The Two-Handed Backhand: Preparation and Backswing: Page 2

Watch the path of Maria’s hands move straight back.

Is It Really a Commonality?

OK, so Andre and a lot other players go pretty much straight back,
but isn’t it too extreme to claim that this is a commonality for all players?
Don’t many two-handed players really use a loop and startit by raising
their hands? What about Maria Sharapova for example? She initiates her
motion with a large circular backswing, right? That’s why she has so much
racket head speed, right? The answer is definitely no. The path of Sharapova’s
hands is actually more compact than Clijsters and more
like that of the top men.

If we take a look at the high speed video of Maria, we can see what causes
the confusion about her motion. This is how she holds her racket in the ready position.
Notice it’s pointing almost straight up and down. Her racket tip is much higher than
that of the men or any of the other women. She’s also hunched over from the waist,
which makes the racket tip seem even higher.

Maria’s hands move back as directly as Agassi.

But watch what happens when she moves from this unusual starting stance. She…