Watching a repeat on the Tennis Channel. I had forgotten just how magnificent Billie Jean King was at the net. She didn't have as much power as Navratilova, but it sure seems she could do a lot more with the ball. Or am I just responding to her flair? Any other old timers out there want to debate it? I know Bobby Riggs, Segura, and McEnroe have all said they thought BJK had the best volleys and overhead in the history of the womens game.

It's also fun listening to Pancho G. He goes out of his way not to complement her play at the net, while continually praising Court and earlier tonight, Goolagong. He and BJK had an incident in the early 70s and I guess he held a grudge.

And, I'm babbling, but Navratilova said a few years ago at Wimbledon that Margaret Court was the greatest serve she ever faced. It looks like she barely uses her legs at all. (It looks like that for all of them, actually) Martina claimed she would still do damage with a modern racquet. I don't see it.

Also my first real chance to see Laver. Quite the shotmaker.

How much longer 'til the Australian?

I'd say Navratilova takes the title hands down, but Billie Jean is certainly a clear number two. Gabriela Sabatini was pretty darn good up there as well, when she decided that's where she wanted to be. I decree Gaby the best volleyer of the non-serve and volleyers!

varig3, I resent you so very very deeply. All I want for Christmas is the Tennis Channel (with maybe a little TiVo). Why must God punish me so?

I've been enjoying heavy doses of Goolagong on the Tennis Channel this holiday season.

I'd say Hana Mandlikova definetly had the best volley in Woman's tennis! She was just so smooth and delicate! Goolagong would be my 2nd choice, then Maria Bueno (Who would also be my choice as the best baseliners volley) and then Jana Novotna who just had the touch!

Leaving Martina Navratilova out of that mix is a BIG, BIG omission. The reason that she and Chris Evert had such a big rivalry is that Chrissy was the ONLY player who could pass Martina when she was at net.

King was considered to be the best volleyer ever on the women's side. Navratilova was much streakier -- at times her volleying went AWOL. Given Navratilova's advantage of physical gifts, I'd say King was the better volleyer. Men's side: Laver. Laver is the greatest ever. If he had been born 5-10 years later, he'd be regarded as the Michael Jordan of tennis.

AtlantaSpartan I didn't omit Navratilova from the list, I just listed my Top 4! Obviously Navratilova, Margaret Court, Virgina Wade, Betty Stove, Helena Sukova, Claudia Khode-Kilsch, Gigi Fernandez, Pam Shriver, Billie Jean King, and even baseliners like Francoise Durr, Andrea Jauger, Kerry Reid, and other Serve and Volliers like Natile Tauziat, Lisa Raymond and Sue Barker would make my Top 20 list! BTW Chrissie wasn't the only player who could pass Navratilova, Mandlikova did a gr8 job so did Jauger, Austin and Kathy Horvath! Plus Mima Jausovec and Virgina Ruzicci and all 3 Maleva sisters!

I think the majority of tennis pundits in the media and as former players will tell you that Martina clearly was the best volleyer ever in women's tennis. Mechanically, she became very sound over the course of her career. And with her serve and fitness levels, she was just able to do a whole lot more with the ball.

Billie Jean and Hana had more options than Martina, but Martina is the player whose volleys were most feared and most deadly for sure.

I think Martina was probably the best net player, but she had certain physical advantages over Billy Jean, so I'm not sure she was the best pure volleyer. Serena Williams has the most effective modern game from the baseline, but I wouldn't say her groundstrokes are better than Justine Henin-Hardenne's. Well, maybe her forehand is, but I think the point comes across anyway.

As to Hana: she did have better touch than Martina N. or anyone else I can usefully comment on (I never really saw much of BJK). But only when she was on, and she was off far too often.

It is hard to compare players of different times,conditions and equipment.I have only looked at tapes and would find it hard to separate Navraltilova and King technically but I put Court up there, as well, because of her remarkable reach.

Interestingly, no one here has mentioned the American player Rosie Casals. Again, only seeing her on tape I was amazed at her reflexes,flair, racket speed and fearless volleying skills. She must have been a high quality net player judging from her great record in womens and mixed doubles.

I'd pick Martina, hands down. Also she had to volley against real firepower including Steffi's forehand, and the groundies of Monica and Jennifer at their peaks, especially Monica. Billie Jean played very accurate pushers like Chris and others of that era who just didn't hit the ball hard because no one did. It was a world of difference. I remember Martina saying as the years went by it was just so much harder to get to the net because the players hit the ball so hard that your response and preparation time was cut in half. I'm sure Billie Jean would have gotten in better shape and form if she had to, but she didn't.