategy is a FH approach to the BH. Take time away. ❌⏱🎾
More – https://t.co/2aLpYgeHQI pic.twitter.com/ozVNaq18ic— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 20, 2022
Roger #Federer Defensive Forehand – #Wimbledon.
Two keys here:
1: Defense goes cross. Primary target is cross court when you are pressured with a running forehand. ↖️
2: “Triple spin.” Add a lot more spin (think 3x) to your defensive forehand to keep the ball in the court. 🎾🌪 pic.twitter.com/ou342devhW— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 18, 2022
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
N. #Djokovic Forehand.🥇
1: The swing is liquid gold. Smooth as molasses. Energy focused at contact. Impeccable timing & balance.
2: Watch the footwork after the shot. Is there anyone in the history of our sport that works harder when the ball is on the other side of the court? pic.twitter.com/rDVDZ7dhS3
— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 20, 2022
How to hit a shoulder high forehand. #Djokovic practicing right now at #RolandGarros. The “hop” to the ball builds energy in his ankles & gets him ready to fire upwards. Start higher in the backswing than normal & the big key is to still hit up through the shot. Everting goes up. pic.twitter.com/QMyAmUOWga
— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 19, 2022
Novak #Djokovic Forehand.
This is a defensive Serve +1 forehand (1st shot after serve). Novak is under pressure from the deep return. He keeps his body as still as possible at contact, brushes up the back of the ball to take the net out of play, & abbreviates the followthrough. pic.twitter.com/5oE6SUySac— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 10, 2022
Novak Djokovic Defensive Wide Forehand. 🤺🇷🇸
The excessive wrapping around his head (Nadal-esque) is caused by making late contact with the ball. Novak is pressured wide & correctly adds spin & goes back cross. He keeps his body forward preparing for the next shot. Text book. 📚 pic.twitter.com/mbzGCQ8GSG— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) July 5, 2022
N. #Djokovic forehand at #RolandGarros.
Let’s talk grip pressure. Look at this smooth, clean, rounded swing. The racket prepares early then whips through the point of contact. You simply can’t generate that amount of racket head speed with a tight hand and/or arm.
Chill out! 🥶 pic.twitter.com/Q4hRc5agGS— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 22, 2022
This #Djokovic forehand down the line sails long – for two reasons. He is a fair way back behind the baseline to pull the trigger, and is jumping sideways at the same time. A bad combo. Far better to roll heavy cross & look for something else to attack later. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/kFzBJiCYDQ
— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 20, 2022
#Djokovic forehand defense.
The last GIF of Novak was a forehand error down the line from an almost identical position. He learnt his lesson. He rolled this one heavy cross back behind #Alcaraz, forcing a forehand error. Smarter defensive play.
Remember – defense goes cross. 💡 pic.twitter.com/2coHPQDhkr— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 20, 2022
N. #Djokovic FH defense #ibi22 final. He adjusts to the tough ball with a smaller backswing & adding more spin for control. He needs to quickly get up the back of the ball so he plants his right foot & hits only off the right leg. Left foot comes up high to counter-balance. 👍🏼👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/VyxEo83hg6
— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 17, 2022
Here’s the difference with your forehand and Novak #Djokovic’s. ⚖️
His body is so calm. He has removed every ounce of unneeded force from his muscles. Relaxed energy. You force & muscle the shot too much. You jump at it. Too tight in your hand & arm. Chill out!
Am I right? 😉✅ pic.twitter.com/uSKiw7SNRj— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 19, 2022
The #Djokovic 2nd serve return. Sometimes in Rome he stood very deep to hit 2nd returns & just rolled a “moonball” return high & slow & deep back to the server. It’s a confusing ploy as he is always so insanely good at stepping in & taking time away.
Why the change?
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/ieTxECU4rX— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 18, 2022
This is where a lot of players on tour are vulnerable at the baseline. The wide forehand can get problematic. #Djokovic has improved this specific shot over the years. Primary target = back cross. Slide to the ball. Not past it. Heavy spin for control. Don’t cook it. #ibi22 pic.twitter.com/ECJU2B5JYa
— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 16, 2022
Novak #Djokovic forehand.
What do you see? What stands out to you in this wide forehand? Watch it several times & see what’s pops out. Maybe it’s the dominant left hand, or the rotation, or the energy at contact? Let me know…#ibi22 pic.twitter.com/p7lLWOfv7P— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 11, 2022
RAFAEL NADAL
Defensive forehand – Rafael #Nadal.
Respecting depth & moving back quickly to allow time for a normal swing. Two things.
1: small, quick steps then balancing & hitting off back leg.
2: racket head speed at contact & follow through. All to create massive RPMs for height & control. pic.twitter.com/83QfZr7X8M— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 20, 2022
Rafael #Nadal – forehand rotation.
