instructional column
Cup
of Joe
Waking up to the facts and myths of winning tennis.
How Important is Being a ‘Natural’?
By Joe Dinoffer
In “Cup of Joe,” we want to evaluate accepted methods of how tennis should be played and coached in the context of the modern game. Some readers may conclude that many of the accepted ways of thinking are now obsolete; other readers may feel their importance is reinforced. Either way, we want to hear from you—about this current topic and on other topics you’d like us to address. Email me at joe@oncourtoffcourt.com and we will try to publish your comments in future columns.
©susan mullane
USPTA and PTR Master Professional
M
artina Navratilova and Bill Macatee covered one of Roger Federer’s early-round matches at a recent Grand Slam. Bill asked, “Federer seems to move so freely, does that just come more naturally to some players?” Martina responded with surprise: “Natural? Are you kidding? Nothing is natural about tennis. Moving well is hard work and then you have to hit a moving ball with a stick! It’s not natural at all.” The point Martina was making is that, while some players may look smooth and effortless, playing tennis well is hard work and requires countless hours of repetitive practice to master at a highly competitive level.
Q: But aren’t some people more athletic than others and therefore tennis comes more naturally to them? A: Yes and no. Relatively speaking, some players may move faster or swing more freely. However, 8
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Martina’s point is that the sport itself just isn’t natural and all great players have to work very hard for what they achieve. After all, nobody is born with a racquet in their hands.
Q: You mean Federer was not that natural as a junior tennis player? Or Nadal?
A: They are both so different. Most experts would say Federer makes tennis look easier than Nadal, but both are great. These are two players who can help us distinguish between effective tennis and graceful tennis. As of the writing of this article, Nadal has a 14-8 record against Federer. Federer is arguably more graceful. However, the match-up record speaks for itself. Then there’s the story of basketball legend Michael Jordan, who was cut from his high school team. Hard work got him to the top. Was he a “natural” and also graceful? Most would say yes. But, he only got to the top by putting in the hard work.