This is excellent to see a close up of a left handed pro. I don't get why everyone is saying the technique on the forehand is poor; it seems that she is good player to imitate as her racket goes straight to the ball. What am I missing in the critiques?? ( Am a rank beginner and always miss the ball trying to do a big loop)
I think what people are saying is that that it's a short and compact takeback - which is good in some ways like you say for consistency and timing a fast incoming ball. However, the lack of much "wind up" doesn't produce a lot of ball speed, especially given her small stature. The bigger hitters in the women's game have more coil/uncoil to produce power.
There might be some truth to that. Gil Gross was speculating that what allowed Fernandez and Raducanu to excel in the US Open 2021 was the fact that they use the lighter balls (Wilson regular duty) in that tournament. The lighter balls compensated for their power deficit, so they were able to meet in the finals. That's one theory anyway...
Beautiful tennis, doesn't need more power rather consistent pinpoint accuracy and attacking angular play following the mould of Justine henin as they are both small in stature
![Leylah Fernandez - Miami Open [Vlog #4]](/img/n.gif)
interesting observation is her grip looks massive
This is excellent to see a close up of a left handed pro. I don't get why everyone is saying the technique on the forehand is poor; it seems that she is good player to imitate as her racket goes straight to the ball. What am I missing in the critiques?? ( Am a rank beginner and always miss the ball trying to do a big loop)
I think what people are saying is that that it's a short and compact takeback - which is good in some ways like you say for consistency and timing a fast incoming ball. However, the lack of much "wind up" doesn't produce a lot of ball speed, especially given her small stature. The bigger hitters in the women's game have more coil/uncoil to produce power.
Forehand doesn't look relaxed
awful forehand technique
That forehand prep gives no power. She plays amazing but her forehand is so odd and short
There might be some truth to that. Gil Gross was speculating that what allowed Fernandez and Raducanu to excel in the US Open 2021 was the fact that they use the lighter balls (Wilson regular duty) in that tournament. The lighter balls compensated for their power deficit, so they were able to meet in the finals. That's one theory anyway...
She swings almost as if the racket is too heavy; very short and late.
to me her technique looks like she’s playing with her non-dominant hand
No power and very poor technique
Beautiful tennis, doesn't need more power rather consistent pinpoint accuracy and attacking angular play following the mould of Justine henin as they are both small in stature