US TENNIS
November 1992
How to nail those easy sitters
By Pete Sampras, with Norman Zeitchick

Between The Line / Putting away those easy ones

"Kill it!'' I told myself as the weak lob drifted toward me up at the net. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my opponent scramble to the center of the baseline. I just had to angle the ball slightly away from him and I'd win the game. I turned sideways, brought my racquet back and pointed with my left hand -- then drilled the ball into the back fence.

It seems that those sorts of things keep happening to me. I get a shot that I should be able to put away easily, then I end up netting an easy overhead, or trying to go for a low-percentage angle on an easy volley, or just poofing the ball back when my opponent is pulled wide, giving him a chance to get back into the game.

That's why I was particularly interested when Senior Editor Norman Zeitchick started working on our cover story, "How to Nail Those Easy Sitters" (page 30). This, I felt, is something I really need to learn more about.

Norman and Editor Donna Doherty wanted to get a current pro player to write this piece for us. "When we first decided to do the story, we wanted to use Jimmy Connors," says Donna. "But when I asked Jimmy, he said, 'Why don't you get one of these young hot shots?' Well, that's what we did." Norm suggested the ever-improving Pete Sampras, then he hammered out the details with TENNIS Instruction Editor Tim Gullikson, who is Sampras' coach, and they met Staff Photographer Dom Furore in Bradenton, Fla. Sampras, who was the runner-up at this year's U.S. Open (see page 90) and the 1990 Open champion, will figure into the race for the world No. 1 when he defends his title at this month's IBM/ATP World Championship (page 88).

"During the photo shoot, I asked Pete what makes him miss easy overheads," Norm says. "He told me, 'I never miss.' Well, at this year's Open I saw him miss a few easy shots, and I thought I'd ask that question again!" Also in this issue, you'll find the second part of our "Teen Turmoil" story (page 45), which offers ideas to reform the pro tours so that teenage players won't be ripped to shreds by the rigors of playing for big bucks. And this month we select the "50 Greatest U.S. Tennis Resorts" (page 60).

And what about missing those easy sitters? As my colleagues around here will tell you, I still have much more to learn.

-- Peter Francesconi / Managing Editor

There is nothing more frustrating than missing one of those high-floating, slow-moving balls your opponent weakly puts up over the net for you to cream. I know. Most players miss those easy sitters because they either try to do too much, hit too hard or rush through their shot, or they relax too much and don't play aggressively enough. Yet all it takes is a bit of concentration and confidence. Here are some simple techniques I use to nail those easy balls that also should help you make your opponent pay for his mistakes.

High Floating Volley

When my opponent hits a weak floating ball high over the net, I move in and knock it off for a winner. Don't stand still and wait for the ball to come to you. The key is to move into the shot to hit an easier volley closer to the net. Watch the ball at all times, keep your backswing short, hit through the ball -- not down on it -- and lengthen your fallow-through. Rushing through the shot tends to make you overhit or hit into the net. Stay balanced and in control, and smack that volley deep or angle it off for the point.

1. Move in.
2. Take a short backswing.
3. Hit through, not down.
4. Follw through.

Short Overhead

You should salivate when you're up at the net and your opponent throws up a short lob that you don't have to scramble back to hit. Yet many players invariably put this easy overhead either into the back fence or into the net. The main problem is that they don't watch the ball all the way to the point of contact. Keep your head up and eyes on the ball until you hit it. Another problem is footwork. Don't stay in position to hit the smash. As you turn, get your racquet up fast, track the ball and snap through with your wrist. Don't rush or overhit -- it's not necessary to bounce the ball into the seats -- but don't be too casual. Hit the ball firmly or angle it off for the winner.

1. Turn quickly.
2. Get the racquet up fast.
3. Track the ball to contact.
4. Snap through with your wrist.

Short, High Ball In Midcourt

A short ball that bounces in the midcourt and sits up high is just begging to be creamed. Yet it's a very easy shot to miss unless you set up, take your time and avoid overhitting it. The first step is to get to the ball early and set up in control and balanced. If you run through the ball, get overanxious or rush through it, you're asking for trouble. When you set up to hit your shot, take a normal backswing and hit through the ball, not down. Don't hit too flat; put some topspin on the ball and drive it deep to the corner. Concentrate on getting to the ball, setting up and not overhitting and you'll crack a winner every time.

1. Get to the ball early.
2. Set up in control.
3. Use spin.
4. Hit through the ball.

Open-Court Ground Stroke

When your opponent is pulled off the court and you have an open court to hit into, placement -- not power -- is your key to winning the point. Step into the ball with the same stroke you normally use, take the ball early with a full swing, and hit through the ball with a full follow-through. Many players either hit too hard or nervously shorten their swing to avoid missing the shot. Don't go to extremes. Keep in control, and be sure to watch the ball, not your opponent. If you hit the shot where you want -- go for the opposite corner, but don't try to point the line -- your opponent will be dead on the court.

1. Step in.
2. Take a full, regular swing.
3. Go for placement.
4. Watch the ball, not your opponent.


[Checklist For Easier Putaways]

Keep these four key points in mind when you get any kind of easy sitter and you, too, will nail them like a pro.

1. Watch the ball.
2. Don't rush.
3. Don't overhit.
4. Be aggressive.