The US Open is now in the final stages and two players are competing in ways that tear up the rulebook. If you think of tennis, you think of players with textbook strokes and perfect form. However, Frances Tiafoe and Daniil Medvedev prove there’s more than one way to do things right on the court. One would even say it adds a fresh and exciting twist to the game of tennis techniques that aren’t quite by the book.
Frances Tiafoe’s Funky Forehand
Frances Tiafoe is arguably the most charismatic American to have emerged in recent times, someone who is as ebullient with his style as he is exuberant off the field. But it’s his rather unorthodox forehand that catches the eye. For a start, there’s little conventional about Frances Tiafoe’s forehand. He takes his elbow high, and his wrist dips in a way that’s fairly unusual before releasing a power shot. This rather inexpedient takeback looks awkward but is effective beyond words.
That is not the only quirk in Tiafoe’s game. His serve is preceded by a ball toss that commentators have described as unique. Instead of holding the ball in his fingertips, Frances Tiafoe cradles it with the back of his hand facing up. He then releases the ball with a flick that imparts underspin before making contact. It is the assurance of his serve being accurate with this kind of unorthodox toss.
Daniil Medvedev’s Unconventional Approach
Daniil Medvedev, the fifth seed at the US Open, is yet another player in a long line of those reworking the rulebook. Medvedev’s game is defined by his unconventional strokes and positioning. His forehand is a swooping, slingshot-like shot that often looks like it might veer off course but more often than not lands perfectly. The style that sets him apart makes him very unpredictable and tough to read.
Just as unusual is Medvedev’s two-handed backhand. He has an extremely high takeback, which often produces a scoop-type shot. Unorthodox, the stroke works extremely well in his hands. Further adding interest to his game is how deep in the court Medvedev positions himself and the unusual windup. This is the exact opposite of what most players would do, yet it allows an added layer of power.
Power of Unconventional Techniques
Frances Tiafoe and Medvedev are testimonials that one doesn’t have to perfect conventional techniques to play tennis. They have time and again proved that this style of theirs has worked as much as, probably even more, an orthodox approach would. Players like them are the breath of fresh air that makes every match truly an unpredictable affair.
Commentators of the US Open have included Jim Courier and Mary Carillo, who have talked about how Frances Tiafoe and Medvedev’s unorthodox methods break the mold. Of course, the traditional techniques form the core, but the mental toughness, adaptability, and flair each contributes make them different in their way.
Embracing the Unique
It is a sport that is usually filled with precision and technicality, but Tiafoe shows, along with Medvedev, that there is room for that individuality. His eccentric ways of play challenge the traditional norm, with both reminding one that there is not a single formula for success in the game of tennis; it all becomes about finding what exactly works best with a player and milking their strengths for all it’s worth.
Tennis is a traditionally set-in-its-ways sport, yet innovation can shine. Frances Tiafoe and Daniil Medvedev continued to represent the sort of unconventional styles with which players now ascend to their sport’s highest heights. There is no correct route to greatness. Their diversity in playing style adds variety to the game and inspires so many other players to just be themselves.
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