The biggest asset of Rafael Nadal’s game is his lethal forehand. A combination of power and top spin make his stroke almost unplayable, when he is on song.

The King of Clay uses the forehand so well that he often converts a defensive shot into an offensive one. It typifies the Spaniard’s style of play – soften the opponent with crosscourt shots and with a single heave, he strikes ball with such ferocity that there is little to stop it flying past his opponent.

Even if his opponents are able to return the snarling top-spin bounce, it usually ends up setting up a winner for Nadal at the other end.

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Nadal’s action is unconventional. It’s an exaggerated backswing with whiplash action that gives his opponents no time to think.

Watch:

And that’s how it’s done.

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