Coach Adrian gives lessons and analysis on various tennis topics... View the ongoing series playlist here: czcams.com/play/PL2RMMmJ0TFd5cRZ699tYtIwAd2CZBnzaC.html
I have played ambidextrously for three years now at club level. Before I played with single-handed backhand and I think result-wise I am back to the level I was before the switch. This decision-making that you talk about, yes it really is a big issue in the beginning. Grip change too is a big problem. But then you grow more and more accustomed to it and your non-dominant forehand becomes more and more like your dominant forehand so that you can be agressive with both hands. When you make the opponent chase balls and play defensive shot, you get more time. And there's one important thing: the drive volleys and smashes. Drive volleys are much easier on the forehand than on the backhand, smashes are impossible on the backhand. Yes, I wouldn't call the backhand a real smash, it's just a lifeline overhead. If you look at Teo Davidov, he has very good drive volleys and smashes on both sides. Now, the pace is obviously much higher on the ATP, do you have the time to change hands as a pro? I don't know really. Most of the time, I think you would have the time. But you could always have a neutral grip when you wait for the ball where you are prepared for a dominant forehand or a double-handed backhand. Then your double-handed backhand could be a very simple one with stiff wrists because you only need to hit hard balls, never loose balls. And a double-handed backhand is easy for an ambidextrous player. You could also easily return hard balls with a non-dominant double handed backhand if you like. It's surprisingly easy to develop that shot and it works very well for blocking hard balls. I myself don't play any backhands during matches though, I play forehands strictly. For service returns on a professional level, grip change is probably impossible, at least if you don't stand far back. It's probably the best to hit left forehand/left double-handed backhand against lefty servers and vice versa. But if you do stand far back like Stan Wawrinka often does, there should be time for grip change (especially on clay) and you'll benefit from a good reach.
Thanks for the comment! Very good points you make about having more time (when you're offensive), volleys, and having more time as well playing on clay. Perhaps if you're more of a net player or serve & volleyer, ambidexterity can be a serious advantage.
I agree almost completely. It took me 3 years after I switched to ambidextrous but found it well worth it. As for return of serve, I disagree. I play against a guy that regularly generates first serves around 115 and have no problem handling them. In fact... the extra reach helps. I can easily imagine handling faster. Mastering the grip change is by far the most important part. Did you do any customizing to your racket handle?
@@MrEasybreezey Hi, sorry for my late reply. No, I haven't customized my racket handle. I stay away from the stickiest grip tapes though. I might have changed my opinion on the return of serve since I wrote the above because I switch hands faster now. Given that I can reasonably return the fastests serves in my club standing on the baseline, a pro ambi player could probably return a pro player's serve two meters behind the baseline.
Why do people automatically assume that two forehands mean that you won't have a backhand, just in case you need it? I'm a lefty with two forehands, plus a two-handed backhand. (I developed my second forehand to dominate baseline rallies. AND IT'S AWESOME.)
Don't understand the logic here. If the backhand is a biomechanical weakness, why would an ambidextrous player want to develop one? The decision making argument is full of holes because you ready have to decide between forehand and backhand. The decision making process becomes easier with 2 forehands because there is no backhand to have to run around. Just use the forehand from the side the ball is hit to. The real conversation here is whether a forehand from the non dominant side is as good as a backhand on the dominant side. If the shots are equal, the double forehand has the advantage of reach and reduced movement required.
Thanks for the comment! As I mentioned, the decision-making process is harder because you have to switch hands. This is the added decision-making process that does not exist for a traditional player with a backhand... For example, say you're ambidextrous. Yes, you do have two forehands. Does that mean the two forehands are the same? NO! It's a lefty OR righty forehand which are TWO different strokes. It's the same decision as having to perform either a traditional backhand or forehand. Now, that the ambidextrous player has decided to play a "lefty" forehand, he now has to decide to use the left hand (obviously) as the dominant hand on the racquet handle. Check out Teodor Davidov here in this very video where he switches left and right hand on the bottom of his racquet handle grip. This decision does NOT exist with a traditional player because the dominant hand rests on the bottom of the grip handle at all times. This added decision by the ambidextrous player becomes a split-second hinderance... The whole point of being ambidextrous is that both sides are dominant (there is no non-dominant). Both sides are equal. Yes, having two forehands seems like an advantage, but tennis is not just about having awesome tennis technique, but also having good split-second decision-making skills.
@@CoachAdrian Teodor has zero decision to make and he does not have to change the grip because both hands are ready in a semi western grip. He does NOT have to switch them on the bottom of the handle. He does not have to go around any ball but rather play the most direct tennis, kind of a "wing chun" style tennis. You are absolutely right though that both lefty and righty forehands need to be high quality shots, otherwise this style makes no sense. However, if you achieve it, it is like owning a Ferrari! You have to swallow the more frequent crashes initially until you learn to drive it properly.
@@davidovkalin Hi Kalin, so doesn't Teodor switch his hands (from left to right) on the bottom handle? That is what I call a decision or switching of the hands. A conventional player doesn't have this issue as their dominant hand will always be on the bottom of the grip handle at all times. An ambidextrous player basically decides which has to be their dominant hand on each stroke. Now if Teodor was allowed to play with two racquets (one on each hand), then there would be no decision... I don't know much about Wing Chun, but I do like the Ip Man movies! Yes, having two forehands, you don't have to run around the ball. That is a big advantage. Teodor is a super-talented player and he can play on my team anytime! Wish him all the best!
I think you are partly right but with inside out forehand you can produce more sidespin. However you give up more of the court. Federer when he used to hit an inside out forehand would often be in the tram lines. However, given the sidespin and placement of his shot, he would push his opponent out wide given him time to recover what would often turn out to be an easy volley at the net. Also, sometimes you won't have time to switch hands. This is a particular problem in points at the net. I play ambidextrous tennis but the main problem I have is you end up with twice as many shots to practice. It would be easier developing a small number of shots than a lot. Federer used to say he sometimes wished he had less shots as he wouldn't have to think too much. Then again, he did win twenty majors so thinking can't have been that much of a problem. Bottom line is you develop a system.
@@maddoxmortenson8009 Thanks for the insights! I mentioned in my other video that the inside-out forehand does produce a unique sidespin (czcams.com/video/7b1txhBoWtk/video.html). It could be more advantageous than a typical forehand crosscourt. Being ambidextrous does produce more shots and variety, but yes, the downside to that is all the selection and decision-making issues that can cause a brain to freeze.
