Some of the comments sent in concerning Two-racket Tennis:
Dear Professor Don R. Mueller:
Hello! My name is Isaac Kim and
I am in the fourth grade. I am nine years old and I think your ideas in two
racket tennis are fabulous! I have tried playing two racket tennis and it is
very, very entertaining for me and my friends.
Sincerely,
Isaac
Kim
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Dear Prof. Mueller,
Ambidextrous tennis is great! I've had your website bookmarked for a long time. Last year, I decided to play ambidextrous tennis. I am 42, have played tennis for 5 years and working myself up to a 4.5 level, right-handed (originally). It's been the hardest thing (athletically) that I've done - playing left-handed. But it was the most valuable thing I've done for myself. As you mentioned, it improves the mind/body connection in a way, like nothing else does. It's been an amazing journey.
Sincerely,
Suzanna McGee
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Hi Don, Wow, there are others out there like myself--I've been playing with the two racquets for a few years now--not only hitting from the backcourt, but serving with both hands during "real"/competitive matches (I'm a 4.5-5.0 righty and a 4.0-4.5 with my non-dominant left-hand)------of course, I get funny, curious looks all the time like I'm sure you do (my nickname is even "ambifreak")----I love it—and now I'm not alone.-----
I saw your web site and I am interested in people who practice ambidextrous sports. I have a web site (www.wholebrainpower.net) Hopefully you can take a look.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Lavery
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Hi,
My name is Bob Fuller, I live near Joliet IL. I saw your website and thought I would share my experience with ambidextrous tennis. In 1990, at age 39, I developed tennis elbow from hitting a backhand so bad that I could not play. I could not even squeeze a staple puller at work. I remember reading about Beverly Baker Fleitz playing ambidextrous tennis in the 50's and figured that was my only way to keep playing. I switched the racquet from hand to hand, but it was often hard to get the right grip when you had to switch quickly. I realized what I needed was a two handled racquet....I think ambidextrous tennis is the best way to play, but it may not be for everyone. It took me years of practice and strength training to get the same power and control in my left hand as my right. Luckily I had a building with a backboard and ball machine where I could practice year round. I would say it took about 5 years of practicing an hour a day before my left hand was close to my right. Even now my right is slightly better. But I think if kids were encouraged to play that way early it would take less time. I thought you might find this interesting.
Thanks for the follow up. I enjoyed talking with you and am interested in putting together a story. I will call the guy in Florida. Have there been any published articles about your two-racquet game?
So cool!! I'm 60 and just began playing tennis since retirement a year ago. Could never decide if I'm left handed or right handed - both feel fine and get the accuracy job done, and this way I get to choose each day which side seems to work better. I did try the two rackets concept this morning, and it IS very interesting. I do feel the extra weight, but no more so than new, heavier shoes or a new computer mouse with a stiffer spring action. I'm sure I'll get used to it fairly promptly.
It makes a lot of sense, since so many sports and activites want you to have a symmetric amount of body motion -- ballet, other dance, gymnastics, skating, yoga, tai chi, piano playing, etc.
Thanks again,
Cynthia
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Professor,
Thanks for the two-racket tennis pictures. I do find them helpful. I'm still trying to work with two-hand play. So far I can only do it less than average to a wall (then again, I've only started playing tennis at the beginning of this year.) It's a bit more difficult playing against someone, but I'll learn it eventually.
Thanks for your help so far, I've tried a serve with two rackets, aced my friend might I add...too bad I couldn't land that again that day.
I'll keep in touch, thanks for the help again,
Bryan
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Dear Dr. Mueller:
Great idea. I believe that being ambidextrous has inherent advantages. Now that I am no longer a spring chicken; I'm into senior inter-club tennis competitions and for the past twenty years. I will definitely start a rigorous program to train playing TWO TENNIS RACQUET tennis.
Julio Banderas
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Dear Dr. Mueller,
That was really great to read your article on ambidextrous tennis. Last week, I happened to see a girl in the competitive tennis circuit in India playing two hand forehands.
