If you were playing Nadal, how would you combat the amazing topspin he puts on the ball?

Question

If you were playing Nadal, how would you combat the amazing topspin he puts on the ball?

Answer 1

If I were playing him, and let's suppose I was half as good as Federer. I'd come to the net more. Take the ball early and slice some slow shots back. Try to make him run around a bit instead of powering back everything. Most of all, I'm looking for approach shots to get to net. Much easier said than done though.

Answer 2

You don't.  You just bend over and pull down your shorts.

Answer 3

Find a way to keep getting the ball back and hope that Rafa has an off day.

Answer 4

haha Funny answer from Alex :) ! Im not sure... Ask Federer?

Answer 5

I wouldn't even be able to touch the ball-- even yet, hit the ball without making an error or a lob.  However, in a theoretical question such as this, I would keep lobbing and putting top spin on his returns.

Answer 6

Take the ball early, get good margin for error on your shots by putting alot of topspin on the ball yourself, and run around alot without getting tired. Basically, pretty hard to do.

Answer 7

Probably by shortening my backswing and stepping inside the baseline a bit,  trying to hit the ball on the rise, before the overwhelming topspin has a chance to push me back on my heels. Otherwise I'll be taken out of position, trying to hit the ball at shoulder level, which will cause me a lot of problems.  The other option would be to step further back behind the baseline than normal, but then I would be immediately put in a defensive position, and vulnerable to short angled and/or dropshots.  I would go with the first option, and try to at least hold my ground and be able to play somewhat aggressively.

Answer 8

I'd take the ball early so Rafa doesn't have time to brush up as much as he does usually.

I'd also try and use a lot of slice so that the ball is low, again making it so Rafa can't brush up as much as he does usually (although this might mean he brushes up even more.)

If I'm honest, the best answer is to simply say: I'd play my game. If it's not good enough to win then I don't deserve to win, and if it is then I do deserve to win. Simple as.

Answer 9

put a h**l of alot of backspin on the ball

Answer 10

run scream hide your face for a year??

Answer 11

You have to reverse the spin.   Just brush up on the ball or slice it as much as he does.   If you're good at tennis, it wouldn't be that hard.  

And if you're playing Nadal, his topspin would be the least of your worries anyway.