Anybody can freely switch between ATP and WTA FH?

[ChimpChimp]

I used WTA before, and changed to ATP this year, so I know both.

When I have short of time, my ATP FH will have the frame hit and the ball flies 10 stories high to the other court.

As feeltennis says, WTA FH has the face in good angle in an earlier stage, so less frame mishit.

But when time is already short, I cannot think "oh I am late, let me switch to WTA in this stroke, to play safe".

 

[PMChambers]

Maybe try the 90s ATP FH which is close to WTA. Mainly Agassi which is WTA but without the big take back. He doesn't quiet take the racquet past shoulder line.
Not going to get you to 20GS but very sound.

 

[TennisCJC]

Well, I may be a party pooper but it seems you should have 1 topspin forehand technique instead of 2. You cannot serve 2 masters, so pick the one you like and stick with it.

 

[TennisCJC]

Maybe try the 90s ATP FH which is close to WTA. Mainly Agassi which is WTA but without the big take back. He doesn't quiet take the racquet past shoulder line.
Not going to get you to 20GS but very sound.

I would not call Agassi a WTA style. I think you are basing this on the fact that he doesn't close the racket face as much as some modern pros as he transitions to forward motion but Agassi is ATP style in my view simply because he keeps the racket head in front of his shoulders and does not let it lag behind his shoulder line like Serena, Maria, Sloane, Madison and many others. Agassi also leads back with his elbow which is a bit up and away from his core which is another trait of ATP. He doesn't keep the tip of the racket pointing at the net like Sock or Nick K or Sampras but he does lead back with the elbow.

 

[ChaelAZ]

I think it's more guys don't want to be seen or talked about hitting like a girl with that "WTA" forehand. Truth is, most rec players would be at least 4.5 to 5.0 players if they could produce a WTA forehand, and that is never what is keeping them from making higher levels anyways.

Elements to be aware of:

• Take back breaking the plane of the body (behind or to the side)
• Take back with face down/back or drop on edge

I was just watching a male college player with elements from both of what people call WTA and ATP forehands, and he hits very well. Alex from Top Tennis Trainging does the same and he was a ATP player. DelPo drops on edge too. I mean, at the very highest levels it might make a difference, but up through 4.5 and 5.0 play, which most rec players have as an absolute top level of possible play, it's a moot point unless you want that top player look.

As mentioned though, having too many techniques can cause issues at times, but only you can know if that is an issue.
Hit any way that works for you and be able to do it consistently.

 

[Dou]

there is not really much difference between the 2... I think pound for pound the WTA style has more power potential.... so if you get a sitter, why not take a bigger back swing and a bigger cut.

 

[FiReFTW]

My advice, COMMIT TO 1 SHOT AND FOCUS AND TRAIN IT INTENSIVELY.

 

[FiReFTW]

there is not really much difference between the 2... I think pound for pound the WTA style has more power potential.... so if you get a sitter, why not take a bigger back swing and a bigger cut.

No way is that true, ATP has more racquet speed potential, thats why you get faster shots with 4000rpm spin with it, while with a WTA you can only get that speed with very little spin.

 

[Dou]

No way is that true, ATP has more racquet speed potential, thats why you get faster shots with 4000rpm spin with it, while with a WTA you can only get that speed with very little spin.

key word is pound for pound.

and why are the girls hitting this way - is the ATP fh such a mythical thing that these girls have their livelihood dependent on the winning but can't learn it?

the girls are simply trading some loss of control for more power and penetration... as the women have slower foot speed, penetration is a favorable risk/reward proposition.

 

[FiReFTW]

key word is pound for pound.

and why are the girls hitting this way - is the ATP fh such a mythical thing that these girls have their livelihood dependent on the winning but can't learn it?

the girls are simply trading some loss of control for more power and penetration... as the women have slower foot speed, penetration is a favorable risk/reward proposition.

If you mean racquet speed I disagree, but if you mean power and penetration (per say) then that I can agree with, they trade the spin to get more penetration since the ball is faster with less spin.

 

[norcal]

I think it's more guys don't want to be seen or talked about hitting like a girl with that "WTA" forehand. Truth is, most rec players would be at least 4.5 to 5.0 players if they could produce a WTA forehand, and that is never what is keeping them from making higher levels anyways.

This is so true. They'd rather have a Fed looking fh to hit in warmup then complain about losing to a pusher, than using a fh that actually works for them. It's bizarre.

 

[Dou]

This is so true. They'd rather have a Fed looking fh to hit in warmup then complain about losing to a pusher, than using a fh that actually works for them. It's bizarre.

the recreational crowd is so far away from the ATP physical conditions... while the WTA style may actually be within remote reach.

 

[FiReFTW]

the recreational crowd is so far away from the ATP physical conditions... while the WTA style may actually be within remote reach.

That has nothing to do with the ATP forehand.

ATP forehand is better at rec level aswell (if we are talking people who take serious commitment to practice and play a ton, if we are talking about rec players who go out to hit 2 times per week if that, then I agree its useless).

Because it naturally gives u much more natural topspin, and topspin is extremely important in the ATP aswell as rec level since you can hit better angles and move the opponent more around the court, and also offers safety, margin for error, and generally rec players struggle more against big topspin than against faster shots.

 

[Dou]

That has nothing to do with the ATP forehand.

ATP forehand is better at rec level aswell (if we are talking people who take serious commitment to practice and play a ton, if we are talking about rec players who go out to hit 2 times per week if that, then I agree its useless).

Because it naturally gives u much more natural topspin, and topspin is extremely important in the ATP aswell as rec level since you can hit better angles and move the opponent more around the court, and also offers safety, margin for error, and generally rec players struggle more against big topspin than against faster shots.

now this goes back to the previous pound for pound argument... do you think, for the average recreational guy, his physical condition and foot speed is closer to a WTA or ATP player? perhaps we can define 'average' a little better... and with the 'serious commitment'.... let's call it a 4.5? or whatever you want.

 

[Dragy]

key word is pound for pound.

and why are the girls hitting this way - is the ATP fh such a mythical thing that these girls have their livelihood dependent on the winning but can't learn it?

the girls are simply trading some loss of control for more power and penetration... as the women have slower foot speed, penetration is a favorable risk/reward proposition.

With Kasatkina, Sevastova and Sabalenka cracking top 10;
With Stosur and Kuznecova and Justine earlier hitting ATP-style for years now;
With Osaka and Bertens applying many of ATP-style features which makes their high-pace defense possible and effective;
With tiny Krunic and slim Rybarikova producing the quality of shot they do -
you just cannot say girls don’t. Not all are there yet - true.

Now for why - I’d say:
- Poor short-sighted coaching.
- Sexist coaching.
- WTA stars as models.

 

[FiReFTW]

now this goes back to the previous pound for pound argument... do you think, for the average recreational guy, his physical condition and foot speed is closer to a WTA or ATP player? perhaps we can define 'average' a little better... and with the 'serious commitment'.... let's call it a 4.5? or whatever you want.

Boys are physically strongee than girls, stronger ligaments, stronger forearm muscles (important for atp forehand).
So even rec players are better equiped for it in my opinion.

But the thing is adult females are also more than well equiped for it, the problem is that pro players start tennis at the age of 4-7.

Now boys might be good handling atp fh since they are stronger, but are little girls strong enough in crucial parts in order to not injure themselves? Similar story regarding onr handed backhands.

But considering there are more and more girls coming with atp fh i would say its less physicall but more that they were just tsught it that way, 15 years from now might be very different and the majority of girls might have atp fhs also, who knows.