Marion Bartoli+Fabrice Santoro Two Hand Style

[265lbSampras]

Hi, I'm Blake
I've first started tennis when I was about 4 years old... I stopped tennis and payed attention to golf until at age 21 I've resumed competitive tennis and learning from local Koreans at Daegu.

Apologize for this random beating around the bush... I've youtubed "the magician" and discovered that pure two hand tennis does exist.

I've watched this Chinese lady and Marion hitting the ball and I was quite intrigued by the their grip style.

I actually would like to adopt this two hand style and I WANT your help to correct me if doing it right... the two hand tennis grip....

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Origin: Right handed player
My Backhand: Two handed backhand
Description: Left hand is eastern grip and Right hand is continental.

My Forehand: Wannabe two handed forehand
Description: My left hand is eastern or continental and Right hand is eastern.

I want to hit like Marion Bartoli! Please guide me towards that direction.
A tutorial on all I need to know about Bartoli/Santoro tennis.

 

[265lbSampras]

My attempt

Grip:Left hand-Eastern Right hand-Continental

Groundstroke:
My left arm remains stiff coming back toward my right rib.
My right elbow is glued next to my right rib and my right wrist is cocked back.

As I'm following through my groundstroke I feel that my left arm is the one that's leading the entire motion.

Coming contact with the ball I feel as if I am hitting the ball downwards from the top of my swing.

Does this sound accurate to comparison with Santoro or Bartoli
PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!!

 

[darthpwner]

Backhand: Left hand in eastern forehand. Right in continental. Forehand: Left hand in continental. Right in eastern forehand. Both use the left hand as the dominant stroke. I assume you are righty?

 

[CoachingMastery]

I recommend using Bartoli/Peng version as it is the most conventional of the two-handed forehands. (There are three versions of the shot.)

I recommend keeping your dominant hand on the bottom and both hands in an eastern forehand grip position.

This configuration will allow you to develop the shot, evolve the grips as you progress, and learn if the shot works well for you.

Read my two books, Tennis Mastery & Coaching Mastery, both available here at TennisWarehouse, and both are the only two books that discuss and instruct the two-handed forehand technique in depth and with the backing of a professional who has been in the business for over 35 years.

Also, there are three articles on TennisOne.com that I've written all about the two-handed forehand.

Good luck!

 

[265lbSampras]

Thank you darthpwner and Coach

Coach and darthpwner thank you for your responses...
As I'm adopting to this new grip, I figured I would need the right equipment for the job.

Do you know if there is a pro line racket designed for two hand backhand players??? If I purchase a racket, is this something I need to request speacially?

 

[CoachingMastery]

Coach and darthpwner thank you for your responses...
As I'm adopting to this new grip, I figured I would need the right equipment for the job.

Do you know if there is a pro line racket designed for two hand backhand players??? If I purchase a racket, is this something I need to request speacially?

Generally, most two-handers on both sides like to use the longest racquets with, obviously, a long handle/grip.

Until you are using the shot with purpose and skill, I wouldn't worry about your racquet choice.