Two-Racket Tennis?

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
Where do you keep your "balls" Cindy? Under your skirt?

Why, yes, of course! :)

The folks here have raised some legitimate criticisms of your "innovation." Don't you have any actual responses? Surely someone with such a high IQ has thought this through and knows exactly how to counter the concerns expressed here.

And I was serious when I suggested you get a higher level pro to demo your "innovation." If you've ever seen one of those late-night infomercials selling exercise equipment, they hire the most ripped people they can find to demo the product. There's a reason for that.

Cindy -- who has found that folks who boast about their IQs usually are pretty darn average
 

ProgressoR

Hall of Fame
Prof. Tennis: Obviously this is the wrong place for you to peddle your views. Many of the posts here have been critical, but insulting people the way you do isn't going to get you anywhere. If anything, it pushes you farther to the fringe.

Agreed, you need to find a better way to insult people, your current method has much room for improvement.
 

AV1

New User
Just watched the forehand video...
Call me when you can consistently hit the ball over the net. If a shot was not in the net it was shanked.
 

shanker

Rookie
Sometimes I switch hands when I'm chasing down a backhand that I could usually not reach. I just get the racquet in my left hand and usually hit a crazy angled winner that way. While not two racquet tennis, is this legal. Have always wondered. I've been working on my left handed serve as well...
 

nickarnold2000

Hall of Fame
All joking and insulting aside, why can't two racket players legally compete in sanctioned tournaments? Would this give them an unfair advantage over us traditional folk?
 

Doubles

Legend
Hahaha thus guy is almost as good as Ookie Cookie! First of all, if you're going to measure the speed of your serve, use the actual method, regardless of what you might have discovered, there is an actual method for measuring serve speed. Try it, then you will see that you might be able to serve 50 mph tops. Second, if you want to introduce people to a great idea, then at least have someone who can actually play do it for you. Your forehands are akward and terrible looking and your serves are consistently out. Seriously, go get some lessons, learn to play with one hand, and an actual backhand. I don't understand why you seem to think that the backhand is a bad shot, for many people, like myself, it's my favorite shot to hit. Finally, for future referrence, when you are trying to introduce people to this "great" idea of yours don't act like a complete jackass when they tell you that it's a dumb idea, or they, like myself, laugh their asses off at your videos...

p.s. Stop posting the same comments over and over, either come up with something creative to say, or don't say anything...
 

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
I think you should have stuck with the whole Dr. Bones thing. I think that's a very clever idea. If your presentation is engaging, it is the sort of thing a PTA might be interested in. There is a lady around here who started a planetarium program and has had much success visiting elementary schools and making her presentations.
 

HellBunni

Rookie
Hi Prof Tennis,

Don't worry about the critics. A lot of people respect someone who is willing to go against convention.

I want to know more about your shortcut method of racquet stringing.

Also, I saw your two backhands video, and I'm guessing you don't normally play that way. Do you know anyone who uses two racquets in order to hit two backhands?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na1TKJBDXRs&feature=related

actually in that video you see the problem with 2 rackets and the ball coming at you. Which racket to use! in a few shots, you can see he couldn't decide for a split second there.

not to mention backhands like that have no rotation and no power.
 

Rex

Rookie
You must be kidding me.
This is absolutely ridiculous.

You come up with a supposedly amazing concept, something that we, the lowly peasants, cannot understand because of it's brilliance. It's clearly a great concept, we're all just too stupid to understand it.

Have you ever stopped to consider that it's just a bad idea? At least the way it's been explained to us? I mean, I think it's highly unlikely that we all just have the sam irrational hatred of this, there has to be a reason.

I'll refrain from insulting your tennis ability, because that doesn't have any correlation with the validity of your ideas.

I'll start with giving you a lesson on promoting ideas. Just the basics, no need to dive right in to the vast sea of knowledge on the subject. That could overwhelm even an outright genius like you.
First off, you should start by keeping it interesting. Y'know, no repetitive posts and such, they cause the general public to lose interest.
Secondly, the only thing worse than boring the public might be calling them all retards. These are the people who you're trying to take up your new practice, correct?
You might turn them off by continuing like you are.
Third, there's a reason you never see a politician touting their IQ as a reason to be elected. It's like the opposite of charisma, it instantly turns everyone off. The key is to make yourself seem like an average everyday guy, average in all aspects of his tennis game as well. People respond badly to being preached to by a self-proclaimed god. This might be the reason you're teaching at a community college instead of somewhere higher up.

Also, refrain from saying things like "...My high-velocity serve...."
I mean, to be honest, you have an average serve. The form isn't the best, but most other people don't score well in that category either.
But you're saying it like it's something amazing. It's not. I regularly play 16's tournies, and my serve is pretty slow compared to most people's. I only get by on it because I have lefty slice. I serve around 80-85 on average. So your serve is about average for a 16 year old boy. Calling it high velocity is really a stretch, especially comparing it to pros. This detracts from your credibility. You start off with one strike against you, because people already know that you have a tendency to exaggerate.

