Dimitrov and Federer as a youngster.

[Gadz]

Hi all,

As you know a load of the youngsters these days are told to use a two handed backhand from their coach when they start young. I was wondering with Dimitrov, did he always have a single handed backhand when he started or did his coach at the time tell him to try a single handed backhand just like Thiems coach did? with Federer did he always use the one handed backhand in his childhood and coaching or did he switch like Thiem and Wawrinka? I know Wawrinka said his two handed backhand was not very good at the time so he switched and this was the same reason for Thiem. If the coaches think the player as a youngster has a good single handed backhand at the time do they just ignore the switch and let them carry on with their single? I dont quite understand or isit a personal choice

 

[mxvb]

Federer switched when he was around 14 or 16, I don't quit remember.
Sampras also switched (you can see that at the end of his swing).

 

[snvplayer]

From what I remember, Federer had one hander since he was young. If he switched, it must be around 12.

 

[Gadz]

What about the older boys like Becker, Lendl, McEnroe etc? Do you think they all did the switch at a later stage or back then was it strictly that you started with one hand even when very young??