[arn]

No, now she isn't, but there are reasons to believe she will be one next year.

1) In her last interview she said there will be a new and totally different Serena and everyone would be surprised.

2) This new Serena will present herself in january, She said they are already working a long time on this new Serena. Is this the reason why she didn't play any tournament after USO and also didn't take classes cos they had to be ready with her before january?

3) Her serve has become different, instead of 'only' power she tries to place the ball. And not only has it become different but also much better.

4) In her match against Justine she played that amusing overhead backhand volley on matchpoint and said afterwards she had been training a lot on that sort of shots lately with her dad.

So what do you think about this idea. Probably I'm totally wrong, but if you don't believe it, what would this new Serena be? Do you like the idea of Serena being a serve and volley player. How do you think she will do, better or worse as now? Other remarks?

 

[TSequoia01]

Your post is right on! Serena and Venus will serve and volley more in 2002. They already come to net more than anyone other than maybe Tauzait.<br />At the Open that was how Serena intended to defeat Venus. Hit a good approach shot to Venus' forehand and come to net. Venus and Serena have the quickness, serve, and ground strokes to become great net players. Henin, Hingis, and Clijster also will follow suit.

 

[CB]

I don't think she will become a Serve and Volleyer. It just doesn't come to my mind..<br />nah nah..<br /> <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">

 

[SerenasMelons]

Hmm..I don't think so. Unless she gets a LOT of practice and training with volleying. I watched the Henin match and her volleys weren't so great. She didn't place them as well as other players. She's just not as natural at the net. Hingis, and even Venus, are very good at the net. Serena still needs so work. If she can train well and get more "natural" then I think she should definitely take advantage.

 

[Sam L]

Well from the matches I've seen this year, she's really taken volleying to a new level. I think she will just do this more and more in the future

 

[lurker]

I think, looking back, Serena meant she would no longer turn into a mental midget in tight matches against top players(Venus and Jennifer had her there in 2001), therefore playing to her full potential and getting to number one and winning slams again. While this Serena did not surface in January, she certainly came into the radar in March at the Miami tournament! And boy has she delivered since then!!

 

[Volcana]

There are serve-and-volley players, and there are players who serve, then come to net at the first short ball. To me, that's what an 'all-court' player is. Someone who starts on the baseline, and manufacturers/exploits their way to net. Serena's the best all court player in the world, IF the opponent is ranked in the top twenty and is a power baseliner.

The power baseliners beat the all court players by pinning them to the baseline. Serena isn't the best volleyer on tour, but she's the hardest player on the tour to pin to the baseline.

 

[King Aaron]

I think Serena can be a good serve and volleyer !!