His technique is interesting. He uses a windshield wiper semi-western grip forehand and a basic two handed continental/eastern grip backhand. Both shots are equal. He makes the strokes very compact and close to his body. When he hits the ball, he just flicks hit racket through it. No big set up. No crazy overdone exploding stroke. Just a nice and easy hit right in the middle of the strings everytime. Notice the change in the racket path based on the height of the ball (slow motion starts around 2:10). The higher the ball is when he hits it, the more horizontal. MEANING that the higher the ball is, the more he can power his shot with the EXACT SAME ENERGY. Power in this case meaning speed. On both Forehand and Backhand Simon can exceed 100 mph.
In the matches, he hits the ball exactly the same; nice and easy in a manner that he could do it all day. He is very consistent with his shot and most of the time puts it in no man's land (the big rectangle between the baseline and the service line). However, when he senses that he needs more energy, he instantly calls it up. If he gets a ball that lands in one of the service boxes, you see his legs and arms become more focused. It is the same thing when the opponent starts attacking Simon. But even when he focuses more, he doesn't BLAST the hardest shot. He places the ball extremely well. Even if he doesn't, he comes to the net to volley. Notice, that most of these highlights show Andy Murray winning the points. However, Simon is ahead in the score the whole time. It is probably because the highlights not worthy of showing are Simon winning many routine points.
As a Frenchman, Gilles Simon is really overlooked. But he is an anomaly and exciting to watch. I route for him more than most players. Here are some extra facts:
- Had a child late 2010
- Made number 6 in the world in 2009
- Has played Federer 4 times. Only one match has not gone to a 3rd or 5th set.
- Plays piano very well
- used to have a phobia about being massaged and would not let any tour masseuses touch him
