The debate about who has the best backhand in the history of tennis has recently gained new momentum. Alongside well-known names such as Björn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka and Richard Gasquet, tennis legend Andre Agassi made his very own choice – a choice that may surprise many.
Agassi and the choice of the best backhand
In recent days, numerous players, media and experts have expressed their opinion on the best backhand in tennis. One topic of particular discussion is how the backhand stroke has changed over the years.
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While the one-handed backhand stroke used to be the most common, more and more players are now using the two-handed version. The one-handed backhand stroke is now a rare occurrence, especially among the top players in the ATP rankings.
The ATP recently released a humorous video showing the history of the one-handed backhand. This video, which can also be seen on ATP profiles, features some of the most famous players.
Grigor Dimitrov takes on the role of main narrator, while Dominic Thiem, Richard Gasquet, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Lorenzo Musetti and Stan Wawrinka also have their say. Andre Agassi has also commented on this discussion and given a clear answer to the question of which backhand he considers to be the best in tennis history.
According to the website welovetennis, Agassi said: “I never hesitated. I would choose my own backhand because when the ball was on my racket, I knew exactly where I was going to send it.”
A surprising verdict
Agassi deliberately decided against Stan Wawrinka’s backhand, which is often praised for its power and effectiveness.
“I choose my own,” said the 54-year-old former American tennis professional with a smile, “because I knew exactly where the ball would end up when it was on my racket. This shot has paid me back in a very important way during my career,” he added.
This personal preference of Agassi not only underlines his own technique and playing style, but also highlights the importance of individual skills in tennis. Although the discussion about the best backhand is often dominated by the performances of the current stars, Agassi’s choice shows that the personal impression of a player can be crucial in many cases.
