Left handed players - which side?

[Chloebell]

I'm a 4.0 woman player who is a lefty. Whenever I'm playing doubles, I'm constantly asked which side I prefer. Actually, I don't mind playing either side, and I'll usually ask my partner which side SHE is comfy on, then I'll adjust. However, if I know my partner is stronger than me, I'll let her play the ad side. (And yes, I'm aware of forehands down the middle if lefty's play the deuce w/ a righty).

If I remember correctly, Johnny Mac plays/played the ad side, while Bob Bryan plays the deuce.

Tell me your recommendations, opinions, observations, just a general discussion would be interesting.

 

[SinjinCooper]

I think there's enough to recommend either position that it depends on your strengths and weaknesses (and your partner's).

My default position would be to suggest that if your deuce court return against a wide slice is good enough, then I'd prefer you on that side, since it's nice to have forehand strength up the middle of the court. But if your BH return needs to be hidden, or you're facing a lefty who will victimize your partner on the ad side, then switch. At 4.0, most servers aren't all that strong up the T.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

It really depends on your relative strengths & weaknesses. Which side are your returns better? Which side are volleys better? Is one side more of a liability for you for returning or volleying?

As a lefty, I often felt a lot less comfortable returning from the Deuce side when playing doubles. Not much of a problem for singles since there is no net guy in front of me to limit my return options. Some right-handed servers will jam me on the FH on the Deuce side. (They have a more difficult time doing so on the Ad side). I ended hitting more returns with my BH than my FH if servers attempted to jam me on the FH side. Some righty servers will swing the ball out wide on the Deuce side to your BH. Possible problem for a 2hBh player with limited reach.

When I first saw the Bryans, lefty Bob was playing the Ad side. At some point they switched it. According to the article below, they switch some time in 2010. The decided to switch back to Bob on the Ad side for AO 2016. Don't know if they continued with this orientation.

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016...-return-positions-effort-get-back-no-1/57331/

 

[LeeD]

I thought Mac played duece, for consistent returns, while Fleming played ad, for winner attempts.
Totally depends on your ability to return serve and avoid the netperson.

 

[Traffic]

When I play mixed doubles with my righty sister, I have her play Ad side since here backhand is as good as her forehand. But my righty forehand is much stronger than my BH. So good at baseline, not so good at net.

When I play doubles with my lefty son, I have him play Ad side since he can play anything and he has a very strong baseline game. He keeps the ball in play by himself and I just wait until opponent makes a mistake. If I'm at baseline, I can hit strong forehands for him to put away returns at net.

But if my partner is same level or lower than me, I try to play the Ad side so that I can do damage control with my BH baseline and can play better net. If my partner played Ad side, then their BH has to be better than mine OR their net is better than mine.

Another thought is that more important points are played on the Ad side. So that might factor into position based on which of you are the better player.

 

[heninfan99]

Ideally you want forehand volleys and overheads in the middle of the court. This is where doubles is won & lost.

Unless you are McEnroe or some other unique type player.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Another thought is that more important points are played on the Ad side. So that might factor into position based on which of you are the better player.

Yes, this can also be a factor. 40-15 and 15-40 are played on the deuce side. All other "game" points happen on the Ad side.

 

[Chloebell]

Yes, this can also be a factor. 40-15 and 15-40 are played on the deuce side. All other "game" points happen on the Ad side.

Right, that's why I said, "if I know my partner is stronger than me, I'll let her play the Ad side".

LOL, in no way am I like McEnroe or a unique type player. Just enjoy a good match & getting on the court each day

 

[heninfan99]

Right, that's why I said, "if I know my partner is stronger than me, I'll let her play the Ad side".

LOL, in no way am I like McEnroe or a unique type player. Just enjoy a good match & getting on the court each day

You didn't mention overheads or volleys just forehands.

 

[Chloebell]

You didn't mention overheads or volleys just forehands.

Didn't realize I had to be so specific......was just looking for a general discussion on sides.

 

[LeftyTigger]

The conservation on which side to play with my right handed partners revolves around; (1) which side is our better return of serve, and (2) if known, are our opponents down-the-middle or angle-out-wide type of players. When we get pulled out wide, need a good defensive shot (deep lob to reset the point), and also to crack a down-the-line shot if the up player is too eager to poach the possible weak cross court return.