My area of research is motor learning and control. I am now involved in training cricketers to throw with "two hands."
I wish to have several rounds of interaction with you for sharing information.
thank you,
regards,
Murali Krishnan
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Good Afternoon Don,
I did receive the DVD, thank you, and had the opportunity to view it. I think you have an interesting concept with the Two-Racquet Tennis. As promised, I will forward the material to Dr. Brody for his viewing and thoughts.
Again, Thanks!
Steve
Steve Keller Director of Development Professional Tennis Registry
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Hi Don,
I am also a science teacher, but in high school. You do hit a big serve. I like your idea of modifying the handle. As you see, I can switch serve. I have trained for many years to do what I do and did not have any ambidextrous ability to start with. I have learned to hit every shot and am still working on new things to do. I agree that people should play with two rackets. We are the advocates of ambidextrous tennis.
Roger Garland
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Professor:
I'm one of those one racket ambidextrous players (I thought it was against the rules to use two). I've been doing it for awhile now, but really got serious the last 4 or 5 years. Would be interested in the exercises and routine you suggest for learning balance and strengthening the muscles for the other hand. It'll help me climb up the ranks faster. (I’ve been ranked nationally for awhile and ready to try beating the big boys.)
thanks,
Tony Ellerson
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Dr. Mueller,
My name is Victor Ricci and I'm a tennis instructor at Total Tennis. I am sorry that I missed your demonstration, but I wasn't able to get around my work schedule. How did it go? Did you get a lot of people attending? I was playing around with a friend, 15 years ago and grabbed 2 racquets and called myself octopus man. What I found out was that I could hit a pretty good lefty forehand. And I was almost impossible to pass at the net. So, whenever I was tired, or had the time, I would add more to my lefty game, incorporating a lefty serve and backhand. I even wrote to Tennis Magazine in the hopes that this could be a legal form of playing. I eventually created a synthesis of using oneracquet, but having 2 forehands and 2 backhands. This is backed up by having the ability to serve either righty or lefty. I agree mightily with you that this is a logical way of playing, in terms of longer reach, less strain on the arms (since 2 are used) and more versatility overall. I never knew that there were others that thought this way. I am very glad this is the case. Have you been able to teach many people this method? I hope it went well, and I lookforward to hearing from you at your convenience.
Read with interest the story in
the NY Times today- awesome! Thought you might be interested that I
have always played racket sports with 2 forehands. Played 4 years on the Yale
varsity team in the 70's, and have been highly-ranked paddle tennis player. I
serve and volley lefty, but switch on all ground strokes. Long live ambies!!!
In college, people called me "amphibious"!!Any idea, who is considered the
best ambi player of all time? Strictly one hand on each side? I have not
seen a pro play that way in last 30 years.
Saw an article about your
interesting two-handed crusade, efforts to persuade, etc., and would like to
assist. I'm a semi-ambidextrous player who thought about using two
rackets many years ago (and even tried it occasionally), but gave up the idea
because of its impracticality for serving - plus the rules of tennis have a
rule against two rackets!I'm injured now (recovering
from knee surgery, and the recovery hasn't gone well), so a challenge match
would have to be next year.I'm a USTA 4.0 player, scores
from previous years are online (was deployed in 2008, and this year is bust).Look forward to hearing from you at your
convenience.
I had
tennis elbow surgery and my surgeon told me to never hit a one-handed backhand
again. I have tried a two-handed backhand and was frustrated with it. I too am
very ambidextrous and I am pursuing hitting two forehands. It is a riot. I am
just weak with my left wing now but I am sure strength will come. I’m training
with a ball machine and doing fantastic. My weak wing is the bottom of the grip
and my right will always hit with a shorter racquet/choked up. Volleys are fun
as well. The angles are amazing that I can hit with my left forehand as opposed
to a backhand.I'll keep
you posted on my progress.
Some of the comments sent in concerning Two-racket Tennis: