TENNIS.com - Features - Greatest Shots in Tennis History

Photo by Lynne Sladky/AP
What are the greatest shots in tennis history? We pick out the game’s most fearsome weapons stroke by stroke, concentrating on the Open Era (since 1968).

By Joel Drucker

Part VII: The Overhead Updated

Final Pick
Pete  Sampras

Shortlist
Chuck  McKinley
Lew Hoad
Greg Rusedski
Richard Krajicek
Mark Philippoussis
Yannick Noah
John McEnroe
John Newcombe
Illie Nastase
Stan Smith
Dick Stockton
Jeff Borowiak

Billie Jean King
Martina Navratilova
Steffi Graf
Martina Hingis
Justine Henin
                    — TENNIS.com

Of all shots, grasping the best here has been a process in tennis evolution. Contemporary players come to net so rarely and strike passing shots so well that it’s rare to see players forced to play too many overheads. But still, the revised pick for the Open Era is Pete Sampras. No way did he have to hit as many as his netrushing predessors, but the fact that his smash was so good cast a strong shadow of doubt in his opponents’ minds. Had his overhead been anything less than first-rate and the netrushing Sampras would have faced a slew of lobs. But those he faced were rarely missed. Just about every smash he struck was terminal.

The original pick was a player with a cult-like appreciation whose prime was just before the Open Era – 1963 Wimbledon champion and Hall of Famer Chuck McKinley. He stood just a mere 5’ 9”, but to be a champ in his time McKinley knew he’d have to come to net and work very hard on his overhead. He did, learning to jump up in the air to field any but the very best lobs. And as for the weak lobs, he was savage, taking particular delight in bludgeoning them with all his might – a dangerous occasion for any doubles opponent in his way.

In the netrushing heyday of 1946-‘80, it was impossible for a player to even be on the tour without owning a fine smash. Other Americans every bit as good as McKinley – if not better given their height -- included Jack Kramer, Pancho Gonzales, Tony Trabert, Stan Smith and John McEnroe. As indifferent as McEnroe appeared towards practice, the overhead was the one shot he made sure to practice excessively. Trabert and Smith were quite powerful – each able to bounce backhand overheads over the fence. Finding an Australian without a good overhead is as rare as finding one who has never had a beer (though, curiously, Rod Laver’s smash was not considered quite as supreme as the rest of his game). Others who many lobbed at their own peril were Dick Stockton and Jeff Borowiak.

Joel Drucker is a contributing editor at TENNIS magazine. The author is grateful for the assistance of many experts and former pros, including Brent Abel, John Barrett, Steve Flink, Mary Carillo, Trey Waltke, Chris Lewis, John Newcombe, Owen Davidson, Fred Stolle and Brian Gottfried. >> Return to The Greatest Shots