Historical clue formulations

• Light tennis shot — 2018-07-29
• Surprise volleyball shot — 2016-02-04
• Soft touch? — 2013-08-23
• It's hardly a smash hit — 2010-09-04
• Softly hit ball in tennis — 2009-08-24
• Soft shot in tennis — 2006-05-31
• Drop shot — 1998-10-08
• Surprise tennis shot — 1996-11-15