Watch his feet. The right foot starts in front but ends back behind him. His left foot is back and he drives off it, generating power. The sheer force of the shot drives his left foot and left side forward. Such a powerful #tennis engine. pic.twitter.com/qY4xVDzOzb— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 2, 2022
Rafael #Nadal run-around forehand.
This is his baseline end-game. 🥇
Get the opponent to bail out of an Ad court point & go line. ⤵️
Rafa turns a BH into a FH & hits an inside-out winner. ↖️
This specific pattern has ⛽️ his 22 Slams as much as anything else. 🤺🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/SE10NoKVsi— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 12, 2022
Rafael Nadal Forehand 🎾🌪
Rafa breaks all the rules with his “lasso” follow through. It finished over his head & on the same side of his body. It’s a product of his extreme grip & insatiable appetite for spin to shape the ball + make it leap off the court down the other end. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/gkS9d6nTf9— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) July 4, 2022
Rafael #Nadal Forehand
Focus on his racquet. The left hand stays on for added control until it is back behind his body. Then the swing path takes the racquet in a full 360 degree circle above his head. That’s the result of his relentless pursuit of spin & shape on the ball. 🎾🔄 pic.twitter.com/dcxxxgZVuZ— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) July 7, 2022
Rafael #Nadal Down-The-Line Forehand.
This is a favorite finishing shot for Rafa. 🗡
The point first flows through the Ad Ct with his FH to #Medvedev’s BH. When he gets the right ball (not pressured / balanced / has time to prepare) the switch is on to finish down the line. 🏁 pic.twitter.com/cM9DVSzWIF— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 24, 2022
R. #Nadal Defensive Forehand.
1: Rafa moves back to create time to hit a normal forehand from a deep ball. A better option here than holding ground. ➡️🤺
2: Ball is now shoulder-high. He uses that height as a weapon, reciprocating a higher, heavier ball back at #Schwartzman. 🔄🥊 pic.twitter.com/IWSMzjG906— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 21, 2022
Rafael #Nadal forehand.
Interesting to see Rafa load so much on his left leg and then rip up through the ball. The non-traditional follow through over his head is a by-product of his grip, trajectory and thirst for massive spin. You like it? #ibi22 pic.twitter.com/b7JRbkrS1o— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 11, 2022
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS
Stefanos #Tsitsipas Forehand
Notice the two extremely different speeds in this potent forehand.
1. When the racket is going back the speed is slow & the preparation is early.
2. Once the racket is back & loaded he unleashes hell. 😈🎾 Takes time away from the opponent to prepare pic.twitter.com/T2i9S4O7zB— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) July 2, 2022
Stefanos #Tsitsipas forehand.
It’s all about acceleration through the contact zone. The left hand prepares the racket back early. Not too fast. The racket is still slow at the furtherest point behind him. Once loaded, he then unleashes with everything he has got into contact. 💥 pic.twitter.com/KYsYrM1Rrx— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 6, 2022
Stefanos #Tsitsipas forehand at #RolandGarros practice today.
Not a big backswing.
Not a big follow through.
But the ball gets crushed in the middle. Viciously rotates into contact with the upper body. Watch his shoulders & racket head speed.
Can you copy that? Maybe? 🤪 pic.twitter.com/WwRVU3CxGf— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 19, 2022
Respect depth. 🙏🏼
This is a #Tsitsipas Serve +1 forehand. #Djokovic returns deep middle & Stefanos quickly steps back to allow the ball to rise & create more time. Novak is the best in the world at the deep middle return. The server is handcuffed with this play. ⛓ #ibi22 pic.twitter.com/pkaFFy5xay— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 16, 2022
CARLOS ALCARAZ
C. #Alcaraz Forehand
Three words:
Racket. Head. Speed. 🏎👀
– Left hand stays on the racket for control until it is back past his body.✊🏼
– He accelerates so fast into contact, generating jaw-dropping speed.🌪
– Excellent use of upper body rotating hard into point of contact 💥 pic.twitter.com/3tL8dhfC1A— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 29, 2022
Carlos #Alcaraz swinging FH volley.
The key is to always hit up through the ball & make contact around head height. Carlos does that perfectly here, with small adjusting steps forward. Also notice how well he keeps his left hand up preparing for the shot.
Can you hit that? pic.twitter.com/As5VYzimkH— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 21, 2022
FRANCISCO CERENDOLO
Francisco Cerundolo Forehand.
The art of the backswing.🎨👨🎨
Both the strings & his left hand get above his head in the backswing starting the rounded motion. The key is not too big. Then you have the natural drop & quick brush up the back of the ball. Veryyyy clean forehand. ✨🤺 pic.twitter.com/pBS5GAvf5l— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 30, 2022
Francisco Cerundolo Forehand Drop Shot.
The key is to sell it. The racket raises back with the left hand just like a normal FH groundstroke. Then he quickly changes gears and slices down on the ball with almost no follow through to absorb all the power + moves forward. Winner. 👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/UXBrRYquBl— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 8, 2022
Francisco Cerundolo Forehand.
