As I promised in my previous thread, I'm now raising this topic concerning the percentage of topspin on groundstrokes.
Let me clarify straight away that I play with 35 % topspin, I've also played with 25 % and 55% sometimes. This is partially personal bias again but I'm of the opininon that percentage of top spin around the value that I use should be optimum for best results. If forced, I'd say that from 15 to 30 % should give the best results on hard court, 5 to 20 on grass and 35 to 60 on clay. These numbers are arbitrary but let me explain my logic behind it:
Most of the top players on ATP tour have a moderate amount of topspin on their groundstrokes. Naming some players, I'd give amounts of 15 to 20 for Murray, Berdych and Wawrinka 20 to 30 for Djokovic, Federer, Dimitrov and Ferrer, 35 to 55 for Nadal and Gasquet. Some players like Del Potro, Raonic and Isner have maybe 5 to max 10 percent top spin on their shots. There's very few examples of players who'd hit with "100%", maybe some early 2000s clay courters like Gaudio. These players who have a moderate amount of topspin on their shots are also the most succesful. Why?
Their shots have enough margin for error but are still very offensive and penetrate the court quickly. Although the surfaces have become more similar over the years, they still differ and the best results come for those who have compromised between flat and loopy. Moderately top spin struck shots also work best when opening angles or wrong-footing one's opponents. Another bonus is dealing with slice. Players who use a moderate amount of topspin on their groundstrokes (and also have good footwork) deal with the slice best, since they can get under the ball and lift it. Lift it up and hit it with an arc but still flat enough that it speeds quickly.
But what do I see in this game? Too many extremes! Flat ballbashers who hit every shot with close to zero margin for error. I can understand if they smack high bouncing shots since they can hit flat from a great height. But hitting flat winners from lower than hip? Should be risky and result in many errors. Despite this, I see flat hitters (probably 0 % spin) hit full accelerations, linear winners off low slices that are below the net in height. That is most unnerving. I used to think that it's a question of the control system but I've encountered too many lately who whack consistent line-painting winners even with elite controls. No preview seems to be the only way to deal with this anomaly.
As for the other extreme, the 100% players, their effective play has already been reduced, presumably due to the many complaints from flatter hitters and variety players. One minor problem seems to be the slice still. 100% users should have more difficulties with lifting the slice, they can currently do the "Nadal thing" too much. Moderate and balanced gameplay should be what we're after.
In summary, moderate amount of spin should be rewarded and extremes discouraged. I've provided my reasoning. Feel free to disagree, but waiting for logical explanations if that is the case.
Mana Games
Tennis Elbow Games & Dungeon Crawler game
