TAG Coach Parekh Pratim is the former Under 18 Number 1 tennis player in India. He is also a Singapore Open Champion. Being a left-handed tennis player — or “Lefty” — Coach Pratim uses this as a strength. He consistently beats opponents at the same or even higher level using his Southpaw tactics.
Most tennis articles focus on how to beat left-handed players. This makes sense since only 10–15% of players are Lefties. However, left-handed tennis players deserve top-quality instruction too. In this article, Coach Parekh Pratim shares his tactics as a left-handed player.
Tactic 1: Capitalise on Your Opponent’s Lack of Experience Against Left-Handers
Left-handed players are uncommon. Only about 10–15% of tennis players are Lefties. As a result, 85–90% of players mainly face other right-handers. Their default shots and tactics aim to attack the opponent’s backhand — the weaker side for most right-handers. This is the advantage side, or the left side of the court.
Against a Lefty, that same ball lands on the forehand. Most right-handers feel very uncomfortable. They must override their natural tendencies and redirect the ball to the deuce court. This causes errors, weak replies, and poor follow-up shots.
Tactic 2: Serve to the Backhand with Aggressive Side Spin
As a Lefty, you can hit a side-spinning ball to your opponent’s backhand with a wicked curve. The ball breaks away and stays low. In the advantage court, this pulls your right-handed opponent very wide into the doubles alley. This compromises their court position.
Your opponent must choose: hit cross-court where you are waiting with your forehand, or try to pass you down the line. If they go cross-court, use your left-handed forehand to hit a winner down the line into the open court. After a few exchanges, your opponent will anticipate the down-the-line response and charge that way. Then hook it back behind them for a wrong-foot winner. Nadal uses this play often.
Tactic 3: Serve with a High First-Serve Percentage and Large Variance
The Lefty can serve a very high first-serve percentage. The attack comes from spin that curves and opens the court, not from raw power. Serve in a relaxed way, focus on spin, and you will hit a consistently high percentage.
Returners often look to reset the ball on first serves and attack on second serves. The spinning Lefty serve forces the returner to cover the backhand wing. After a while, they shade toward that side. This makes them very vulnerable to a change-up serve to the forehand, which often results in a forced error.
In the deuce court, a flat serve wide to the opponent’s forehand is also effective. Whether expected or not, it is difficult to return safely. The ball will almost certainly come back to your forehand.
Tactic 4: The Lefty Aggressive Topspin Forehand Cross Court
Develop an effective forehand crosscourt with heavy topspin. Strike the ball slightly to the outer and lower side. This creates a ball that curves away from your opponent, bounces high, and kicks up to the backhand. Your opponent must choose between hitting early, taking it above the shoulder, or retreating far behind the baseline.
Rafael Nadal uses this tactic consistently. He beats down the opponent’s backhand until they make an error or leave a short ball. Keep doing it and the opportunities will come.
Tactic 5: The Inside Out / Inside In Forehand from the Deuce Court
When you step around to hit a forehand from the deuce court, the threat of an inside-in ball freezes your opponent in the dead centre. From a position on or inside the baseline, your angle of fire is wide and difficult to cover. Pick your spot: inside out crosscourt very wide, or inside in up the line with curving spin. Repeat until you win the point.
You won’t win every point. But you will win many. In tennis, fine margins decide matches. You only need to win 4 out of every 7 points to come out on top.
Tactic 6: The “Baseball” Bullet Backhand Crosscourt
As you wear down your opponent with the heavy topspin forehand crosscourt, they will try to escape. They will attempt to hit their backhand down the line. This shot crosses the net at its highest point and targets a short part of the court. Many of these will go into the net, out the sideline, or long.
When they do get a ball through, you are already covering it. A change-of-direction ball that is not well struck gives you plenty of options. The most effective option is to pummel the ball hard crosscourt — the Nadal play — into the open court for a clean winner or weak response.
Tactic 7: Close the Net for the Easy Volley
After the crosscourt exchanges, your opponent will be “conditioned” to expect the backhand drive to their forehand. This conditions them to charge out of the advantage court. When that happens, the backhand up the line opens up behind them for an easy winner.
Alternatively, at the last moment, open the racquet face and hit a delicate drop shot. Your opponent will rarely start running for it as their body weight carries them the wrong way. This results in another demoralising point for you.
Left-Handed Tennis Player Tactics – Wrap Up
Tennis is not just theory. It also requires execution. If you are a left-handed player, the best way to improve is to hire a left-handed tennis coach. Coaches such as Coach Parekh Pratim, Coach Dave Regencia, or Coach Ten Rapeepat can guide you. Practice plenty of drills and live point plays until you master each shot.
For more advanced tactical insights, read Coach Ten Rapeepat’s article on the Mystique of a Junk Baller and the Spin Doctor. For tennis lessons with Coach Pratim, contact us at +65 8962 8400 or reach us HERE.
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