Giving up on backhand...

[FalconX]

I'm still experimenting with what works best for me. I seem to have a lot of problems keeping the ball on the frame on my backhand side. I've experimented with two handed and one handed , and two handed gives me a little better control. But I've recently discovered that forgoing backhand alltogether and hitting forehand with the left arm gives me far better control with spins and accuracy. My instructor says it's odd and he thinks I'm better off working on two handed. I've had a lot injuries in my right elbow and as a result I'm not able to turn my forearm all the way in either direction. I use western grip with limited wrist action for the right hand and eastern for the left. What would be the downside to not using backhand at all? I obviously lose the slice which at my level noone has anyway and the backhand volley. Are they important enough that I should try to learn backhand?At my level I don't notice that I'm losing any time switching hands all the time during rallies but what happens as my game progresses?

[Xevoius]

I would say use an extended length racquet and then if you use a choked up grip like you would if you just took your right hand off your two-handed backhand grip, you will probably not be missing much.

Check out Santoro's follow through on some of his shots. He hits two handed on both sides and removes the bottom hand on one of his shots so it is almost like he is hitting with a single hand just really chocked up on the racquet.

Good Luck.

[Camilio Pascual]

FalconX - How old are you and what exactly are the nature of your elbow injuries? This may sound rad, but under certain circumstances, you might consider going lefty. For example: If the prognosis on your elbow is that it will be a chronic long term problem or untreatable, why not?

If you have elbow problems, an extended racquet, along with stiff and head heavy racquets, are one of the worst things you can do to your elbow. Get a flexible, medium to heavy racquet, w/head light balance, and OS head would be my suggestion. And spend the money in order to save money & pain and buy natural gut. Or at least a hybrid that will run the same or less price than premium synthetics.

[Geezer Guy]

You might be able to go with a righty forehand and a lefty forehand from the baseline, and it would be really sweet if you could serve righty and lefty, but I think you'd be in trouble at the net switching hands and grips based on where the ball is headed.