Playing a Left-Hander
Also known as: against a lefty, against a left-hander, playing a lefty, play a lefty, beat a lefty, beating a lefty, lefty opponent, left-handed opponent, left-handed player, lefty serve, left-handed serve, lefty slice serve, left-handed tennis player
Against a left-hander, expect the slice serve to swing wide to your backhand in the ad court. As a result, stand a step further left and move forward diagonally to cut it off. In rallies, a lefty's crosscourt forehand lands on your backhand. As a result, flip the pattern: hit your forehand crosscourt to their backhand, then change direction down the line with your backhand when you get an opening. Return through the middle with big margins.
Most players practice against right-handers, so a lefty's spins and patterns feel backwards. Their slice serve curves the other way, and their crosscourt forehand lands on your backhand, the reverse of a normal rally between two right-handers.
The lefty's big weapon is usually the wide slice serve in the ad court. It pulls you off the court on your backhand side. Stand a step further left than usual, start your turn early and move forward diagonally to meet the ball, not just sideways. Aim returns through the middle with plenty of margin. Sharp crosscourt returns give the server an extra angle, and the spin makes small targets hard to hit.
In rallies, the lefty will try to hit forehands crosscourt to your backhand. Turn that around. Hit your forehand crosscourt to their backhand. When you get a short or weak ball, change direction with your backhand down the line. That shot does not need to be hit flat. A high, heavy topspin or a safe slice still makes them hit a forehand on the run. Most players practice crosscourt far more than down the line, so drill this pattern.
The serve targets flip for you too. A right-hander's wide slice serve in the deuce court swings away toward a lefty's backhand.
Tips by skill level
In the warm-up, notice which side the lefty's forehand is on and how their serve curves. Remind yourself between points that their forehand is on the other side.
Use a high, heavy backhand down the line to move the lefty, then attack the open court with your forehand. Before big matches, practice against a lefty or a feeder hitting wide to your backhand.
Example
Chris keeps getting dragged off the court by a lefty's slice serve in the ad court. He stands a step further left, moves forward diagonally and returns through the middle. In rallies he hits forehands to the lefty's backhand and changes down the line with his backhand when the ball lands short.
Why it matters
Left-handers are a minority, so most players get little practice against them. Knowing the mirror-image patterns in advance takes away much of the lefty's natural edge.
Common mistakes
- Returning from your usual spot and getting pulled wide by the ad-court slice
- Rallying backhand to their forehand all match
- Going for sharp crosscourt returns that open the court for the server
- Never practicing the down-the-line backhand
Frequently asked questions
How do I play against a lefty?
Expect the wide slice serve in the ad court, stand a step further left and return through the middle. In rallies, hit forehands crosscourt to their backhand and change down the line with your backhand.
How do I return a lefty's slice serve?
Stand a step further left in the ad court, turn early and move forward diagonally to meet the ball. Aim through the middle or crosscourt with plenty of margin, because the spin makes the return drift.
Why are left-handed tennis players hard to play?
Most players rarely face them, so the spins and patterns feel reversed. Their slice serve swings wide to a right-hander's backhand, and their crosscourt forehand lands on your backhand.
Sources
Related terms
- Return of ServeTo return serve well, split step as the server hits, turn your shoulders early and use a short, compact backswing. Against a fast serve, block or chip the ball deep and use the server's pace. Against a kick serve, step in and take it before it climbs, or move back and let it drop.
- Slice ServeA slice serve adds sidespin by brushing around the outside of the ball. From a right-hander, it curves away from the deuce-side returner and stays low.
- Crosscourt ShotA crosscourt shot travels diagonally across the net to the opposite side of the court. It uses the longest available distance and the lowest part of the net.
- Down-the-Line ShotA down-the-line shot travels parallel to the nearest sideline. It changes a crosscourt rally's direction to create a sharper angle or exploit an open court.
- Return of Serve PositioningReturn of serve positioning is how deep and how far to one side a returner stands. It is set to counter the server's pace, spin, and typical patterns.
- Shot SelectionShot selection is the real-time choice of shot type, direction, pace, and spin. It depends on court position, ball height, opponent location, and score.
Related guides & benchmarks
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