Despite losing out to Jerzy Janowicz in the Mercedes Cup this week 7-6 (5), 4-6, 3-6, Dustin Brown has again surfaced as one of tennis’ great entertainers. The German #4 was up to his usual tricks attempting ludicrous drop volleys and making near impossible winners. Though Janowicz prevailed in the end Brown again showcased a master-class in entertainment. A serve-volleyer by nature, Browns style of tennis is not known for winning him many matches but it certainly proves very watchable. Brown regularly attempted drop shots off of Janowicz’s serve and his tennis brain was summed up when he made a backhand slice lob to the amazement of his opponent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkpTvFN60EU
It is refreshing to see a serve-volleyer on tour and although Brown does not regularly compete on the ATP circuit he has caused an upset or two in his time. Brown infamously defeated Rafael Nadal at Halle in the Gerry Weber Open last year which caused a huge stir. Stories of his escapades across Europe in a camper van his parents purchased him so he could play on the tour were met with fondness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukbkhHhzRXA
Everything about Brown screams old school. The haircut, sleeveless tops and serve-volley style are all traits more tightly associated with players from the 1970’s and 1980’s. Tennis legends such as Boris Becker, John McEnroe and Stefan Edberg (to name a few) famously employed the art of serve and volley, which is a dying one. The last player to effectively employ the tactic on a regular basis was Pete Sampras a long time world #1.
Brown may be fun to watch but realistically he’s not a serious competitor. Though he can trouble a player who underestimates him, he lackst he consistent skills needed to compete in the modern game. In days gone by serve-volleying resulted in short quickfire points where as now the ground stroke dominated game results in long grueling rallies. Fitness is much more important these days, in comparison to thirty years ago. Each time Brown is in the spotlight he inadvertently brings up nostalgia for tennis fans of decades gone by. Some argue tennis was more fun in the “serve-volley” era while others argue that it is actually quite boring. Regardless of what style of tennis you enjoy it is still sad to see such little serve-volleying on tour.
The modern game is dominated by defensively sound baseline players such as Rafael Nadal, all court players like Roger Federer and of course counterpunchers like Novak Djokovic, the current world #1, and Andy Murray, one of the better grass court stars. Brown’s victory over Nadal last year gave some hope that the art was not yet a dead one. But realistically Nadal’s poor form was to blame that day. Other notable upsets have been scored by serve and volleyers in years past including Steve Darcis win over Nadal, and Sergiy Stakhovsky’s upset of Federer, but the same can be said about those results. Looking to the future of tennis when the big four finally do hang up their racquets it is hard to see serve-volleying making a return. Promising youngsters such as Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori certainly don’t serve-volley though Raonic does have the big serving part down pat.
In truth the future of this once great art is bleak. Dustin Brown is not completely alone however. Federer has used the tactic more often since Stefan Edberg became his coach while others such as Ivo Karlovic, Sam Groth, Gilles Muller and Feliciano Lopez regularly employ a serve-volley strategy. Despite some still serve and volleying, Dustin Brown is in truth part of a dying art.
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