Heavy spin forehand, flat backhand. Problem or not?

[TheBoom]

Hey all looking for some input.

I have a heavy topspin forehand but my backhand is pretty flat. This has always been the case, but I’m wondering if I should alter one or the other going forward as I get back into tennis and look to progress.

Ironically, my backhand is slightly more consistent than my forehand but less formidable. I’ve found that it’s made finding/modding rackets and choosing string to be difficult because each wing prefers a different setup.

Should I:

1. Change my backhand to be more topspin friendly
2. Change my forehand to hit more flat
3. Leave it be, and sacrifice either wing with my setup choice?

Just looking for some opinions. I’m inclined toward the third option, but wanted to see if anyone deals with something similar.

To be clear, I can hit flat forehands or topspin backhands, but I’d have to consciously change either and practice a lot to make them my default during match play. Otherwise I’ll revert back to what I’m comfortable with

 

[socallefty]

2021 results

Join many pro players outside of continental Europe who also have the same lopsidedness in spin on the BH wing - Tiafoe, Opelka, Johnson, Norrie, Duckworth etc.

 

[nyta2]

presuming you can reliably hit your bh deep, i think it's an advantage to hit heavyFH and flatBH... built in change of pace....
i might add the abililty to hit more topspin on the bh specifically for angled/dipping passing shots, and/or sideT cc bh as another option (eg. 3 options, flat dtl, flat cc, heavy short angle sideTee)... but i'd keep the flat bh as the bread and butter.
i'm actually trying to do the opposite of O... make my bh a bit flatter (as i tend to hit my bh short when i try to add too much spin... but it doesn't haven't same rhs/penetration of my fh)

 

[johnmccabe]

Isn't the amount of spin decided by the incoming ball and tactical purpose? At least that's how I look at it. Doesn't matter which wing. Spin to gain time, angle and safety. Flat to take away time.

 

[Fintft]

presuming you can reliably hit your bh deep, i think it's an advantage to hit heavyFH and flatBH... built in change of pace....
i might add the abililty to hit more topspin on the bh specifically for angled/dipping passing shots, and/or sideT cc bh as another option (eg. 3 options, flat dtl, flat cc, heavy short angle sideTee)... but i'd keep the flat bh as the bread and butter.
i'm actually trying to do the opposite of O... make my bh a bit flatter (as i tend to hit my bh short when i try to add too much spin... but it doesn't haven't same rhs/penetration of my fh)

It may be that the flat BH is actually slower than the heavy FH...
In other words a BH kinda needs to be flatter.

 

[nyta2]

Isn't the amount of spin decided by the incoming ball and tactical purpose? At least that's how I look at it. Doesn't matter which wing. Spin to gain time, angle and safety. Flat to take away time.

true... i was referring to my "default" rally shot amount of spin... (which i presumed the OP was talking about)... but ideally should also be able to hit flatter/spinnier when needed, but for me, when i change the spin, it's slightly different feel, timing, setup, etc...

 

[TheBoom]

Yes, I can definitely hit flat or with spin as needed. But as you said @nyta2, my default shots are as described. I actually tend to hit my backhand much deeper than my forehand on average, which seems like the opposite issue you have lol.

@johnmccabe That is true, and I do hit with more or less spin as needed, but my default is to hit a flat backhand and heavy spin forehand.

Ultimately, I'm just trying to round out my game, so I play the same off both wings (default). It simplifies strategy, tactics, equipment choices, etc.

 

[nyta2]

Yes, I can definitely hit flat or with spin as needed. But as you said @nyta2, my default shots are as described. I actually tend to hit my backhand much deeper than my forehand on average, which seems like the opposite issue you have lol.

@johnmccabe That is true, and I do hit with more or less spin as needed, but my default is to hit a flat backhand and heavy spin forehand.

