Hitting on the same side of the racquet?

[NamRanger]

Who's talking about copying??? Out of 100 million players, don't you think that the odds are pretty good that there's at least a few other people that have the same forehand stroke as Federer? I mean, there are NOT 100 million ways to hit a forehand. There are at most 300 different ways, and that's even pushing it. The BIG difference is consistency and effectiveness. Most of the people that have the same stroke as Federer are NOWHERE near as consistent nor as effective. They probably also have much worse footwork and speed. Heck, I hit my backhand very similar to Federer's, been doing it that way since before Federer was even born. But, of course, it's NOWHERE as consistent, effective, or accurate. My footwork is also much worse and I'm much slower. The big reason why Federer has such a good forehand has to do with his incredible footwork and speed, more than the stroke itself. The same above goes for Nadal's spin shots and Roddick's serve. Lots of people use the same techniques as they do, they just don't get anywhere near the same results.

Sure, anyone can copy what the pros do but that doesn't mean you can do it as well as they do nor achieve the same results. It might look like your technique and mechanics are the same as their's, which is what the stroke is, but you still end up losing to that 4.5 player. Why? Because you just don't do it as well nor as consistently as the pros do it.

But getting back to the topic of hitting using the same side of your racquet, would you rather emulate the best players or emulate the not so good players?

I would go by what Jeff says on Hi-Techtennis and emulate what is simple and most effective, and more importantly, what works for you.


No one can emulate anyone's forehand completely. Why? Because everyone is unique to each other. Just because I can jump doesn't mean everyone else will jump in the same manner, or to the same degree. Federer's forehand is unique in that he can generate incredible racquet speed, creating a powerful blend of spin, control, and pace. If anyone else could do the same, they'd probably be a pro player right now. But out of all the tennis pros that I see right now, NO ONE, has the same forehand as Federer, the closest being Nadal when he comes across.


There are little small things that you can't see in real time motion, such as Federer's wrist movement, how he moves it, and other little things that he does. Just because you can emulate the straight arm technique, and heck, I'll even give you the wrist release technique that Federer has, doesn't mean that you'll have the same kind of forehand.


Is it really because of Federer's speed and footwork? If it was that, fast movers like Lleyton Hewitt should have INCREDIBLE forehands, as they are possibly faster then Federer himself, and probably have just as good footwork. Just because you get there doesn't mean you can peform a stroke. You also have to execute properly, which Federer does without hesitation.

 

[Rickson]

Just use the opposite sides.

 

[NamRanger]

Just use the opposite sides.

Arguing this is circular. If we are going by you and BreakPoint's logic, I should be advocating every junior out there to switch to one handed backhands, as the greatest champions of tennis have been one handed backhand players (Federer, Sampras, Graf, Navratilova). That is how I follow your logic.


I forgot to also add in Rod Laver.

 

[Rickson]

Arguing this is circular. If we are going by you and BreakPoint's logic, I should be advocating every junior out there to switch to one handed backhands, as the greatest champions of tennis have been one handed backhand players (Federer, Sampras, Graf, Navratilova).

Yeah, like that would be a bad thing.

 

[NamRanger]

Yeah, like that would be a bad thing.

Just because the greats all use one handed backhands doesn't mean it's the key to their success. That is the point I'm trying to make. Just because someone doesn't use both sides of the racquet doesn't mean they won't be successful, so please stop saying it's "improper" technique when you have no real scientific analysis of it. Just by using statistics of professional players who don't do it doesn't mean it's wrong. You don't see alot of players S&Ving anymore, does that mean club level players should stop to?

 

[Rickson]

Just because the greats all use one handed backhands doesn't mean it's the key to their success. That is the point I'm trying to make.

Coincidence? Think about it.

 

[BreakPoint]

No one can emulate anyone's forehand completely. Why? Because everyone is unique to each other. Just because I can jump doesn't mean everyone else will jump in the same manner, or to the same degree. Federer's forehand is unique in that he can generate incredible racquet speed, creating a powerful blend of spin, control, and pace. If anyone else could do the same, they'd probably be a pro player right now. But out of all the tennis pros that I see right now, NO ONE, has the same forehand as Federer, the closest being Nadal when he comes across.

