Games style have certainly changed over the years in men’s tennis. The days of 25-30 stroke rallies are all but over. The modern game has introduced more of a “surf and turf” style, which famed coach Brad Gilbert has defined as the big serve followed by the big forehand. Players stature as well as advancements in string technology have also been a contributing factor to a more explosive ATP. Tomas Berdych, Ernest Gublis, Jo Wilfried Tsonga and Juan Martin Del Porto are examples of a new crop of player that are all between 6′2-6′6 in height and all use the new polyester style of string. As a result these modern day players all play “high risk tennis”. But how does high risk tennis allow these players to remain at the top of the men’s game? Well the simple answer is “1st strike tennis“.

A player such as Berdych does not want to grind away from the baseline to win points. He wants to take immediate control of the point with either an effective lst serve or a well placed return. The two most under practiced shots in the recreational game, the serve and return are the two most important shots that a pro level player needs. If either of these shots are well executed then the following shot, usually a put away forehand becomes relatively easy. Make no mistake about it their is a reason Roger Federer prefers to get through the early rounds of a major tournament with relative ease. He wants to conserve energy and that is why he keeps the points short and sweet.

Companies such as Luxilon and Babolat have been the major contributing factor towards the development of polyester strings and the increase in shorter points. The new polyester make up of string allows players to swing harder and keep the ball in the court more frequently. Bob Bryan, the top doubles player in world commented on these string by saying: “polyester strings have allowed players that are not as good to be even better, the talent level does not even need to be that high anymore”. Bob Bryans point is accurate and to the point. Because of the spin that polyester strings provide, they create aggressive shots on a more consistent basis. Players such and Fernando Gonzalez, James Blake, and Andy Roddick have benefited the most from switching to polyester.

All 3 take huge swings at the ball and all 3 play 1st strike tennis with regularity. Before the introduction of polyester strings, a player such as Blake would not be nearly as successful as he is today. If James was stuck using the synthetic/natural gut blend of strings that was so prominent in the 90’s, he would not be a top ten player.

It is important to note that a string such as ALU POWER, made by Luxilon or PRO Hurricane tour made by Babolat, do not add more power to a players game. The benefit of these strings are that they are not responsive. In fact, because the nature of the string is so stiff and none responsive, it allows players to have the luxury of swinging out on the ball with more racquet head speed. In tern resulting in a much more devastating shot where even mishits find the court!

I remember Andre Agassi saying back in 2002 after switching to Luxilon at the Roma Masters and winning it subsequently, that” these new strings will allow me to compete on the circuit for at least 3-4 more years. Certainly that was the case and polyester did allow this great American champion to survive on tour with a much younger crowd. Andre knew that the 21st century had brought forth many players that could smack the ball the same way he did. It also prompted Agassi to say, “that these strings should be outlawed because they are going to change the face of the game significantly”. Andres previous string makeup of Kevlar and synthetic gut did not allow him to recieve the desired speed and depth that was necessary. Thankfully for Agassi and fans around the world, polyester allowed this global superstar to continue to show off his Las Vegas flair for a few more years.

Many will say however that technological advancement have hindered the ATP. That current players do not employ patients and go for winning shots when they are not in position. To a certain extent these criticisms are valid, except when looking at claycourt tennis as well as Rafael Nadal. With the upcoming claycourt season fans will be treated to many rallies and long matches. In tern, polyester strings have heightened the quality of claycourt tennis. Technology will never change the red clay of Europe into the shooting range that is hardcourt tennis.

The “punisher” as Nadal is referred to on clay will be looking to impose his will and topspin on the claycourts this spring. Nadal is an exception to players who do not have patients. The benefit for Nadals switch to polyester has been that it has accentuated his topspin game. Ending a point on the 1st shot will  always be Rafael’s preference. However, if required he has the guile and focus to stay out on court for 5 hours.

As long as Rafa is at the top of the mens game he will show the world that even though tennis has many hard hitting none patient players, come spring time, this native of Mallorca will use both patients and technology to continue to dominate his favorite surface.

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