Brian Battistone caused quite a racket during his practice session on Court 5 yesterday at the U.S. Open. Onlookers stopped to gaze, then attempted to grab his attention to ask him about his freaky tennis equipment.
“It’s one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen in tennis,’’ said former USTA official Randy Walker.
Battistone is currently the only player on the pro tour using the funky racket with two handles that form a “V’’ shape. The ITF approved the racket in 2007. Only four players are known to use it in a professional event — no one of major consequence.
“You get a lot of comments,’’ Battistone told The Post. “It looks more like a hedge clipper, divining rod or snow shovel than a tennis racket.’’
With the double handle, Battistone, 33, who didn’t play college tennis, rose to a ranking of 88th in men’s doubles in 2010 before taking a hiatus to focus on being a tennis teaching pro at a Las Vegas academy.
Battisone, who played men’s doubles at the Open in 2010 with the racket, is amidst a comeback. He qualified for the Open’s mixed doubles event by winning in New Haven last week. He will play his first-round Open match with partner Nicole Melichar tomorrow.
“I feel I can do everything I do with a normal racket except I have more options,’’ Battistone said. “I feel there’s more leverage and more power on certain shots and it’s healthier for the body using both sides of the body equally. The biggest advantage is you have two forehands.’’
Battistone uses two hands for both strokes. His brother and manager, Mark, said Brian gets more support with a stronger grip on his backhand. He can block back a missile serve with more ease and has a wildly unorthodox serve, similar to beach volleyball, with a very high toss. That works because the racket head has a more downward angle.
The two handles were invented by friend Lionel Burt in 2007. Now Battistone peddles them on a website for $220, having sold about 1,000. He feels it’s best for young kids who still haven’t learned tennis the traditional way.
“It’s tough to learn and then unlearn,’’ Battistone said.
The staid ITF approved its usage within two weeks of application. “They were receptive,’’ Battistone said. “They said, ‘If you can feel you can beat Roger Federer with a snow shovel, good luck.’ ’’