Hey Meike, just dropping by to thank you for the great content. I'm getting back to playing after a long hiatus; your videos are not only helping me find my range again, but also adding more dimensions to it. Cheers!
Great video and analysis. Love the way Ash uses the backhand slice in so many ways but particularly as a set up for a short return which she follows up with a forehand attack.
Thanks for the analysis of Barty’s superb backhand slice. At first glance, it seems similar to that of Federer in terms of racquet take back, weight transfer and swing path.
I think her slice gets all the credit for her success. Without it, there are several players that would beat her on a regular basis. I'm not even sure if she wins a grand slam. I'm not saying she wouldn't be a great player, but there are several great players that haven't won a slam. In my opinion, her slice is probably the best in the history of women tennis and right up there with Roger and Ken Rosewall. The slice, big serve and forehand in addition to a great net skills makes her unique from the other WTA players who have mostly gone strictly to a power game. If she was still playing, she would still be #1.
If you have a great volley, you must use the sliced backhand. The main avantage of which is gaining Time. If you use that gain of time to gain space, then you can come at net. Because your volley would be so useless, if you could not come at net. It is more than logical. It is also true. I totally agree with you when you wonder if Ashley would have won so many main tournants without her sliced back hand... And her volley ... Because her game has really nothing to see with Steffi Graf.
Barty did two great on the run slice backhand passing shots down the line against Azarenka in a Fed Cup tie against Belarus. Both times the look of disbelief on Azarenka's face was priceless.
Great instruction. I noticed she changed her racket face angle between the top (steep) and contact (shallow). Can you help us understand how to decide the angle at contact? 🙏🎾👍
It's a little counter-intuitive because the racket face actually squares up to the ball getting closer to contact point. You don't have to force this if you have the correct grip, it happens naturally. If you get too much float on the ball your racket face is too open at contact, you then have to find your individual degree to how open or closed your racket is at take-back and how you swing to meet the ball.
@@MeikeBabelTennis Correct, it squares up but I do think there is minor wrist flexion into contact on balls that are above waist level. This is why many rec players struggle with this shot. Also at 11:50 you use the term "extend their wrist" incorrectly. The term is Ulnar deviation.
Great video, the swing path is almost horizontal, pendulum like. I echo that it looks functionally like Feds. Need expert timing to get it right i would imagine as opposed to " guiding it "
@@MeikeBabelTennis Absolutely! I was taught old-school - to hit through the ball, similar to a topspin drive but with an open face. Like you say, this gives us mortals more margin for error (it's higher percentage) but maybe not as much spin and bite. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Steffi played more in that old-school style, which obviously contrasts Fed and Ash. Anyway, hope Ash wins her home Open :)
I hit my slices harder than steffi graf cause my takeback is low like hers, but my follow through is across the body like federer. The end result is more of a side spin than back spin which produces a very fast and low killer slice. Backspin slows the ball in the air and checks up when it lands unlike my slice backhand which stays low and doesn't loose any speed when it lands.
Great video. New to tennis and pickleball . My backhand is developing faster than my pickleball ground strokes. ( trying to learn both sports at the same time) is it because of strings vs carbon face paddles or should I shorten up my swing because the court is only 40 feet or any other tip. Thank you because my slice backhand is fun to hit plus I love tenni
Great stuff as always. I have a match tomorrow, and I will go in with the intention to slice like Ash, then I will come back and watch this video again.
@@MeikeBabelTennis i won and played my best ever singles match so far. i used the crosscourt slice to construct rallies, pin him deep, and move him around. i was able hit it flat and deep even with poor balance and poor contact points. The Barty slice that I really wanted to hit was the low zinger down the line. i got 3-4 of those over two sets. couple i shanked widely. A couple of times i loaded up big like Barty and then chickened out and hit a neutral slice that got punished. A few times I ran down drop shots (and underhand serves) but the slice wizzardry I tried at full sprint looked pretty sloppy. i also overcooked a couple of sharp angle cross court slices. I was aware of the size of my takeback about 50% of the time, which is good for me, and I was aware of how much I opened up or stayed sideways about 0% of the time. A great day of tennis overall.
@@doosrajawad That is all great information! I love how detailed you are! It's all about setting process and performance goals and it sounds you had that nailed. Winning then is a bonus. I'm so happy that my video helped a little bit!
I wish someone would comment on the fact that the forearm (wrist) must rotate clockwise as the racquet head strikes the ball, otherwise the ball isn't driven, just floats. Most slice backhand videos don't address this important movement.