It takes significant time to twist your body from forehand to backhand. I know Teo. He switches hands very early when returning a shot. He really doesn't do much thinking about it. I watched him develop on his home court in Denver, CO. from the time he was 3 years old. He has a strong left handed serve. You can find videos of him doing it. I've talked to him about it, and Teo recognizes he is training his brain to control his left hand. He switches between right and left hand effortlessly. As far as going pro, he's small for his age. That could end up being a handicap. However, he's a highly motivated player. The will to win is also an important aspect. To win at tennis, you also have to be able to trick your opponent. John McEnroe is an example of a player who was very good at that.
If the act of hitting left/right forehand is trained and engrained then that eliminates the decision making process and negates your point. Your argument is only valid when a player is in between training for dual forehand but still hits and maintains their backhand. In that case yes, there is the extra decision to make in addition to reacting to the shot itself. On the return, you have a few milliseconds to observe the balls trajectory, spin, speed, your initial position, your initial momentum, estimate final position of the ball, identify whether going around the ball to hit the forehand or settle for the backhand, time/energy required to position yourself for the returning hand, etc. A dual player would consider all of this except for the backhand as an option, the “other forehand” is the only option and backhands aren’t even in their dictionary. A true ambi would perceive backhands to be as foreign of a concept as playing with your teeth
Just because you are "trained" in hitting a left/right forehand doesn't negate the decision-making process. It's like saying any regular player who hits forehands/backhands doesn't make decisions. We're all making decisions of what to do and use out there.
@@CoachAdrian It all depends on how smooth you are at transferring the racket from hand to hand. I know a few players who occasionally play a shot with their weak hand. Teo doesn't have to twist his body awkwardly to the left which takes time. He's the only player I have seen who really is equal on both sides. He has been working on it for a long time and from the time he was quite young. He's not comparable to the average person with a dominate side. BTW, when you train horses, you have to train them on both sides. Because their eyes are more on the side of their head they are more two brained. What they learn on one side doesn't transfer readily to the other side. In Teo's case, he has clearly trained both of his brains. The fact that he started so early makes it more like language than a skill learned later in life.
My friend from High School played with two handed on both sides, like Monica Selles. He was naturally left handed, and served left handed. He was a great college player. I was left handed until a car accident as a child, and I had to learn how to do everything right handed, but once in a while when I am playing I will rip a ball down the line left handed on return of serve and I will think to myself why am I playing with a two handed backhand if I can hit left handed. The problem I find playing like that, is the grip changes are extreme, and tough to play with in the middle of a point. Great job on the video my friend.
Hmm. I see what you're getting at with the "decision making", however, 1H players make that same decision, you just don't notice it because it's more mechanically natural. Let me give you an example: If the ball is hit to my weaker side (in my case it's my left side), I still have a decision to make. I could: 1. Run all the way around the ball and use my right forehand or 2. Use my right backhand The decision is still there, it's just simpler and more natural to use my right backhand for that task, especially if I'm not fast enough to run around to the other side of the ball to use my right forehand. However, if I was an ambi-player, in the same scenario, ball hit to my left side. I could: 1. Switch to my left forehand or 2. Run all the way around the ball and use my right forehand The only thing that changes are the options available to me, not the main choice. If I'm an ambi-player, a backhand stroke isn't even on my mind at that distance because I don't need it. I'm only choosing whether to switch hands or not, just as a 1H player is choosing whether to hit backhand or not because they don't have the ability to switch hands.
Sorry, but this is circular logic. It’s like saying because I don’t have a backhand slice, it’s easier to decide to perform a backhand topspin. Or like you say, I don’t have a backhand in itself, so I can simply use my lefty forehand. Here’s the big problem with this - you’re only deciding on a STROKE to use, not the dominant hand in which to use them. You’re still deciding whether to use your left hand or right hand as your main hand. This is a decision that no “normal” player has to deal with... This becomes very evident in performing volleys. When the ball is hit hard at you, you really have no time to decide hands or switch hands. Now, I mentioned this in another comment that if you were playing with TWO racquets (one in each hand), then the decision to switch hands is removed. Unfortunately for the ambidextrous, you’re not allowed to use two racquets at a time.
@@CoachAdrian I see. You don't fully understand how choice works which is why you believe what I'm saying is circular. Fair enough, this tends to happen with misunderstandings so let me try another way. You said "you’re only deciding on a STROKE to use, not the dominant hand in which to use them. You’re still deciding whether to use your left hand or right hand as your main hand." You've proved my point, it's STILL a choice, the word DECISION means CHOICE, you cannot get away from that no matter how hard you try. As I stated before, the only difference between an ambi-player and a 1H player is the options available to them based on their personal skill, a choice itself STILL remains for both players and there is nothing you can do to change that reality. What you said earlier proves my point even further: "It’s like saying because I don’t have a backhand slice, it’s easier to decide to perform a backhand topspin. Or like you say, I don’t have a backhand in itself, so I can simply use my lefty forehand." Yes, you are correct, both are CHOICES that a player must make whether 1H or ambi dependent upon that players skill. Now, these choices are made very, very quickly, so quickly in fact that it's almost second nature, but they are still choices. Again, you cannot escape the responsibility of making a choice whether 1H or ambi. You also said "This is a decision that no “normal” player has to deal with..." Again, proving my point. It's true that a 1H player does not have to deal with the choice of deciding "which hand will be dominate", however, what you fail to see is that with an ambi player, that same decision can be just as natural as choosing whether to hit a backhand or forehand based on player skill, running speed, the angle of the ball, etc. Anything can be made second nature if you practice enough and this is no exception. Finally, you said "When the ball is hit hard at you, you really have no time to decide hands or switch hands." This is just conjecture on your part. In other words, you're assuming. YOU may not be fast enough to switch hands, but that does not carry over to ME or anyone else, so speak for yourself. I hope you understand a bit more about how choice (decision, option, volition) works and I hope this has been beneficial to you in understanding that whether a 1H or ambi player, a choice still needs to be made based on that players skill and the options available to said player. Now, you are left with a choice: Do you accept reality or reject it?
@@anyany2021 Sorry if I offended you with my comment before. It's just that I've seen this argument many times. Again, the whole premise of your argument is the nullification of a stroke choice and using that to say decisions are the same between normal and ambidextrous players. This doesn't address the switching of the hands or choosing left or right hand. No matter how fast you switch hands, it's still a choice/decision and extra time and thought process involved. I'm not sure why this concept is too complicated. You also don't address that tennis players MUST use only one racquet or device. If you see Brian Battistone (an ambidextrous former pro), he had to develop a racquet with TWO handles to alleviate the extra decision-making process. Despite this, he still has to choose one hand or the other. I want to note, Brian Battistone did have a backhand. I think a lot of proponents of ambidexterity in tennis are clouded by the notion that ambidextrous players have superior advantages and therefore think decision-making is either the same or even easier/faster. It is clearly not.
