Dustin Gandof
The Dawn of the Single-Handed Backhand
In the early days of tennis, one-handed backhands were the norm. Players like Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall showed us the elegance and finesse of playing with one hand. It was not just a different way to play; it was part of the spirit of the game. But as the game has evolved, so too has the style of play.
The Two-Handed Invasion
With players such as Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors, the two-handed backhand began its rise to dominance. Its stability and power offered something that the one-handed backhand missed. The two-hander allowed players to return high, fast balls with ease, something that was notoriously tricky with just one hand. And so, in time, we saw an upheaval in the style of play. The two-handed backhand became the weapon of choice for most players.
Grinders and Power Players
The two-hander began to fit seamlessly into the style of power players and grinders. Its stability offers an advantage in long, grinding rallies. Power players prefer it for the added punch it brings to their shots. The trend towards power and endurance in modern tennis seems to suit the two-handed backhand perfectly.
The One-Handed Virtues
But let’s not forget the beauty and finesse of the one-handed backhand. The reach it offers, the flexibility it gives to the player, and the options it provides when at net or slicing are unmatched by the two-handed backhand. The one-handed backhand might lack the consistency of the two-hander but makes up for it in style and versatility.
Guardians of the One-Hander
Even with the ongoing shift in playing style, some players still favor the one-hand backhand over the two-hander. Tennis greats like Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, and more recently, Stefanos Tsitsipas, continue to keep the one-handed backhand alive.
Is it on its Last Legs?
Are we witnessing the final stages of the one-handed backhand? To answer that, we need to take a step back and remember why we love this sport. It’s not just about who hits the hardest or who can run the longest. Tennis is as much an art as it is a sport, and the one-handed backhand is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Breathing Life into the One-Handed Backhand
While the world of tennis seems to favor the two-handed backhand, the one-handed backhand is not out for the count just yet. There are still those players who choose style and finesse over power and stability. They stand testament to the fact that the one-handed backhand still has utility in this new era of tennis. It may not be the dominant force it once was, but it is far from extinct.
So, here’s to the guardians of the one-handed backhand, to those who dare to be different, who dare to keep an art form alive in an era of power and strength.
