James Blake of the USA Smacks a Forehand

James Blake of the USA smacks a forehand at the U.S. Open on August 28, 2007 in New York City. James has probably the most powerful forehand in all of tennis, and much of how he generates that power is evident here. He is hitting this forehand in basically the Semi-Open, Semi-Western style, but with some extra openness in his stance. His legs are pushing upward and forward. As his racquet is about to strike the ball, it is whipping forward from a laid-back position, and it is also rising to meet the ball, which will produce some topspin. James likes to hit flatter than most of his competitors, and a flatter stroke delivers a higher percentage of its energy as forward speed, but by hitting at least a little topspin, he improves the chances that his shot will find the opponent's court.