
via Imago
Image Credits – Imago

via Imago
Image Credits – Imago
The volley is one of the most important shots for an attacking player to learn. Rushing up to the net and ending the rally with an abrupt shot is one of the best weapons they can possess. During the history of tennis, we have seen a few players who have exceptional volleys. Roger Federer and Boris Becker have shown us great volleys in their careers. However, for the childhood coach of Serena Williams, another ATP legend takes the mantle of the best volleys.
Rick Macci’s choice did not limit his abilities to volleys. Pistol Pete managed to take his serve to the next level and became the best player who used the serve and volley method to demolish his opponent.
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Legendary coach snubs Boris Becker and Roger Federer to pick American legend
Pete Sampras is one of the greatest American players to ever grace the court in the ATP. His serve and volley style game earned him many titles, and he became the most slam winner before Federer broke his record. But during his prime, beating Sampras was one of the most difficult tasks for anyone. Rick Macci still remembers watching Sampras demolish players and picked him as the best volley over Federer and Becker.
He shared his thoughts on his ‘X’ page as he wrote, “Was asked who has the Best Volley of all time. Who has the Best Volley is very different than who Volleys the Best or who plays the net the Best. There are So Many with incredible HANDS and FEET but the leader under GRAND SLAM PRESSURE IS THE POGO MAN PISTOL PETE!“
Was asked who has the Best Volley of all time. Who has the Best Volley is very different than who Volleys the Best or who plays the net the Best. There are So Many with incredible HANDS and FEET but the leader under GRAND SLAM PRESSURE IS THE POGO MAN PISTOL PETE!
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) December 29, 2023
Roger Federer was one player who used the method often to shut his opponents down quickly. Boris Becker used an even more aggressive form of the technique to win slams. Regardless, for Macci, Sampras is far above the two.
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While Sampras’ serve and volley was one of his biggest advantages, it eventually ended up becoming a big challenge for him. A former rival of Sampras explained the story of how the effect of his serve turned around.
How players turned around Sampras’ advantage
Ivan Lendl appeared on the ‘Tennis with an Accent’ podcast to talk about his old rival’s ferocious serves. Players had great serves during Lendl’s prime, but Sampras came to the sport with a never seen before start. His serves went like a pistol, earning him the nickname Pistol Pete. He commanded the court, but it didn’t continue for long.
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Lendl explained as he kept serving big, players learned how to return much better. Eventually, the return on his serve became the technique to learn. It became more difficult for him to keep his dominance on the court, but his talent still helped him win many matches. Now, he is remembered as a legend who changed how a serve and its return were used.
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