1. Not all 100 million people who play tennis are pros.
2. You have not seen every single pro in the world play tennis.
3. I can swing my racquet as fast as Federer, use the same technique, the same grip, etc. but when I do it, half of my shots hit the net and the other half hit the back fence. But I CAN emulate his stroke.

There are little small things that you can't see in real time motion, such as Federer's wrist movement, how he moves it, and other little things that he does. Just because you can emulate the straight arm technique, and heck, I'll even give you the wrist release technique that Federer has, doesn't mean that you'll have the same kind of forehand.

And what does this have to do with hitting with the same side of the racquet?? Is there something about hitting with the same side of the racquet that can't be emulated by anyone or can't be seen in real time?

Is it really because of Federer's speed and footwork? If it was that, fast movers like Lleyton Hewitt should have INCREDIBLE forehands, as they are possibly faster then Federer himself, and probably have just as good footwork. Just because you get there doesn't mean you can peform a stroke. You also have to execute properly, which Federer does without hesitation.

But Hewitt doesn't have the same forehand at all as Federer, and his footwork is not as good. I'm saying that even if someone had the same exact forehand as Federer, their forehand will still not be as good as Federer's if their footwork and speed are not as good as Federer's. It's his footwork and speed that makes Federer's forehand so much better than someone else with the exact same forehand.

 

[NamRanger]

1. Not all 100 million people who play tennis are pros.
2. You have not seen every single pro in the world play tennis.
3. I can swing my racquet as fast as Federer, use the same technique, the same grip, etc. but when I do it, half of my shots hit the net and the other half hit the back fence. But I CAN emulate his stroke.

And what does this have to do with hitting with the same side of the racquet?? Is there something about hitting with the same side of the racquet that can't be emulated by anyone or can't be seen in real time?

But Hewitt doesn't have the same forehand at all as Federer, and his footwork is not as good. I'm saying that even if someone had the same exact forehand as Federer, their forehand will still not be as good as Federer's if their footwork and speed are not as good as Federer's. It's his footwork and speed that makes Federer's forehand so much better than someone else with the exact same forehand.

Are you sure you can generate the same racquet speed that Federer does? Can you generate that same speed that Federer does while still retaining the technique? If you can, when you are in position, you would probably have a lethal forehand then. You saying that you can hit the same way as Federer can, with the same speed, would mean that you can generate the same pace, spin, penetration, and control that he has with his forehand if you were in position as he is, which is laughable. I highly doubt anyone on this forum can even generate 1/2 the speed that Federer generates with his forehand.


Point I'm trying to make is that just because you have the footwork and speed of Federer (which Hewitt is pretty close, Nadal would probably be a better example) doesn't mean you have the same destructive forehand that he does. Just because you have the same technique doesn't mean you will have the same success as Federer does. The reverse holds true also.

 

[lethalfang]

I don't hit with the same side of the racquet. Actually, I don't know if I do. I don't keep track of which side of the racquet I hit. Even though I seem to have a preferred side for my forehand, I have no such preference for my backhand.
I've known one person who does it, i.e. hitting the same side, and he isn't exactly a total stiff.
Point 1: I'm open minded about it, but I have not heard any solid logic arguing that it is improper to hit with the same side of the racquet off both wings.
Point 2: Arguing that no pros do it is an artifact of the statistics. Like I've said, I've only known one person who does it among many players I know. In other words, the percentage of players doing it is low. Thus, if it offers no significant advantage, you expect very few pros to do it as well, if at all. If, however, a significant number of pros do use it, it actually implies a significant advantage.

 

[BreakPoint]

Are you sure you can generate the same racquet speed that Federer does? Can you generate that same speed that Federer does while still retaining the technique? If you can, when you are in position, you would probably have a lethal forehand then. You saying that you can hit the same way as Federer can, with the same speed, would mean that you can generate the same pace, spin, penetration, and control that he has with his forehand if you were in position as he is, which is laughable. I highly doubt anyone on this forum can even generate 1/2 the speed that Federer generates with his forehand.

