Unexpected spins from long pips

Hi Alois,

I had a hit with a player who uses long pips on his f/hand, and smooth Tenergy on his b/hand. His bat grip is b/hand centric, and he hits fast b/hands.

Knowing the basic rules of spin reversal with long pips,  I gave him no spin to work with, and yet the ball returned had a weird flight, looking like it would be a f/hand at first, and then drifting to my b/hand.

Another time he served with the long pips, and got the same disturbing effect.

The ball floated through the air, with little emblem spin, but was so difficult to return and impossible for me to loop.

I think he got the spin on serve by doing a side-swipe to flex the pips and give me spin before I'd even played a ball. As for his return of my nothing-ball serve, I don't know what's going on.

I felt I could hardly keep the ball in play for two shots. This was embarrassing, and he'll be my next week's opponent.

A practice partner, who plays a defensive game, has had no trouble against this guy's long pips, and has beaten him 4-0. He advised not attacking first, instead aiming and pushing to the big guy's cross-over point, and being patient. But with my natural attacking game the opponent will surely be more difficult for me.

I don't know whether I should attack the long pips f/hand, and hope he makes mistakes, or else maybe I should attack the more predictable  Tenergy rubber. If I'm bothered by nothing-serves coming back wobbly, perhaps it's not a good idea to spin the serves?

What should I do against this opponent? If I try to watch what rubber he's using, my natural tempo will be gone, but if I don't I may misjudge the spin coming at me. Ideas?

Cheers,

Andrew.

Hi Andrew,

It may be a long pimple where you can generate a bit of spin.  With all of these types of rubbers it is a matter of getting used to the little changes in their effect.  It may look like a big change but it is only because you are not expecting it.  After a few hits against it, you will find it becomes very predictable.