Again, my problem isn't that you have a bad serve, it's that you have an average serve and lie about it.

Well said.
 

SoBad

G.O.A.T.
Hello professor and welcome to the forums. We have stars emerge around here all the time, but don’t be discouraged by the competition. Your level of tennis knowledge and your attitude are an effective combination, and you should continue to do very well, if you are wiling to put in the effort.

If you want to truly rise about the field and contend with the new strong crop of Ookie Cookie and LiamBanes and the likes, you need to adjust. Your posting volume is quite frankly very low, as is the count of threads started. I suggest you work on that, as well as aim to diversify across the subforums. Unique stringing method? That deserves an immediate thread in the strings/stringing subforum.

Once again, welcome to the boards and I look forward to witnessing education of the masses.
 

SoBad

G.O.A.T.
I will keep it in mind for your suggestions. The problem is I don't have time doing this like other members do. I hope you understand. -Tina

Thanks Tina, I understand. Time management is key when it comes to establishing priorities.
 

nickarnold2000

Hall of Fame
Because using two racquets is against the rules for any sanctioned tournament.

http://www.itftennis.com/technical/rules/equipment/racket.asp

Case 5: Is a player allowed to use more than one racket at any time during play?
Decision: No.
Yes, I know it's against the rules(but I'm wondering why?). I personally don't think that using 2 rackets gives the player an advantage. If you hit a low slice to them how are they going to switch grips to slice themselves?
 
Last edited:

SoBad

G.O.A.T.

BlueTennis

New User
it's lobster man!

IMG_3689.jpg
 

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
Who knows, perhaps the prof was coached by Aleksey Vayner for the serve.

Judging from both of their tennis videos, Aleksey is a *much* better
player. But then again, Aleksey is a rival to the most interesting man in the
world...
 

SoBad

G.O.A.T.
Judging from both of their tennis videos, Aleksey is a *much* better
player. But then again, Aleksey is a rival to the most interesting man in the
world...

I agree absolutely, I think Aleksey is far more skilled in every aspect, including tennis. It only occurred to me that the prof might have been a disciple of Aleksey at one time, because the magic 140mph number emerged for the serve speed. As far as rivalries, Aleksey is definitely going places, while the prof might possibly challenge the late Helen van Beden (remember her?) for a spot in TTW history.
 
i am new here,
thanks TT for this great forum, and thanks a lot prof tennis, i have been reading TT for quite some time now but never thought of posting. your thread made me sign up.

the laws of physics are undeniable (once they are proven), but from a biomechanics point of view, i am afraid one will be more prone to injuries if the two racquet tennis were to be played at a more competitive level.

however, i would agree that it has benefits, but only if played without ever running to get to the ball or not focusing on producing a "high velocity" stroke.

plus, i would strongly recommend using very very light racquets.

ps. thanks SoBad for sharing about Aleksey to everyone, never heard of him but after some research, i found out his case and it was very interesting.
--could not find anything about Helen Van Beden, who is she? tell us more please.
 
....plus, i would strongly recommend using very very light racquets.

...--could not find anything about Helen Van Beden, who is she? tell us more please.

I guess I can see your point, but light racquets feel like crrapp.

She was the inspiration for one of the most beloved hard rock groups to come out of SoCal in the late 70s.
Van Beden's axe was a Wright and Ditson.
Her Panama was a wooden bench by a grass court.
Her 1984 was 1894.
Her Ice Cream Man was an actual ice cream delivery man.
Her 'Hot for Teacher' was an aging tennis teacher.
Her Jamie's Cryin' was when she routed the inventor of the tiebreak (James Van Alen) three sets to love.
Her Hagar was Horrible.
 
thanks for the information slice.

i think either you play this game with heavier racquets and get injuries or have fun but play according to prof tennis' style.

i am not one of them. playing with one racquet is hard enough. and like some others said, (1 handed) back hand is my best shot.

by the way, what happened to his posts?did he get banned already...it was such an interesting reading.
 

SoBad

G.O.A.T.
ps. thanks SoBad for sharing about Aleksey to everyone, never heard of him but after some research, i found out his case and it was very interesting.
--could not find anything about Helen Van Beden, who is she? tell us more please.

by the way, what happened to his posts?did he get banned already...it was such an interesting reading.

Welcome to the TTW forums – always pleased to have sharp inquisitive minds join our sharp inquisitive group here. Pleased to hear that you enjoyed your research on Aleksey, and I must reiterate that his contribution to the game of tennis far exceeded the efforts of the professor under discussion in this thread.