Yes, I can generate the same racquet head speed as Federer. But when I do, I mishit the ball and it goes into the net. So, yes, I can emulate his technique but my results are not the same. Why? Because Federer has the ability to use that same technique but hit the sweetspot almost every time and have incredible control, power, and accuracy over the ball, which I don't.

Point I'm trying to make is that just because you have the footwork and speed of Federer (which Hewitt is pretty close, Nadal would probably be a better example) doesn't mean you have the same destructive forehand that he does. Just because you have the same technique doesn't mean you will have the same success as Federer does. The reverse holds true also.

But that's NOT my point which is what you were criticizing. My point is that if it wasn't for Federer's incredible footwork and speed, his forehand wouldn't be nearly as effective. If he had to play a match with lead boots on, you'd see him miss a lot more forehands - guaranteed.

 

[BreakPoint]

The only point that I agree with, but it's still a long stretch to make that connection. Just because he didn't have a two handed backhand didn't mean he wouldn't have the same success. He could have just as an effective one handed slice with the two handed backhand.

It's a much easier transition to go from a 1HBH baseline shot to a 1HBH slice approach to a 1HBH volley. Not too many 2HBH players are great serve and volleyers or great volleyers in general.

Laver, McEnroe, Becker, Edberg, Cash, Krajicek, Sampras were all great serve and volleyers and all had 1HBH's. Rafter and Henman were also great serve and volleyers and they also had 1HBH's.

BTW, Sampras obviously didn't need a 2HBH as he won 7 Wimbledons anyway.

 

[Robbie_1988]

Well said NamRanger. Well said. But don't waste anymore time on this thread mate. I mean they're a lost cause. Leave them be with their elitist mentality. You cannot change how they think. They're stubborn fellas you know. Just go out and play some tennis

 

[Squall Leonheart]

BTW, if it's OK to do it that way, then how come we hardly ever see any top players doing it? Not just only the pros, but other high level players? Could it be that doing it the wrong way limits your ability to get to the higher levels? I've seen people do this at the lower levels, but I've never seen players do this at the higher levels (e.g., 5.0 +, college, open, futures, pros, etc.)

Dude, go back to my logic, I said it wasn't a good tihng, and not a bad thing.

Huh? Here's your post:

No one has a forehand like Federer, so by your logic, it must be a bad thing because "we hardly ever see any top players doing it." Similarly, Nadal must be equally as bad because no one hits with the spin he does. No one hits their serve like Roddick, so his serve must be terrible, right?

Read the red part.....

 

[Kaptain Karl]

I can't believe there are two threads of multiple pages on this "So what?" topic. Sheesh!

It doesn't matter. There's no "right" or "wrong" to it ... no matter how much one or two TT-ers might obsess over it.

- KK

 

[theone]

Hitting on the same side of the racket??! This topic is just, strange!

 

[ShooterMcMarco]

Hitting on the same side of the racket??! This topic is just, strange!

Yeah, this is one of those things that don't even occur to me when I play tennis

 

[NamRanger]

I can't believe there are two threads of multiple pages on this "So what?" topic. Sheesh!

It doesn't matter. There's no "right" or "wrong" to it ... no matter how much one or two TT-ers might obsess over it.

- KK

It's more like I'm trying to defend the freedom of choice versus the onslought of the Rickson BreakPoint alliance of "LOL IT'S WRONG BECAUSE WE'RE OG AND WE ARE ACTUALLY NOT"

 

[boojay]

I'm kinda late in joining the convo here, but when I was experimenting with grips a while back I also tried hitting with the same face on both the BH and FH sides (i.e. eastern backhand & western forehand). The nice part with that, of course, is that very little thinking and reaction time is required as you already have your default grip for both wings. I actually can think of a couple of junior players I hit with that do the same.

Personally, I don't think it's right or wrong, but as of right now, I always hit my FHs on one side and my BHs on the other. Another quirk is that it's ALWAYS that specific side, that is, I'll never hit a backhand with the same side as the side I've hit my forehand with and vice versa. Even if I purposely hit with the wrong face, the shot will feel completely foreign to me.

