Nadal - Forehand - New Slow-Motion - www.tennisone.com

[PilotJohnSilver]

That doesn't count - one foot was still on the ground! :)

[Microbaul]

His contact point is way out in front of his body and club players often fail at copying his forehand by hitting the ball too late.

[howen97]

My coach told me to stop using this forehand :(

[pg232323]

@howen97 it is a sore one when you get it wrong but when you practise it its really effective! :)

[slazengerszz]

ball ripper forehand yeah

[basque888]

Amazing, the follow-through ends up going over his head

[PhilippedeHerte]

That's not a "millennium forehand" pushed hard by many pros.

[boredchoosingnames]

some of the ugliest shots

[dragonmustard2]

Do people know that Nadal doesn't use the AeroPro Drive that is available to the general public? His racquet's head size is smaller than 100 and his weighs about 11.8

Something like that. I wish they made a heavier version of the AeroPro Drive :(

[poopseks]

@dragonmustard2 there's this amazing thing, you know, called lead tape.

putting some at 6 o'clock around the head of the racquet will increase the weight without changing balance. it will slighty increase the swingweight along with the overall weight though.

[dragonmustard2]

@poopseks

Lead Tape is not always the solution.

They make a heavier version of the pure drive ,the pure drive roddick.

I just want them to make a heavier AeroPro Drive

[chingstahpowah123]

@dragonmustard2 well there's the GT and the GT plus, i dont know if its heavier since its graphite-tungsten frame, but you should check, it MIGHT be heavier i dont really know, sorry

[Romarex16]

@dragonmustard2 I'm not trying to be a dick or anything. But I disagree with you. You were correct about saying the rackets aren't sold to the general public. But what I disagree with is that Nadal's racket weighs more then 11.8 It's most likely a solid 12. And Nadal is all about spin and power right? The Aero ProDrive is a spin racket. With a smaller head size, you'll lack power and spin. Bigger head, more spin and power. And if you look at Nadal's photo's, it looks 100 to me.

[federerbestcIass]

Nadal #1. true class. so nice. true champion. true king . Nadal LOVE :)

[trucfoto]

i am a child a 5 catagory in holland and i have the same forehand as nadal only he can hit it harder because he is stronger and mij backhand is pro only my service sucks

[hateNadaIII]

The moment at 0:06 is looks like he is floating :). true class nadal.

[moodood1]

I think that nadal/federer is better than federer/nadal.

[manyworlds]

That's some serious torque, and it's amazing he doesn't hit himself in the face with his follow-through...the racquet head actually does a 360 around his own head. No wonder he generates so much topspin. If he wins the US Open vs Fed this weekend I put him among the all-time greats, hands down.

[elninotsonat]

Great video. Congratulations !

Tennis in slow motion is amazing.

Thank's for sharing.

I recomend you this other video:

Stone skipping in ultra slow motion (HD)

[CMuhamed]

ai q bailarina!!! 

[nanananalalala]

the best shot in tennis history, this dude totally invented a new way of hitting the ball and will change the history of tennis by the time he retires.

[GueorguiJoukov]

@nanananalalala

No; Federer's forehand is by far better... Have you seen Federer play in his earlier career? Do you have an idea of what it is to hit a forehand at 85mph in the service box of a deep center shot and still have quit the doubles alley half the way between the service lines and the baseline?

Federer did plenty of them. It was like almost having Nadal's spin, his current accuracy and more than Soderling's power all at once... this was Federer's forehand.

[GueorguiJoukov]

@nanananalalala

I love Nadal's striking ability, but even then, it doesn't match Federer's shotmaking mastery. Remember that this guy - Roger - lost only four matches over an entire season...

Not of his opponent's unforced errors, but of his winners! He was ending his matches with over 30% of the rallies won by a winning shot... Nadal gets 25% when he is at his best.

[nanananalalala]

@GueorguiJoukov im tired of federer fans always coming up with a discussion. if federer is so masterful why does he keep losing to nadal? yeh yeh he has all the records but do u also know who he was playin against in that era? just go and look at all the slam finals he won between 2004 and 2008 and u will laugh ur ass off cus it will say: roddick, gonzalez, hewitt, philopousis, 34 yr old agassi etc etc even if my grandma could have had the same records LOLL.

enjoy nadals victory sunday.

[GueorguiJoukov]

@nanananalalala

My friend, have you seen Soderling's forehand? It's lesser quick than Federer's in his best years. Have you seen Nadal's angles? It's a down the line shot compared to Federer's best strokes...

I have seen of my eyes this guy nailing forehands at over 85mph in the service box... and he did those off middle balls, not balls out wide like all the pros do; he completely created the pace, the angle; even on the run.

[GueorguiJoukov]

@nanananalalala

A blind man speak of Federer's records; a true analyst will rather speak of how he plays the game.

