Got the idea last weekend while watching old Davis Cup highlights on my couch. Saw Ryotaro Taguchi doing these weird quick steps after serves, totally different from what everyone else does now. Made me wonder how his style stacks up against today’s big names. So I grabbed my laptop, some snacks, and did a deep dive.
Starting with Taguchi himself
First thing I did was rewatch Taguchi’s match against that Australian qualifier last month. Hit the replay button maybe twenty times focusing only on his footwork. Noticed three big things right away:
- When receiving, he stands crazy close to the baseline
- Doesn’t bounce around like others – plants his feet before returns
- That short backswing forehand, like he’s slapping pancakes
Wrote down every serve return position in my notebook. Took forever cause his stance changes based on opponent’s toss. Made little court diagrams like some obsessed detective.
Comparing to modern players
Next day, pulled up current players’ matches. Chose three types for comparison:
- First watched Djokovic – classic baseline hugger
- Then Sinner – younger dude with heavy spin
- Even threw in Kyrgios for chaos factor
Literally kept two screens side by side: left monitor for Taguchi, right for others. Saw the patterns jump out immediately:
- Taguchi takes returns inside the court while others stand meters back
- That flat forehand doesn’t kick up like modern topspin rockets
- His serve motion looks rushed, not smooth like Sinner’s
Got weirdly angry at Kyrgios’ between-point routines. Dude takes forever compared to Taguchi who just grabs balls and serves.
The net rush experiment
Saved the fun part for last – tried mimicking both styles during Tuesday practice. First played like modern baseliners:
- Lots of high bouncing shots
- Staying deep behind baseline
- Massive swing preparations
Felt exhausting but effective. Then switched to Taguchi style:
- Stood so close to baseline people shouted warnings
- Chopped backhands instead of looping
- Rushed net whenever possible
Lasted fifteen minutes before my partner started laughing. Won points when serves landed right but looked ridiculous. Legs burned from constant forward sprints.
Big takeaway? Taguchi plays like tennis is going out of style tomorrow. Modern guys treat it like a chess match. Neither is wrong but holy crap the physical toll difference is insane. My calves still ache three days later from trying his close-return stance. Maybe that’s why fewer players do it now – bodies can’t handle that punishment weekly. Still think he’s onto something with those quick serve preps though. Might steal that for my club matches.