@CoachAdrian No offence taken. I'm simply trying to get you to understand how choice works, it doesn't matter if it's a 1H player or an ambidextrous player and it doesn't matter if it's top spin, back spin, backhand, forehand, left hand or right hand, each player still has a choice to make. What you're trying to say is a 1H tennis player doesn't need to make the same types of choices as an ambidextrous player which is incorrect. Both players make the same choices, the only difference is the skill level of each player and the options available to each player based on their skill level. You can always make something second nature if you practice enough. As for the double racquet argument, it's irrelevant, that's why I didn't address it. Practice, skill and choice are the only things that matter here. Whether or not an ambi-player has an advantage over a 1H player can only be determined case-by-case in an actual pro match. Anything else is just a guess.
I can only speak for Teo. You can see in his videos that he is making the choice very early on. He's not missing shots because it's taking too long from him to decide. Personally I think it takes more thought in general to play a backhand. However their are players whose backhand is stronger than their forehand. I don't know to what extent Teo works on his backhand. I don't think he has abandoned it.
Is this based on any facts/research of just a gut feeling? My feeling is that if you're ambidextrous, it's natural. Just like it's natural to switch to backhand if you're not ambidextrous. No different/extra mental load, but possibly a stronger set of strokes with two forehands which the opponent moreover isn't used to.
@@CoachAdrian and why wouldn't an ambidextrous be unable to develop the same learned skill to move towards a predetermined side when under pressure against a body ball. He could even complicate it even further by learning to move towards a given side depending on where he is on the court, or where's his opponent, or any other information that's present before his opponent's swing, and it would still be a nearly instant decision like a one handed player would
@@lautaromonsalvo8808 In my view, it's not an instant decision (actually very delayed) because the ambidextrous player will always have to decide which side needs to be dominant or non-dominant on every stroke. A conventional player has no such decision. Now, if the ambidextrous player were allowed to play with TWO racquets (one for each hand), then yes, there would be no decision. The ambidextrous player would have all the advantages in the world, but unfortunately, playing with two racquets is illegal.
@@CoachAdrian he doesn't need to decide in the same way that the one handed player doesn't need to decide wheter to hit a backhand or forehand. He has a predetermined side that he considers dominant and he moves towards it when he needs to react fast, just like a 1h moves to his forehand when under pressure
I can use both forehands and backhands. It works for some players. I have good reasons to use my left hand while my right side was injured. If my right side gets sore, I switch. It happens during some tournaments where I use my left hand most of the time.
That problem is also a good problem to have once you get the hang of it. I play at 5.0 and can easily see it played higher. I treat my lefty (slighter weaker side) as my less vulnerable backhand. I allow more court room to my left than someone with a backhand would, but if the ball is coming pretty much right at me I've trained myself to always move to hit with my right. It's not a decision anymore. It's instinct. I sometimes run around my right to hit a left on a slow ball for the angles that can disrupt my opponent, but that's it. As for switching grips.... it's like anything in tennis. It takes a lot of time and repetition. But I can go forehand to forehand as fast as anyone can go forehand to backhand. The only exception I'll make is if I get caught by a split second volley where to hit a forehand you have to whip very very quick. And the only reason is because I'm still working on the natural wrist strength necessary to have the same stability for the return as I'd have with a righty forehand. The possible pros far outweigh the cons for a kid with vast potential to work on this from an early age. But you must obsess over it. Customize the grip. Practice the switches. Learn to do certain uncommon things instinctually. But imagine Del Potro with two forehands.... that's what could come as a result.
If you can't move your feet fast enough, (like me), you can get pinched in on the forehand. In that case its conceivable that a backhand is advantageous. At a geriatric age, females seem to have faster reflexes than males. Some are lightening quick.
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It's advantageous for the strokes where backhand is subpar and off-hand is better: "low at the feet", stretched ("behind the body") "kick" backhand. Otherwise don't switch And it's best (fastest) to "juggle" the racket into the other hand.
Fanscainating video! I've got an ambidexdrous player I'm coaching atm. How would you recommend they change grip? I've tried to watch Teo and it looks like maybe he holds onto the bottom with the previous bottom hand until he knows he needs to switch, but even if I'm right on that (very hard to tell from the vids I've seen) then I can't work out how he actually switches hands.
Good question! I think you're correct. I watched some of his matches on youtube and he's loosely "one-handed" on his ready position and I usually see his left hand on the bottom of the racquet until he switches. He does switch hands very quickly.
From my perspective, he doesn't think about it. He just does it. It's like breathing. With all of these skills you have to move the skill from you active nervous system to your subconscious nervous system. You don't have to think to breath or blink your eyes.
To try it if you can means becoming totally committed and not just dabbling in ambidexterity. Plus two forehands can also come with two backhands like slice. Ultimately it takes the same focus on the ball whatever shot is being implored to hit it.
At club intermediate level, which is the vast majority of players, their backhands are their far weaker side. Many can't win a point on their backhand and use it just to get the ball back often with a slice or spend a lot of time and effort scurrying around to hit on the forehand side. A non-dominant forehand allows you to be far more aggressive and relaxed on the "backhand side" and win points with it. Your reach is much better and you don't have to move as much. I'm now switching and wish I'd done it much earlier. The biggest problem is not decision making. It's taking the time and effort to train your non dominant side especially as an adult who's been playing coventionally for a long time.
Well, if we’re talking about non-ambidextrous people, then yes, training them to do anything on their non-dominant side would be the hardest thing ever. I’d stick with learning a backhand.
Ambidextrousity problems of decision making and timing are solved by using a two handed forehand. This allows for all the same angle and spin incentives that an Ambidextrous player has, while maintaining a better level of control, at least at the rec level
Interesting point! It’ll definitely alleviate decision-making, although the clear advantages of being ambidextrous may be negated (reach, defense, contact point, etc).
