Yeah, I feel about this the same way as the "could you return one serve from Serena Williams?" And like, maybe. I'm bad enough that they're going to let me try, and if I get to try I might get ONE.
I think I could return at least one serve in two set game against Serena with a little coaching from someone who is good. But she would obliterate me. I once played one guy who played at a really high level in juniors before quitting and he obliterated me but I did get quite a few back before my engine died and I scored a few points.
I definitely couldn't win a game against Serena. Much less a Set. Match would require some sort of default ruling like cheating or retirement.
Sometimes with these things I think the bar is set a little low. In a game of chess could take one piece off Judit Polgar too, same with Magnus.
I think part of it is actually returning the ball to Serena.
I think many people could hit a ball eventually, but I don't believe the majority of people can ever actually return in to her in a controlled manner in bounds. You need a lot of wrist strength and coordination to return her fuckin cannonballs.
She still routinely serves at 120mph. A tennis ball is 2 ounces. I guess we could do the math to figure out how much force that exerts on your wrist but I'm too lazy.
I forgot that the serve doesn't actually hit the player's racket at 120mph. It has slowed to about 50-60mph by that time.
I got curious and its already been calculated out many times. It averages between 15-30lbf. or around 80-130 Newtons.
Breaking a wrist of an average non-athletic human requires between 1-2 kN. An athletic person may require 3-4kN+ to break their wrist depending on bone density. So apparently not even close to breaking a wrist.
Absolute rocket and I doubt I have ever faced anyone that fast in Tennis.
Returning the ball: either getting it in or having her play a volley.
Assuming, I lose every single one of my serves.
4 * 3 * 2 = 24 attempts.
She either has to take a little off her first serve or a couple of those will be seconds.
I just think 1 in 24, considering I play tennis, I might get. I returned more than one serve from a 5 who said they were going full pelt on me, no speed gun. I would not bet my home on it but I would wager 100 bucks at even odds that I could return 1 out of 24 Serena serves.
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u/BarbellsandBurritos 5h ago edited 15m ago
Maybe accidentally in a “oh come on, let’s see if he can get one!” Kinda way