Items20The creator’s order
  1. 1Roger FedererRoger FedererBorn 8 Aug 1981Roger Federer's backhand is the reference point: a compact take-back, a still head and a long, relaxed finish, hit flat, with topspin or sliced with equal ease. For years it was the side rivals targeted, especially Rafael Nadal's high left-handed forehand on clay. Federer answered with a bigger…0i
  2. 2Stan WawrinkaStan WawrinkaBorn 28 Mar 1985Stan Wawrinka's backhand is the most powerful one-hander of the modern era: a full shoulder turn, a heavy racket and a swing that drives straight through high balls other one-handers have to block. It won him the 2014 Australian Open, the 2015 French Open and the 2016 US Open, beating Novak…0i
  3. 3Richard GasquetRichard GasquetBorn 18 Jun 1986Many coaches name Richard Gasquet's backhand the most elegant of all: a huge, looping take-back and a finish that leaves him almost airborne. It could produce winners from well behind the baseline, but standing so far back cost him time against the very best. He reached a career high of seventh and…0i
  4. 4Justine HeninJustine HeninBorn 1 Jun 1982Justine Henin's backhand was the best one-hander the women's game has seen, and John McEnroe called it the best backhand of either sex. At 1.67 metres she generated pace through timing and a full, fluid swing rather than size, and could slice, drive or roll the ball short crosscourt. It carried her…0i
  5. 5Dominic ThiemDominic ThiemBorn 3 Sept 1993Dominic Thiem hit a heavy, topspin one-hander with a long, whipping swing, often from several metres behind the baseline on clay. That position bought him time to swing fully and produced two French Open finals against Rafael Nadal, then the 2020 US Open title. It also left him exposed to short…0i
  6. 6Grigor DimitrovGrigor DimitrovBorn 16 May 1991Grigor Dimitrov's backhand drew early Federer comparisons for its shape, but his best weapon on that side is the low, skidding slice he mixes with topspin drives and lobs. The variety suits grass and fast hard courts. He won the 2017 ATP Finals, reached a career high of third and has played Grand…0i
  7. 7Stefanos TsitsipasStefanos TsitsipasBorn 12 Aug 1998Stefanos Tsitsipas has a classic, full one-hander that looks wonderful on clay, where he has won Monte Carlo three times and reached the 2021 French Open final. It is also the stroke opponents attack with high balls and fast serves to his backhand, which is why his record against the very best is…0i
  8. 8Lorenzo MusettiLorenzo MusettiBorn 3 Mar 2002Lorenzo Musetti is the one-hander most worth watching now. He can hit it flat, with heavy topspin, sliced or as a drop shot from the same preparation, which makes it hard to read. On clay and grass that variety has taken him to a Wimbledon semi-final in 2024, Olympic bronze in Paris and a French…0i
  9. 9Gustavo KuertenGustavo KuertenBorn 10 Sept 1976Gustavo Kuerten's backhand was long, loose and full of topspin, hit with a wristy flick that sent the ball down the line on slow clay. Guga won the French Open three times, in 1997, 2000 and 2001, and finished 2000 as world number one after winning the season-ending Masters Cup on an indoor hard…0i
  10. 10Stefan EdbergStefan EdbergBorn 19 Jan 1966Stefan Edberg's backhand was built for attack. A side-on stance, a high finish and a slight slice let him approach the net behind it and then volley with the same smooth action. On grass and the fast courts of the 1980s and early 1990s it brought six Grand Slam singles titles, including two…0i