Ambidextrous player checking in here. I only play at a rec level for fun but just to clear up a few misconceptions. In baseline rallies you have plenty of time to switch hands. You already have 2 hands on the racquet anyway. Also if you are moving side to side you just switch hands while running. If someone is hitting huge pace you will just get pushed back like a conventional player would. On first serves you have a reasonable amount of time and if they are a big server you can step back into Medvedev territory. Net play is really the only time I don't switch hands. I have a RH one handed backhand also but I rarely use it. For me the benefits at rec level outway the cons. I take less steps when shots are close and have a longer reach when I have to chase shots out wide. It's not for everybody obviously but it's fun and I like to be unique. So, there have been a few ambi players in the past but will there ever be a great pro ambi player? My answer is maybe, but its like catching lightning in a bottle. Ambi players have failed in the past but 1000 times as many conventional players failed also. There's just not enough people attempting it and they would have to be trained from a young age. Further more you have no idea the height or athleticism they will have as adults and that's not even including tennis iq, vision, health, determination, etc. All these things have to come together. If Teodors father was coaching a few dozen students from youth perhaps.
Thanks for the comment. You make a good point that there's just not enough people attempting to play ambidextrous. I would add ambidextrous people in general make up 1% of the population and true ambidexterity is rare.
@@CoachAdrian I'm actually left handed and not ambidextrous in general like I'm sure most ambidextrous tennis players have a dominant hand as well. So it could be taught just like Nadal uses his opposite hand to play. For me personally being a lefty I ended up doing things like throwing and shooting right handed I'm assuming by unknowingly observing others at a very young age. I still did swinging sports like golf and batting left handed though. In theory I should have a decent 2 handed backhand but in practice it feels like I don't have enough reach and my power feels "congested" for lack of a better term. Rooting for that Teodor kid but judging from his dad he might end up on the small side which probably won't give an accurate idea of ambidextrous tennis potential.
@@mikealbert728 , Those of us that know him have always been concerned about his size, at least at the very highest level. He's still a very remarkable player. People are saying he takes after his mother, and she's on the smaller side.
I’m not sure why this is so hard to understand for so many commenters. Switching hands is another decision to make. You’re deciding which hand will be dominant; a decision that any “regular” player doesn’t have to deal with.
@@CoachAdrian It's not hard for the commenters to understand. It's hard for you to understand that the decision to play a backhanded shot may require even more time. plus there is the issue of moving your entire body in a somewwhat awkward manner. As a coach you should be able to work with a large variety of players and playing styles. You seem to be obsessed with technique over substance. In his age range, Teo is winning tournaments. Who cares what hand is racket is in?
You can play a shot closer to your body with a backhand, but that would only be on the left side for a right handed player. It may not be practical for an ambi player to switch hands to play a back hand. I admire what I call "natural players" in tennis and piano. There's a book on piano playing called "effortless mastery". It's an important skill. You have to do what is natural to do.
As a casual player, my right hand gets tired when I play against the wall. It it a nice change of pace to switch to left hand as my right hand recovers
It’s a great debate. But you have to factor in the grip on the handle itself. Right handed player will wrap the grip differently than LH player. As you play point after point, the grooves of the grip provide comfort to your swing path. When playing ambidextrous you will need to sacrifice that comfort for one of the hands leading to favoring one hand over the other. Now I suppose this can be neutralized if you just put a flat sleeve grip on the racket handle.
I don't understand this point at all. The decision being made is the same, do you swing with the ball to your right, or to your left? The only issue the ambidextrous player has is that they might need to switch their racket grips which could take a fraction of a second. But that should give them increased reach so I don't see it being an issue.
I mean if your opponent hits really good shots you can defend with your dominant hands slice and this is what most people do in their games. When the ball is neutral or slow, you can really take the advantage if you non-dominant forehand is better than your two handed backhand. Wdyt?
Well, you're basically asking if it's better to do a good non-dominant forehand vs. a bad backhand. I would say yes, but how realistic is this? How bad does your backhand have to be so that you need to opt for a non-dominant forehand? It would have to be really bad to the point of desperation.
Trust me, training and muscle/brain memory will take care of the problems you pointed out, decision making and grip change will be natural. I used to play badminton before starting tennis, it almost killed me to learn that you have to switch grip among forehand, backhand and neutral, I thought it’s absolutely counterintuitive, no way I was gonna have time to do so in a fast game, now it’s just natural.
Sorry, I have trust issues! 😅 Switching grips and switching HANDS are a much different thing and that extra decision and time will always be a big factor.
this doesn't make any sense. If you are righty and the back comes at your body, you move to the left and swing. If you are ambi and the ball comes at your body, you move to whatever predetermined side, likely your slightly favored side, you move towards in that situation and swing. There's no extra decision there unless you want to take that decision and that's only an advantage. You could say grip changing takes time and that would be a good point but decision making wise doesn't need to take more than a regular player would
I think I mentioned this before, but the switching of the hands will always be an added decision because you are deciding to use either your left hand or right hand on the bottom of the grip. A conventional player doesn't need to decide which hand because their dominant hand will always be on the bottom of the grip on both forehand/backhand. This decision takes too long. Imagine volleying fast balls at the net while using lefty and righty forehand volleys. It would almost be impossible.
@@CoachAdrian yes, you need time to swap grips I said that, but it's not what you are discussing in your video. Your video is about decision making. All you need to know, is that an ambidextrous can have a preferred side that he defaults switching to if he's under timed pressure, making his decision making as fast as a 1h player in that situation
@@lautaromonsalvo8808 It doesn't make a difference whether an ambidextrous player has a preference or "predetermines" their shot. They will always need to choose to use either their left or right hand, just like any person chooses to pick up a bottle on their desk with either their left or right hand. The removal of choice or this decision can only happen if a player is playing with two racquets (one for each hand).
I want to see Teo hit rapid fire volleys. I want to see what he does when he hits a lefty cross approach, and the passing shot is going down the line. I want to see what type of shot he does when he sees a short ball squarely in the middle of the court. I want to know if Teo has a plan for actual game situations or just thinks his ambidexterity is enough to make him great. If the latter, then he's in big trouble. He'll need a coach that understands good decision-making skills because his ambidexterity can be exploited as a weakness. Good luck to Teo. I hope he does well in college and maybe goes pro.
Coach Adrian gives lessons and analysis on various tennis topics...
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I have played ambidextrously for three years now at club level. Before I played with single-handed backhand and I think result-wise I am back to the level I was before the switch. This decision-making that you talk about, yes it really is a big issue in the beginning. Grip change too is a big problem. But then you grow more and more accustomed to it and your non-dominant forehand becomes more and more like your dominant forehand so that you can be agressive with both hands. When you make the opponent chase balls and play defensive shot, you get more time.
And there's one important thing: the drive volleys and smashes. Drive volleys are much easier on the forehand than on the backhand, smashes are impossible on the backhand. Yes, I wouldn't call the backhand a real smash, it's just a lifeline overhead. If you look at Teo Davidov, he has very good drive volleys and smashes on both sides.