What’s fascinating about this forehand is the complete absence of the traditional follow through. The rounded backswing & relaxed energy to contact is clean & simple. Racket rips up the back of the ball. Then the follow through just evaporates. pic.twitter.com/b64HEzsM6A— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 8, 2022
Francisco #Cerundolo Forehand.
Extremely energy efficient stroke.
– Rounded backswing 🔄
– Racket brushing up the back ↗️🎾
– Really energy. Great timing! 😎
– Follow through just melts across his body. 🔥
– Very light on his feet. 🧞♂️
More Forehands 👉🏼 https://t.co/pT84LwYHQ0 pic.twitter.com/43B9sUmKVq— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) July 17, 2022
DAVID GOFFIN
David #Goffin Forehand.
The racquet seems like a wand 🪄 in his hand. Very rounded swing. A large backswing generates all the spin & power he needs to deliver at contact. Then the follow through evaporates across his body. He seems to float effortlessly through the shot. 🇧🇪🧞✨ pic.twitter.com/LwWBDxywXb— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) July 4, 2022
ALEX DE MINAUR
Alex De Minaur Forehand
There is a lot of body (probably too much) involved in this forehand. He loads off his right foot & leg and then rotates hard into the shot, throwing his body at the ball. As a result, the right foot ends up in front. Spinning can definitely create errors. pic.twitter.com/wmKLyNytOJ— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 30, 2022
ANDREY RUBLEV
A. #Rublev Forehand Approach ✅
On most baseline groundstrokes you want to “stay” on the shot to control your balance.
Not approach shots.
This is an ideal example of “flowing” forward ➡️ through the shot to utilize the energy of the body + get quickly to the net for 1st volley. pic.twitter.com/7ayKeTcSCc— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 29, 2022
DANIIL MEDVEDEV
Daniil #Medvedev Forehand.
Unorthodox technique but he absolutely makes it work. 🤨
– A very rounded motion that is fast from start to finish. 🔁
– Left hand is not as dominant (ends up behind his back). ➡️
– Extremely active with his footwork. Thrives on lots of little steps. 🏃🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/DPhjnE7t8W— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 27, 2022
D. #Medvedev forehand. 🤪
Everything looks normal… until it’s not. Things get interesting at contact. Right foot suddenly jumps out. Left foot kicks up. His wrist & racket have a sharp flick downward AFTER contact to attempt to keep the ball from flying. Back to #1 next week! 🥇 pic.twitter.com/vvc9ayse21— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 10, 2022
The Daniil #Medvedev forehand in Miami.
The racket gets high above his head & then he swings fast & furious, jumping at the ball. Watch the right foot forcing the hip turn. So many things colliding at once. Amazing he has the timing to pull it off!
What else stands out to you? pic.twitter.com/UFKDSPMBTo— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 18, 2022
DOMINIC THIEM
Dominic #Thiem Forehand Winner. 🧨
He absolutely launches himself into this FH with both feet coming way off the ground.
His feet set semi-open then jumps into contact, delivering energy from the court. Power also comes from rotating into the shot with his core. Full-blooded. 🪓 pic.twitter.com/zTA4o0kThg— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 14, 2022
DAN EVANS
Dan Evans forehand v Mikael Ymer #RolandGarros.
How forehands have changed. Firstly, the tip of the racket is pointed at his opponent to begin the backswing. Hitting off the back foot. Opening the upper body early. Flicking like crazy in the follow through. Gives it a ride. 🏴💥 pic.twitter.com/t3DFAY1oKM— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 26, 2022
Dan Evans – outstanding defensive forehand. ↖️
The golden rule of defense is to play cross. Don’t go down the line. The second golden rule is to add “triple spin” to keep the ball in the court. Spin is your friend. More whip when you fall behind in the point. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/19R50UtcMV— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 23, 2022
How to brush up the back of the ball. ⤴️🎾
A return of serve masterclass by Dan Evans, who wins Set 1 7-6(3) v Francisco Cerundolo at #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/n3ZZ3anaF6— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 23, 2022
DENIS SHAPOVALOV
Denis #Shapovalov Forehand #ibi22.
A lot of jumping in rhythm with his opponent hitting the ball & the ball landing on his side. Extremely active bouncing up & down. Massive amount of whip & rotation on this shot. Lots of legs. Tons of energy but also room for errors.
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/cOo9tzA2O4— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) May 19, 2022
NAOMI OSAKA
Naomi #Osaka Forehand.
Watch her right shoulder & right foot. You will see how she really rotates into the shot to get her power. Not much happening in the backswing, but lots of racket-head speed at contact & followthrough.
What else do you see? 🎾👀 pic.twitter.com/RgnaIXWf5f— Craig O’Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) June 9, 2022