Rafael Nadal: Backhand Analysis

[nkqh]

Don't know why you picked Nadal's backhand as an example? especially, this shot. He is in the position trying to save the ball. So it is not typical to demonstrate to people.

[JasonXP1000]

does anyone know what Nike trainers he's wearing here please!

[jroman715]

@JasonXP1000 . Nike Air Courtballistic

[Maniac742]

Nadal actually has one of weaker backhands out of all of the top players, so why in the hell would you choose to analyze his? If you want a two-hander, Djokovic and Murray hit the two best backhands in the game both in and out of position. Nadal's is clutch by comparison. If you want a one-hander, look no further than Justine Henin, who hits a one-handed backhand better than most two-handers.

[raisen90timpa]

@Maniac742 I agree on Djokovic's BH (both offensivily and defensively it's very complete and reliable), but Murray's? Come on, his "out of position" topspin/flat BH is not that good, that's why he uses so much slice. Even offensevily his BH is not that reliable. Even if Nadal's square BH is not good on offense, his open stance BH is, defensively, one of the best if not the best of the tour, and this video is talking about THAT type of BH, and the uploader is correct in his analysis.

[zorro94306]

Rafa is indeed, as Agassi put it, just a freak. He makes the shots and wins lots of games, and despite all that, he still is a freak.

[erdoni]

you hope people to care about those lines you draw? gtfo then

[cosmojairzinho14]

for me rafa is the best player of all time but one of ugliest to watch

my little boy wanna learn to play tennis no way to show him anything this guy do

[doofynetgraouw]

This is incredible .. Ugly, but incredible ..

[DexterHaven49]

This was not his normal backhand. most players would have missed that shot. Agassi called Rafa a "freak, a force of nature."

[rooksaiz]

I tried to copy nadal. Now my arm and both my legs are amputated.

[PhilGerb93]

@rooksaiz LOL

[tkanman15]

but i still... wouldn't want to be his ankle

nice commentating

[pedro6199782]

@tkanman15 hello im an ankle my name is miky

[s900203]

You took a footage in which he was forced to take an awkward shot. His usual backhand is just awesome.

[bamibalboy]

he didnt hit it good

[JoshyNooney]

The music is very "i just beat Cancer"

[federerbestcIass]

Rafa LOVE :)

[sammy31415927]

woohoo so entertaining (sarcasm intended)

[AndrewL1223]

woah......

[toutaaaaaaa]

if i tried to do that shot i would break one of my ankles , and probably do a split on the ground and rip my shorts :P

great backhand from him , i was having some trouble with my backhand so i thought id watch this lol

[BMTHization]

its pretty rad that he still put so much power in it for it to clear the net because hes right handed. i think that whole concept is just super cool

[ppsecurito]

it's called PASSING SHOT! AND ANY CAN DO IT,

[69wiwi69]

ugly but effective

[arturo1398]

And that is why nadal dont give a fuck about his legs, he just care about winning the point. Let's see how far that go...

[RuthlessFerocity]

IT IS SO UGLY.

[BugzTheWabbit]

@RuthlessFerocity It doesnt matter how ugly it is. He could still beat you! lol

[gotchavader25]

viendo este video esta claro xq siempre se lesiona en las rodillas

[salaheddine10]

He should hit slices in those situations !!

[ccauffma]

ouch! :(

[yxyana]

looks like a frameshot to me

[slazengerszz]

This is how a Rafael Nadal dethrone King Fed, all of his effort after all bring result despite federer supreme technique and confidence. I think he deserves much credit.

[blinkMATIC]

thats why his knees are about to say "goodbye and so long" he cant slice on a hard court as often as if he was on a clay court!!

[AliceInTennisLand]

Oh my god..his poor body.

[Gutschilino]

This is the reason why Nadal so often is injured...

[trai4okostov]

this backhand is not for copie,please don´t try this on the court.

[RuthlessFerocity]

everything is wrong with this backhand.

that is why Nadal is always injured

[honkiemarge]

explain.............!

[gabe228]

that's just his backhand under pressure, the kind of pressure many players would give up. So it isn't so much wrong as its the most effective under pressure backhand with consequently the most strain.

He trained on clay since youth, so this kind of motion on clay is not a big deal.

[tennisthemennis]

well said! :)

[stubberz]

Everything is wrong with it? 6 grandslams would kind of suggest the contrary to that really. His backhand is unbelievable, freakish power on it, because it's like a right hand shot. Sport puts stress on the body, big deal, that's why they're athletes and train hard..

[tennisguy1995]

True

[tolendoi123]

ughhhh it looks painful look at the knees!!! was that a mishit?? hehe great hustle !!

[Rickybb1]

its not efficient to switch during a pointback and forth between hands

[buffonang]

why doesn't he just switch to a right handed forehand for greater reach?

[hypercarbon]

no time to change grips. become impractical.

[qnkovv]

it`s extraordinary and unique but I don`t like how it looks. but I`m glad he`s back. wish him luck :))

[qnkovv]

ugly :((((

[RafaeINadal]

looks ok to me

[sulhaq]

holy crap those knees are suffering some PAIN. I really hope he adjusts his play, I want Nadal to keep playing for a long time!

[GueorguiJoukov]

If he adjust his play, he will no longer be able to compete with Federer.

His game is about being able to play the ball back. He's a very good player, but his success is about is very defensive game play.

He's aggressive, but yet, he plays his balls high to give his opponents trouble attacking. He tries to keep the ball in play and force his opponent to error or a weaker shot he can attack easier.

We don't even think about him trying to match up Roger's attack without these insane movements.

[GueorguiJoukov]

When I told people his game play was killing his body and that he won't be able to play very long, I never imagined the stress was worst than I thought.

But, this is what it takes to lead Roger 13-7. No wonder why he's a clay court player; he almost slide on hard courts.

[alywen06]

if he even loses his footing slightly on that shot that could spell doom for his career

[tunacon]

lol, "I still don't want to be his ankle"

[MuchMetal]

Nadal destroy his legs when he play in that way.

[Flandrija]

awesome!!!!

[basketballman112]

incredible..... his ankle is like laffy taffy O.o

[donutlover362]

jeese, that's insain!!!

[Robskii91]

why didnt he just run 4 foot further..

[sherriffflood]

that's like something out of viz! that gave me a good chuckle!

[1080portal]

too much strain, no wonder he couldn't go wimbledon

[AlexIsUber]

he be slides on hard courts like on clay...thats why his knnees all fked

[MattSolo782]

i thought his ankle was going to snap off!!

[sahamza360]

man his ankle almost broke off!

[nelsonguise]

Haha, I wouldn't want to be his ankles either.. Or his knees. I think the guy lives in an ice bath.

[friendofdarkness80]

i dunno, grace is where you see it. Federer has an unbelievable precision which may make him look graceful but Nadal is all explosive strength and agility and yes, I believe that is also beautiful.

[y88cjm]

Righty ho, now I've seen this video the 'stretched backhand' will be a piece of cake. Now I just need the 'smash lob' analysis and I'm sorted. Thanks.

[ristratch]

graceful? I think federer is more graceful than Nadal

[m9m9m9m9m9]

this shot is not supposed to be played by a normal human.. :(

[lacobra27]

Fuck thats like a crossover dribble in basketball. Pure ankle breaker!

[Edmangox]

OW yeah 0:47 man he has ankle strength!!!!!!!

[josespul]

that's too risky!!!

[AnimeIntroStyles3]

Might be the reason for what happened at the 2008 Rome masters. The problem will just keep building unless he changes up his play.

[mysteriekiller]

Your voice...

[evilmunki54]

Very unique to post the "stretched backhand" thanks!!