Now, the pace is obviously much higher on the ATP, do you have the time to change hands as a pro? I don't know really. Most of the time, I think you would have the time. But you could always have a neutral grip when you wait for the ball where you are prepared for a dominant forehand or a double-handed backhand. Then your double-handed backhand could be a very simple one with stiff wrists because you only need to hit hard balls, never loose balls. And a double-handed backhand is easy for an ambidextrous player. You could also easily return hard balls with a non-dominant double handed backhand if you like. It's surprisingly easy to develop that shot and it works very well for blocking hard balls. I myself don't play any backhands during matches though, I play forehands strictly. For service returns on a professional level, grip change is probably impossible, at least if you don't stand far back. It's probably the best to hit left forehand/left double-handed backhand against lefty servers and vice versa. But if you do stand far back like Stan Wawrinka often does, there should be time for grip change (especially on clay) and you'll benefit from a good reach.
Thanks for the comment! Very good points you make about having more time (when you're offensive), volleys, and having more time as well playing on clay. Perhaps if you're more of a net player or serve & volleyer, ambidexterity can be a serious advantage.
I agree almost completely. It took me 3 years after I switched to ambidextrous but found it well worth it. As for return of serve, I disagree. I play against a guy that regularly generates first serves around 115 and have no problem handling them. In fact... the extra reach helps. I can easily imagine handling faster. Mastering the grip change is by far the most important part. Did you do any customizing to your racket handle?
@@MrEasybreezey Hi, sorry for my late reply. No, I haven't customized my racket handle. I stay away from the stickiest grip tapes though. I might have changed my opinion on the return of serve since I wrote the above because I switch hands faster now. Given that I can reasonably return the fastests serves in my club standing on the baseline, a pro ambi player could probably return a pro player's serve two meters behind the baseline.
Why do people automatically assume that two forehands mean that you won't have a backhand, just in case you need it? I'm a lefty with two forehands, plus a two-handed backhand. (I developed my second forehand to dominate baseline rallies. AND IT'S AWESOME.)
Don't understand the logic here. If the backhand is a biomechanical weakness, why would an ambidextrous player want to develop one? The decision making argument is full of holes because you ready have to decide between forehand and backhand. The decision making process becomes easier with 2 forehands because there is no backhand to have to run around. Just use the forehand from the side the ball is hit to. The real conversation here is whether a forehand from the non dominant side is as good as a backhand on the dominant side. If the shots are equal, the double forehand has the advantage of reach and reduced movement required.
Thanks for the comment! As I mentioned, the decision-making process is harder because you have to switch hands. This is the added decision-making process that does not exist for a traditional player with a backhand... For example, say you're ambidextrous. Yes, you do have two forehands. Does that mean the two forehands are the same? NO! It's a lefty OR righty forehand which are TWO different strokes. It's the same decision as having to perform either a traditional backhand or forehand. Now, that the ambidextrous player has decided to play a "lefty" forehand, he now has to decide to use the left hand (obviously) as the dominant hand on the racquet handle. Check out Teodor Davidov here in this very video where he switches left and right hand on the bottom of his racquet handle grip. This decision does NOT exist with a traditional player because the dominant hand rests on the bottom of the grip handle at all times. This added decision by the ambidextrous player becomes a split-second hinderance...
The whole point of being ambidextrous is that both sides are dominant (there is no non-dominant). Both sides are equal. Yes, having two forehands seems like an advantage, but tennis is not just about having awesome tennis technique, but also having good split-second decision-making skills.
@@CoachAdrian Teodor has zero decision to make and he does not have to change the grip because both hands are ready in a semi western grip. He does NOT have to switch them on the bottom of the handle. He does not have to go around any ball but rather play the most direct tennis, kind of a "wing chun" style tennis. You are absolutely right though that both lefty and righty forehands need to be high quality shots, otherwise this style makes no sense. However, if you achieve it, it is like owning a Ferrari! You have to swallow the more frequent crashes initially until you learn to drive it properly.
@@davidovkalin Hi Kalin, so doesn't Teodor switch his hands (from left to right) on the bottom handle? That is what I call a decision or switching of the hands. A conventional player doesn't have this issue as their dominant hand will always be on the bottom of the grip handle at all times. An ambidextrous player basically decides which has to be their dominant hand on each stroke. Now if Teodor was allowed to play with two racquets (one on each hand), then there would be no decision...
I don't know much about Wing Chun, but I do like the Ip Man movies! Yes, having two forehands, you don't have to run around the ball. That is a big advantage. Teodor is a super-talented player and he can play on my team anytime! Wish him all the best!
I think you are partly right but with inside out forehand you can produce more sidespin. However you give up more of the court. Federer when he used to hit an inside out forehand would often be in the tram lines. However, given the sidespin and placement of his shot, he would push his opponent out wide given him time to recover what would often turn out to be an easy volley at the net.
Also, sometimes you won't have time to switch hands. This is a particular problem in points at the net.
I play ambidextrous tennis but the main problem I have is you end up with twice as many shots to practice. It would be easier developing a small number of shots than a lot.
Federer used to say he sometimes wished he had less shots as he wouldn't have to think too much. Then again, he did win twenty majors so thinking can't have been that much of a problem. Bottom line is you develop a system.
@@maddoxmortenson8009 Thanks for the insights! I mentioned in my other video that the inside-out forehand does produce a unique sidespin (czcams.com/video/7b1txhBoWtk/video.html). It could be more advantageous than a typical forehand crosscourt. Being ambidextrous does produce more shots and variety, but yes, the downside to that is all the selection and decision-making issues that can cause a brain to freeze.
It takes significant time to twist your body from forehand to backhand. I know Teo. He switches hands very early when returning a shot. He really doesn't do much thinking about it. I watched him develop on his home court in Denver, CO. from the time he was 3 years old. He has a strong left handed serve. You can find videos of him doing it. I've talked to him about it, and Teo recognizes he is training his brain to control his left hand. He switches between right and left hand effortlessly. As far as going pro, he's small for his age. That could end up being a handicap. However, he's a highly motivated player. The will to win is also an important aspect. To win at tennis, you also have to be able to trick your opponent. John McEnroe is an example of a player who was very good at that.
