Best Backhand in Men's Tennis?

[nousername]

i remember never being more impressed with a shot than when i saw Sjeng Schalken the first time: 1hbh is awesome.... pathetic serve though.

so my vote:

1hbh: Sjeng Schalken, Kuerten a close second.
2hbh: Safin or Agassi (love seeing the short swings with power)

(only of those i've seen, i don't watch a ton of tennis).

 

[rosen88]

1: Federer/Gasquet. Maybe Haas, Gaudio or Kuerten.
2: Agassi/Nalbandian. Maybe Safin or Djokovic.

 

[federerfanatic]

I have never seen seen anything like Gasquet's backhand in about 20 years of following professional tennis.

Too bad his tennis brain and competitive heart isnt nearly as strong as his backhand.

 

[Ken B.]

Haas has the perfect one hand backhand. It's textbook perfection.

Two-Hands, I would say Nalbandian after Madrid. The thing was lethal and just powerful.

Both players though, need to have their head in the game to really show it off.

 

[javier sergio]

my vote; Gaudio

 

[Ripper]

Ok, I voted Gasquet, but it's true Gaudio is equal to him. Calleri gets 3rd place. Nalby 4th.

 

[lambielspins]

Gaudio could not be argued for the best backhand today. Maybe 3 years ago in his prime, but not now.

 

[Tempest344]

Gaudio's backhand is very powerful and heavy but it is not as precise as Gasquet's or Federer's

 

[superman1]

Gaudio could not be argued for the best backhand today. Maybe 3 years ago in his prime, but not now.

If this is about mechanics, then he has one of the most beautiful backhands out there. Most effortless than Gasquet's.

Of course, it's about the whole package on the backhand wing during match play, so I'd have to go with Gasquet.

 

[JacKKyKung]

I think it difference in two way between BH in POWER & BH in efficiency.
1HBH-Power ==> gasquet
1HBH-Eff' ==> federer
2HBH-power ==> safin
2HBH-Eff' ==> nadal (I vote for Agassi for former pro)

Regardless if it's a 1h or a 2h, Gasquet has the best bh in the ATP (Henin in the WTA, without a doubt)... It's wierd (or cruel) how Gasquet is the best at hitting the hardest shot in tennis, but is just regular at hitting fh and serves. Opponents have just learned (or is it learnt?) to avoid his bh... wierd, but true :-(

I think so. I LOVE his BH but his FH is too weak. If he has Federer FH, he'll be next world No.1, imo.

 

[93sq.]

1hbh volandri & gasquet
2hbh safin,hewitt davydenko

 

[prostaff18]

In the men’s game today I would say that Djokovic has the best BH. He can hit it with spin and flatten it out for a winner or a passing shot. The shoulder rotation that he gets is unbelievable. The way he steps in the court and takes it down the line is amazing!

But if you are talking about the last 10-15 years you have to go with Agassi.

 

[superman1]

I can't remember the last time Agassi missed or floated an easy backhand. If you have a two-hander, you should be watching videos of him. His forehand wasn't bad either so if you played him you'd probably want to aim for the lines and hope for the best.

 

[federerfanatic]

I think so. I LOVE his BH but his FH is too weak. If he has Federer FH, he'll be next world No.1, imo.

The BH is only 1 shot. Gasquet is a long way away from what he needs to be on top. Gasquet would need a better forehand, better serve, better return of serve, and much stronger mental game to ever come close to being #1.

 

[FedForGOAT]

Fed's topspin bh used to be much more consistent than it is now.

 

[SoBad]

One-handed - Youzhny, no question about it. Great pace and control on topspin drive xcourt/dtline, slice consistenly deep and low, exemplary disguise on drop shot. Exquisite variety on that wing from the crafty Moscovite. Creative use of left hand too for a one-hander...

 

[iTones]

Bjorkman's 2hander is fierce. Especially on his returns.

Safin and Youzhny (who?) are overrated. Safin's bh just looks relaxed (lazy), but it doesn't mean that he gets more power than anybody else. (except Roddick).
Also, Hewitt's BH looks ugly.

 

[93sq.]

Bjorkman's 2hander is fierce. Especially on his returns.

Safin and Youzhny (who?) are overrated. Safin's bh just looks relaxed (lazy), but it doesn't mean that he gets more power than anybody else. (except Roddick).
Also, Hewitt's BH looks ugly.

Yeah!!!!!you're really a big waterpolo expert!

Why don't we fix an intelligence minimum level to enter this forum!?
Some guys around here seem to think not with their brain...

 

[Fries-N-Gravy]

federer's backhand is so on and off. when its on, its amazing but its a higher risk shot for him definitely than his forehand. while he does block it or slice a lot of the time to compensate for his its inconsistency, i will say that it does make for a varied package that works the best.

agassi definitely had some of the most solid groundstrokes. he was hitting pretty well in that US final against federer and won the 2nd set.

gasquet's backhand is pretty much a forehand its so good.

 

[Red Velvet]

Well, I guess it depends on the meaning of "greatest". Is it in terms of efficiency or esthetics ? Anyways, here's my pick :

1 HBH : mainly every top 10 left hande but especially Korda, Gaudio at his best comes very close
2 HBH : Rios (master of the jumping 2 HBH !) and Agassi

 

[tsongafan68]

right now i think gasquet's is best for one hand. and im not really sure about the two handed actually. there's a bunch that are pretty good.

 

[757tennis]

1 hand bh gasquet
2 hand bh nadal

 

[tomuchskillz]

1HBH: Federer
2HBH: Nadal

 

[Ripster]

One handed backhand: Gasquet
Honorable mention: Federer

Two handed backhand: Nalbandian
Honorable mention: Djokovic

 

[NickOlsen]

I think Gasquets backhand is pretty but not effective, but that just sums him up. I'm rating them for effectiveness

1 - Haas (Current) Edberg (alltime)
2 - I like Nalbandians backhand, but Nadal's is the most effective IMO.

One handed are far more spectacular than two

 

[gugafan05]

I'm only referring to the best one handed backhand.
Kuerten or Henin definitely have the best backhands of all time. Kuerten can hit far more topspin backhands than Federer. He has a more extreme grip and takes his racquet back and up first so he is prepared to hit the high balls. Kuerten's backhand is far better suited for the modern game than Federer's. Federer has a great backhand, but with his continental grip he will never be able to hit as many topspin backhands like Kuerten. The continental grip requires being early on the ball, you can't let the ball get up on you like you can with the extreme backhand grip. Just watch clips of Kuerten and you will notice he hits far more topspin backhands and less slices than Federer. Henin, uses the same grip as Kuerten and has the same characteristics. I haven't looked into Gasquet's too much, but I like the way it looks. If someone were to argue that his were the best, I might agree because he has some of the same characteristics as Kuerten. He takes his racquet straight up on the backswing which as stated before allows for an easier swing path on the high balls. Thats my two cents worth.

 

[stormholloway]

Fed's topspin bh used to be much more consistent than it is now.

That's ridiculous. It's overwhelmingly agreed upon that this is the part of his game that has improved the most over the years. It is clearly better now than it has ever been.

 

[diegaa]

did I mention Calleri? no? well, calleri then.

 

[grafrules]

I'm only referring to the best one handed backhand.
Kuerten or Henin definitely have the best backhands of all time.

They could easily have the best backhands of the last 10 years but all time? Are you forgetting tennis lasted longer then 10 years.