I can tell of how fluently he used to strike those forehands, of how many seemingly impossible half-volleys passing shots he realized; I could speak of spin, pace, control, angles and touch...

Nadal presently is good, but during all that period where Federer dominated, where was Rafa? He was loosing before the finals against those same worthless oponents.

[GueorguiJoukov]

@nanananalalala

The best shot in history, my ass! Even at this present Rolland-Garros, Federer has better statistics than Nadal... Don't believe me? pile the numbers:

Federer played an average of 101.6 rallies per match, lost 22.6% of them due to unforced errors and won 37% of them due to winning shots.

Before the semies, Nadal played an average 105,2 rallies, loosing 21.6% of them due to unforced errors and winning 27% of them due to winning shots.

Federer at 28 outclasses him by 10%...

[ITSME1267]

@GueorguiJoukov hm yeah but who won that torunament?

[dudedid]

@GueorguiJoukov you're missing an important stat. one that isn't really a stat, actually: rallies won on forced errors. Arguably, Nadal's game is built more solidly on these than any other top player's. All these numbers mean is that Fed wins more rallies hitting winners - he's an aggressive player, that's HIS style of play - it's not the only or the best style.Also, stats themselves mean very little, when you actually look at Federer's scores at this past RG e.g. first round 5-setter?!

[GueorguiJoukov]

@nanananalalala

You are right, what a fearsome revolutionary shot which cannot provide even as much winners as the forehand of a 28 years old Federer who is supposed to be a totally worthless player.

Before you even dare to open your mouth, consider Federer's game mastery and not his record sheet... I am not a blind man, but you seem to be one of them. I can prove my point and refute every of yours - you cannot disprove that Federer is the GOAT.

[nanananalalala]

@GueorguiJoukov my friend u need some urgent mental help cus ur obsessed with ur federer lolll. nadal will be the GOAT and thats why freaks like u are so aggressive to prove their point cus they know how it will end. i blocked u and put out utube email notifications so good luck gettin ur crap to me again.

relax and enjoy nadals victory tomorrow, its the same federer will be watching loll.

[GueorguiJoukov]

I never try to prove my point; I consider only the logical facts and my answers are ALWAYS conclusions.

[cj397]

@nanananalalala look past the muscles, excessive grunting, and heavy topspin. he will not be the greatest of all time. he will be the andre to pete.

[nanananalalala]

@cj397 look past the crying, making excuses for losses, and flat shots cus he will be the greatest lolll.

if hes gonna be the andre to pete then he better not win any more slams cus hes already at 8 slams. and since he became only 24 this yr even the biggest fed fan knows hes gonna win a lot of slams to come. the only task fed has now is to add more slams too cus those 16 are not gonna hold. if he can get 20 then i would say hes safe, but 16 is very much in reach.

[cj397]

@nanananalalala he's cried once at the aussie open, biig whoop, all players make excuses. you could say when rafa lost to sod at the french in '09 that he was making execuses with his knee and family problems blah blah. and fed actually hits with some of the most topspin out of anyone.

and i didn't mean the analogy to the literal exact.

also, only if rafa stays healthy will he be able to win. what's going to happen when he gets older in a few years his body wont allow him to run down each ball

[nanananalalala]

@cj397 his knee and fam were traceable facts my friend: his knee cus after that rg he went out and even missed wimbledon so if that was an excuse then wtf didnt he play wimbledon?? and his fam cus it was all over the spanish press; they admitted they separated so wtf would his parents make that up??

i remem 10 yrs ago they said roddicks arm gonna fall off if he keeps serving like that loll. those kind of predictions are always out of hope not logic. just relax and wll talk in 3 yrs.

[nanananalalala]

@cj397 loll hate to say i told ya so.

2011 is gonna be a lovely yr. good luck, ur idol is gonna need it more than ever.

[hieutiee]

@cj397 And when he Nadal does stay healthy and keep winning? What will be your excuse for him? Just like the beginning of this year when you said Nadal will probably never win hard courts like the US Open because they are too fast. But now he did? What's your excuse? Us Open is actually a slow court right? And if Nadal remains healthy, it HAS to be steroids right?

[terryschutte]

are you the one on the right in the begining ???

[KIFREAK90]

OMG! I see myself in this vid. I was at this match!

[ofek15]

where are you?

[KIFREAK90]

Oh, you can only see my legs.

[climz1989]

it looks like such a light ball

[Gman6755]

He would be in trouble trying that slow motion stuff on me!!! Bring it on, Rafa!!

[Rom177]

Speed Obturation ?? How many ?? Slow motion is great

[epikcyne]

In order for nadal to do this, does he use any wrist when using this forehand shot?

[xholydiver]

Yes, absolutely. Look at 01:11 how far he lets the racket drop, then immediately after he uses his wrist to snap the racket up through the hitting zone.

