Source : Code Sports
Long-time fans will all attest : tennis has changed.
It is indeed hard to argue with people who grew up watching John McEnroe and Pete Sampras perform "serve-volleys" for hours in front of a crowd seduced by this spectacle.
With the majority of players nowadays basing their games on powerful strokes without any real variation, the 20th century style now seems outmoded, and all of its representatives appear to have vanished from modern tennis.
All of them? No! A 26-year-old American still defies the evolution of modern tennis to devote himself to a style of play known as "Service-Volley".
We are in 2023 and Maxime Cressy is the last advocate of an art that was thought to have disappeared forever.
Maxime Cressy's net skills, Credit : Hi Bye
The story of Maxime Cressy is first and foremost the story of a 14-year-old young man who experienced the immense pleasure of going to the net during a training session, and has since never given up this style of play, despite the doubts of his coaches.
Maxime is convinced that his tennis can take him to the top, and how can you prove him wrong? A few years of relentless training later, Cressy is propelled to the top of the highly reputed American college circuit, in both singles and doubles.
«I’m sure you style will prevail and I believe you bring something new to the game »
Rafael Nadal
Now capable of competing with the very best on the ATP circuit, The young American can rely on his service accuracy to destabilize his opponents.
Whether it's a kick serve on a fast surface, or a slice serve on a slow one, the Paris native seems to have found the solution to maintaining a certain efficiency on all types of court.
Keen to maintain his ultra-offensive strategy, Cressy doesn't even slow down on his second serve, which may explain his unfortunate record of 25 double faults in a single match at the Dubai ATP Tournament.
Maxime cressy after loses against Nadal at the Melbourne open tournament, sources : Gulf Times
Cressy's tall stature and excellent reflexes make him a particularly difficult player for his opponents to get past, who also have to deal with the pressure imposed by the American, particularly in the key moments of the match.
Things become more complicated for Maxime when the rally drags on.
The level of the American giant's baseline represents his limit and his main area for improvement, as the American often seems to be the first to make a mistake.
« You never face any opponent like him »
Auger-Aliassime
Cressy's case remains however quite interesting, as he may not be an adept at playing from the baseline, but has no real weaknesses in this part of the game.
His backhand slice is effective, his forehand hits interesting angles and the American, despite is size manages to move pretty well on the court.
Significant progress in this area of the game could well make the American a service volleyer capable of holding the rally, making him a particularly dangerous opponent on the ATP circuit.
Is service volley really old fashion? Is it still possible in 2023 to win a grand slam with this strategy?
One thing's for sure: the generational battle currently being led by Maxime Cressy will provide many answers to this question. Meanwhile, let's enjoy the fact that we still have such a player on the circuit.
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