In contemporary tennis, the single-handed backhand is gradually disappearing from the courts, marking a significant shift in the game’s dynamics. This week, for the first time in the 50-year history of ATP rankings, there are no players with single-handed backhands in the top-10. This trend reflects a decline in the popularity of the one-handed shot, which was once celebrated for its elegance, epitomized by legends like Roger Federer.
Players like China’s Zhang Zhizhen, who recently defeated Lorenzo Musetti, a renowned single-handed backhand player, recognize the beauty of the shot despite its dwindling presence. Zhang remarks that fewer players, especially those of his generation, are opting to learn the one-handed backhand, suggesting a shift in coaching emphasis towards the more prevalent two-handed backhand.
Richard Gasquet, a former world No.7 known for his exquisite single-handed backhand, acknowledges the dominance of the two-handed backhand in modern tennis. He hopes that more players will adopt the one-handed backhand in the future, considering it a technically superior shot. Gasquet’s sentiments are echoed by Andrey Rublev, the current world No.5, who acknowledges both the advantages and challenges of the one-handed backhand.
While the one-handed backhand offers advantages like better court opening and acceleration, some players find it easier to handle high balls with a two-handed grip. Rublev emphasizes that personal preference plays a significant role in choosing between the two techniques, with no clear superiority between them.
Zhang, who prefers a two-handed backhand himself, acknowledges the stability it brings to his game while expressing admiration for the smooth swing of the one-handed backhand. However, the dwindling presence of single-handed backhands in the top rankings is evident. Only Stefanos Tsitsipas and Grigor Dimitrov remain among the top 25 players with one-handed backhands, highlighting a shift towards the dominance of the two-handed backhand.
Karen Khachanov, currently ranked world No.17, reflects on the changing landscape of tennis, accepting the reality of the diminishing prevalence of single-handed backhands. Despite this, he remains optimistic that the elegance and effectiveness of the one-handed backhand will eventually see a resurgence in the top rankings, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the sport.