Next time you watch Barty - count the number of times she hits the slice backhand and her opponents smash their very next shot straight into the net, or over the baseline. They go in the scorebook as unforced errors, but Ash made them do it due to the low bounce. So many of the baseline sloggers have no idea how to deal with it.
Don't forget when you slice it spins backwards so if you try to it and don't move your feet accordingly your probably hit in the net or hit it long love Anthony Fed ex lol
Most likely it's the grip. a lot of people with elbow issues are more in a forehand grip which forces the wrist into a really uncomfortable position. And that in turn puts strain onto the muscles and tendons in the elbow. That's why it's crucial to have a proper continental grip.
Barty certainly had a great backhand slice, but I would guess she watched films of Federer hitting his backhand slice since hers looks almost identical and his is maybe the best ever in tennis.
Backhand Slice Tutorial: ua-cam.com/video/7j6qc297o6c/v-deo.html
Thank you Meike. This video is absolutely useful, considering that backhand slices are very necessary in many instances of the game.
You're very welcome!
This video is so good. Exactly what's needed. The Graf/Barty slice is the most underrated weapon in tennis.
Federer too
Agree
Fantastic illustration!!!!!
Absolutely lovely shot. Yes, folks, the slice can be a weapon! Good luck to Ash in the coming season! Great champion and great person!
100 % agree!
Ashleigh "real hand shake" Barty.
I searched for some tennis quality content and I found that at your channel. love yoooouuu!
Hey Meike, just dropping by to thank you for the great content. I'm getting back to playing after a long hiatus; your videos are not only helping me find my range again, but also adding more dimensions to it. Cheers!
That is so great to hear! Thank you for your kind words, they are motivation to keep doing what I'm doing!
Great video and analysis. Love the way Ash uses the backhand slice in so many ways but particularly as a set up for a short return which she follows up with a forehand attack.
Yes! She used it so well again against Coco Gauff in her last match. I'm sure she'll use it a lot against Kenin in the next round.
Thanks for the analysis of Barty’s superb backhand slice. At first glance, it seems similar to that of Federer in terms of racquet take back, weight transfer and swing path.
Many thanks for these clear and practically helpful lessons. It may be worth noting that on the high take-back her left arm moves to perpendicular.
I think her slice gets all the credit for her success. Without it, there are several players that would beat her on a regular basis. I'm not even sure if she wins a grand slam. I'm not saying she wouldn't be a great player, but there are several great players that haven't won a slam. In my opinion, her slice is probably the best in the history of women tennis and right up there with Roger and Ken Rosewall. The slice, big serve and forehand in addition to a great net skills makes her unique from the other WTA players who have mostly gone strictly to a power game. If she was still playing, she would still be #1.
I'd say her and Steffi Graf's slice. I played Steffi twice and that slice killed me!
If you have a great volley, you must use the sliced backhand. The main avantage of which is gaining Time. If you use that gain of time to gain space, then you can come at net.
Because your volley would be so useless, if you could not come at net. It is more than logical. It is also true.
I totally agree with you when you wonder if Ashley would have won so many main tournants without her sliced back hand... And her volley ... Because her game has really nothing to see with Steffi Graf.
Barty did two great on the run slice backhand passing shots down the line against Azarenka in a Fed Cup tie against Belarus. Both times the look of disbelief on Azarenka's face was priceless.
I love those shots. Barty does such a great job "holding" the ball on the racket and picking her side at last split second.
Very good video and analysis. Her countryman Ken Rosewall was famous for his backhand slice as well.
Just went out hitting w a 5.0 player and I was able to neutralize w slice and fewer mistakes than hitting over w backhand his ball! Thanks
Wonderful analysis, as always.
Glad you enjoyed it
Highly pro analysis! Thanks
You're welcome!
Thank you for this!
Thank you! Feel free to subscribe to my channel and share with tennis friends.
Love this video. Well done
Great instruction. I noticed she changed her racket face angle between the top (steep) and contact (shallow). Can you help us understand how to decide the angle at contact? 🙏🎾👍
It's a little counter-intuitive because the racket face actually squares up to the ball getting closer to contact point. You don't have to force this if you have the correct grip, it happens naturally. If you get too much float on the ball your racket face is too open at contact, you then have to find your individual degree to how open or closed your racket is at take-back and how you swing to meet the ball.
@@MeikeBabelTennis Correct, it squares up but I do think there is minor wrist flexion into contact on balls that are above waist level. This is why many rec players struggle with this shot. Also at 11:50 you use the term "extend their wrist" incorrectly. The term is Ulnar deviation.
Thanks 🙏 appreciate!
I use the same gravity mp as she does .The best raquet to control and slice the ball.But she is got the natural talent in this game.
I feel she could hit prefect shots with a piece of wood.
