Agassi vs Nalbandian Backhand
- Thread starter King No1e
- Start date
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Nalbandian had the best backhand in history of tennis. better than novak's
MeatTornado
Talk Tennis Guru
Andre every day and twice on Sundays.
metsman
G.O.A.T.
Never forget Safin schooling both those guys off the BH wing 2004 Madrid.
NatF
Bionic Poster
Safin is in the discussion for sure, deffo wins on power - I think Nalbandian could create better angles.
King No1e
G.O.A.T.
Safin's BH was the most beautiful 2-hander I've ever seen. He could put so much power and perfect placement with such a compact swing.
Ray Mercer
Hall of Fame
Watch highlights of their matches. Nalbandian generally got the better of the backhand to backhand exchanges and was much bolder in pulling the trigger down the line. Nalbandian was better down the line and his slice was superior.
sredna42
Hall of Fame
LOL no.
sredna42
Hall of Fame
This. What the hell are some people smoking here.
As much of an Agassi fan I am, I gotta say Nalbandian had the best 2-hander ever, even better than Djoker's. Agassi and Djoker's is much more of a consistent shot that does not break down with no weaknesses but Nalbandian was just as solid off that wing but much more lethal. The angles and the down the line shot winners he would rip during mid rally effortlessly was something special.
Ray Mercer
Hall of Fame
That is just brilliant shotmaking which every member on this board should just applaud. Shots like that are why I watch tennis.
MeatTornado
Talk Tennis Guru
Says the completely unbiased poster.
metsman
G.O.A.T.
they only played 1 match...
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
Andre was better on the return. So he gets the nod.
On the other hand, Andre was vulnerable to players who were not afraid to take the backhand dtl, as he would keep trying the go cross-court too predictably. I recall Coria burning him repeatedly on hard court circa 2003.
On the other hand, Andre was vulnerable to players who were not afraid to take the backhand dtl, as he would keep trying the go cross-court too predictably. I recall Coria burning him repeatedly on hard court circa 2003.
King No1e
G.O.A.T.
I think you might be on your own with that one, buddy
skaj
Legend
Nalbandian was great on the return, he is not behind Agassi there.
King No1e
G.O.A.T.
Druss
Hall of Fame
I don't see any conclusion to this debate as they are both very close. For me it's obvious who i'd say is better (though only slightly). Their BHs alongside Djokovic and Safin are top 5 OE BHs.
If I had to rank them, albeit we're splitting hairs:
1) Djokovic
2a) Safin
2b) Agassi
4) Nalby.
If I had to rank them, albeit we're splitting hairs:
1) Djokovic
2a) Safin
2b) Agassi
4) Nalby.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
8 slams suggest otherwise.
King No1e
G.O.A.T.
I'd put Connors up there too. He was the OG 2-hander and he did it like no other.
1. Djokovic
2. Agassi
3. Nalbandian
4. Connors
5. Safin
would be my personal list
am1899
Legend
There’s something about Djokovic’s 2HBH follow through that looks unnatural to my eye. No doubt it works for him, and his results speak for themselves.
The others mentioned in the thread are all excellent IMO - Safin, Nalbandian, Agassi, Connors. I would also add Nishikori as an honorable mention.
The others mentioned in the thread are all excellent IMO - Safin, Nalbandian, Agassi, Connors. I would also add Nishikori as an honorable mention.
FD3S
Hall of Fame
This is what I think too. Nalbandian could produce breathtaking angles/pace and change directions effortlessly and at will when he was on , but much like the rest of this game it could be erratic on occasion - only on occasion, mind. In contrast, Agassi's BH didn't quite rise to the same insane heights but its ground floor was never any lower than 'very good'. It simply wasn't going to cough up sloppy errors or short balls unless serious, consistent heat was coming at it, and even then you were going to have to move him around first.
A bit unfair to compare, because they aren't the same tier level in overall skills, so Agassi would probably find a way to win backhand exchanges due to other things. It's much fair to compare it with someone on the same level as Nalbandian like Davydenko, in this case Nalbandian is nr.1 in his goup of the skill level.
skaj
Legend
Right, and Sampras was a better returner than both of them, he has 14.
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Shaolin
G.O.A.T.
skaj
Legend
Me neither, but I taught it deserves a mention. It served him well, and it's the best left-handed ATP two-hander I could think of.
Shaolin
G.O.A.T.
King No1e
G.O.A.T.
No, that exclusive title belongs to Steve Johnson
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
He was a better server. But Andre wasn’t exactly known for serving. Given Andre played with a standard length OS, and Nalbandian used a 28” midplus, I give the serve edge to the guy with better leverage.
skaj
Legend
What does this have to do with the topic?
ichaseballs
Professional
OldschoolKIaus
Hall of Fame
Gilles Simon.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
He looks like a 15-year-old in that pic except for all the hair.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
It has everything to do with the topic. A short frame is good for flat precise 2hb. An extended frame is good for spinny angles and racquethead speed.
