The best backhand ever?

[matchmaker]

For me Kuerten and Becker had the best onehanders.

For twohanders I am looking at Connors, Agassi, Rios and Nalbandian.

[theagassiman]

Originally Posted by matchmaker

For me Kuerten and Becker had the best onehanders.

For twohanders I am looking at Connors, Agassi, Rios and Nalbandian.

Kuerten, yes he had a great backhand, but Becker? Hmmmmmmm

[supitsnic]

The backhands of Federer, Gasquet, and Henin are my picks.

[theagassiman]

Originally Posted by supitsnic

The backhands of Federer, Gasquet, and Henin are my picks.

All beautiful backhands no doubt, but where's Edberg and even more, Rosewall?

[adidasman]

Originally Posted by theagassiman

All these guys we're mentioning yes, they all had awesome backhands.
But Edberg, Rosewall, Laver and maybe even Federer hit their backhands all with an effortlessness about them and that was what made them so special.

True, Muster certainly had a powerful backhand, but it wasn't hit with the same effortlessness and grace that Edberg or Rosewall hit theirs.

Yes, Muster's backhand was/is not pretty, but brutally effective. I'd put Mantilla's backhand over almost anyone's, though - man, it was just perfect. Pioline had a beauty as well. I brought those three up because I knew no one else would (and I happen to really like all three as players). However, there's no way to top Laver and Rosewall, the best backhands ever.

[no_dark_things]

Alright I have to check out footage of Rosewall and Laver. I can't picture their backhands in my head.

It seems like all French players have nice one handed backhands. Maybe it's something in the water.

If Phillippoussis hasn't been mentioned his one hander was a cannon. I don't know if anyone had more pace than he did. I suspect some hit harder but I've never seen anything like it.

[hoodjem]

Originally Posted by hoodjem

Yes, Edberg's and Laver's backhands were two of the best.

Also, Lendl's topspin and Rosewall's slice, skidder backhand.

Here you go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We3Hf...eature=related

[theagassiman]

Originally Posted by no_dark_things

Alright I have to check out footage of Rosewall and Laver. I can't picture their backhands in my head.

It seems like all French players have nice one handed backhands. Maybe it's something in the water.

If Phillippoussis hasn't been mentioned his one hander was a cannon. I don't know if anyone had more pace than he did. I suspect some hit harder but I've never seen anything like it.

Take a look at this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We3Hf9C-PP8

[pc1]

Originally Posted by no_dark_things

Alright I have to check out footage of Rosewall and Laver. I can't picture their backhands in my head.

It seems like all French players have nice one handed backhands. Maybe it's something in the water.

If Phillippoussis hasn't been mentioned his one hander was a cannon. I don't know if anyone had more pace than he did. I suspect some hit harder but I've never seen anything like it.

There's a clearer picture of Laver's backhand in this video. Actually at this point in time Connors probably had the better backhand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SptdffCeVmM

During Laver's time, he and Rosewall were considered to have the best backhands and I believe Kenny's was considered a bit better.

Check out Laver's backhand at 4:34. Laver's backhand may be the most versatile of all time and many thought his forehand was superior to his backhand!

[hoodjem]

Another good thread on the game's best backhands.

[hoodjem]

1. Laver
2. Budge
3. Rosewall
4. Edberg
5. Connors
6. Agassi
7. Kuerten
8. Vilas
9. Gasquet
10. Rios
11. Becker
12. Lacoste
13. Ashe
14. Borg
15. Kovacs

[pc1]

Originally Posted by hoodjem

1. Laver
2. Budge
3. Rosewall
4. Edberg
5. Connors
6. Agassi
7. Kuerten
8. Vilas
9. Gasquet
10. Rios

Aside from the ones above, in no particular order I'll toss in the ring these names also.

1. Kovacs-Jack Kramer said he couldn't serve and volley against him, Budge and Bromwich on the backhand.
2. Ashe-His backhand and Laver's are the most versatile backhands I've ever seen. They said his versatility may have hurt him in that he had too many shots to choose from.
Just check the video out and you will understand why I think his backhand's great. Ashe's opponent in the youtube video had a pretty decent backhand also. lol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpdPX9avs1M
3. Bjorn Borg-Never missed and his backhand may very well been as good or better than Connors. It was a very versatile backhand in that he could slice the ball on approach shots, a very good lob off that side and his topspin backhand passing shots on that side were legendary. Maybe the most error free backhand ever.
4. Lacoste-Was known for perhaps having the best backhand ever before Budge.
5. Miloslav Mecir-I'm sure this is a bit of a surprise but I thought his backhand was fabulous. He was so talented, great angles, touch, movement. It's a shame his career ended so quickly. He should have been one of the all time greats. His forehand was pretty super also. Heck a lot of his game was pretty super.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlb5Py25DPM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2bzlj4ypvw

6. Mats Wilander
7. Bill Tilden

[stormholloway]

Originally Posted by hoodjem

1. Laver
2. Budge
3. Rosewall
4. Edberg
5. Connors
6. Agassi
7. Kuerten
8. Vilas
9. Gasquet
10. Rios

Is this in particular order? Seems like people on here have a strange hard-on for pre-open era players. People rave about Rosewall's backhand, and it was great, but it was a flat slice backhand. That's all he could hit. That's pretty limited. Laver's was indeed sweet.

No Safin? Surely if Gasquet gets a nod then Safin deserves to. Nadal deserves some love too. He has one of the most devastating two-handers in history. And I'll take Federer's over Vilas'. I also feel like Borg and/or Lendl should be in the mix too.

[Datacipher]

Originally Posted by BTURNER

I go for Connors. That backhand could do anything for him. Not the most beautiful shot in history, but he could hit any spin to any part of court including moderate top, flat , slice and sidespin, return serve, approach, rally on any surface, lob, and volley with both hands on the racket. other honorable mentions in the doublehanded category include Borg, Agassi, and Wilander (first one I know to develop a 1 handed slice to compliment his two hander) For one handers besides Edberg: Vilas, Sampras, Pat Cash,and Federer cannot be forgotten.

It would be difficult to make a call between Agassi and Connors for 2 handers. Agassi had more topspin and could generate more "power". Connors was so clean, so simple, SO effficient, and had more variety, with shades of underspin, though, he did not have the more severe topspin dippers and angles of Agassi. A toss-up. Connors 2 handed approach was probably better.

[Zimbo]

For consistency and for their great passing shots: Borg, Nadal, and Wilander
For bring the heat: Lendl, Agassi, Safin, and Connors
For beauty and variety: Guga, Fed, and Edberg

Becker, Murray, and Joker's backhand should also get honorable mention

[Datacipher]

For lesser known players:
Mancini (among the most powerful and most heavy backhands EVER)
Pavel
Stoltenberg
Leconte/Arazzi
Yzaga

All had spectacular backhands.

[TennisPassion5]

No love for Nalbandian? Him and Safin had the two best backhands of the 21st century

[Zimbo]

Originally Posted by TennisPassion5

No love for Nalbandian? Him and Safin had the two best backhands of the 21st century

I totally forgot about Nalbandian. Right on

[TennisPassion5]

As for the FedExpress, I do like his backhand. But, how many times has it let him down? I don't think it ever was his "go-to" shot, but it was a weapon on a good day.

[abmk]

among those I've seen quite a bit of,

connors,borg,edberg,agassi,kuerten,safin,nalbandia n

Edberg's BH isn't talked about much, it was a thing of beauty and he could do almost anything with it