Volleys are so back

Opinion

On the Comeback Trail: Volleys

For over two decades, elite tennis was defined by baseline warfare. We watched Nadal vs. Djokovic play 50+ ball rallies until one of them dropped dead. Because of how hard modern players can hit, and how well they can place any shot at will, we rarely saw players come to net — especially compared to tennis pre-2000. But more recently, volleys have made a come back.

Players like Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, and Tommy Paul make net play key parts of their games, not decoration.

And Jannik Sinner is close behind.

Sinner said it himself after his US Open loss to Alcaraz: he needs to be less predictable. His Tokyo and Shanghai runs showed the adjustment. He came forward more than usual, often behind inside-out forehands or short backhands — not to serve-and-volley, but to close.

Shelton’s commitment to the front court is even more overt. In the past 52 weeks, he’s approached on roughly 15% of points, winning 65% of them. That’s a massive number for someone with a serve that could easily let him stay back and slug. Paul’s in the same tier — aggressive first step, clean hands, quick instincts.

The trend is clear: the top-20 game is evolving toward controlled forward movement, not away from it.

So why the resurgence?

1. Net play breaks baseline rhythm.
Modern rallies are about pattern control. A well-timed approach collapses that structure. When a player like Sinner or Alcaraz follows a forehand in, it shortens reaction time and changes the visual angle of the point. Even if the volley isn’t hit, the threat alters shot selection. Opponents stop floating neutral balls. They aim closer to lines. That’s free pressure.

2. It’s an energy hedge.
Baseline attrition has physical costs. The average point length in 2024 ATP matches rose to 5.3 shots, and rally tolerance defines most contests. A player who can end one or two points per game with a volley saves dozens of high-intensity exchanges across a tournament.

3. It’s a failsafe against superior baseliners.
When Alcaraz beats people from the back, it’s not because they can’t rally — it’s because he owns time and space. Approaching takes both away. It’s not a Plan B; it’s a pressure valve.

The net, in other words, has become a control lever again — not the default, but the differentiator. The modern player doesn’t need to live there. But they need to visit, confidently and often enough to make opponents feel it.

Volleys aren’t romantic. They’re rational.

And in 2025, rational tennis wins.

Trivia

At just 15 years old, one of the players below became the youngest Grand Slam champion of all time. Who was it?

A. Michael Chang

B. Martina Hingis

C. Tracy Austin

D. Serena Williams

Find out at the bottom!

Meet the Player

Tallon Griekspoor

From: Netherlands 🇳🇱

Best Slam Result: 3rd Round (Aussie, French & US)

Career High Ranking: 21

Fun Fact: Hero is Formula 1 Driver Max Verstappen. Says if he weren’t a tennis player, he’d be an F1 driver. 🏎️

Game Analysis: The Dutchman has a flat, powerful game predicated on his serve, big forehand and tree-trunk thighs. That said, his awkward backhand technique makes it challenging for him to consistently rip it on that side, which gets him in trouble. On a good day (and on hard court), he can give the top guys a run for their money, but could use a pointer from Novak on the backhand.

Career Prediction: At the age of 28, Griekspoor is likely entering the back half of his career. He’s been in the top 50 since 2021ish, and will be there for the next handful of years. I don’t think he’s got enough game (or time) to break into the top 20, but can still push the top guys and be a contender for ATP 250 titles.

Memes

The Inner Game

Around the Net

Some of the best tennis content I found on the internet this week…

🎞️ For those who are having Grand Slam tennis withdrawals, here’s the Top 10 Trick Shots from this year’s US Open

😳 What it was like playing Rafa at the French Open

⚡️ The holy grail of hype tennis moments, in none other than Flushing Meadows at 1 AM.

Answer

B. Martina Hingis

At just 15 years and 9 months, Martina Hingis won her first grand slam — doubles at Wimbledon. I wonder how she responded to how was your summer as she started 10th grade that year.