Tennis mailbag, with CNN's Candy Reid
(CNN) -- Do you have a question about tennis for World Sport Anchor Candy Reid? E-mail candy@cnn.com.
Q. Hi Candy, I am trying to further expand my service game by getting some spin on my second serve. What is the best service toss angle I should use to get the right amount of slice on my second serve? I want to get my serve to bounce and spin away from my opponent when he/she is leaving center court open.
Alfonso Savage, Atlanta
A. Alfonso most of the professionals hit top-spin on their second serve rather than slice. However, it's best to have both in your arsenal in order to really throw your opponent off. To hit a top-spin second serve you want to throw the ball slightly over your head and use a backhand grip -- at first you'll start hitting the ball all over the place, but keep working it at it. If you put your hand flat on the back of your head and then brush up -- that's the motion you want. The faster you can get your racquet through, the more spin you'll get on the ball.
For a slice serve, throw the ball to the right of your head, if you're right-handed, or to the left if you're left-handed. You're aiming to come around the ball. This is a very useful serve on faster courts, whereas the top-spin serve works really well on slow hard-courts or clay.
Q. Dear Candy, hello from sunny Barcelona. I've got a few questions for you.... Sorry... I've watched Juan Carlos Ferrero play here around Spain for the last few years and I have to say that he's the nicest player I've ever seen with fans... That said, are his injury problems a thing of the past or is he a long shot in Paris? Nadal looks tough. How much will his age affect him? He certainly has the body to go five sets without wilting.
Richard Blair, Barcelona, Spain
A. At the time of writing, both Ferrero and Nadal are still in the French Open. Nadal should get through to the second week quite easily and could easily win it. He's such a fighter and he's very mature for his age (18). I'd love to see a Federer/Nadal semi-final, wouldn't you?
Ferrero on the other hand has a tough test in the third round, when he comes up against Marat Safin. However, I think the "mosquito" will win that one. He's playing really well again after a pretty horrible 2004. As for his injuries, well he's certainly had his fair share. Let's hope he can stay healthy because he's a player that competes well on all the surfaces and there's no doubt he's a contender in Paris.
Q. Candy, Can you tell me when Jennifer Capriati will be playing again?
Thanks, Bonita Vaager
Q. Hi,Candy, any idea when Jen Capriati will be back playing tennis. Do not hear too much on her as she is recovering from her shoulder injury.
Fredo Rossi
A. I'm worried that we might not see Capriati play again. She's had to delay her comeback time and time again. The American had shoulder surgery in January of this year, and as of now, is a doubt for Wimbledon. If she does return, it's hard to see her back at the top level again. Too much time will have past by then, and if that shoulder's not back to full strength, she'll be in trouble.
Q. Hi Candy. My name is Peter. My question is, why didn't Serena or Venus play in the Rome Masters? What's with the Williams? Do you see them regaining their dominance?
McLean Hamilton
A. Serena wasn't fully fit for the French so she pulled out citing an ankle injury. Venus, who won the inaugural Istanbul Cup (her first title for a year) last week, is into the third round, but only just. She's clearly not at home on the clay and I'd be surprised if she makes it past the quarter-finals.
I can't see either Williams dominating the game again. That's not to say, however, that they won't win more Grand-Slams. I'm sure Serena will win several more and Venus has a great game to add another Wimbledon title to her collection.
Q. Hi Candy, thanks for the Tennis mailbag. I've always wondered why it is that the tennis fans behave themselves before, during and after the tennis matches compared with fans of other sport? That is also true in matches on the national level (between countries)!!
A Fan of yours, Khaled, Copenhagen , Denmark
A. Most tennis fans also play tennis so they know the etiquette. It's rather like those who go to golf tournaments. You just know to stay quiet while the golfer is preparing to swing. In team competitions, such as the Davis Cup, the fans tend to get more rowdy -- but that's fair enough -- it just adds to the atmosphere. Anyway, a player shouldn't get put-off if someone shouts when they're about to serve -- it's just a matter of focusing on the job in hand.
Q. Whatever happened to the great Pete Sampras. Did he "disappear" quiet and smoothly.... is there any sound on his whereabouts?
My best regards, Ignacio Pena
A. As far as I know Ignacio, "Pistol Pete" is enjoying playing golf, doing charity work, and spending time with his family. I don't think he will have to get a job any time soon!! The $43 million he earned from tennis alone, should keep him going for some time! If anyone knows more, e-mail me at candy@cnn.com and I'll post the answers next week!
