Sharapova plays lefty

[watungga]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vIZ0w_fGF8

No wonder her backhand is lethal. It has the perfect timing in it.

[TCF]

==========================

[dlesser13]

Anyone with a solid two hander on the pro tour should be able to comfortably hit a lefty forehand. And they are naturally hitting right handed forehands, which is essentially a lefty backhand.

[rkelley]

OK, color me impressed. She was taking short balls at her feet off her lefty fh. The form is good too.

I hurt my right wrist a few years ago and goofed around hitting lefty, including a 1hbh. It was just with foam balls against a wall, but I was really surprised at how quickly it started to feel natural. The one thing I could NOT do was serve.

So if you're naturally lefty why do you play right handed? She obviously felt it worked better for her and she played at a high level both ways. But a lefty always has an advantage in that they're a lot less common, plus it seems like the serve is always going to be better from the side you feel most comfortable throwing with.

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by rkelley

OK, color me impressed. She was taking short balls at her feet off her lefty fh. The form is good too.

I hurt my right wrist a few years ago and goofed around hitting lefty, including a 1hbh. It was just with foam balls against a wall, but I was really surprised at how quickly it started to feel natural. The one thing I could do was serve.

So if you're naturally lefty why do you play right handed? She obviously felt it worked better for her and she played at a high level both ways. But a lefty always has an advantage in that they're a lot less common, plus it seems like the serve is always going to be better from the side you feel most comfortable throwing with.

I'm impressed also. I would think she would be even more dominant playing her natural side.

Boggles the mind how good she is playing righty actually

[LeeD]

I know lots of 4.0 level players who hit almost as good forehands on either side. That's why they're 4.0, they practice both and neither enough.
I hit a better rightie forehand than lefty forehand. I'm 4.0.
I know a 5.0 winner of the local tourney who hits harder forehand lefty than rightie, and he's right handed.
Ambi doesn't mean much, just practice possibly better served using your normal side.

[Ico]

This is how she will finally beat Serena again.

[millicurie999]

Originally Posted by Ico

This is how she will finally beat Serena again.

Like karate kid movie...injured her right arm and then served lefty on MP?

[Frank Silbermann]

Originally Posted by LeeD

I know lots of 4.0 level players who hit almost as good forehands on either side. That's why they're 4.0, they practice both and neither enough.

You don't think the fact that they're only 4.0 might have something to do with the fact that the vast majority of tennis players never go above 3.5?

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

I play with a 5.0 guy who just switches hand, no BH..

he was a world ranked Squash player when he was young, though, probably has above average hand-eye!

[ramos77]

if you are are natural lefty, why would play right handed?

I guess it's worked for her though..

I wonder which hand she chokes a chicken with?

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

did you know Rafa is actually naturally right handed?

[Relinquis]

Originally Posted by Timbo's hopeless slice

I play with a 5.0 guy who just switches hand, no BH..

he was a world ranked Squash player when he was young, though, probably has above average hand-eye!

what was his squash backhand like?!