 

[BreakPoint]

I can't believe there are two threads of multiple pages on this "So what?" topic. Sheesh!

It doesn't matter. There's no "right" or "wrong" to it ... no matter how much one or two TT-ers might obsess over it.

- KK

So KK,

Are you saying that you would teach your high school players to hit their forehands and backhands with the same side of the racquet without changing grips? If it's not wrong then it should/can be taught, right?

 

[BreakPoint]

Well said NamRanger. Well said. But don't waste anymore time on this thread mate. I mean they're a lost cause. Leave them be with their elitist mentality. You cannot change how they think. They're stubborn fellas you know. Just go out and play some tennis

"elitist"? Well, if wanting to be the best tennis player I can possibly be makes me "elitist", then I guess that's what I am. :-?

 

[Kaptain Karl]

Are you saying that you would teach your high school players to hit their forehands and backhands with the same side of the racquet without changing grips?

This is so typical of a BP reply. I wasn't posting in my 2nd language. I posted just what I meant to. Go back and read it out loud. It might help you avoid reading to much IN or OUT of my words.

If it's not wrong then it should/can be taught, right?

It doesn't matter. It's a "Who cares?" issue.

- KK

 

[limitup]

Maybe it's not a yes or no question. Maybe you tell the student to do whatever feels more natural to them?

 

[BreakPoint]

Maybe it's not a yes or no question. Maybe you tell the student to do whatever feels more natural to them?

But how about a student that has never played tennis before or doesn't know what feels more natural to them and asks for advice?

 

[Midlife crisis]

Are you saying that you would teach your high school players to hit their forehands and backhands with the same side of the racquet without changing grips? If it's not wrong then it should/can be taught, right?

When did it become about "without changing grips"? This is what the OP wrote:

I hit a SW or sometimes a full Western forehand, and for my 1H BH I use the traditional Eastern grip. I have this habit of just flipping my wrist over and hitting on the same side of the racquet face when I switch from FH to BH grip. All I have to do is make a tiny adjustment to get from a SW FH to an Eastern backhand, so it's about the smallest and easiest grip change in the world. If I hit a heavy topspin FH with the Western grip I don't even need to make a grip change at all to follow it up with a backhand.

The underline emphasis was added by me to both quotes. I don't know when it got twisted to "without a grip change".

I have been practicing trying to do this. It helps tremendously because it is much faster to make a 10 degree grip change rather than a 170 degree change, especially if I'm trying to hit top on both sides on fast serve returns or on a hard volley. It's a difficult transition and not natural yet, but I'm hoping that over time I'll get there. I use a strong eastern to SW forehand and a strong eastern 1hbh, so they're very close, but it is hard to break years of habit doing it the other way.

 

[OrangeOne]

I'm going to try and save people time (again)

When did it become about "without changing grips"? This is what the OP wrote:

I hit a SW or sometimes a full Western forehand, and for my 1H BH I use the traditional Eastern grip. I have this habit of just flipping my wrist over and hitting on the same side of the racquet face when I switch from FH to BH grip. All I have to do is make a tiny adjustment to get from a SW FH to an Eastern backhand, so it's about the smallest and easiest grip change in the world. If I hit a heavy topspin FH with the Western grip I don't even need to make a grip change at all to follow it up with a backhand.

The underline emphasis was added by me to both quotes. I don't know when it got twisted to "without a grip change".

I have been practicing trying to do this. It helps tremendously because it is much faster to make a 10 degree grip change rather than a 170 degree change, especially if I'm trying to hit top on both sides on fast serve returns or on a hard volley. It's a difficult transition and not natural yet, but I'm hoping that over time I'll get there. I use a strong eastern to SW forehand and a strong eastern 1hbh, so they're very close, but it is hard to break years of habit doing it the other way.

Midlife (and all others) - I again implore you to please scan the below thread - or read Robbie_1988's excellent summary post in this very thread (link)... before choosing to spend (and possibly waste) your time here, if you get bored even scanning the other thread, it's certainly not worth posting here in what is becoming an identical thread....