Ultimately, I'm just trying to round out my game, so I play the same off both wings (default). It simplifies strategy, tactics, equipment choices, etc.

lol, i want you bh... flat & deep!

back to your OP.. i think you need both... flat&deep penetrating (attack their timing with pace)... high&heavy&deep - (attack their contact height)
anywho, that's why i love the norrie combo... the change of rhythm is tough to handle, especially for a rhythm player like me...

 

[Dragy]

anywho, that's why i love the norrie combo... the change of rhythm is tough to handle, especially for a rhythm player like me...

I’m sorry Norrie did this to you!

 

[nyta2]

I’m sorry Norrie did this to you!

haha, i actually try to hit topspin on both sides.. but since i'm not as athletically/physically gifted as a rafa who can rip heavy topspin bh... my topspin bh ends up being kinda a sitter when it lands even a little bit short... so i've come to appreciate guys who can hit the flat bh consistently deep...

 

[Dakota C]

Hey all looking for some input.

I have a heavy topspin forehand but my backhand is pretty flat. This has always been the case, but I’m wondering if I should alter one or the other going forward as I get back into tennis and look to progress.

Ironically, my backhand is slightly more consistent than my forehand but less formidable. I’ve found that it’s made finding/modding rackets and choosing string to be difficult because each wing prefers a different setup.

Should I:

1. Change my backhand to be more topspin friendly
2. Change my forehand to hit more flat
3. Leave it be, and sacrifice either wing with my setup choice?

Just looking for some opinions. I’m inclined toward the third option, but wanted to see if anyone deals with something similar.

To be clear, I can hit flat forehands or topspin backhands, but I’d have to consciously change either and practice a lot to make them my default during match play. Otherwise I’ll revert back to what I’m comfortable with

built in change of pace

This is valuable, and if your backhand gives you consistent depth and you trust it, definitely don't change it just to try to hit similar shots off both wings.

In regards to racket setup, orient towards your current (or future) weapons, if you don't find a setup that feels pretty solid for all aspects of your game.

 

[Dragy]

haha, i actually try to hit topspin on both sides.. but since i'm not as athletically/physically gifted as a rafa who can rip heavy topspin bh... my topspin bh ends up being kinda a sitter when it lands even a little bit short... so i've come to appreciate guys who can hit the flat bh consistently deep...

Like Kyrgios?

 

[nyta2]

Like Kyrgios?

kyrgios, norrie - i'm sure there are others with a flat bh...

i first became of aware of the "flat bh" after i played my friend's son... who's a utr11+... his biggest weapon is his flat bh dtl if i leave it short, and/or if i make it overly loopy... it's not even a "powerful" shot, he just redirects my pace with a simple abbreviated swing. his rally shot is a similarly looking "no effort" flat cc bh, that pushes me back (eventually leading to my bh cc short ball)...

not quite sure how he developed that bh, but it's consistent (against me), and very effective... feels like my only way out of the pattern is to hit to his fh, which is worst for me

 

[Dragy]

kyrgios, norrie - i'm sure there are others with a flat bh...

i first became of aware of the "flat bh" after i played my friend's son... who's a utr11+... his biggest weapon is his flat bh dtl if i leave it short, and/or if i make it overly loopy... it's not even a "powerful" shot, he just redirects my pace with a simple abbreviated swing. his rally shot is a similarly looking "no effort" flat cc bh, that pushes me back (eventually leading to my bh cc short ball)...

not quite sure how he developed that bh, but it's consistent (against me), and very effective... feels like my only way out of the pattern is to hit to his fh, which is worst for me

Sounds sick! And remind me what’s your UTR?

 

[nyta2]

Sounds sick! And remind me what’s your UTR?

~utr8

 

[toth]

I vote for not

 

[Dragy]

~utr8

So you kinda not expected to do well against his shots exhale!

 

[nyta2]

So you kinda not expected to do well against his shots exhale!

no of course not, but it was so unorthodox to me, that it prompted me to research it...
the old mindset was "hit with a 'alot' of topspin so you can hit high over the net and still make it into the court"