There are primarily three distinct types of backhands in tennis. These different techniques offer players unique advantages in terms of power, control, and deception, allowing them to adapt their shots to various game situations.
Understanding these foundational backhand strokes is crucial for any player looking to develop a comprehensive game. Each type—the one-handed, two-handed, and slice backhand—has its own set of characteristics, benefits, and strategic applications.
The Three Primary Backhand Types
To provide a quick overview, here's a table summarizing the main characteristics of each backhand type:
| Backhand Type | Key Characteristics | Common Usage | Famous Players |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Handed Backhand | Fluid motion, high reach, natural topspin. | Attacking, generating pace, opening up the court. | Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Justine Henin |
| Two-Handed Backhand | Stability, power, better return of serve. | Consistent groundstrokes, defense, passing shots. | Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams |
| Slice Backhand | Underspin, low bounce, disruptive. | Approach shots, defensive, changing pace, drop shots. | Nick Kyrgios, Ashleigh Barty, Andy Murray |
1. The One-Handed Backhand
The one-handed backhand is renowned for its elegance and ability to generate significant topspin and pace, particularly on cross-court shots. It requires excellent timing and body rotation, making it a challenging but rewarding stroke to master.
Key Aspects:
- Grip and Preparation: Often uses an Eastern or Semi-Western grip. The non-hitting hand typically helps with the backswing, then releases just before contact.
- Stroke Mechanics: Involves a fluid, often longer backswing, leading to a full follow-through across the body.
Advantages:
- Greater Reach: Allows players to retrieve wide balls more effectively due to extended arm length.
- Natural Topspin: Easier to generate heavy topspin compared to the slice, making the ball dip quickly.
- Fluid Motion: Can create powerful, aesthetically pleasing shots with a natural swing path.
- Versatility: Can be hit with various spins (topspin, flat, slice) more easily than a two-hander.
Disadvantages:
- Less Stability: Can be vulnerable to high balls or powerful returns, requiring exceptional core strength and balance.
- More Difficult to Master: Requires precise timing, footwork, and technique, making it less common among beginners.
Practical Insight: Iconic players like Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka are celebrated for their powerful and effective one-handed backhands, often used to create angles and dictate play. You can learn more about hitting this stroke on Tennis.com.
2. The Two-Handed Backhand
The two-handed backhand is favored for its stability, power, and consistency. It uses both hands on the racket, providing more control and making it easier to handle fast-paced balls, especially for absorbing pace from opponents.
Key Aspects:
- Grip and Preparation: The dominant hand typically uses a Continental or Eastern grip, while the non-dominant hand uses a Semi-Western or Western grip.
- Stroke Mechanics: A compact backswing with both hands, followed by a powerful forward swing, relying on shoulder and core rotation.
Advantages:
- Enhanced Stability and Control: Provides a firmer grip and better balance, reducing errors.
- More Power: Can generate significant pace with less effort, particularly useful for offensive plays.
- Easier to Learn: Often considered more forgiving for beginners due to the added stability.
- Strong Returns: Excellent for absorbing pace on serves and returning effectively.
Disadvantages:
- Reduced Reach: The second hand can limit extension, making it harder to retrieve wide balls.
- Less Natural Spin: Can be harder to generate extreme topspin or a controlled slice with the same precision as a specialized one-handed stroke.
Practical Insight: Dominant players like Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams are known for their incredibly consistent and powerful two-handed backhands, which serve as formidable weapons in their groundstroke arsenal. Discover how to hit a two-handed backhand effectively on Tennis.com.
3. The Slice Backhand
The slice backhand, typically hit with one hand, imparts underspin (backspin) on the ball, causing it to stay low after bouncing and sometimes even skid. It's an excellent tactical shot for disrupting an opponent's rhythm, gaining time, or setting up an attack.
Key Aspects:
- Grip and Preparation: Most commonly hit with a Continental grip. The racket face remains open throughout the stroke.
- Stroke Mechanics: A chopping motion, striking down and through the ball to impart underspin, resulting in a low, often skidding bounce.
Advantages:
- Tactical Versatility: Great for changing pace, hitting effective drop shots, approach shots, and defensive lobs.
- Disruptive: The low bounce and skidding effect can trouble opponents, forcing them to hit up on the ball.
- Time-Gaining: Can buy precious seconds to recover to a better court position during rallies.
Disadvantages:
- Less Offensive: Generally lacks the raw power to be a primary attacking weapon, as it provides less pace.
- Can Be Predictable: If overused, opponents can anticipate and exploit its lack of pace to move forward and attack.
Practical Insight: Players like Ashleigh Barty and Nick Kyrgios effectively use the slice backhand to add variety and unpredictability to their game, making them challenging opponents. Learn the technique for a successful slice backhand on Tennis.com.
Understanding these different backhand types allows players to develop a well-rounded game and strategically choose the most effective shot for any given situation on the court.