THREAD: Is it proper to hit your FH's and BH's using the same side (face) of your racquet?
^^ It has all been discussed there. I have stated my opinions in that thread, as have others.

 

[nacolo]

I hit a SW or sometimes a full Western forehand, and for my 1H BH I use the traditional Eastern grip. I have this habit of just flipping my wrist over and hitting on the same side of the racquet face when I switch from FH to BH grip. All I have to do is make a tiny adjustment to get from a SW FH to an Eastern backhand, so it's about the smallest and easiest grip change in the world. If I hit a heavy topspin FH with the Western grip I don't even need to make a grip change at all to follow it up with a backhand.

Is this a bad habit? I've heard people say it is, but I can't imagine why...

No history of any PRO hit like that ?

 

[Robbie_1988]

Breakpoint go play some tennis mate.

 

[hector]

Western grips have been around for a long time. Every player with a western grip starts to realize that if they flip the racket over they do not have to change their grip. . You have not discovered something that other players have not but rather are taking a path that other players have taken and come to realize is a dead end.

Some would argue "oh people are just following convention that is why it has not taken off". There are players on tour with two forehands, weird serves and two backhands but non that come to mind that hit with the same face of the racket. So even though there are conventions in tennis there is also continually attempts to gain an edge.

Notice no top player uses this technique.

So the question then becomes why? This has to do with physics and bio mechanics if you spend some time and think about it you can probably figure it out in layman's terms.

Club players are always looking for the quick fix. Yes this technique may help you in the short run but will cap your room for improvement.

Personally, I hope you continue using this technique since it will be very amusing to watch.

 

[lethalfang]

But how about a student that has never played tennis before or doesn't know what feels more natural to them and asks for advice?

Why should a player even worry whether he's hitting the same or difference face of the racquet on FH and BH?
I don't see why it matters.

 

[BreakPoint]

Why should a player even worry whether he's hitting the same or difference face of the racquet on FH and BH?
I don't see why it matters.

I don't think you're quite getting it. It has to do with the mechanics of the strokes, the technique, and the grip changes and not which side of the racquet you're actually hitting with. Your racquet doesn't care but eventually your strokes and your development will care.

 

[lethalfang]

I don't think you're quite getting it. It has to do with the mechanics of the strokes, the technique, and the grip changes and not which side of the racquet you're actually hitting with. Your racquet doesn't care but eventually your strokes and your development will care.

Can you explain why?
See, I tend to spin my racquet after a shot to "re-set" the grip, so I don't know which side I'm hitting on my backhand side, but I see no reason why anyone would be hindered if he has a preferred rotational direction to change his grip as long as he does it "unconsciously."

 

[BreakPoint]

Can you explain why?
See, I tend to spin my racquet after a shot to "re-set" the grip, so I don't know which side I'm hitting on my backhand side, but I see no reason why anyone would be hindered if he has a preferred rotational direction to change his grip as long as he does it "unconsciously."

I think it's just more natural to turn the racquet with your free hand in the direction that ends up hitting your backhand with the opposite side of the racquet face as your forehand. But I think the biggest issue is with people that don't change grips at all. I think you really limit the variety of your strokes if you never change grips. Also, many people who don't change grips also don't use their free hand to cradle or hold the racquet in preparation to hit their one-handed backhands. They just take it back with their hitting hand and swing without ever using their free hand which I think can make for sloppy or less accurate backhands.

 

[Leoboomanu]

Western grips have been around for a long time. Every player with a western grip starts to realize that if they flip the racket over they do not have to change their grip. . You have not discovered something that other players have not but rather are taking a path that other players have taken and come to realize is a dead end.

Some would argue "oh people are just following convention that is why it has not taken off". There are players on tour with two forehands, weird serves and two backhands but non that come to mind that hit with the same face of the racket. So even though there are conventions in tennis there is also continually attempts to gain an edge.

Notice no top player uses this technique.

So the question then becomes why? This has to do with physics and bio mechanics if you spend some time and think about it you can probably figure it out in layman's terms.

