Fabien Le Floc’h, Media365: published on Saturday September 02, 2023 at 7:44 p.m.
Players using the one-handed backhand have dwindled on the ATP Tour over the years. They are down to three in the US Open this year in the third round.
In the third round of this 2023 edition of the US Open, there were only three left: Stan Wawrinka, Grigor Dimitrov and Daniel Evans. Their common point? Of the 32 players still in contention in the men’s draw, they are the only ones still playing with a one-handed backhand, following the notable early eliminations of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Lorenzo Musetti. Of the 128 players in the main draw at Flushing Meadows, they were only 11 at the start of the tournament, or 8.59% of the players.
“Don’t let him die”
What raises the question: does the one-handed backhand have a future on the ATP circuit? Before the start of the tournament, Stefanos Tsitsipas had broached the subject on Eurosport, faced with its scarcity among young players. ” The game really leans more towards two-handed backhands nowadays. A safer hit, some would say. Easier to control, others would say, explained the Greek, current seventh player in the world but eliminated in the second round this year in New York. But I still believe the one-handed backhand has its place, i have faith in him. I’m here somehow not to let him die. »
The one-handed backhand is often seen as the guarantor of a certain romantic idea of the game by players, but also simple amateurs and spectators. An idea confirmed by Tsitsipas, he who abandoned the two-handed backhand during his training, with which all children start, to do like his idols. “I wouldn’t say I’m his successor, but I play with a one-handed backhand because of Roger (Federer, editor’s note. In a way yes, I want to be his successor, as huge as that may seem. I’m not even close to being yet, but he really gave me a reason to persist with this cut. Pete Sampras was also my hero. So these two players make this shot even more special for me. “The new headliners of the circuit (Alcaraz, Sinner or even Rune) do not use the one-handed backhand, but it is to be hoped that, for the beauty of the gesture, there will always be players to perpetuate the tradition.
2023-09-03 00:11:59
#Open #onehanded #backhand