If the act of hitting left/right forehand is trained and engrained then that eliminates the decision making process and negates your point. Your argument is only valid when a player is in between training for dual forehand but still hits and maintains their backhand. In that case yes, there is the extra decision to make in addition to reacting to the shot itself. On the return, you have a few milliseconds to observe the balls trajectory, spin, speed, your initial position, your initial momentum, estimate final position of the ball, identify whether going around the ball to hit the forehand or settle for the backhand, time/energy required to position yourself for the returning hand, etc. A dual player would consider all of this except for the backhand as an option, the “other forehand” is the only option and backhands aren’t even in their dictionary. A true ambi would perceive backhands to be as foreign of a concept as playing with your teeth
Just because you are "trained" in hitting a left/right forehand doesn't negate the decision-making process. It's like saying any regular player who hits forehands/backhands doesn't make decisions. We're all making decisions of what to do and use out there.
@@CoachAdrian It all depends on how smooth you are at transferring the racket from hand to hand. I know a few players who occasionally play a shot with their weak hand. Teo doesn't have to twist his body awkwardly to the left which takes time. He's the only player I have seen who really is equal on both sides. He has been working on it for a long time and from the time he was quite young. He's not comparable to the average person with a dominate side. BTW, when you train horses, you have to train them on both sides. Because their eyes are more on the side of their head they are more two brained. What they learn on one side doesn't transfer readily to the other side. In Teo's case, he has clearly trained both of his brains. The fact that he started so early makes it more like language than a skill learned later in life.
My friend from High School played with two handed on both sides, like Monica Selles. He was naturally left handed, and served left handed. He was a great college player. I was left handed until a car accident as a child, and I had to learn how to do everything right handed, but once in a while when I am playing I will rip a ball down the line left handed on return of serve and I will think to myself why am I playing with a two handed backhand if I can hit left handed. The problem I find playing like that, is the grip changes are extreme, and tough to play with in the middle of a point. Great job on the video my friend.
Hmm. I see what you're getting at with the "decision making", however, 1H players make that same decision, you just don't notice it because it's more mechanically natural. Let me give you an example:
If the ball is hit to my weaker side (in my case it's my left side), I still have a decision to make.
I could:
1. Run all the way around the ball and use my right forehand
or
2. Use my right backhand
The decision is still there, it's just simpler and more natural to use my right backhand for that task, especially if I'm not fast enough to run around to the other side of the ball to use my right forehand.
However, if I was an ambi-player, in the same scenario, ball hit to my left side.
I could:
1. Switch to my left forehand
or
2. Run all the way around the ball and use my right forehand
The only thing that changes are the options available to me, not the main choice. If I'm an ambi-player, a backhand stroke isn't even on my mind at that distance because I don't need it. I'm only choosing whether to switch hands or not, just as a 1H player is choosing whether to hit backhand or not because they don't have the ability to switch hands.
Sorry, but this is circular logic. It’s like saying because I don’t have a backhand slice, it’s easier to decide to perform a backhand topspin. Or like you say, I don’t have a backhand in itself, so I can simply use my lefty forehand. Here’s the big problem with this - you’re only deciding on a STROKE to use, not the dominant hand in which to use them. You’re still deciding whether to use your left hand or right hand as your main hand. This is a decision that no “normal” player has to deal with...
This becomes very evident in performing volleys. When the ball is hit hard at you, you really have no time to decide hands or switch hands. Now, I mentioned this in another comment that if you were playing with TWO racquets (one in each hand), then the decision to switch hands is removed. Unfortunately for the ambidextrous, you’re not allowed to use two racquets at a time.
@@CoachAdrian I see. You don't fully understand how choice works which is why you believe what I'm saying is circular. Fair enough, this tends to happen with misunderstandings so let me try another way.
You said "you’re only deciding on a STROKE to use, not the dominant hand in which to use them. You’re still deciding whether to use your left hand or right hand as your main hand."
You've proved my point, it's STILL a choice, the word DECISION means CHOICE, you cannot get away from that no matter how hard you try. As I stated before, the only difference between an ambi-player and a 1H player is the options available to them based on their personal skill, a choice itself STILL remains for both players and there is nothing you can do to change that reality.
What you said earlier proves my point even further: "It’s like saying because I don’t have a backhand slice, it’s easier to decide to perform a backhand topspin. Or like you say, I don’t have a backhand in itself, so I can simply use my lefty forehand."
Yes, you are correct, both are CHOICES that a player must make whether 1H or ambi dependent upon that players skill. Now, these choices are made very, very quickly, so quickly in fact that it's almost second nature, but they are still choices. Again, you cannot escape the responsibility of making a choice whether 1H or ambi.
You also said "This is a decision that no “normal” player has to deal with..."
Again, proving my point. It's true that a 1H player does not have to deal with the choice of deciding "which hand will be dominate", however, what you fail to see is that with an ambi player, that same decision can be just as natural as choosing whether to hit a backhand or forehand based on player skill, running speed, the angle of the ball, etc. Anything can be made second nature if you practice enough and this is no exception.
Finally, you said "When the ball is hit hard at you, you really have no time to decide hands or switch hands."
This is just conjecture on your part. In other words, you're assuming. YOU may not be fast enough to switch hands, but that does not carry over to ME or anyone else, so speak for yourself.
I hope you understand a bit more about how choice (decision, option, volition) works and I hope this has been beneficial to you in understanding that whether a 1H or ambi player, a choice still needs to be made based on that players skill and the options available to said player.
Now, you are left with a choice:
Do you accept reality or reject it?
@@anyany2021 Sorry if I offended you with my comment before. It's just that I've seen this argument many times. Again, the whole premise of your argument is the nullification of a stroke choice and using that to say decisions are the same between normal and ambidextrous players. This doesn't address the switching of the hands or choosing left or right hand. No matter how fast you switch hands, it's still a choice/decision and extra time and thought process involved. I'm not sure why this concept is too complicated. You also don't address that tennis players MUST use only one racquet or device. If you see Brian Battistone (an ambidextrous former pro), he had to develop a racquet with TWO handles to alleviate the extra decision-making process. Despite this, he still has to choose one hand or the other. I want to note, Brian Battistone did have a backhand.
I think a lot of proponents of ambidexterity in tennis are clouded by the notion that ambidextrous players have superior advantages and therefore think decision-making is either the same or even easier/faster. It is clearly not.
@CoachAdrian No offence taken.
I'm simply trying to get you to understand how choice works, it doesn't matter if it's a 1H player or an ambidextrous player and it doesn't matter if it's top spin, back spin, backhand, forehand, left hand or right hand, each player still has a choice to make. What you're trying to say is a 1H tennis player doesn't need to make the same types of choices as an ambidextrous player which is incorrect. Both players make the same choices, the only difference is the skill level of each player and the options available to each player based on their skill level. You can always make something second nature if you practice enough.
