In the round of 16 of Indian Wells, Gaël Monfils completely baffled, even disgusted the future ex-world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev (4-6, 6-3, 6-1), who will return his throne to Novak Djokovic from the next March 21. The Parisian used the full palette of the tennis player to disrupt the Russian. In particular two services under the spoon, one at the start of the second set… and the other to conclude it.
Even if this blow can be practiced by some in a folkloric, exaggerated, disillusioned way, to put on a show or because they feel unable to engage from the top because of a throwing problem (in 2019, the Italian Errani had won a set by making 35 of his 55 engagements with the spoon), it is nonetheless a real tactical weapon for those who know how to use it without abusing it.
“The first one, he’s really, really far away (in its placement). It’s stupid, but it’s tactical, summed up the hexagonal No. 1. He’s far away, we’ve just done a rally, I’m trying it. It’s like a cushioning. And on the set ball, I touch it a little less well, but I put a lot of effect. We had also just made a long point, he threw himself on it a bit… ”
The Habs aren’t the only ones to have noticed the 2021 US Open winner standing way behind his baseline on the return. Without being a winning move, a spoon here and there can quickly destabilize and put his opponent in an uncomfortable position to conclude the point more easily behind. No one has forgotten Michael Chang’s legendary bluff at Roland-Garros against Ivan Lendl in 1989…
A shot to be used sparingly and intelligently
Brought up to date by the incomparable Nick Kyrgios a few years ago (which had plunged Nadal, his “victim” in Acapulco, into a rare anger), the gesture requires a certain tact on pain of bordering on the ridiculous. Annoyed by the domination of Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals during the last Grand Slam in Paris, Medvedev thus tempted him… on a match point against him. Even surprised, the Greek did not miss the opportunity to conclude.
“The secret is the surprise, summarizes coach Éric Deblicker, who comments on the Indian Wells tournament on Eurosport. You do not expect to receive a serve that is not a service, since it is simply a face-off. The racket goes from right to left (or vice versa for a lefty) from below and prints an effect that spins the ball a lot. It advances without any weight or any speed. So, overall, it’s an easy shot to put down. But it becomes difficult for the opponent because the ball is short and he has to hit eight times out of ten. For the server, it is especially necessary that the rebound is not too high, under penalty of being countered easily. »
For the former Davis Cup captain and coach of Richard Gasquet, the blow remains “anecdotal” and does not require any particular skill. “Anyone can make the perfect spoon,” he smiles. The problem is, you can do it just once or twice per game. Afterwards, the opponent will no longer be surprised. He will have a different attention when watching the gestures of the waiter. »
There remains the psychological impact and the consequences on the nerves of what some still relate to a lack of respect. “The spoon service is what we find in clubs among the youngest, on people who are just starting out or who have physical problems to serve, slips Deblicker. For the receiver, this assimilation can become annoying…”