Who has had the most unorthodox strokes in the history of woman's tennis? [Archive]

tennisvideos

Dec 23rd, 2002, 10:25 AM

Well, Beverley Baker-Fleitz never had a backhand - literally - and she made the Wimbledon Final in 1955 losing to Louise Brough 7-5 8-6. She would hit a forehand with her left hand, then swap the racket to her right hand to hit a forehand on that side!!!! I have this final on tape and Beverley had very powerful and accurate drives - she would pound the ball low and flat to the corners, and she was a very impressive player. Also, she was very attractive.

Francoise Durr hit all her shots with her forefinger pointing down the grip! Her backhand was so unorthodox, she held it with a western forehand grip and the forefinger down the grip and thus she had to pull her wrist towards the ball like a soup ladle! Extraordinary. And all her volleys were like frypan shots - her serve was like a glorified pat and it didn't register on any speed machines! She was World #3 in 1967 after winning the French Open Singles and also won 11 Grand Slam Doubles titles. Was ranked in the top 10 for 10 years. See photo of frankie Durr's backhand. I have about 20 matches of Frankie on tape and in my opinion she is one of the most unorthodox players I have ever seen. See attached photo and take a close look at the grip!

Also, Kathy Jordan had incredibly unorthodox shots and won the Wimbledon doubles final with Liz Smilie against Navratilova-Shriver, also won the other 3 Slam Doubles titles. Made it to #10 in the world in 1984. Her forehand was with an extreme western grip (frypand type shot) and she used the same grip for a heavily sliced backhand and fly swatter type volleys.

I love watching the unorthodox players! Of course there were many more but they would have to be 3 of my favourites.

Jakeev

Dec 24th, 2002, 05:59 PM

I remember watching Camille Benjamen against Chris Evert in the 84 French Semis. I was kind of excited to see her come out of nowhere to make it all the way to the semifinals.

But when I finally got to see her stroke a ball,I was shocked at how loopy and downright wacky she looked on court from both sides.

But I thought she hit the ball pretty hard and I wonder how much more of a success she could have become had she had better coaching and had learned some better technique with her strokes.


TennisForum.com > General Topics > General Messages > Who has had the most unorthodox strokes in the history of woman's tennis? PDA Who has had the most unorthodox strokes in the history of woman's tennis? selesadmirer Dec 23rd, 2002, 04:48 AM Yeah who do you think has had the most unorthodox strokes in the history of woman's tennis? tyk101 Dec 23rd, 2002, 10:14 AM Monica? tennisvideos Dec 23rd, 2002, 10:25 AM Well, Beverley Baker-Fleitz never had a backhand - literally - and she made the Wimbledon Final in 1955 losing to Louise Brough 7-5 8-6. She would hit a forehand with her left hand, then swap the racket to her right hand to hit a forehand on that side!!!! I have this final on tape and Beverley had very powerful and accurate drives - she would pound the ball low and flat to the corners, and she was a very impressive player. Also, she was very attractive. Francoise Durr hit all her shots with her forefinger pointing down the grip! Her backhand was so unorthodox, she held it with a western forehand grip and the forefinger down the grip and thus she had to pull her wrist towards the ball like a soup ladle! Extraordinary. And all her volleys were like frypan shots - her serve was like a glorified pat and it didn't register on any speed machines! She was World #3 in 1967 after winning the French Open Singles and also won 11 Grand Slam Doubles titles. Was ranked in the top 10 for 10 years. See photo of frankie Durr's backhand. I have about 20 matches of Frankie on tape and in my opinion she is one of the most unorthodox players I have ever seen. See attached photo and take a close look at the grip! Also, Kathy Jordan had incredibly unorthodox shots and won the Wimbledon doubles final with Liz Smilie against Navratilova-Shriver, also won the other 3 Slam Doubles titles. Made it to #10 in the world in 1984. Her forehand was with an extreme western grip (frypand type shot) and she used the same grip for a heavily sliced backhand and fly swatter type volleys. I love watching the unorthodox players! Of course there were many more but they would have to be 3 of my favourites. spiceboy Dec 23rd, 2002, 11:27 PM Eva Melicharova's service action joegerardi Dec 24th, 2002, 01:31 AM Forehand - Steffi Graf And of course, the "Sabatweeney!" Jakeev Dec 24th, 2002, 05:59 PM I remember watching Camille Benjamen against Chris Evert in the 84 French Semis. I was kind of excited to see her come out of nowhere to make it all the way to the semifinals. But when I finally got to see her stroke a ball,I was shocked at how loopy and downright wacky she looked on court from both sides. But I thought she hit the ball pretty hard and I wonder how much more of a success she could have become had she had better coaching and had learned some better technique with her strokes.