In the high-stakes world of tennis, where every second counts, the difference between victory and defeat lies in the often-overlooked art of footwork. But here's where it gets controversial—is footwork the unsung hero of the game, or is it just a basic requirement?
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: The ball is in motion, and the clock is ticking. You have a mere second to decipher its trajectory and position yourself accordingly. Imagine a speeding car on the highway, but smaller, spinning and bending through the air. Your feet dance, your mind calculates angles, all while maintaining balance and keeping your eyes locked on the ball. Then, in a flash, you release, finding the perfect moment to uncoil, locate the sweet spot—a mere centimeters-wide target—and swing, adding pace and spin to send it to the opponent's weakest spot on the court.
The crowd goes wild for the powerful serves, the fierce forehands, and the blazing backhand winners, but these moments of glory wouldn't exist without the foundation of solid footwork. While it may not be a trending topic on social media, the elite players at the WTA Finals unanimously agree on its importance.
Iga Swiatek, World No. 2, emphasizes its 'crucial' nature. Jean-Christophe Faurel, coach of Coco Gauff, reveals he discusses footwork more than technique. Chris Evert, an 18-time major champion, calls it 'vital'. Mark Merklein, co-coach of Jessica Pegula, describes it as 'huge'. Simona Halep, former World No. 1, believes it was the most important aspect of her game. And Anton Dubrov, coach of Aryna Sabalenka, goes as far as saying it's 'like 90 percent of tennis'.
But what does this mean for the players on the court? Let's delve into the science and strategy behind this essential skill.
A tennis player can expect to play around 60 matches annually, with an average of 130 points per match. Each point may require two or three shots to defend, translating to over 20,000 scrambles per year to retrieve that elusive yellow ball. Whether it's side to side, forward and back, or diagonally, the player must be in constant motion.
The court dimensions—39 feet by 27 feet, plus an additional 10 feet of airspace—equate to more than 10,000 cubic feet of space to defend. It's a tiring task, but one that is essential for success. And it all begins with the feet.
Bjorn Fratangelo, coach and husband of No. 6 singles seed Madison Keys, sums it up: 'It's a moving game... Good footwork gives you the best scenario for your best outcome to hit the ball.'
Players employ various strategies, often dictated by their physical attributes. Some rely on offensive power to gain an advantage, while others compensate with defense and speed. Simona Halep, standing at 5-foot-6, attributes her success to her quickness and anticipation, which make up for her height disadvantage. Jasmine Paolini, at 5-4, earns the nickname 'Scooter' from her doubles partner Sara Errani due to her agility on the court.
Errani explains, 'With people hitting the ball so strong, it's very important... The ball is coming back, and you have to be ready physically. If you are smaller, it's even more important because you have to do more.'
The elite players, like Coco Gauff, who is already No. 3 in the PIF WTA Rankings at just 21 years old, masterfully blend offense and defense. Jean-Christophe Faurel clarifies, 'She's quick, but footwork and quickness are two different things. It's about coordination... You can't have the best technique if your feet aren't in the right place.'
Even with flawless footwork, the speed of the game often forces players to improvise, as Faurel notes, 'Most of the shots you play, you're off balance... I think it's more than half.'
The human body is remarkably equipped for this task. Each foot contains approximately 200,000 sensory receptors, gathering information on pressure, texture, and more. This data is sent to the brain via neural pathways, and within a quarter of a second, the brain commands the feet to react.
Ons Jabeur, three-time major finalist, shares her experience: 'Sometimes if my footwork is wrong, I'm very confused on my steps on the court. The more I work on it, the more coordinated I am. I feel when players haven't played a lot of matches, their footwork is kind of weird.'
The challenge lies in the delicate and complex nature of the task, requiring sharp vision, anticipation, creativity, and flexibility. The goal is to return to the center of the court after each shot, providing the best position to move in any direction for the next one.
Mark Merklein highlights Jessica Pegula's efforts in this area: 'The way these girls are hitting with power to the corners, you've got to be able to play defense, stay alive in points, and get to neutral.'
Footwork is intrinsically linked to fitness. Players dedicate countless hours in the gym to enhance leg strength and explosiveness, knowing that a slight increase in acceleration can be game-changing. Building endurance is also crucial, ensuring players can maintain those defensive dashes throughout a three-hour match.
Creating the ideal space between the body and the ball is an art. Bjorn Fratangelo elaborates, 'It's one of the things we're talking about a lot now with Maddy on her forehand side... It's a weapon, and I think it can be even more if she had better spacing in certain situations. Sometimes, I think she's a little bit close, which doesn't allow for a full swing.'
The solution? Adjusting footwork.
Fratangelo observes that modern players are covering the court with fewer steps. He cites Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as prime examples: 'The way they move is borderline perfect... Jannik is even more efficient because of his ability to move with the left leg to the backhand and outside, sliding open.'
He adds, 'Efficiency and being able to cover ground without running, per se, and going from the middle to the outside of the singles line in two to three steps gives you a huge advantage.'
Iga Swiatek exemplifies this sublime skill, moving with the grace of a big cat in the jungle. Her deceptive ease belies the effort, as she leans with her upper body, setting her body in motion before her feet take over. A series of medium side-to-side lunges and small adjustment hops make her appear to hover. And when faced with a challenging ball, she can stop on a dime and deliver an impressive off-balance shot, turning defense into offense in an instant.
Chris Evert, who learned the game from her father, a two-time United States age-group champion and strict coach, explains, 'To hit a perfect shot with explosive power, you must be set up and balanced as perfectly as possible... It's the little adjustments where Iga and Coco excel. They're the fastest with their fast-twitch muscles, and their adjustment steps to get around the ball are exceptional.'
Simona Halep admires Swiatek's movement, noting her low stance and powerful legs, which make her a complete player. Anton Dubrov, coach of Aryna Sabalenka, highlights the importance of staying on the ball, saying, 'You're taking time away from the opponent... You're putting the pressure on them.'
So, is footwork the unsung hero of tennis, or just a basic requirement? The debate continues. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
