Trying Out Some Victor Pecci Style Tennis
So, the other day I got thinking about older tennis players, specifically Victor Pecci from Paraguay. I remember watching some of his matches way back, maybe caught a replay or something. What stuck with me was his style – kind of unorthodox, you know? Big serve, not afraid to come to the net, even on clay which wasn’t as common then as just grinding from the back.
I figured, why not try and see if I can incorporate a little bit of that into my own practice sessions? Just for fun, see what happens. It’s easy to get stuck playing the same way all the time.
Getting Started: The Serve Focus
First thing I did was head to the court with a basket of balls, really just focusing on the serve. Pecci had a cannon, right? So, I tried to loosen up my motion, really go after it a bit more than usual. Not trying to copy his exact form, because honestly, his technique looked pretty unique to him, but just the intent. Hit it big, hit it flat sometimes. My shoulder felt it after a while, definitely used muscles I don’t normally push that hard. Consistency was okay, not great. Lots flew long when I really went for it.
Next Step: Following It In
Okay, so the big serve is one thing, but Pecci was known for following it up. Next session, I made myself try to serve and volley more often. This was tough. You hit the serve, and immediately you gotta charge the net. My first step wasn’t always quick enough. And reading where the return was going? Man, that takes practice. A lot of balls just whizzed right past me, or I’d hit these weak, flappy volleys. It really makes you appreciate how good those guys were at anticipating and reacting.
- Tried serving wide and covering the line – tricky.
- Tried serving down the T and covering the middle – also tricky.
- Realized my approach footwork needed serious work.
Working on Approach Shots and Net Play
Since just serve and volley felt a bit much, I also spent time hitting approach shots and coming in. Trying to hit a solid shot, maybe mid-court, and then get into a good position at the net. This felt a bit more manageable. But hitting the right kind of approach shot is key. Hit it too soft, the other guy passes you easily. Hit it too hard without good placement, same result. Pecci seemed to have a knack for hitting awkward shots that forced his opponents into errors or weak replies when he came forward.
What I Found Out
It was harder than I thought. Pecci’s style wasn’t just about hitting big and rushing the net; there was a lot of feel and maybe some unpredictability involved. It’s not a textbook style you can easily just copy step-by-step. It requires confidence and good reflexes.
Was it Worth It?
Yeah, I think so. I’m not about to start playing exactly like Victor Pecci, that’s for sure. My volleys aren’t suddenly amazing. But it did make me think more about being aggressive. It pushed me to come out of my comfort zone behind the baseline. Even if I only try to come forward a few times a match, just having that option in mind changes things a bit. It was a fun experiment, shaking up the routine. Made me appreciate the variety different players bring to the game.
