is there any actual benefit to using a one handed backhand for shots with good topspin, or is it preference?

I'm no tennis expert but considering federer is like the only top player with a one hand backhand and I think his backhand is one of his weaknesses..

two hand backhand is better overall

1 hander has more versatility, 2 hander typically has more consistency.

It's really all about personal preference though.

a one handed backhand some people can hit like a fucking forehand, huge topspin + power (example wawrinka)

but 2 handed is more suited for most in my personal opinion

A one handed backhand typically adds more variation to the gameplay as well. Most one handed backhand players I see use the slice more frequently and more effectively. I use a one handed backhand myself and it's definitely not one of my weaknesses, but if your physique can't handle it I wouldn't recommend it. Anyway I think the feeling of hitting a one handed backhand is superior than the two handed backhand... the motion is just much more smooth and free, but obviously that's a personal preference, but lots of my training partners sometimes hits one handed backhands for fun even though they normally use two hands because it's a great feeling/motion to do so, but you rarely see it the other way around. The biggest weakness with a one handed backhand is if you're pressed far out of the court then it can be very difficult to get the same body rotation like you can while using two hands.

they are completely different and based on your style of play


1 handed players ARE forced to slice at times

due to this they are more competent with slices, also a one handed player when hitting topspin meets the ball about a foot earlier so it can be tough if you do not meet the ball early however you can rush people easlier

secondly 2 handed players have no concept of how to slice.


the 2 handed contact point is so different from a one handed slice, they also tend to have difficulty with the backhand volley, its lols

2 handed players also have to take about 2-3 more steps per backhand becuase strike zone is much closer

returns are really the only shot a 2 hander has an advantage on imo

either way its preference based on playing style, if you like to change spins and paces go 1 handed


if you like to be uber consistant and hit the same shot over and over again crosscourt go 2 handed,


i have a 1 handed backhand if you were wondering

anyway what everyone said i agree with i just get annoyed when people try to summarize 2 handed is better

you have to realize every single #1 top player who actually stayed #1 for more than weeks has been 1 handed

the list goes on forever, and yes there are exceptions but look at all the legendary players


all one handed**and considered best of all time

ROD LAVER
ROGER FEDERER
PETE SAMPRAS
MCNROE
EDBERG
BECKER

the list goes on, and yes agassi existed but if you look historically, all the 2 handers are #2 and top player has 1 handed back hand


#1 feder 1 handed
#2 nadal 2 handed ( i know rankings have changed but its still the point)

#1 sampras 1 handed
#2 agassi 2 handed and UGLIEST Slice/ and never leanred how to volley lol

#1 mcnroe
#2 all dem 2 handers




and just like the time of "WESTERN" grips and people have moved on

the time of "TWO handed backhands" is coming to an end

you can go to any tournament and see youths pulling the 1 hander back to life

either way at least learn to slice with one hand if you dont want to lose every point on the run to your back hand

This post was edited by AndreaOvna on Aug 10 2011 11:18am

lolwut? 2 handed backhands dominate the rankings and are becoming more and more common.

but its a preference thing, in theroy 2 handers have more power and are more realible while 1 handers are better at mixing it up and using the finese side, but as i said this is in theory.

take tomic for example a young talent has an amazing flat backhand shot but also a very good slice.

when i played i used 2h, found it easyer to be more consistant that way.

This post was edited by TerryWrist on Aug 12 2011 11:44am

the problem with a 1 hand backhand is that it has to be in your wheelhouse for a decent hit. Great footwork can help put the ball in your wheelhouse, but sometimes it just kicks too high or stays too low to hit an effective shot and a slice is forced.

Im a huge fan of the one hand backhand and ive been working on it a bit, but i just cant meet the consistency necessary to succeed at 4-5 level tennis so i go 2 hand :/

clearly you do not play tennis competitively.

one handed backhands are making a resurgence, and its not just "in theory" the differences

futhermore, if you look at the statistics about 5 years ago, it was about 10 players inside the top 100 with one handed back hands,

now if you look they're are more than 5 one handed players in the top 15....

your point is moot. there is no benifit to the 2 hander, it is just like the massive swell in people using the severe "WEstern" grip, as you can see now few players still use that grip,

except the womens tour, and some randos

This post was edited by AndreaOvna on Aug 12 2011 04:44pm

in theory a 1 handed backhand would be great because you dont have to worry about expsoing your backhand side / ppl targeting backhand side


but i still love 2 handed. personal preference both can be so good




and 2 handed backhand =/= bad backhand slice to whoever said that -- mine actually got better b/c of it

This post was edited by buttersdan on Aug 12 2011 05:39pm