Monte-Carlo 2024: Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Heroics Must Bring a Smile on Roger Federer’s Face Weeks after His Heart-Breaking Admission

One classic stroke stands out as a monument to history and grace in the fast-paced world of tennis, where players are always refining their tactics to obtain an advantage: the one-handed backhand. Even if the potent two-handed backhand has gained a huge chunk of popularity, the one-handed version still enthralls spectators and evokes wonder on the court. With Stefanos Tsitsipas entering the top 10 as a one-handed backhand player, the discussion regarding how one-handed backhand was getting rare, has come to life once again.

Apparently, it’s a momentous occasion for one-handed backhand fans as the Greek tennis player reclaims his spot in the Top 10 of the PIF ATP Rankings, alongside Grigor Dimitrov, making Roger Federer happy amid the chaos of the one-hand dying. The return of this traditional stroke challenges the two-handed backhand’s dominance and brings an interesting new dimension to the game.

However, it won’t be wrong to say that this is a significant achievement for the one-handed players, as Tsitsipas has made it to the 9th position, while Dimitrov sits at the 10th, serving as a constant reminder of the ageless beauty of the one-handed backhand in a sport that is constantly evolving and innovating.

On the other hand, a few months ago, Roger Federer expressed his dissatisfaction with the gradual deterioration of the one-handed backhand in elite men’s tennis in an open interview with GQ. He stated, “That’s a dagger right there. I felt that one. That one was personal. I didn’t like that. “But at the same time, how do you say, it makes the one-handers – [Pete] Sampras, Rod Laver, me – it makes us special as well that we’ve carried the torch, or the flag or whatever, for as long as we did.”

The double-handed backhand’s strength and power have made it a common sight on courts across the globe, as the focus of the game has shifted to baseline exchanges and unrelenting rallying. However, a few months ago, even the 22-time Grand Slam champion revealed the weakness of the one-handed backhand, adding fire to the debacle and highlighting how the particular art of tennis is dying.

When Rafael Nadal exposed one-handed backhand’s weakness

A few months ago, in a candid interview, Nadal opened up about a shift that left the 43-year-old Swiss tennis legend’s backhand art behind. He stated, “People started to hit the ball harder, play with more top spin, and have less time on the ball. A double-hander became a way to deal with all those changes in the game. It’s probably an easier shot to teach as well.”

While the tennis player preferred an easier way to deal with that ball, hitting a backhand with both hands turned out to be more convenient at the time. On the other hand, the one-hand backhand stroke establishes dominance from the baseline and helps the players with its ability to produce pace, control, and consistency.

Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on players keeping the one-handed backhand alive? Do let us know in the comment section below.