"Very personal but highly effective": Juan Martin Del Potro's forehand lauded by Patrick Mouratoglou, Rafael Nadal tops list
ATPSunday, 11 February 2024 at 02:00
Patrick
Mouratoglou gave his verdict on the best forehands in history, crowning Rafael
Nadal and praising Juan Martín Del Potro. The French coach shared a video on
Instagram with his analysis and excluded Novak Djokovic from his top-5.
The former
coach of Serena Williams also included the former Australian Open finalist
Fernando Gonzalez, and the legendary multiple Grand Slam champions Roger
Federer and Pete Sampras.
In the
video, he shared his analysis of Del Potro's forehand, the champion of the 2009
US Open. At just 20 years old, Del Potro overcame the nearly invincible Roger
Federer in a five-set match, breaking the Swiss player's streak of five
consecutive titles at Flushing Meadows.
“Juan
Martin Del Potro had one of the best forehands in history. The Argentinian had
a very personal forehand with a big and high preparation, but his forehand was
huge thanks to an incredible timing.
“Del
Potro's forehand was a question of timing and precision: one of the most
efficient shots he has ever seen. His move was very personal but highly
effective. For me it's in my top five forehands in the history of tennis."
Best forehands in history according to Mouratoglou
In fifth
place is the forehand of the Argentine, detailed in the publication as one of
the best. According to the French coach, the best forehand in history belongs
to the 22-times Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal. Nadal has adapted his
forehand to different court surfaces and has found solutions to vary his shots,
making it an incredibly versatile weapon.
Taking the
second spot is the 3-times Olympic medalist Fernando Gonzalez, also known as
"El Bombardero." The Chilean reached the final of the 2007 Australian
Open, falling to Federer, and many consider him to have one of the best
forehands in history.
In third
place is the Swiss maestro Roger Federer, who demonstrated an aggressive and
elegant technique, with a powerful topspin that allowed him to dominate the
tour for many years.
Fourth on
the list, Mouratoglou looks back to the 90s and selects Pete Sampras. The
14-time Grand Slam champion possessed an overwhelming forehand that enabled him
to seek winners from all corners of the court.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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