Pro Players with a bent/straight combo...

[charlietennis]

Good Morning John,

Last night I was reading the 4 backhand structures article you wrote and was curious on something. On the bent-straight structure, which you mention Nalbandian uses, you say he uses a milder backhand grip, a continental with the bottom hand. I am wondering if you can tell what kind of grip he uses with his left hand. Same goes for Hewitt (a strong eastern with the right, what about the left).

Thanks for any help with this one...

Charlie

[lukman41985]

charlietennis,

Check out the rear/side angle Backhand Arm Action clips in their respective stroke pages. Those videos should answer your question.

With regard to Nalbandian, I'm seeing a mild semi-western grip on the top hand. Check out this clip: http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...ctionRear1.mov

With regard to Hewitt, I'm seeing a mild-semi western grip on his top hand as well. Check out this clip, paying attention to 2 frames after contact:

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/strokearchive/pro_men/lleyton_hewitt/lh_backhand/lh_bh_armaction/lh_bh_armaction.html?LHBHRunningArmActionSide.mov

What do you see?

[charlietennis]

Right on lukman...

Does indeed look like a very mild semiwestern...Thanks for the link....

Charlie