“Professor banned already?” ; “Who is Helen Van Beden?”, those are both existential questions, but in a way it is satisfying to see my early prediction of the rivalry prove accurate. Slice did a very nice job of bringing forth his own view of Helen and her legacy. Not much to add, except perhaps a prior instance of a discussion on this very subject:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=1950036&postcount=24

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=1956513&postcount=25
 

skiracer55

Hall of Fame
That's kind of where I was headed...

No one in their right mind...

...I mean, there are definitely things in this universe logarithmically weirder than playing tennis with two rackets, but past a certain point, come on...I'm all for diversity, but I have a sneaking suspicion that we're talking about somebody who's a few sandwiches short of a full picnic...
 

BevelDevil

Hall of Fame
Saw an amputee playing a league match. He used his racket to toss the ball. He had a decent serve, actually.

I think the only other option would be to have the racket slung over the back in some kind of ninja sword holder.
 

JRstriker12

Hall of Fame
Saw an amputee playing a league match. He used his racket to toss the ball. He had a decent serve, actually.

I think the only other option would be to have the racket slung over the back in some kind of ninja sword holder.

I'd do this before I played with two rackets. LOL!
 
thanks for the extra information SoBad.

back to that so called whip grip, my right hand is definitely stronger than my left hand, should the size of the grip/whip grip be different or same for both hands?
aside from the two racquet game, i am more curious about ambidextrous players who switch hands. i also read about players switching hands due to injuries...did they have to change grip size or not.

i believe this discussion is about to saturate. thanks everyone, see you all in other threads.
 

1stVolley

Professional
I believe using two racquets is against the rules of tennis.

However, there are two-handled tennis racquets, allowing the player to access two forehands without a grip change, which would be the case trying to play with two forehands on one racquet.
 

SoBad

G.O.A.T.
Saw an amputee playing a league match. He used his racket to toss the ball. He had a decent serve, actually.

I think the only other option would be to have the racket slung over the back in some kind of ninja sword holder.

I knew a couple of good players with signigicant part of an arm missing (in both cases due to birth defects, rather than amputation). One of them had a good record playing No. 1 singles and doubles for a strong D3 program.

thanks for the extra information SoBad.

back to that so called whip grip, my right hand is definitely stronger than my left hand, should the size of the grip/whip grip be different or same for both hands?
aside from the two racquet game, i am more curious about ambidextrous players who switch hands. i also read about players switching hands due to injuries...did they have to change grip size or not.

i believe this discussion is about to saturate. thanks everyone, see you all in other threads.

You are welcome. Regards the grip size, I doubt you'll gain much from an online discussion on that. It's a personal preference, you'll just have to experiment with different grip sizes for each hand.
 

Erlang

Rookie
@LGQ7 How do you manage to play better with two racquets than just switching between forehands with a single racquet?

I found that I am worse off with two racquets at the same time, as it gives me balance issues when running and setting up for my shots
 

LGQ7

Hall of Fame
@LGQ7 How do you manage to play better with two racquets than just switching between forehands with a single racquet?

I found that I am worse off with two racquets at the same time, as it gives me balance issues when running and setting up for my shots

There's a "magician" trick that you don't see. The trick is not to play with 2 rackets at a time. The trick to play equally well with the right and as the left hand separately. When the two hands merge, you have 4 ranges. On the outside range, forehands. On the inside range, backhands. You have 2 forehands and 2 backhands.

The advantage is in the reach and you don't have to turn your body around. You are trading leg speed and torso rotation for arms.
The disadvantage is the weight, you have to carry 2 rackets. As the rounds drag on, your arms will be twice as tired as your opponent.

It's all in the footwork. You have a right hand and a left hand footwork, they are mirror of each other.
 

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
I imagine having a racket in the off hand would limit shoulder turn and slow shoulder rotation down through the swing. Torso rotation is one of the keys to a modern swing.
 

Erlang

Rookie
There's a "magician" trick that you don't see. The trick is not to play with 2 rackets at a time. The trick to play equally well with the right and as the left hand separately. When the two hands merge, you have 4 ranges. On the outside range, forehands. On the inside range, backhands. You have 2 forehands and 2 backhands.

The advantage is in the reach and you don't have to turn your body around. You are trading leg speed and torso rotation for arms.
The disadvantage is the weight, you have to carry 2 rackets. As the rounds drag on, your arms will be twice as tired as your opponent.

It's all in the footwork. You have a right hand and a left hand footwork, they are mirror of each other.
I can play well enough with both hands. But when I use both racquets simultaneously, it throws my game off. My off hand that would normally be free and used for balance and spacing, is now occupied holding the other racquet. Running with both racquets is also very awkward
 

beltsman

G.O.A.T.
I witnessed a guy playing with two racquets. It was goofy but cool. Hey, to each their own.
 
Last edited:
Top