Del Potro's is the biggest in my opinion.
Is it the best?
Federer's is more versatile.
Other contenders: Gonzalez, Soderling, ?
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Del Potro's is the biggest in my opinion.
Is it the best?
Federer's is more versatile.
Other contenders: Gonzalez, Soderling, ?
Gonzo has the biggest hands down. Some of the shots he comes up with defy belief. I was watching a match of him against Davydenko a couple of years ago and the crowds literally gasped each time Gonzo hit the forehand. When his timing is on, he can destroy anyone. Soderling and Del Potro would be joint second but a long way behind Gonzo. Federer has an excellent forehand but not the most powerful.
Check these out if you don't believe me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nv0Z1ZkHeU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBOfMFTyYZk
Well, in terms of sheer pace, you're absolutely right, Gonzo is in his very own macabre league - perhaps a case can be made for Monfils being his equal there, but he doesn't hit hard consistently. I am, however, in agreement with ilendl on Del Potro's being the biggest, seeing as it is almost as hard as Gonzo's, and much heavier - besides the fact that he hits it hard every, single, damn time - something even Gonzo fails to do.
Robin Soderling's forehand is so risky, cause he hits as flat as a recreational player but, of course, with much more success. Del Po' has a real big forehand, but when the ball stays low, it falls apart. I agree Gonzo has the most juice from the forehand; however, if I could pick one as my own, it would be Fed's. He has a perfect blend of penetration and safety topspin. That inside-out forehand is unbelievable.
I have to agree that Federer's forehand is the most complete. Gonzo's is relentlessly spectacular and I think it is probably more versatile than Delpo's because he can cut down on the pace to create some incredible angles and then crank it up to hit deep, down the line winners. Delpo's is higher risk because he hits it so flat and slightly more predictable; even Gonzo hits with some loop and spin and his swing mechanics are superior
Biggest forehand? I hate to disappoint you guys, but it actually came from a 5'9" tall guy named Jimmy Arias back in 1983. I have hit with them all. I've hit with most of the tour players at one point or another at the academies down in Florida and at the very least, seen all of these guys that are being talked about here. Of all of those forehands, that little guy Arias hit such a big ball, it nearly took my racquet out of my hands when i was warming him up at one of the Nuveen Masters Tournaments. That forehand was crazy big. He literally made the ball warp when he hit it. I could rally all day with Federer forehand to forehand, but Arias, I am attacking his backhand. Period..........Tennis Magazine did an article on him about this very subject. He modernized the forehand back in 1982 or so.
I have looked and looked and can't find anything since he was an early and mid 80's player on tour. He made it to #4 in the world his first year or so on tour and then started dealing with burnout and injuries. He was a Bollettieri prodigy (the first prodigy of nick's) and man could he murder a forehand. Played a lot like James Blake, but with a much, much bigger and more effortless forehand.