Club players are always looking for the quick fix. Yes this technique may help you in the short run but will cap your room for improvement.

Personally, I hope you continue using this technique since it will be very amusing to watch.

Yes. That's right all you "quick fix tennis guys"... As what 'Hector the director' said--- Personally, I hope you continue using this technique since it will be very amusing to watch.

Very cool hector, very cool

To newbies: Read a tennis book... and watch pros on youtube!!!

To the moderators and TW: For what it's worth... Sorry, I lost my cool sometime ago... Won't happen again...

I'm out'a this thread baby...

 

[tennisthehilife]

In my ready position, I hold SW grips on both right and left hand so I can go either forehand or 2 hand backhand easily. So I hit w/ only one face/side of the racket.

Iono if my racket pops faster, but I don't think so and I feel many fast grip changers hit w/ the same face.

 

[Leoboomanu]

In my ready position, I hold SW grips on both right and left hand so I can go either forehand or 2 hand backhand easily. So I hit w/ only one face/side of the racket.

Iono if my racket pops faster, but I don't think so and I feel many fast grip changers hit w/ the same face.

I just can't leave this thread, man...

Question: So what happens when a fast first serve comes in and you only have time for a slice? SW slice? And how do you even manage to hold it leftSW rightSW? Unless you're 'ex.Agassi vs club players' who can topspin drive returns everytime, I think your technique's not very sound...IMO...

Peace, not fighting just asking...

 

[curio]

I'm using western forehand and eastern 1h backhand and that's right that hand position on the grip is the same.

But i always use the non dominant hand to adjust the grip on backhand, because i often switch to a more continental-like grip to slice the bachkand when I'm out of position.

I sometime hit the same side and sometimes i turn the racquet 180° on slow balls, just to confirm that my grip is the good one.
I choose to switch side or not purely unintentionally and I'm pretty sure that it has no incidence at all.

To return a first serve I'm waiting with a continental grip for slice returns.
For second serve I choose the western fh/eastern bh.
That's great because you do not need to adjust the grip and have more time to prepare the shot.

 

[Double trouble]

I do not switch, With my semi western I normally hit heavy topspin on the forehand. I can slice it or hit flatter in approaches or when desired. I hit either a driving or heavy topspin off the backhand . You do have to have quick feet to set up. I also slice the back hand or block back with pace on extreme heavy serves . I can come over the backhand on heavy serves t times , but often will just block it back with pace . My friends say I can return so well because of not changing my grip. It depends how you learn. Someone who has been taught , can’t conceive hitting with the same side . I was self taught and never knew any better , so it’s always been natural to me . I use the Babalot aero pure tour racket . I colored one side red, just so I rotate my racket often in between points . So I never hit balls on the same side for an entire match or practice . Been doing it like this for about forty years.

 

[Double trouble]

I think staying with the same grip is faster. Nothing to think about , even if switching becomes second nature.‍♂️

 

[Cashman]

Staying with the same grip is certainly faster, but it means you have to hit with a ridiculous grip on at least one side. Not a great trade-off really.

 

[nyta2]

Staying with the same grip is certainly faster, but it means you have to hit with a ridiculous grip on at least one side. Not a great trade-off really.

agreed.
one or both (fh/bh) will be compromised because one or both will not have full skeletal structure behind each shot.... kinda like using a hammer with an ebh or efh grip.

 

[Shroud]

Staying with the same grip is certainly faster, but it means you have to hit with a ridiculous grip on at least one side. Not a great trade-off really.

It works well for me and at my level there are not many if any guys with one handers hitting drive returns. Not switching grips allows me to hit real returns from the bh side not just dinky slice. SW is not that ridiculous. Especailly because on the bh side it handles high balls really well and the closed racquet face creates extra top where you can really tag the ball and have it stay in.

