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There are certain sports in which left-handers have a clear advantage. According to Professor Norbert Hagemann vom sogenannten Institute of Sport and Sports Science of the University of Kassel these are mainly contests in which opponents face each other directly, for example in Tischtennis oder beim Tennis.

Why do left-handers have advantages in these sports?

In a duel, opponents must react quickly. In a study, participants watched videos of tennis matches and had to estimate where the ball would fly after different strokes. They found this much harder against a left-handed player than against a right-handed player. The opponents of Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard is one of the best-known and finest tennis players. He is also left-handed, which regularly causes problems for his opponents.

How can opponents of a left-hander compensate for the disadvantage?

Anyone who often trains with left-handers can judge the ball’s trajectory better over time and use that knowledge in matches. Many professional tennis players have sparring partners who hold the racket in their left hand.

Ungewohnte Bewegungen

Right-handed players often struggle against left-handers because they strike the ball differently. It therefore flies differently and causes confusion. Spin in particular troubles many opponents, including on serve. When left-handers must save a break point at 30–40, they often serve wide to target the opponent’s usually weaker backhand. The opponent must also position differently to avoid aiming at the other player’s forehand on every exchange.

Is there hope for right-handers?

Anyone who wants to beat a left-hander should prepare mentally and physically beforehand. This may mean training with one to understand the ball’s flight better. During the match, try to force the left-hander to abandon familiar habits, which causes many players problems and can provide the decisive advantage. The opponent should vary their position in the backhand corner, moving slightly forward or back. Aggressive Longlinge-Bälle These help prevent the left-hander from playing dangerous cross-court balls. They force the player either to hit exactly into the backhand corner or diagonally into the open forehand side. Both shots are risky and can lead to errors.

The easiest way to offset the disadvantage, however, is for the right-handed player to control the rally from the outset and win quick points.