#3: Let’s Talk Net Playing By Pete Sampras
March 12, 2009
Pete Sampras is one of the most aggressive tennis players at the net I have ever watched. When a player is that aggressive at the net, the results of his matches show it; he becomes unstoppable. Every match I watched with Sampras playing, I knew what he would do if his opponent gave him the opportunity, and they almost always gave him the opportunity. He will rush the net! In fact, Sampras creates the opportunities for himself with his devastatingly perfect first and second serves. His second serve is regarded as the best in the game. Rarely does a player come along that has an equally deadly second serve as their first. It was a great weapon in his game.
Once at the net, the advantage he has is fast placement. He can make the opponent rush forward to get a ball just barely over the net or he can make them dash from side-to-side retrieving baseline balls. And, forget it if you place a ball that Sampras can use an overhead stroke on. His placement of these powerful balls is beyond perfect. Mastery of this technique is few and far between in tennis players. Many are aggressive and hit powerful shots baseline to baseline, but few have the mastery of play at the net like Sampras.
His records show the success this technique has, he has won: 14 Grand Slam singles titles, 11 master series singles titles, and was ranked No. 1 for 6 consecutive years.
Entry Filed under: Male, Tennis. Tags: Tennis, Brian Falati, Pete Sampras.
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