PLAYING LIKE A PRO

AS WE BRACE FOR THE AUSSIE OPEN FINALS, CONNOR O’BRIEN SITS DOWN WITH TENNIS PLUS COACH JOHN BIRRELL TO REVEAL THE TRICKS TO THE TOP SHOTS

TOP SPIN FOREHAND (ANGELIQUE KERBER)

THE essential groundstroke to master if you want to get a rally going. Again preparation is essential, with the racquet drawn and in a position to move up through the ball to apply top spin. “This creates good top spin and good height over the net and lets you play safe and strong groundstrokes,” Birrell said.

VOLLEYING (ROGER FEDERER)

FOR when you’re on the attack and at the net, making the first volley count is critical. “Play that volley nice and deep and get yourself in a good position,” Birrell said. “What you are looking for is your opposition to play a defensive ball.

“As soon as the ball goes up, your racquet goes up, you’re looking for a smash, reaching up and playing that overhead really aggressive with good technique.”

LOB (SIMONA HALEP)

WHAT to do when your opponent has approached the net. That’s where the lob can come into play – or as Birrell explains, in any situation where you are under the pump. “There’s three types of plays: You’re either playing defensive, offensive or neutralising the ball,” he said. “A defensive ball in a lob is probably one of the most underestimated shots in the game of tennis … the lob would be simply as low as you can below the ball, throwing that ball up as high as you possibly can to give yourself time to recover.”

SERVING (MARIN CLILIC)

ONCE you have mastered groundstrokes to get a rally going, then there is the need to get your serve right so you can compete in matchplay. Birrell revealed the ideal position to start from as being one step from the middle of the court – or two if you’re playing doubles – with a set-up of the front foot pointing towards the net post and the back foot tucked behind.

Then it’s all about a “nice, relaxed, easy motion” with your body weight moving “up and forward through the ball”.

SLICE BACKHAND (ALEX DE MINAUR)

AS well as a top-spin backhand, executed as per the forehand wing for similar purposes of creating margin over the net, a shot often seen on the grand slam show courts is a slice backhand.

It has dual purposes, able to be used to attack or defend. “(It) is a very effective defensive ball and also you can change that into an opportunity to be an attacking shot as well,” Birrell said, adding a long follow through is one of the keys to execution.