ClayCourter
Rookie
Aaron Krickstein
skaj
Legend
Yes, but try to apply it to what we were talking about.
skaj
Legend
It's always a good opportunity to remember the denim shorts.
metsman
G.O.A.T.
I'd probably go with Connors because Agassi had a much better serve/FH.
for me there is a spectrum of offensive abilities to defensive and consistency.
Offensive/catching fire_____________________________________________________________________________Defensive/Consistent
......Nishikori..........Safin...........................Agassi...........................Djokovic................Murray...................Medvedev
..........Nalbandian.......Gulbis.............................Davydenko
............Benoit Paire
This was done hastily and makes no claims as to whose is the 'best'. It's my opinion and probably reflects a mindset/overall style of a player more so than their isolated backhand capabilities.
To be clear, if I had to select a backhand for myself (rank them) I would have to do so in the context of their overall game - eg. you can't separate Djok's amazing open-stance defensive end-range backhand from a regular backhand, it's all part of the same package. So for me I rank them as follows (I haven't included connors as I have not seen enough of him).
1 - Djok - this is pretty clear for me - day in day out the most rock solid backhand in history. An absorbing wall of rubber - can change direction on a whim, defuse offensive serves and shots, incredible end range, very handy drop shot disguise off this side too.
2 - Agassi - again - can't seperate it from his overall style of taking it early, taking time away, constant pressure. I can still remember watching him live v Schuettler at the AO and was amazed how much of his body he put into that shot on every ball. Crushed.
3 - Murray - let's remember that Murray has some of the all-time great results with clear holes in his game - poor second serve, non ATG forehand. His return of serve stats are off the charts, incredible anticipation. Great variety and feel off the backhand side, can really mix it up well. Obviously can inject pace too. Right up there and only a hair between him and Djok.
4 - Safin - No one before or since has wielded the Prestige like it was a spoon and crushed two'ies. Was the rock of his game when everything else could fall off shallow tracks. Two parts swashbuckling three parts Fort Knox.
5 - Nishikori - honestly I think massively under-rated. Probably the best of this era in terms of sheer ability to change direction, create angle, inject pace. Had a little more pop than Djoker's but less overall consistency and end range ability.
6 - Nalbandian - could easily be higher but I think of Bandicoot's 2'y similar to that of Nishikori. Both smaller guys who could really take it early and punch well above their weight. Great disguise and pace injection. Had the angle, feel, etc. Technically my favourite to model in terms of grip, take back efficiency.
Offensive/catching fire_____________________________________________________________________________Defensive/Consistent
......Nishikori..........Safin...........................Agassi...........................Djokovic................Murray...................Medvedev
..........Nalbandian.......Gulbis.............................Davydenko
............Benoit Paire
This was done hastily and makes no claims as to whose is the 'best'. It's my opinion and probably reflects a mindset/overall style of a player more so than their isolated backhand capabilities.
To be clear, if I had to select a backhand for myself (rank them) I would have to do so in the context of their overall game - eg. you can't separate Djok's amazing open-stance defensive end-range backhand from a regular backhand, it's all part of the same package. So for me I rank them as follows (I haven't included connors as I have not seen enough of him).
1 - Djok - this is pretty clear for me - day in day out the most rock solid backhand in history. An absorbing wall of rubber - can change direction on a whim, defuse offensive serves and shots, incredible end range, very handy drop shot disguise off this side too.
2 - Agassi - again - can't seperate it from his overall style of taking it early, taking time away, constant pressure. I can still remember watching him live v Schuettler at the AO and was amazed how much of his body he put into that shot on every ball. Crushed.
3 - Murray - let's remember that Murray has some of the all-time great results with clear holes in his game - poor second serve, non ATG forehand. His return of serve stats are off the charts, incredible anticipation. Great variety and feel off the backhand side, can really mix it up well. Obviously can inject pace too. Right up there and only a hair between him and Djok.
4 - Safin - No one before or since has wielded the Prestige like it was a spoon and crushed two'ies. Was the rock of his game when everything else could fall off shallow tracks. Two parts swashbuckling three parts Fort Knox.
5 - Nishikori - honestly I think massively under-rated. Probably the best of this era in terms of sheer ability to change direction, create angle, inject pace. Had a little more pop than Djoker's but less overall consistency and end range ability.
6 - Nalbandian - could easily be higher but I think of Bandicoot's 2'y similar to that of Nishikori. Both smaller guys who could really take it early and punch well above their weight. Great disguise and pace injection. Had the angle, feel, etc. Technically my favourite to model in terms of grip, take back efficiency.
