Here is part of the 1978 Us Open second round match between Victor Amaya and Vitas Gerulaitis

[@pompanomark2024]

Miss the days of serve and volley

[@simonerastelli5874]

These are the matches I love! '70's, when tv coverage wasn' t that spread! Thanks so mutch, Tennis Pro History! 🙏🙏🙏

[@charleschappelle26]

I could watch old clips of Vitas all day!! Thx

[@SyncopateTheShot]

Mind-blowing that Amaya didn't get past a career-high ranking of 15 with that serve and big forehand.

[@jdmresearch]

So cool that Vitas keeps his ball in his hand when his first serve is in. This wasn't that uncommon then, but now no one does it. Part of it has to do with the popularity two-handed backhands (so you can't hold a ball in your left hand), but I suspect it's not the only reason. I wonder at what time they stopped doing it (likely it was gradual). Now some players even ask the second ball from ball boys when serving the second. Anyway, I think it's kind of classy.

[@thomasrichmond2413]

I’ll tell you why. If you happen to drop the ball in the middle of the point, you lose. Too much at stake.

[@jdmresearch]

@@thomasrichmond2413 I believe this is a recent rule. (And technically the first time you get a let anyway).

[@mrgibo4702]

Thanks! The quality of these clips are top notch!

[@fplat]

Thank you!!!

[@Ronnie-k6m]

Amaya has heavy serve

[@sandro1a2b]

Imagine Amaya with a Pure Drive, bombs away

[@SyncopateTheShot]

In addition to uttering the funniest line ever in tennis history, Vitas covered the net like a cat. He would have been a multiple-slam winner if he had a few more weapons. This offering is a gem! Thank you.

[@drobson8004]

If. Arguably the most non consequential word in history. For context though, if Connors had ONE more weapon ( a huge serve), how many more slams would he have one?

[@SyncopateTheShot]

What about Connors's low short forehand, aside from the serve? I would say those were his two main weaknesses.

[@Ronnie-k6m]

Vitas is all time athlete.

[@anthonymartin777]

These videos have excellent quality are they restored with AI? I love old tennis, players cared about hitting with elegance.

[@TENNISPROHISTORY]

@anthonymartin777 they are not restored.

[@uncletony6210]

Amaya reminds me of Andres Gomez a little.

[@leliondescavernes1747]

Absolument 😊😊

[@MrJeepsters]

Amaya était meilleur volleyeurs. Il formait une excellente équipe de double avec Hank Pfister.

[@leliondescavernes1747]

Surtout Borg Kriek USOPEN 80))🙏🙏🙏👍👍🙏🙏🙏

[@drobson8004]

Amaya could really whip/rip his forehand.

[@leliondescavernes1747]

Gottfried Tanner USOPEN 78 Dibbs Vilas, et Connors Gottfried USOPEN 79 please 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@tomloft2000]

If a move about Bigfoot is made, Amaya would be perfect.

[@uncletony6210]

holding two when you have pockets is ridiculous.

[@rootdoc1997]

He always did that.

[@uncletony6210]

@@rootdoc1997 I know.

[@theoriginalthinker9199]

When one handed backhands were common, you saw a lot of that. If it's not an issue on the toss, what's ridiculous about it?

[@uncletony6210]

@@theoriginalthinker9199 because there is zero reason for it. also, those of us who hit a one-handed backhand still use the off hand to set up. This is why No One at Any level does it today.

[@theoriginalthinker9199]

@@uncletony6210 The reason, is that they don't wanna be digging in their pockets all the time if they don't have to.

[@rootdoc1997]

Love watching Vitas. Have no idea why he isn't in the Tennis Hall of Fame