Check out this unedited vid. I hit 3 bh returns. One was out though it was close, one forced an error, and the last one at 1:13 was a return winner that I hit around shoulder height:

 

[Shroud]

agreed.
one or both (fh/bh) will be compromised because one or both will not have full skeletal structure behind each shot.... kinda like using a hammer with an ebh or efh grip.

welcome back and weird. one of the reasons I use the sw bh grip is because its a much stronger grip. Said another way if you tripped and found yourself falling into a wall and had to break your fall with a bh grip(without the racquet) would you choose to strike the wall with your knuckles like and eastern bh grip or would you contact the wall with your palm like a sw grip?

 

[nyta2]

welcome back and weird. one of the reasons I use the sw bh grip is because its a much stronger grip. Said another way if you tripped and found yourself falling into a wall and had to break your fall with a bh grip(without the racquet) would you choose to strike the wall with your knuckles like and eastern bh grip or would you contact the wall with your palm like a sw grip?

hehe, thx.
i just tried this again...
actually that can feel normal... feels like western fh, and sw 1hbh (didn't measure the exact hand placement)... i can see that working. i retract my statement

 

[Shroud]

hehe, thx.
i just tried this again...
actually that can feel normal... feels like western fh, and sw 1hbh (didn't measure the exact hand placement)... i can see that working. i retract my statement

Damn man you are a stand up dude. you have been gone a while but around here its normal to double down....not issue retractions. You are too good a person to be here again.

Hopefully we can all learn from your example.

Let me know if you ever get to Florida. I can play with my regular stick and you can bagel me then too...

 

[nyta2]

Damn man you are a stand up dude. you have been gone a while but around here its normal to double down....not issue retractions. You are too good a person to be here again.

Hopefully we can all learn from your example.

Let me know if you ever get to Florida. I can play with my regular stick and you can bagel me then too...

not in cali anymore?
yeah, if i ever get down to fla, will definitely reach out.
likewise if you're ever in ny

 

[Shroud]

not in cali anymore?
yeah, if i ever get down to fla, will definitely reach out.
likewise if you're ever in ny

Had to leave. LeeD was hitting too many lightning serves and causing fires. Great power, etc.

That said I am in the arm pit of florida so probably never see you man. Doubt I will make it to New York. I like the big cities myself but NY seems daunting and the main draw would be the food. But these days I can't eat out at all....

 

[TennisProdigy]

Because if there were no negative side effects then people doing it would be winning Grand Slams and be ranked #1 in the world.

Have you seen many top level players do it? I mean 5.0+, college, open, futures, pro players? Maybe they got to those levels because they were not held back by the negative side effects of doing it?

I’m a self taught 5.0 player who uses a semi western forehand to a no grip change same racquet face extreme western OHBH.

My OHBH is my best shot and I find it extremely effective when returning and playing against heavy hitters not having good to change grips, it helps my preparation immensely.

I have never met another player that hits like this but it works well for me, so I do it. I’ve experimented with essentially every FH grip, OHBH grip, and THBH grip and landed on this combination that I found works best for ME.

Everyone’s different, and although a style may not be “meta,” it could just happen to be the best one for you, plenty of pros have had funky looks strokes that worked

 

[mnttlrg]

Is this a bad habit? I've heard people say it is, but I can't imagine why...

It's not. People are dumb.

 

[Shroud]

I’m a self taught 5.0 player who uses a semi western forehand to a no grip change same racquet face extreme western OHBH.

My OHBH is my best shot and I find it extremely effective when returning and playing against heavy hitters not having good to change grips, it helps my preparation immensely.

I have never met another player that hits like this but it works well for me, so I do it. I’ve experimented with essentially every FH grip, OHBH grip, and THBH grip and landed on this combination that I found works best for ME.

Everyone’s different, and although a style may not be “meta,” it could just happen to be the best one for you, plenty of pros have had funky looks strokes that worked

I do the same!

 

[TropicalFruit]

Coco Gauff won the 2023 US Open. She waits in a forehand grip, and she switches very slightly when the ball comes to her backhand, hitting with the same side of the racket. Nicholas Almagro also returned with only one side of the racket, although he didn't play from the baseline that way. During rallies, he waited in forehand, and had a very large grip change to his backhand.

We can discuss the pros and cons of using one side, but let's dispel this fiction that "no great players" play with one side of the racket. That's just not true.