THE tennisreporters.net NEWSLETTER: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, NO. 49

James Blake: It's time for radical change to a two-handed backhand

By Tom A. McFerson
Special to tennisreporters.net

Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc.

For James Blake, it was time. Time for a breakthrough performance at the US Open.

Unfortunately, like years past, his Open ended with a disappointing early-round loss.

Blake's departure from 2003's fourth Grand Slam even followed the usual script: an uphill battle, a test of wills, a courageous effort, but, eventually, a painful loss.

Career introspection is never easy, especially for a 23-year-old, but with a game that's hit a plateau and a career that's treading water, Blake has to ask himself: What now? Where do I go from here?

It's a timely question, especially given the progress of his fellow Davis Cuppers. Andy Roddick, quite obviously, won the US Open and is now securely among tennis' elite. Mardy Fish, Robby Ginepri and Brian Vahaly, despite poor Open performances, have shown tremendous improvement this year and are on an upward curve. Even the spotty Taylor Dent, who came off injured reserve (briefly as it turns out) to log his best Grand Slam performance ever, has to be encouraged.

But Blake appears to be on a different track. Things are beginning to stagnate. For where he wants to go – ranked in the top 10, a fixture in the final weekend of majors – his speed, his superb athletic ability and his fight are turning out to not be enough.

Blake's game needs changes. More then just staying positive during a match (which he says he's trying to do), more then just tweaking his serve (which he says he's trying to do). No, it needs significant changes. Structural changes.

Quite simply, Blake's game needs a two-handed backhand.

THE BIG SWITCH
Blake doesn't seem comfortable with the one-hander. He struggles with it, hides it, and runs around it whenever possible. Opponents pick on it, and it lets him down on most of the big points. His backhand is his biggest liability and it's the primary reason he loses most of his matches.

What must be most frustrating for Blake is that he can actually hit a solid two-hander. During relaxed moments in practice, Blake is often seen whacking a pretty decent two-fisted backhand around the court. Is it where his one-hander is now? No. Could it be much, much better? Yes.

Even during Blake's matches, the two-handed backhand will occasionally make an appearance. Match point down against Roger Federer at the Open, Blake instinctively hit a two-handed return of serve. He lost the point, but it was a better shot then ninety-five percent of the one-handed returns he hit all match.
No pro at this stage of his or her career has made such a radical change, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. Would it be difficult? Yes. Would he be ridiculed? Quite possibly. But would it be worth it? Absolutely.

Think of the payoff. No longer would he have a major hole for players to exploit. No longer would he have to flail at backhand returns on every big point. No longer would his forehand feel pressured to always come up big. And, most importantly, he can already do it.

Professionals in other sports often change course midstream and improve their careers.

The most obvious example is Tiger Woods, who, even after multiple Grand Slam wins, went back to the drawing board and made drastic changes to his swing. Tiger knew it was a gamble, but he also knew it would make him a better player. He made the change and it paid off big.

Pitchers change their delivery to prevent injury. Basketball players alter their mechanics to improve their jump shot. Why couldn't Blake change his backhand?

Someone like Tim Henman could never do it. Greg Rusedski couldn't either. But Blake? With his athletic ability? Don't bet against him.

So, pull the two hander out of the closet, James. Polish it up and start putting it to good use. It could be just what you need to get back into the mix.