konspiracy: It was a LOT harder to hit the ball with power then, compared to now. The ball was faster however (they adjusted the pace of the ball with the development of new racket tech). The new rackets allow so much margin for error compared to when I first played. The sweet spot is HUGE - nearly the size of the entire racket head on the old wooden rubbish we used to use... The variations in pace are deliberate. Jahangir fit at his best would roll ANYONE from any era. He was the best ever...
The Mongoose I asked a pro who played both Khans, and he said Jahangir was the most difficult player he ever played. When I asked why, he said Jahangir was always square to the ball when he played his shots.
Is it me, or does the pace of this 'era' seem slower than the modern era? I think the racket technology may have something to do with it. There just seems to alot more variations in pace in this match. That's not decrying these players, it takes a lot of skill to hit a good length with those rackets!