Nadal has one of the wristiest forehands on tour.

[epikcyne]

Ohhh ok. Thanks

[leengsta94]

lol EternalChaos, i dont think nadal plays a bit too defensively, nadal use his topspin forehand to set up people, then goes for the big shot, sometimes when he needs to play defense he does

[whzpdlsWkd]

Okay... Let us make this clear. Nadal DOES use a wester grip, but be assured, it's not meant for anyone. The amount of force that Nadal uses to brush&push his balls is twice (maybe three times, if swinging with ever once he got) the force of semi advanced amatuer players. Thus, you can injure yourself if you even try to immitate that swing.

For people who DO use western grip... Nadals whipping action is not the "best" that you can come up with for your own body, you know....

[lukebonstingl]

blablabla......- why is everybody afraid of his tecnique?- no heavy topspinplayer before had a bettter tecnique!

[whzpdlsWkd]

It's more like, "be warned, you can bust your muscles." If you wanna try it, please be my guest. I'm very convinced you will mess up your posture and drift into patterns of wrong techniques.

[lalakepinoyako]

lols did you watched his games?

[xholydiver]

And due to the nature of that style and the physical toll that it takes on one's body, nearly every "heavy topspin player" (ie, baseline grinders who play with a western grip forehand) sustains a lot of wear-and-tear injuries and end up having to retire prematurely.

[riffs04]

IMO if you have strong and very flexible muscles around the shoulder and wrist this is an exceptional swing that I guarantee you you will be seeing much more from upcoming junior players and pros in the years to come. It also needs to be noted that Rafa is using this swing less and less on hard courts and is beginning to flatten the ball out much much more frequently. Many "club pros" claim Roddicks serve is terrible on the shoulder and will cause injury, 12 years and no problems yet

[SportsboxTennis]

Since I have played semi-pro football (quarterback) and have a PTR cert. I can tell you that Roddicks motion is actually easier on the shoulder and arms, the motion is like throwing a football.

I have almost the same motion, and it is much easier on my body.

[riffs04]

I completely agree! His motion doesn't fight the body's mechanics. PTR? NSCA certification? I'm getting the same..

[msane4XX]

I need to start using that kind of forehand. It has so much more torque, when you wrap your arm around your head, rather than when you bring it across your chest

[jjrl2004]

hahaha good luck with that. After you fail you will realize that that is a shot which requires strength. you are better off imitating Federer.

[msane4XX]

Why do you think this kind of forehand doesn't have any strength to it?

[EternalChaos000]

Brushes way too much.

That's why I don't think he's that much of a great player.. plays a bit too defensively

[EternalChaos000]

But to do it, it's still amazing. *contradicts myself*

It's amazing how he can brush is so much lol

[msane4XX]

Brushes....

So just a lot of topspin you mean

[EternalChaos000]

Mhm. And like, most players, they don't tend to "grab" the ball too much.. the practically just flick it off

[leengsta94]

you think nadal has alot of torque? i dont really think he does, cuz if he would torque more, he would end up hitting much more flatter. his arm muscles are the ones that give him all that topspin, so he has to "muscle" the ball more than other touring pros

[neiloconnor123]

wow. look at the contact

[Tony07UK]

The racquet head acceleration through contact is phenomenal - that topspin must feel very heavy at the opponents end!

[Mparry6]

wish i knew for sure how to hold a western grip, been told so many different things that im justr confused as fuck

[GueorguiJoukov]

Well, it's pretty fine with hard strokes and high balls, but if you play against lower level players, a lesser aggressive grip is more suitable for you.

Aggressive grips like this one are meant to allow a greater degree of racket head rotation through the swing. But, it's much easier to impart spin on a heavy incoming ball or on a higher one. Obviously because the motion works best higher and because an incoming ball favorise pressure against the strings.

[sukivan27]

nadal doesn't use a western grip and neither should you

[mariojackfoo]

hes really good and anyone who says he sucks is retarded. honestly he has worked so hard to get where he iks now and anyone who puts him down can get a life.

[xmetroidcreator]

I can see this over and over for 3 hours and not getting bored at all

[polipoli7]

sucks

[narusakagami]

LMAO! ok, it sucks, riiiight.

[kuantelu]

i see that nadal's swing path isn't so much different than a wind shield wiper swing path except that whip on the head.

[knuxOO7]

yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­

[dmugger]

I always think it's funny that when he's on the practice courts he does nothing but hit a "wrap around forehand" (ie. not the buggy whip).

[sadjfoi]

I <3 that buggy whip form

so cool

[asrtowhiz97]

Im just a kid who started playing tennis 1.5 years ago but i think rafa puts a lot more weight on his back foot than roger. His wrist is stiffer too. That must be giving him all that power. I wont forget to mention his unmatched agility.

