Episode One, Bjorn Bored
Tired of the game as I've played it since first picking up a racquet as a high schooler in the early 80s, I'm undertaking an effort to rebuild my game from the ground up.
My flawed, self-taught versions of the Bollettieri-style Western forehand and two-handed backhand that were commonplace in 80s junior tennis have not held me in good stead. The problem, of course, is that my mechanics have been far from perfect and are ingrained from years of repetition.
To my delight, I've discovered that a one-handed backhand is a much more natural stroke for me. My swing is fast and long. Generating pace is less physically demanding. And I've never had such precision in terms of hitting targets. On video, the superiority of my new stroke over my old one is obvious. I'm hitting one-handers exclusively now, as I believe I can progress with this stroke the way I'd like. Fixing the two-hander has become less important to me.
I've hired a coach. A fantastic young USPTA pro who was a top junior in her country, a successful Division I player at a top program, and who gave the WTA tour a shot.
My first lesson began with my suggestion that I ditch my Western forehand grip and learn a Semi-Western. Coach agreed wholeheartedly, refined my new grip, and began feeding balls. I hit hundreds down the line and cross-court that evening. With good results. Consistent depth that I'd previously only dreamed of. Put-away power from the option of flattening out my stroke. All good things.
Now to go hit more balls. Thousands of them.
Next up: the serve.
Tired of the game as I've played it since first picking up a racquet as a high schooler in the early 80s, I'm undertaking an effort to rebuild my game from the ground up.
My flawed, self-taught versions of the Bollettieri-style Western forehand and two-handed backhand that were commonplace in 80s junior tennis have not held me in good stead. The problem, of course, is that my mechanics have been far from perfect and are ingrained from years of repetition.
To my delight, I've discovered that a one-handed backhand is a much more natural stroke for me. My swing is fast and long. Generating pace is less physically demanding. And I've never had such precision in terms of hitting targets. On video, the superiority of my new stroke over my old one is obvious. I'm hitting one-handers exclusively now, as I believe I can progress with this stroke the way I'd like. Fixing the two-hander has become less important to me.
I've hired a coach. A fantastic young USPTA pro who was a top junior in her country, a successful Division I player at a top program, and who gave the WTA tour a shot.
My first lesson began with my suggestion that I ditch my Western forehand grip and learn a Semi-Western. Coach agreed wholeheartedly, refined my new grip, and began feeding balls. I hit hundreds down the line and cross-court that evening. With good results. Consistent depth that I'd previously only dreamed of. Put-away power from the option of flattening out my stroke. All good things.
Now to go hit more balls. Thousands of them.
Next up: the serve.
