Alicia Molik’s intense focus and stable open stance produce a fierce forehand. No matter their level, most players prefer to use a forehand drive as their main baseline weapon. And if you want to succeed in the pro game, you need a forehand that can do some damage. Alicia Molik, one of the finest athletes in women’s tennis, has such a stroke. It starts with an open stance that allows for maximum upper-body rotation and court coverage. Molik prepares and swings her racquet with mechanics that give her shot power and dependability. All the while she tracks the ball beautifully before, during, and after contact.
1.The most interesting aspect of this frame is how early Molik prepares for her forehand. The ball is not yet in the picture, yet Molik is already coiled like a spring. In fact, her torso is so completely turned that her chin is almost touching her left shoulder. Note, too, how the racquet face is slightly closed and held with a cocked wrist well above the ball. All that’s left for her to do is step out with her right foot (which is already off the court) and line that leg up with the incoming ball.
2.Molik’s left arm helped bring her racquet back and facilitate her shoulder turn. Now it remains extended for balance, as she steps into hitting position. Her upper body is still wound as she prepares to throw her weight forward into the shot. The racquet starts to drop down in what will be a semicircular motion that gives Molik’s forehand some extra velocity. That’s the advantage of this type of backswing, as compared with a straight take-back. On the downside, the longer swing path makes contact more difficult to time.
3.Molik plants her right foot and starts her forward swing from an open stance, which will aid her recovery to the center of the court. Her right leg is bent and prepared to help drive her weight through the shot. Molik has started her racquet acceleration by first dropping it down under the ball and starting to uncoil her shoulders. Her hitting wrist remains laid back; it will come forward immediately before she hits the ball.
4.Despite the fact that Molik’s eyes seem to be glued to the ball at the moment of impact, contact is slightly off-center. Her shoulders have already opened, which produces most of her racquet velocity by whipping her relaxed hitting arm forward. Molik’s knees have straightened a bit, adding an upward component to the racquet trajectory for topspin and lift over the net. Although a powerful shot, this last bit of technique will make it a safer one.
5.What I particularly like about this frame is that well after the ball has left her racquet, Molik’s eyes are still fixed on the point of contact. That’s great concentration. Her feet, which were turned to the side during her preparation, are now pointed forward, signifying excellent weight transfer. Molik is also starting to shift toward the center of the court to initiate her recovery. As she extends nicely through her hitting zone, her loose arm naturally rises with her lower body and rotating shoulders. This will also help with achieving good net clearance.
6.The ball is well on its way and Molik’s racquet handle, carried by its momentum over her left shoulder, is pointed at her target, indicating a full and proper swing. Here you get a good look at the benefits of the open stance. It allows Molik to push off her right leg and move back to the center without taking additional steps. In fact, she starts moving toward the center of the court even before the stroke is completed.
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