U.S. Open Player Spin (Page 15)

Among the over 700 incidents of ball analyzed by the team were a half dozen drop shots and drop volleys. The results were consistent with the general perception that a key to the shot is the ability to hit with substantial underspin. The team recorded drop shots from Monica Seles, 2 backhands and a forehand, that averaged 2145rpm, substantially more spin than on her topspin groundstrokes that ranged from 1200 to 1300rpm.

Shot: Women's Dropshots (Underspin)

Player:	Type:	No. of Dropshots:	RPM Range:	Avg RPM:
Monica Seles	2HBH	2	1500-3333rpm	2417rpm
Monica Seles	1HFH	3	1250-2500rpm	1964rpm
Mary Jo Fernandez	FH	1	---	1500rpm

Shot: Men's Drop Shot

On the men's side 5 drop shots form 4 different players ranged from a low of 1364rpm for a backhand drop volley from Tim Henman, to a high of 3000rpm on a Marcelo Rios backhand drop shot. The average was 2296rpm. The implication is that, as with the slice backhand, shots hit with underspin have similar spin rates in the men's and the women's games.

Player:	Type:	No. of Dropshots:	RPM Range:	Avg RPM:
Marcelo Rios	BH	1	---	3000rpm
Michael Chang	FH	1	---	2830rpm
Michael Chang	BHV	1	---	2143rpm
Sergi Bruguera	FH	1	---	2143rpm
Tim Henman	BHV	1	---	1364rpm