I wish Ashley would be back.
Me, too
Great video, the swing path is almost horizontal, pendulum like. I echo that it looks functionally like Feds. Need expert timing to get it right i would imagine as opposed to " guiding it "
Yes, Ash and Fed can do it bc they're geniuses. I don't teach the side swipe because for the rest of us mortals the balls tend to float then.
@@MeikeBabelTennis Absolutely! I was taught old-school - to hit through the ball, similar to a topspin drive but with an open face. Like you say, this gives us mortals more margin for error (it's higher percentage) but maybe not as much spin and bite. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Steffi played more in that old-school style, which obviously contrasts Fed and Ash. Anyway, hope Ash wins her home Open :)
I hit my slices harder than steffi graf cause my takeback is low like hers, but my follow through is across the body like federer. The end result is more of a side spin than back spin which produces a very fast and low killer slice. Backspin slows the ball in the air and checks up when it lands unlike my slice backhand which stays low and doesn't loose any speed when it lands.
Great video. New to tennis and pickleball . My backhand is developing faster than my pickleball ground strokes. ( trying to learn both sports at the same time) is it because of strings vs carbon face paddles or should I shorten up my swing because the court is only 40 feet or any other tip. Thank you because my slice backhand is fun to hit plus I love tenni
Great stuff as always. I have a match tomorrow, and I will go in with the intention to slice like Ash, then I will come back and watch this video again.
Awesome! Let me know how it worked.
@@MeikeBabelTennis i won and played my best ever singles match so far. i used the crosscourt slice to construct rallies, pin him deep, and move him around. i was able hit it flat and deep even with poor balance and poor contact points. The Barty slice that I really wanted to hit was the low zinger down the line. i got 3-4 of those over two sets. couple i shanked widely. A couple of times i loaded up big like Barty and then chickened out and hit a neutral slice that got punished. A few times I ran down drop shots (and underhand serves) but the slice wizzardry I tried at full sprint looked pretty sloppy. i also overcooked a couple of sharp angle cross court slices. I was aware of the size of my takeback about 50% of the time, which is good for me, and I was aware of how much I opened up or stayed sideways about 0% of the time. A great day of tennis overall.
@@doosrajawad That is all great information! I love how detailed you are! It's all about setting process and performance goals and it sounds you had that nailed. Winning then is a bonus. I'm so happy that my video helped a little bit!
I wish someone would comment on the fact that the forearm (wrist) must rotate clockwise as the racquet head strikes the ball, otherwise the ball isn't driven, just floats. Most slice backhand videos don't address this important movement.
Next time you watch Barty - count the number of times she hits the slice backhand and her opponents smash their very next shot straight into the net, or over the baseline. They go in the scorebook as unforced errors, but Ash made them do it due to the low bounce. So many of the baseline sloggers have no idea how to deal with it.
Agree! And then add to hit that she can also flatten out her backhand, hit heavy top! Total nightmare for her opponents!
Don't forget when you slice it spins backwards so if you try to it and don't move your feet accordingly your probably hit in the net or hit it long love Anthony Fed ex lol
awesome
Thank you!
Do we need to take weight to be stronger ?
To work out you mean? Yes, that helps but I would work on preventing injuries first. In my opinion, that's more important
beautiful
What happens if Barty meet Serena Williams or Namoi Osaka for this slice?
She'll run them around
Osaka would get mental health problems and skip the press conference.
Ash was the best!
Agree
Can you do your video about your memories on tour? Who was nice, who was bitter...
I want to know your story
Away from the family
Away from friends
Always on travel
PERFECT ! Where do I sign ?
Many people contribute their tennis elbow to backhand slice. Can you comment what might be the things they did wrong ?
Most likely it's the grip. a lot of people with elbow issues are more in a forehand grip which forces the wrist into a really uncomfortable position. And that in turn puts strain onto the muscles and tendons in the elbow. That's why it's crucial to have a proper continental grip.
@@MeikeBabelTennis thank you coach. Hope someday I can take a lesson with you in person 😊🙏
@@bournejason66 That would be incredible!
Barty certainly had a great backhand slice, but I would guess she watched films of Federer hitting his backhand slice since hers looks almost identical and his is maybe the best ever in tennis.
I mean her lower arm from the elbow.
Look at Steffi Graf slice,is more deadly backhand slice
Very similar to Federer's slice.
Yes, they both have very high take-backs and steep swings.
i like player with 1 handed backhand, now almost of the players now are two handed backhand and so noisy, which is boring and irritating, 🥰🥰🥰
Didn’t an Overweight, old, version of Serena defeat Barty in 2019.
Yes!