As for the double racquet argument, it's irrelevant, that's why I didn't address it. Practice, skill and choice are the only things that matter here. Whether or not an ambi-player has an advantage over a 1H player can only be determined case-by-case in an actual pro match. Anything else is just a guess.
I can only speak for Teo. You can see in his videos that he is making the choice very early on. He's not missing shots because it's taking too long from him to decide. Personally I think it takes more thought in general to play a backhand. However their are players whose backhand is stronger than their forehand. I don't know to what extent Teo works on his backhand. I don't think he has abandoned it.
Imagine if its allowed to have two rackets in both hands
That would be a game changer. Ambidextrous tennis players would have all the advantages in the world
The dual lightsaber tennis players
not sure u are as fast running with 2 rackets
Would be harder to adjust the grip and to serve as well
Teo doesn't need a second racket. He shifts the racket from hand to hand effortlessly.
Is this based on any facts/research of just a gut feeling? My feeling is that if you're ambidextrous, it's natural. Just like it's natural to switch to backhand if you're not ambidextrous. No different/extra mental load, but possibly a stronger set of strokes with two forehands which the opponent moreover isn't used to.
It’s based on simple logic and reasoning. There’s nothing “natural” about hitting forehands or playing tennis in general. It’s a learned skill.
@@CoachAdriana passive skill which requires no active thinking
@@CoachAdrian and why wouldn't an ambidextrous be unable to develop the same learned skill to move towards a predetermined side when under pressure against a body ball. He could even complicate it even further by learning to move towards a given side depending on where he is on the court, or where's his opponent, or any other information that's present before his opponent's swing, and it would still be a nearly instant decision like a one handed player would
@@lautaromonsalvo8808 In my view, it's not an instant decision (actually very delayed) because the ambidextrous player will always have to decide which side needs to be dominant or non-dominant on every stroke. A conventional player has no such decision. Now, if the ambidextrous player were allowed to play with TWO racquets (one for each hand), then yes, there would be no decision. The ambidextrous player would have all the advantages in the world, but unfortunately, playing with two racquets is illegal.
@@CoachAdrian he doesn't need to decide in the same way that the one handed player doesn't need to decide wheter to hit a backhand or forehand. He has a predetermined side that he considers dominant and he moves towards it when he needs to react fast, just like a 1h moves to his forehand when under pressure
I can use both forehands and backhands. It works for some players. I have good reasons to use my left hand while my right side was injured. If my right side gets sore, I switch. It happens during some tournaments where I use my left hand most of the time.
That problem is also a good problem to have once you get the hang of it. I play at 5.0 and can easily see it played higher. I treat my lefty (slighter weaker side) as my less vulnerable backhand. I allow more court room to my left than someone with a backhand would, but if the ball is coming pretty much right at me I've trained myself to always move to hit with my right. It's not a decision anymore. It's instinct. I sometimes run around my right to hit a left on a slow ball for the angles that can disrupt my opponent, but that's it.
As for switching grips.... it's like anything in tennis. It takes a lot of time and repetition. But I can go forehand to forehand as fast as anyone can go forehand to backhand. The only exception I'll make is if I get caught by a split second volley where to hit a forehand you have to whip very very quick. And the only reason is because I'm still working on the natural wrist strength necessary to have the same stability for the return as I'd have with a righty forehand. The possible pros far outweigh the cons for a kid with vast potential to work on this from an early age. But you must obsess over it. Customize the grip. Practice the switches. Learn to do certain uncommon things instinctually. But imagine Del Potro with two forehands.... that's what could come as a result.
It would be amazing to have a Del Potro forehand on both wings. Thanks for the comment!
If you can't move your feet fast enough, (like me), you can get pinched in on the forehand. In that case its conceivable that a backhand is advantageous. At a geriatric age, females seem to have faster reflexes than males. Some are lightening quick.
It's advantageous for the strokes where backhand is subpar and off-hand is better: "low at the feet", stretched ("behind the body") "kick" backhand. Otherwise don't switch
And it's best (fastest) to "juggle" the racket into the other hand.
Fanscainating video! I've got an ambidexdrous player I'm coaching atm. How would you recommend they change grip? I've tried to watch Teo and it looks like maybe he holds onto the bottom with the previous bottom hand until he knows he needs to switch, but even if I'm right on that (very hard to tell from the vids I've seen) then I can't work out how he actually switches hands.
Good question! I think you're correct. I watched some of his matches on youtube and he's loosely "one-handed" on his ready position and I usually see his left hand on the bottom of the racquet until he switches. He does switch hands very quickly.
@@CoachAdrian fascinating, thanks!!
From my perspective, he doesn't think about it. He just does it. It's like breathing. With all of these skills you have to move the skill from you active nervous system to your subconscious nervous system. You don't have to think to breath or blink your eyes.
To try it if you can means becoming totally committed and not just dabbling in ambidexterity. Plus two forehands can also come with two backhands like slice. Ultimately it takes the same focus on the ball whatever shot is being implored to hit it.
Sure, I think you do need full commitment to being ambidextrous in order to succeed at it.
At club intermediate level, which is the vast majority of players, their backhands are their far weaker side. Many can't win a point on their backhand and use it just to get the ball back often with a slice or spend a lot of time and effort scurrying around to hit on the forehand side. A non-dominant forehand allows you to be far more aggressive and relaxed on the "backhand side" and win points with it. Your reach is much better and you don't have to move as much. I'm now switching and wish I'd done it much earlier. The biggest problem is not decision making. It's taking the time and effort to train your non dominant side especially as an adult who's been playing coventionally for a long time.
Well, if we’re talking about non-ambidextrous people, then yes, training them to do anything on their non-dominant side would be the hardest thing ever. I’d stick with learning a backhand.
Ambidextrousity problems of decision making and timing are solved by using a two handed forehand. This allows for all the same angle and spin incentives that an Ambidextrous player has, while maintaining a better level of control, at least at the rec level
Interesting point! It’ll definitely alleviate decision-making, although the clear advantages of being ambidextrous may be negated (reach, defense, contact point, etc).
Ambidextrous player checking in here. I only play at a rec level for fun but just to clear up a few misconceptions. In baseline rallies you have plenty of time to switch hands. You already have 2 hands on the racquet anyway. Also if you are moving side to side you just switch hands while running. If someone is hitting huge pace you will just get pushed back like a conventional player would. On first serves you have a reasonable amount of time and if they are a big server you can step back into Medvedev territory. Net play is really the only time I don't switch hands. I have a RH one handed backhand also but I rarely use it. For me the benefits at rec level outway the cons. I take less steps when shots are close and have a longer reach when I have to chase shots out wide. It's not for everybody obviously but it's fun and I like to be unique.
