Gaël Monfils' crazy shot at UTS Frankfurt - Shots of the pros, EPISODE 4

In this video, I will take a close look at one of the coolest shots you will ever see executed on a tennis court. The squash shot from “way downtown” by Gael Monfils.
First off, let’s just say that Gael Monfils is probably the best showman that tennis has seen in the last few decades, and most of us can only hope to possess a fraction of the athleticism that so regularly pours out of La Monf.
But in this case, there is much to learn from Monfils’ magic as he cracks this squash shot from an impossible position on court. It may look impossible but I assure you… you can do this too! Watch the video and find out the keys:
1/ The grip, which gives pace and control.
2/ The roll of the wrist and the whip effect of Monfils’ swing.
3/ Getting the racquet head back early and far behind the body.
4/ Using the adrenaline and passion to pull off the miracle!
#GaelMonfils #Lamonf #Tennis #tennistrickshots
Chapters:
0:00 Intro: Gael Monfils’s shot at UTS was impossible to do, but he did it.
0:23 We must remember, it’s a squash shot more than a tennis shot!
0:30 Use a neutral grip, just like you use on a slice backhand.
0:50 Get the racquet way back!
1:05 Full power and barely any spin, makes it tricky.
1:22 Why is Monfils so good at high-risk tennis?
1:30 Try it at home and let’s see how good you are! Send me your best shot, or post the video and tag me!
#tennis #tennisanalysis #gaelmonfils #uts #utstour
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THE COACH
Patrick

[@s.h.6104]

I had the pleasure of watching this game and Gael's crazy shot at UTS Frankfurt 2023. The atmosphere was great and the crowd, including Andrey and Gael, were enthusiastic. Thank you Patrick and your entire team for the awesome experience at UTS 2023 and I’m truly looking forward to UTS 2024 💪🏻🎾.

[@minisurfbanana]

Andreys reaction was mindblowing 🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@sergiosimbula]

I've done this once almost exactly the same. Although I was way further off the court. And I didn't get that much power on it because I was sprinting to the ball, but it was technically the same. Continental grip and pure wrist.

[@ThisDesignLife]

Trying this tonight!

[@H.H747]

UTS seoul was one of the most magical match I ever seen!! CUZ IT VANISHED ONE MONTH BEFORE SCHEDULED DATE LOL

[@VoiceOfReason5487]

Why would you serve to Monfils' forehand when he is set up so wide in the first place? You are asking to be embarrassed regardless of what return Monfils hit.

[@sebastiandomagala9233]

Only possible on a court with a pure singles net setup. Had it been a normal court he would not have done it.

[@stonew1927]

I've seen returns and other shots go around the net post on doubles court for singles players, so it is possible. Just depends on the angle.

[@thomasloper1205]

This net is too narrow too. The singles sticks on a doubles net are still outside the singles sideline.

[@othgmark1]

​@@stonew1927Shots yes, happens somewhat frequently in doubles and once in a while in singles. I have never seen it done against a hard serve and on a regular court this would not have been possible either. Still Monfils is amazing.

[@stevebutler6811]

Even on a regular singles court shouldn’t the net posts be 3 feet out from the side of the court? I’m guessing this set up is allowed as part of UTS rules?

[@othgmark1]

@@stevebutler6811 Yes there is a specific regulation. I believe singles matches at Wimbledon are spot on with the posts inside the singles alleys.

[@joshuaevilsizer]

So the ball doesn’t have to go over the net? It can go around it, as long as it lands inside the lines on the other side?

[@JackMcMac]

From the 2023 ITF rules of tennis, it is a good return if the ball is returned outside the net posts, either above or below the level of the top of the net, even though it touches the net posts, provided that it hits the ground in the correct court; except as provided in Rules 2 and 24 (d).

[@call1a1rich]

no, doesn’t have to. around the net is fine for any shot as long it’s inside the court

[@anacap007]

No, it does not need to clear the net. Federer hit a shot against Kyrgios at the US Open and the ball was literally a couple of inches above the court but landed in. Totally legal.

[@joshuaevilsizer]

Thanks y’all! I leaned something new today. Appreciate the responses.

[@brisvegas859]

Singles net is not as wide as a doubles court. Looks amazing but is not actually too difficult.

[@pereznicoo1]

Patrick, pourquoi le terrain n'est pas aux normes? les piquets devraient être à 0,914 m de la ligne de couloir de simple et là ce n'est clairement pas le cas. C'est une adaptation UTS ? Du coup avec un filet pareil cela rend possible ce genre de coup incroyable qu'on ne pourrait pas voir sur un terrain atp

[@federicotown8052]

I wouldn't be able to do that !

[@rajahawa6888]

would it have been possible on a normal tennis court with the full net?

