Hi all,
I first picked up a racquet at about 13 (now 30) and took tennis lessons from a "colorful" coach who absolutely worshipped Boris Becker (he serves like him and imitates Becker's "walking the ball" routine). My parents were advised by him NOT to buy a racquet initially and so I started by borrowing his Wilson ProStaff Classic 6.0 85Sq" (which he passed on to me when I stopped my training at 17 and him retiring) and was taught to play with an Eastern Grip. I was also taught to play with a Wooden Wilson Jack Kramer and Dunlop MaxPly. My uncle who suggested this coach also for a time lent me his Prince Graphite Classic for a time. So you can say I've used some classic racquets in my time.
My personal favourite player is Stefan Edberg (initially chosen just to piss my coach off) and I adapted myself to play with a continental grip on all my strokes (serve, fore and backhand) and copied his strange serve (yes high ball toss) and back arch. I also possess his even stranger chicken wing forehand. Being rather vertically challenged, the serve volley game doesn't suit me but alot of people have commented that I've actually imitated Stefan's serve, strokes and on court demeanor to a T. I've also admired Sampras, Henman, Gasquet and Safin over the years. Still since I don't play competitively, it's worked for me in friendly games.
Didn't play much during Uni. Now since moving to Melbourne, I've picked up the racquet again and am currently helping my wife pick up her tennis basics. I would probably rate as a 3.0 player.
So anything to do with Edberg or Sampras, I'm interested.
