Okay, so the other day I was going down a rabbit hole of tennis videos, as one does, and I stumbled upon Hsieh Su-wei. Man, this player is something else! I decided I needed to spend some time really digging into her unique style.
Watching the Matches
First things first, I pulled up a bunch of her matches online. Not just highlights, mind you, but full-on matches. I wanted to see how she plays point after point, not just the fancy shots.
- I started with some of her doubles matches, since she’s so well-known for that.
- Then, I moved on to some singles matches to see how her style translates.
Taking Notes Like Crazy
While watching, I kept a notepad next to me and jotted down everything that stood out.
- Two hands on both sides? Seriously, who does that? It’s so unusual!
- Her slice is insane. Low, skidding, it just messes with people.
- The angles she creates! It’s like she’s playing on a different court than everyone else.
- And the anticipation! she is always already ready.
It was quickly clear that her game isn’t about power. It’s all about placement, angles, and disrupting her opponent’s rhythm. She’s like a tennis chess master, always thinking several steps ahead.
Trying it Out (and Failing Miserably)
I admit, I tried to be ambitious and play some tennis game with my friend.
So, inspired by Hsieh, I grabbed my racquet and headed to the court. I figured I’d try out some of her two-handed shots and that wicked slice. Let’s just say it didn’t go as planned. My two-handed forehand felt awkward, my slice was all over the place, and I definitely wasn’t creating any magical angles. Let just say that my friend won the game very easily, lol.
Back to the Drawing Board (aka More Videos)
Clearly, I needed more than just a few hours of watching to understand Hsieh’s game. I went back to the videos, this time focusing on specific things:
- How she grips the racquet on each side.
- Her footwork when setting up for those slices.
- How she uses her body weight (or lack thereof) to generate pace.
It’s a work in progress, for sure. But I’m fascinated by how Hsieh Su-wei has built such a successful career with a style that’s so different from the norm. She’s proof that you don’t have to hit the ball a million miles an hour to be a great tennis player. You just have to be smart, creative, and maybe a little bit unorthodox.