So, there have been a few ambi players in the past but will there ever be a great pro ambi player? My answer is maybe, but its like catching lightning in a bottle. Ambi players have failed in the past but 1000 times as many conventional players failed also. There's just not enough people attempting it and they would have to be trained from a young age. Further more you have no idea the height or athleticism they will have as adults and that's not even including tennis iq, vision, health, determination, etc. All these things have to come together. If Teodors father was coaching a few dozen students from youth perhaps.
Thanks for the comment. You make a good point that there's just not enough people attempting to play ambidextrous. I would add ambidextrous people in general make up 1% of the population and true ambidexterity is rare.
@@CoachAdrian I'm actually left handed and not ambidextrous in general like I'm sure most ambidextrous tennis players have a dominant hand as well. So it could be taught just like Nadal uses his opposite hand to play. For me personally being a lefty I ended up doing things like throwing and shooting right handed I'm assuming by unknowingly observing others at a very young age. I still did swinging sports like golf and batting left handed though. In theory I should have a decent 2 handed backhand but in practice it feels like I don't have enough reach and my power feels "congested" for lack of a better term. Rooting for that Teodor kid but judging from his dad he might end up on the small side which probably won't give an accurate idea of ambidextrous tennis potential.
Everything you say makes complete sense. Only a very few players could be considered truly ambidextrous.
@@CoachAdrian Far less than 1%. Someone like Teo is 1 in a million, and that's just a guess.
@@mikealbert728 , Those of us that know him have always been concerned about his size, at least at the very highest level. He's still a very remarkable player. People are saying he takes after his mother, and she's on the smaller side.
"you have to switch hands" he says.. you also have to decide to backhand and switch your stance.. it's the same choice.. this argument is invalid..
I’m not sure why this is so hard to understand for so many commenters. Switching hands is another decision to make. You’re deciding which hand will be dominant; a decision that any “regular” player doesn’t have to deal with.
@@CoachAdrian It's not hard for the commenters to understand. It's hard for you to understand that the decision to play a backhanded shot may require even more time. plus there is the issue of moving your entire body in a somewwhat awkward manner. As a coach you should be able to work with a large variety of players and playing styles. You seem to be obsessed with technique over substance. In his age range, Teo is winning tournaments. Who cares what hand is racket is in?
You can play a shot closer to your body with a backhand, but that would only be on the left side for a right handed player. It may not be practical for an ambi player to switch hands to play a back hand. I admire what I call "natural players" in tennis and piano. There's a book on piano playing called "effortless mastery". It's an important skill. You have to do what is natural to do.
As a casual player, my right hand gets tired when I play against the wall. It it a nice change of pace to switch to left hand as my right hand recovers
Nice to have that option!
There are a few Professional tennis players who use a two forehands. They are very successful with that system. Great job on the video my friend
It’s a great debate. But you have to factor in the grip on the handle itself. Right handed player will wrap the grip differently than LH player. As you play point after point, the grooves of the grip provide comfort to your swing path. When playing ambidextrous you will need to sacrifice that comfort for one of the hands leading to favoring one hand over the other.
Now I suppose this can be neutralized if you just put a flat sleeve grip on the racket handle.
Paint the grip on.
I don't understand this point at all. The decision being made is the same, do you swing with the ball to your right, or to your left? The only issue the ambidextrous player has is that they might need to switch their racket grips which could take a fraction of a second. But that should give them increased reach so I don't see it being an issue.
I mean if your opponent hits really good shots you can defend with your dominant hands slice and this is what most people do in their games. When the ball is neutral or slow, you can really take the advantage if you non-dominant forehand is better than your two handed backhand. Wdyt?
Well, you're basically asking if it's better to do a good non-dominant forehand vs. a bad backhand. I would say yes, but how realistic is this? How bad does your backhand have to be so that you need to opt for a non-dominant forehand? It would have to be really bad to the point of desperation.
Trust me, training and muscle/brain memory will take care of the problems you pointed out, decision making and grip change will be natural. I used to play badminton before starting tennis, it almost killed me to learn that you have to switch grip among forehand, backhand and neutral, I thought it’s absolutely counterintuitive, no way I was gonna have time to do so in a fast game, now it’s just natural.
Sorry, I have trust issues! 😅 Switching grips and switching HANDS are a much different thing and that extra decision and time will always be a big factor.
What if you got two forehands and 2 backhands?
Your name would be Teo.
this doesn't make any sense. If you are righty and the back comes at your body, you move to the left and swing. If you are ambi and the ball comes at your body, you move to whatever predetermined side, likely your slightly favored side, you move towards in that situation and swing. There's no extra decision there unless you want to take that decision and that's only an advantage. You could say grip changing takes time and that would be a good point but decision making wise doesn't need to take more than a regular player would
I think I mentioned this before, but the switching of the hands will always be an added decision because you are deciding to use either your left hand or right hand on the bottom of the grip. A conventional player doesn't need to decide which hand because their dominant hand will always be on the bottom of the grip on both forehand/backhand. This decision takes too long. Imagine volleying fast balls at the net while using lefty and righty forehand volleys. It would almost be impossible.
@@CoachAdrian yes, you need time to swap grips I said that, but it's not what you are discussing in your video. Your video is about decision making. All you need to know, is that an ambidextrous can have a preferred side that he defaults switching to if he's under timed pressure, making his decision making as fast as a 1h player in that situation
@@lautaromonsalvo8808 It doesn't make a difference whether an ambidextrous player has a preference or "predetermines" their shot. They will always need to choose to use either their left or right hand, just like any person chooses to pick up a bottle on their desk with either their left or right hand. The removal of choice or this decision can only happen if a player is playing with two racquets (one for each hand).
Here's a video of Teo. His coach is working with him on shot preparation and foot work:
czcams.com/video/g74gicAy-QY/video.html
I want to see Teo hit rapid fire volleys. I want to see what he does when he hits a lefty cross approach, and the passing shot is going down the line. I want to see what type of shot he does when he sees a short ball squarely in the middle of the court. I want to know if Teo has a plan for actual game situations or just thinks his ambidexterity is enough to make him great. If the latter, then he's in big trouble. He'll need a coach that understands good decision-making skills because his ambidexterity can be exploited as a weakness. Good luck to Teo. I hope he does well in college and maybe goes pro.
Of course Teo serve two forhands. It takes 10 second to find out.
If you are a baseliner this is a non issue
Davidoff have 2 serves
My son is an ambi player. He uses the Battistone. Look up the Battistone
Nice! It should be the go-to racquet for all ambidextrous players