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Why the return might be the most important shot at Wimbledon
🇳🇱 Netherlands /Economy & Trade

Why the return might be the most important shot at Wimbledon

From NRC Handelsblad · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Richard Krajicek's 1996 Wimbledon victory was significantly aided by improved return game, a weakness he overcame.
  • While serves are crucial on grass, Krajicek's ability to make returns put pressure on opponents like Pete Sampras.
  • Experts emphasize that effective returns are as vital as serves for initiating rallies and creating opportunities on grass courts.

Richard Krajicek's unexpected path to the 1996 Wimbledon title was not solely built on his formidable serve and net play, but crucially on a vastly improved return game – an area previously considered his weakness. Facing Krajicek on a fast grass court meant anticipating aces and volleys, but few expected his returns to become a decisive factor in his championship run.

Instead of practically zero, I made a few that year. I was still almost never broken in a match, and suddenly I hit one or two good returns with my backhand in a game. That puts more pressure on the opponent's service games.

— Richard KrajicekReflecting on the subtle but crucial improvement in his return game during his 1996 Wimbledon campaign.

Krajicek, once ranked fourth globally, often struggled with his single-handed backhand return, making it difficult to challenge opponents' serves effectively. However, in 1996, a subtle shift occurred. "Instead of practically zero, I made a few that year," Krajicek reflected thirty years later. "I was still almost never broken in a match, and suddenly I hit one or two good returns with my backhand in a game. That puts more pressure on the opponent's service games."

His returns really surprised me.

— Pete SamprasCommenting on Krajicek's unexpected return effectiveness during their quarterfinal match.

This newfound return prowess proved pivotal in his quarterfinal match against world number one Pete Sampras. At the end of the first set, Krajicek broke Sampras by winning four points on return. In the second set's tiebreak, two strong backhand returns were key. Sampras himself admitted after the match, "His returns really surprised me."

The return is, along with the serve, the most important shot in the game. If you can't hit a good return, you simply can't start the rally.

— Paul HaarhuisExplaining the significance of the return shot in tennis, particularly on grass.

While powerful serves are undeniably important on grass due to the ball's speed and low bounce, they are not the sole determinant of success. As seen with John Isner's fastest serve at Wimbledon, an opponent can still return effectively if positioned correctly. Former tennis player Paul Haarhuis, known for his own strong returns, stated, "The return is, along with the serve, the most important shot in the game." He added, "If you can't hit a good return, you simply can't start the rally." Krajicek echoed this sentiment, noting the advantage of creating one's own chances rather than relying solely on winning tiebreaks.

It's nice if you can create more chances for yourself instead of gambling on winning every tiebreak.

— Richard KrajicekHighlighting the strategic advantage of a strong return game.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by NRC Handelsblad in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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