Lower The Structure
Before he can pull the racket, butt cap first, towards the ball, Acasuso must lower the entire hitting structure behind his body. Watch how the entire arm, racket, and hand lower together as a unit. Rather than rush through, Acasuso is really holding back a bit in this phase. You have to almost let the ball come to you, and you don't want to be too early, so the unit turn and the racket drop are slow and controlled and let you hold back as the ball comes into your body.

In the final frame, before he starts pulling forwards towards the ball, notice the following. First, his left hand still remains on the throat of his racket. This assures that he lowers the structure behind his body and that the racket face continues to face the back fence. All top one handed players keep their non-hitting hand on the throat of the racket as they lower behind their bodies.

Two other things. First, notice the "little L" Acasuso continues to maintain between the top of his hand and his forearm. This "little L" will be maintained through the hit. Second, notice how his chin is still overlooking his shoulder. As he lowers his racket, Acasuso still remains coiled up, sideways to the net.

And finally, he sinks down a bit and is starting to shift his weight onto his front leg, which is in front, and slightly across, his body.



Pull the Racket