So, I’ve been meaning to share this little journey of mine. It’s about trying to get a handle on a particular style I saw from Anton Shepp when he plays tennis. It’s not like I’m trying to go pro or anything, but you know how it is, you see something cool and you just gotta try it.
Figuring Out the “Shepp Special”
It all started a few months back. I was watching some clips, and this guy, Anton Shepp, had this way of hitting his backhand, especially this tricky little slice. It wasn’t just a defensive pat-back; it was aggressive, low, and just seemed to die right after crossing the net. My own slice was, well, let’s just say it was more of a floater, an invitation for my opponent to smash it back at me.
So, I thought, “Right, I’m going to learn that.” Easier said than done, let me tell you. My first few attempts? Hilarious. Balls were sailing out, some barely dribbled over the net, and a good many just thudded right into the tape. It was frustrating. I almost gave up after the first week, thinking maybe it’s just one of those things you’re either born with or you’re not.
The Grind and the Little Wins
But I’m a bit stubborn. I started by re-watching Shepp’s matches, like, a lot. Trying to break it down. What was his grip? How was he using his wrist? His footwork? It’s amazing what you notice when you’re really looking for something specific. I realized a few things I was doing completely wrong:
- My grip was too tight. I was practically strangling the racket.
- I wasn’t getting low enough. Shepp almost scrapes his knuckles on these shots.
- My follow-through was all wrong, too short and jerky.
So, armed with these observations, I hit the practice courts again. This time, I focused on just one element at a time. First, getting the feel for a looser grip. Then, bending my knees more – my thighs were screaming after a while! I spent hours just hitting against a wall, which, by the way, is a fantastic, if somewhat lonely, practice partner. It never complains and always sends the ball back, more or less.
Slowly, very slowly, things started to click. I remember this one evening, I was just about ready to pack it in, and then I hit one. Just one. But it felt different. It skidded low, just like I’d seen Shepp do. Man, that little success was enough to keep me going for another week! It wasn’t about becoming a carbon copy of Anton Shepp, that’s not realistic. It was about taking inspiration and seeing if I could add a new dimension to my own clunky game.
There were plenty of setbacks, of course. Days when I felt like I was going backward. Days when my timing was completely off, and I’d shank shot after shot. My regular hitting partner was very patient, bless him. He saw a lot of very bad tennis during this period.
Where I’m At Now
So, where am I with the “Shepp Special” now? Well, I’m not about to challenge him to a match, that’s for sure. But, I can actually hit that low, skidding slice backhand with some consistency now. It’s not perfect every time, but it’s become a real weapon for me, especially on faster courts or when I want to change the pace of a rally. Opponents who used to feast on my high, floaty slices are now finding it a bit trickier.
The biggest thing I learned, though, wasn’t just the shot itself. It was about the process. About breaking something complex down into smaller, manageable pieces. About the importance of patience and just grinding it out, even when you’re not seeing immediate results. And that, I think, applies to a lot more than just tennis. It’s a good reminder that getting better at anything takes time and a willingness to look a bit silly while you’re figuring things out. It’s definitely made my weekend games a lot more interesting, and that’s what it’s all about for me.
