I was using a backhand grip that was both thumb knuckles on the 8th bevel. This kept the racquet out in front of me which really reduced errors. But I can't seem to hit winners this way. Maybe if I got my wrists more involved. But it's just so physically demanding to swing hard enough this way. Can't flatten it out very well. I don't know. Just can't play aggressive enough. Too much just getting it back.

On the two hand forehand I was putting both thumb knuckles on bevel 2. Again this kept the racquet out in front of me. Still had plenty of power and can hit flat or with topspin, or slice well. The one problem is I really struggle hitting crosscourt. I errors as often as not. Maybe I should find a way to make it work. But I basically can slice it crosscourt. I just can't figure out how to hit flat or with topspin consistently crosscourt.

So, this last time I played I switched a double continental grip on both sides. No grip change. Hands almost a bit awkwardly locked into place. Arms kind of want to stay extended. Hard to bend elbows. This way I can get tons of power on the backhand and I can hit crosscourt with pace much better. But topspin is just about impossible. Topspin is overrated anyway.... But I feel like I lost a sense of feel for just hitting the ball.

Last night I tried this and I was up 5-1 against the owner who previously I almost always beat 6-4/3. So 5-1 was better. But then I totally lost my feel. Had a few that hit the ground before the net. He won the second set 6-2. Only set he's ever won against me. With this grip I'm also hitting the ball a bit behind me which leads to more errors.

Perhaps with practice I'll get used to this and improve my feel. I did it some last year and it worked not terrible. Or maybe I should just do double eastern forehand for both grounds strokes. Can still hit some topspin. Can still hit flat with decent power. Problem is have to change grip if lunging on backhands. But I can get used to that. The other question is can I hit crosscourt forehands consistently that way?

.....Two days later. Yes. Can hit them very consistently with a double eastern forehand. Against a ball machine almost never miss. Though my follow through did rise. Was watching Connors and how his racquet ended up by his head even hitting flat. Need to do that. I have very little feel with just swinging low on the follow through.

Also figured out the key to a two hand backhand slice is making contact when the ball is behind you a bit. Which means it doesn't work for short balls.

Also floundering a bit with exercise. Now doing 1/3 intervals most days but only for 16 minutes to begin. Very unhappy with my weight sticking up a 220. This is the problem with 80/20 for some people. But also lately I haven't been doing enough of it really. Just 2 to 3 hours a week when it really needs to be like 6 hours at least...