Two Handed Forehand

[TTMR]

My regular (one handed) forehand tends to be very inconsistent. Often later in matches my grip will constantly slip as I hit it, whereas my two handed backhand I can place very well and with some pace.

A few times while practicing I have tried out a two handed forehand with much better results. Only a few pros do this: Santoro, Seles, Bartoli. Is the two handed forehand something one should pursue? And if so, why is it so uncommon for instructors to allow it among their students?

 

[BU-Tennis]

Personally, I have taught a few students to hit with a two handed forehand, if only for a little while, in order for them to feel the ball and get used to tennis. Of course, we have seen this technique of hitting can be very beneficial. I actually wish I would have learned to hit this way because you can become much more consistent early on. Also, I feel like its easier to choose a correct racquet. To this day, I prefer a larger racquet, like the Babolat pure drive, on my backhand and a smaller racquet, wilson's n6.1 tour is what i use, on my forehand. This is due to the fact that I can generate plenty of pace and spin on my forehand but not as easily on my backhand, so the more powerful larger racquet helps.

I say go for it. Remember, as you progress your strokes are going to change and adapt anyway, and the younger you are the better. You may find that after doing this for a few months or a year that you feel more comfortable with a one handed forehand, so then you just switch back.

 

[BU-Tennis]

I forgot to mention, the number one player on our college team uses a 2HBH on both sides and we are ranked 38 in the nation in Div II so I say you can have awesome results.

 

[tennisnj]

As I've replied in many a thread regarding this topic---2 hands on your forehand is a pathway to terrific consistency. I use it as my primary forehand & have had tremendous sucess with it. Sure I was a walk-on @ a D1 school & played @ the bottom of the varsity ladder, but that's much further than the coach of the team ever expected when I first showed up for tryouts.

 

[jefftenny]

Yea, I was getting super annoyed as my 2Hback hand was my better shot and I ran around to hit it over my forehand! I started playing with a 2Handed forehand and moved up a few levels in my singles league. So I'm a fan. Once I got to 4.0 I tried to switch to 1hand forehand but with poor results. Likely going back to 2HFH now