[@atrem7942]

Done the this one in a doubles match scaring the living daylight out of my opponents. Even my team mate was like take it easy, mainly because i crushed the net player with it. Got the point won the match.😂

[@pieter7988]

I think I can do it after a few times. The difficult part where do I find a court with singels net construction and a player that can serve that wide with kick 😉

[@RamZar50]

Not many players use a slice forehand. Connors used to do it all the time.

[@gregoryrapoza5821]

Federer hit tons of squash shots. He made it popular for both pro & rec tennis players. But I don't recall seeing Roger hit one quite like the one that Gael does here

[@le_Slone]

Le coup est incroyable mais le terrain y est propice vu qu'il n'y a pas de filet au niveau des couloirs comme sur un terrain classique

[@T35k9]

I don't know this scamer but looks is the best

[@zhanmike3406]

basically he hit a low slice serve from the baseline, easy for me say, but very hard to do !

[@guillermogallego363]

Alien Monfils

[@vadimzitsermusicianvlogcha3870]

Strange, that this is best shot. Because this short is relatively easy for beginner. It is just powerful slice.

[@federicotown8052]

Squash tennis shot hahaha

[@stevebutler6811]

Great shot but probably wouldn’t have been possible in a regular ATP match due to the position of the net posts.

[@Lauren-vd4qe]

I have hit two bounceback drop shots (they bounced on the opponents side then by themselves, bounced back to MY side -without the opponent hitting them- due to an incredible amount of spin i put on them) and Im almost 70, a granny. what you think of THAT!!

[@othgmark1]

Saw a South African pro do that twice in one match on stab volleys against very hard ground strokes at a challenger doubles final in Aptos California. It is impressive. I had it done to me once in a doubles match on a much softer shot and l have done it against my ball machine but never in a match. I have hit around the netpost on numerous occasions.

[@tsalomon]

C'est plus un smash bas qu'un coup-droit coupé

[@amaurychavrier2014]

La balle fouettée passe à la droite du filet. Trop bon.

[@zainalabidinkasim3836]

look at the pole of the net, it's single pole not a double pole, that's why he can do that hit.

[@djsleeper]

ADRENA LINE

[@bogdanv4981]

Hey Patrick, nice from you to talk about Monfils stroke but where can I find info about how your school has ended up the career of 2 grand slam champion Simona Halep (based on what I read in the newspapers). If this is true I don’t see how your tennis school can continue functioning like nothing happened?! 4 years suspension is a lot of time and only the guilty people and their business should suffer.

[@federox86]

i do the same shot >D isnt easy but isnt impossible... of course vs Blahhh boy !!

[@gatering]

seems a padel shot more than a tennis shot

[@morawat4712]

Yes, I agree

[@stevensmith8876]

Kyrgios does this shot but better in my opinion. It's just a squash slap, I don't get what the bid deal is.

[@quentincrisp6933]

Circus shot from a player who never ever reached a Major Final!

[@dwelch241]

Must be hurting for content 😬

[@ilips6588]

En UTS ok mais meme en double avec un filet aux normes c'aurait ete impossible..

[@blarpieman]

How about you challenge me to not hit that shot.

[@nunya3790]

also around the net. otherwise hits the net. tool

[@TheInselaffen]

Only possible on a cursed court.

[@morawat4712]

That's a common padel shot, I'm a league tennis player and I'm also using some padel shots in my game. Nothing spectacular about it, its very common in padel and Monfils is probably into padel like many pro tennis players now.

[@ken-mb5cp]

Easy

[@squidjames7735]

I’ve to hear from soo many grand slam winners on this thread … 😱🤡

[@qdesnik545]

Вся суть была, попасть мимо сетки и ниже троса, остальное для игроков такого уровня, ерунда!!!

[@stonecold9132]

He's still a clown of a player who didn't amount to amy threat ever

[@lolollolol5654]

nikolas kiefer against federer was way better then this and it was real grand slam tennis againgst one of the goat

[@scrabbleking1965]

Mouratoglou's communication style I find CRINGE WORTHY...He is reading notes for a simple explanation of why this is the most spectacular shot he has seen on a tennis court.....Neutral grip (actually it is a called a continental grip), incoherent ramblings about little bit of spin gives him control of a shot he has no control over, how adrena line allows him to make risky shots during a match that he can't make in practice because he is a showman" WTF is that supposed to mean!?!?!!?!?!? Some coach spoke nonsense to me like that I would NEVER EVER take another lesson from them....

[@rmw1730]

I have to laugh at Mouratoglou hyping things in his intended-to-be informative videos but then also showing how truly clueless he is at the same time. In this one he says that the Monfils uses a little bit of slice when it's blatantly obvious from all of the back angles that it has absolutely TONS of slice on it. So much that it barely curves down with gravity like most shots with little spin would (regardless of pace). Great shot indeed, but this is more Mouratoglou clickbait. He's the new Nick Bollettieri - famous for his association to coaching but actually is mostly a businessman who worked out how to monetize his name.

[@VL1975]

Have you talked to Simona lately? Hope she is well..