Ideas
By Ainissa Ramirez and Salima Koroma
Scientist and co-author of Newton's Football.
The drop shot—a tennis move that sends the ball just barely over the net—has grown in popularity since Roger Federer used it to win the French Open in 2009. It’s a risky shot that can catch opponents off guard, sending them scrambling forward to the net.
The drop shot isn’t executed by luck—it’s a combination of an angled hit by the racquet and the movement of air above and below the ball as it spins.
Above, watch materials scientist Ainissa Ramirez explain the physics behind the tennis drop shot.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- L.A. Fires Show Reality of 1.5°C of Warming
- Behind the Scenes of The White Lotus Season Three
- How Trump 2.0 Is Already Sowing Confusion
- Bad Bunny On Heartbreak and New Album
- How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone
- We’re Lucky to Have Been Alive in the Age of David Lynch
- The Motivational Trick That Makes You Exercise Harder
- Column: All Those Presidential Pardons Give Mercy a Bad Name
Contact us at [email protected]
TIME Ideas hosts the world's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. We welcome outside contributions. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.