Two-handed forehand?

Sport

G.O.A.T.

I watched today the amazing match between Hsieh and Muguruza. Hsieh absolutely destroyed Muguruaza, showing great skills and incredible shots. But something was really curious about her game. She used not only a two-handed backhand but also a two-handed forehand. The biggest weakness of Hsieh's game was her serve (with one hand obviously). Since she has a very small body, it seems like she used the two-handed forehand to give more strength to her shots.

Is the two-handed forehand common in modern women's tennis? Has anyone here practiced this shot? Could a man find any advantadge on this shot?
 

lud

Hall of Fame
d0430mon.jpg


Only player(male or female) with success with 2-handed forehand.
 

jklos

Professional
There's a local guy here in Vancouver that plays with a two handed forehand. He plays at a high level (5.0) but mostly doubles. He uses a two hand forehand at the net too. Really weird to watch but it works for him.
 

Simon_the_furry

Hall of Fame

I watched today the amazing match between Hsieh and Muguruza. Hsieh absolutely destroyed Muguruaza, showing great skills and incredible shots. But something was really curious about her game. She used not only a two-handed backhand but also a two-handed forehand. The biggest weakness of Hsieh's game was her serve (with one hand obviously). Since she has a very small body, it seems like she used the two-handed forehand to give more strength to her shots.

Is the two-handed forehand common in modern women's tennis? Has anyone here practiced this shot? Could a man find any advantadge on this shot?
I used to hit a two-handed forehand for a while. Two-handed forehands give incredible control. The big problem with it is that you have to have excellent foot speed to make up for the lack of reach.
My foot speed wasn't quick enough to justify continuing to use it.
 

Jackuar

Hall of Fame
I'm not getting how a 2hfh can give more power. If any, the less dominant hand coming into play will only reduce the effectiveness of an otherwise longer swing that a single hand fh would give. The swing distance and the momentum and power from that is what matters more than raw arm power. Correct me somebody if wrong?
 

Red Rick

Bionic Poster
I'm not getting how a 2hfh can give more power. If any, the less dominant hand coming into play will only reduce the effectiveness of an otherwise longer swing that a single hand fh would give. The swing distance and the momentum and power from that is what matters more than raw arm power. Correct me somebody if wrong?
It doesn't. Racket head speed has nothing to do with strength, and much more with freedom of motion.
 

Krish872007

Talk Tennis Guru
Bartoli and Seles were the main ones that I remember on the tour.

I don't like two-handed forehands to be honest, find it much easier to generate power with one hand and, like others have said, it's easier to reach for balls without getting totally out of position.
 

IowaGuy

Hall of Fame
I think it's a valid question - how sh**ty can a technique be, if a former champion won 9 majors with it?

Did Seles win 9 majors in spite of her 2HFH? Or was it somehow an advantage for her? Let's also remember that she would have likely won several more majors were it not for the stabbing incident...
 

Standaa

G.O.A.T.
I'm not getting how a 2hfh can give more power. If any, the less dominant hand coming into play will only reduce the effectiveness of an otherwise longer swing that a single hand fh would give.

This can be said about two-handed backhand as well. But according to some people, you have more control over the ball with two hands and therefore you're more accurate. This can apply to two handed FH too
 

diggler

Hall of Fame
I have a single handed backhand and a 2 handed forehand. The 1 handed backhand has more power, the 2 handed forehand has more control. I don't feel like I lose much reach on the forehand but I struggle with low balls.

Strangely enough, I have seen other 3 people at my tennis club hit 2 handed forehands!
 

SinjinCooper

Hall of Fame
No love for Jan-Michael Gambill?



Well...love? He did only make it past the 3rd round of a slam twice in his career.

Gene Mayer, on the other hand, hit a handful of slam QF's with a THFH. Finished Y.E. top ten three consecutive years.

And Pancho Segura was probably better.
 

Jackuar

Hall of Fame
This can be said about two-handed backhand as well. But according to some people, you have more control over the ball with two hands and therefore you're more accurate. This can apply to two handed FH too
In a backhand, you reinforce the weaker arm with a stronger arm. Whereas in a forehand, the better arm is getting coupled with the lesser effective arm which will only reduce the effectiveness especially in terms of the swing motion. Only benefit is better control but I'm not sure how that can be a big advantage when you lose the more important swing motion.
 

Tennease

Legend
Kumkhum has interesting double handed FH: she holds the racquet with two hands and then releases her left hand just before making contact with the ball.
 

Ray Mercer

Hall of Fame
What about a player who plays a left handed forehand and a right handed forehand? I've seen one local guy play like that and he's fairly decent.
 

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
I have a peculiar doubt. While Single hand fh and double hand BH is a common combination does anyone in tennis history have/ had a single hand BH and double hand fh combination??
A friend of mine is a teaching pro who has a very nice looking solid righthanded 2-handed forehand (without crossed hands), and a 1-handed backhand. In other words, he has to switch his right hand to the top of the handle to hit his forehand. He also likes to serve and volley (1-handed volleys on both sides), despite being only about 5'4".
 

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
I actually played a singles match in the juniors against Jan-Michael Gambill. I was 18 years old, he was 13. His return game was pretty darn good even at that age (he switched hand positions to hit his double-handed forehand without having to cross arms), but drawing him to the net was a good strategy because he never learned to volley very well.
 
Top