Execution of Stroke against a Long Pimple

Hi Alois,

I have this doubt, While playing doubles especially when the opponent uses long pimples I feel that I am tricked to hitting the ball with a high top spin or a smash. To my surprise I dont get either of them right to a great extent and have been managing to hit the ball flat with an open position and with less force. Is this because the ball though returned high from the long pimple  has a bit of deceiving back spin. How then can I best execute these returns. Does the bat angle, on execution, change with increase in height of the backspin ball from vertical to closed.

Thanks

V.Emmanuel

Hi Emmanuel,

You can compensate for backspin by using the angle of your racket.  It will mean that you get less topspin on the ball but it also means you will get less spin back from the long pimple rubber.  The downfall of this stroke is that because you don't have topspin on your own shot, it won't dip onto the table so you are relying on being precise with your stroke.