[Snaurt]

Wrist is never stiff in tennis. Loose therefore fast. It moves the right way

[leengsta94]

arstowhiz, nadal puts more weight on his backfoot because as you can see

if you want to get topspin on the ball it requires an upward motion or a brush on the ball, so if u put more weight on ur back foot that will force you to fall back, and if you fall back that will cause you to hit more with an upward motion, creating more topspin

[AnimeIntroStyles3]

Is that kind of shot as healthy for your body as Federer's shot?

[juansa74]

Is that a semi-western grip?

[Gorosu]

i cant see clear but i think is a full western grip because he always play with it....(think so ^.^)

[Snaurt]

western

[TibxB0i]

what the hell do you think....one that takes less effort=federer...obviously federers but isn't it as consistant? no but they both have advantages

[Gorosu]

Nadal is so cool in slow motion ....i have his Racquet and i also do that overhead after i hit forehand ...duno why

[yvesmagic]

i have federer's racquet, but i still dump every forehand into the net... duno why :)

[jfivecu]

probably because the racquet doesn't mean shit if you don't have any skills

[TibxB0i]

I have the aeropro cortex which isn't his, he uses non cortex but the form he has is extreme topspin so he needs that finish style but also, the aeropro's aeromodular technology makes it where you get the most speed and least air resistance when you hit it almost vertically up so that's why he uses that way also

[Snaurt]

The guy was obviously joking

[Romarex16]

@jfivecu Agreed. Stop posing and picking rackets just cause the pro's play with it.

[toddrobert38]

you dump every forehand in the net BECAUSE you have Federer's racquet

@yvesmagic

[Anjo606]

@yvesmagic maybe its because YOU arent doing it right.  heck you could play a am or pro with their racket and he play with a shitty 10 dollar racket and STILL beat you

[01414271964]

@yvesmagic to heavy for u

[0BabeeyCakees0]

@yvesmagic I have nadals racquet and i kick ass!

[jhgosnell]

@yvesmagic plus he has added weight to the head of the raquet which helps with control and power...and good strings matter. and, if you are still learning the game...it takes time.

[talanand]

Whoa, i heard his forehand has 3000 rpm

[Fa1rplayy]

he's clearly got the best mentality of the tour, that's why roger loses so often against him, although he's technique and strokes are at least the same level.

Nevertheless, i consider federer to be the best ever, but rafa the best on clay ever. the rivalry on court is already legendary

[narusakagami]

he thinks hes a hellicoptor =)

on am ore serious note XD wow, his arm must be under huge strain if hes got to bring it around before he stops it. must be a crazy shot.

[YoSoyZuri]

That is what got me hooked into Nadal; the way he moves! :P

[YoSoyZuri]

To better understand the power of Rafa's forehand we must also consider how he moves; he uses his body to add force the shot. Nadal's balance's so amassing it has been scientifically investigated with very slow cams; it's considered perfect! Rafa's tennis is not about biceps is about skill, movement, balance & mental strength! Some people sound like "school girls" going on about Rafa's physique! He's beautiful to the eye but that's not why he's a champion!

[zerohero51]

errr i dont want to argue with you that nadal isnt the best player atm or something but federer's footwork is better :)

its one of fed's trademarks. the left handed topspin balls are nadals + his insane stamina

[Misterowningshaman]

i think all the pros haeve very good foot work and i wouldn't say that federer's footwork is better than nadal's. he looks more elegant but they both have very fast feet^^and i'd say, too that nadal can run faster - i know that's not what footwork means...but they both move very well ;)

[zerohero51]

yes ofc i agree ! they both have great footwork but a different kind . Nadal is like a bullet really fast and federers footwork is more functional, like with his one handed backhand its his feet position that really makes it unique ! Nadal compensates this a bit with his more powerfull biceps... so i think

[Misterowningshaman]

hm yes.. i think i can agree with this point of view ;)

[zerohero51]

its fun discussing with pple who know something bout tennis :)

[Misterowningshaman]

yeah, i love you, too ;) just kiddin' but...you're right. also it's nice to know that there are som people who don't immediately become rude and abusive when you give them a little contra.

[1NigaHigaFan1]

500mph forehand lol

[YoSoyZuri]

what are you talking about? 5000 revolutions per minute! The best players in the world produce 2000-2500 rpm. That is one factor that shows how straordinary Nadal is!

[Misterowningshaman]

i think he was joking -.-

[gutilis]

Rafa puts very much topspin in his shots.Vamos Rafa!

[LEDGERisLEGEND]

this requires excellent footwork also

[YoSoyZuri]

the best there is!

[640x480]

Seriously, this type of stroke requires some amazing timing

[catwalk2323]

PERFECTION

[164jlg]

crazy topspin