Best female backhands by decade
- Thread starter thalivest
- Start date
1980s Evert, Austin, Sabatini,
1990s Seles, Hingis, Sanchez, Davenport, Sabatini, Martinez, Venus, Serena
2000s Henin, Serena, Davenport, Venus, Hingis
boredone3456
G.O.A.T.
80's: Evert, Austin, Mandlikova, Sabatini, Graf (for the improvements she made in this shot, her progress from 86-88 was superb, plus this is when she was spinning it or flattening it out more)
90's: Seles, Hingis, Sabatini, Sanchez, Graf
00's: Henin, Davenport, Venus, Mauresmo, Serena or Clijsters
90's: Seles, Hingis, Sabatini, Sanchez, Graf
00's: Henin, Davenport, Venus, Mauresmo, Serena or Clijsters
80's Evert, Austin, Sabatini, Navratilova,
90's Seles, Hingis, Sanchez, Grafi
2000's Henin, Venus, Mauresmo, clisters
Come on guys, remember the most versatile backhand was Navratilova's. the slice itself deserves mention as a rallying shot, drop shot, lob or approach and her topspin rallying shot and flat passer were good enough to carry her to finals at RG and Wimbledon.
90's Seles, Hingis, Sanchez, Grafi
2000's Henin, Venus, Mauresmo, clisters
Come on guys, remember the most versatile backhand was Navratilova's. the slice itself deserves mention as a rallying shot, drop shot, lob or approach and her topspin rallying shot and flat passer were good enough to carry her to finals at RG and Wimbledon.
Thalivist, Let me change the wording of your post by one word.
Steffi's backhand was never really much of a weapon. It fit into her own game nicely and was effective within the confines of her game, but if the women did nothing but have backhand rallies she wouldnt even be a top 20 player.
So now why do you have her name down in the 80'S? Martina could do everything with hers that Graf did, except she could hit Topspin and flat both down the line and crosscourt and do so ROUTINELY. She hit as many winners with her backhand as Graf ever did, and and the chip itself earns her mention. It stayed just as low, bit as well and was as accurate as any slice I ever saw.
Steffi's backhand was never really much of a weapon. It fit into her own game nicely and was effective within the confines of her game, but if the women did nothing but have backhand rallies she wouldnt even be a top 20 player.
So now why do you have her name down in the 80'S? Martina could do everything with hers that Graf did, except she could hit Topspin and flat both down the line and crosscourt and do so ROUTINELY. She hit as many winners with her backhand as Graf ever did, and and the chip itself earns her mention. It stayed just as low, bit as well and was as accurate as any slice I ever saw.
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thalivest
Banned
Well I felt Graf's backhand was better than Martina's by quite a bit. She hardly ever made an error off that side which wasnt true of Martina. It was less prone to falling short and sitting up to be attacked if you pummeled with enough pace than Martina's. Graf's slice was more biting and had more consistent depth, not saying Martina's didnt have alot, just that I felt Graf's had more, it was a nastier slice for me. Martina only hit the topspin more since you had to with all the attacking players then. Steffi hit it alot in the late 80s when there were some still, and even then not nearly as much as before that. She never had to in the 90s as one hardly ever had to hit passing shots and Steffi was mostly rallying form the baseline. I am pretty sure if she played in Martina's hit she woudl have hit it alot more often as well.
Anyway that is just my opinion.
Anyway that is just my opinion.
Texastennis
Rookie
Graf's backhand was tremendously effective, above all on grass obviously, but more generally. I think it's one of the most underestimated shots when people are looking back. Whereas everyone loves Justine's (wonderful) backhand ....
darthpwner
Banned
No Sharapova for the 2000s? She has a great 2 handed backhand.
Joe Pike
Banned
kiki
Banned
Good list, but Jaeger´s was, at least, as good as a BH as Graf, if not better.
In the 1970´s, King and Goolagong should be mentioned (and, of course, Evert´s).
L
Laurie
Guest
Henin and Mauresmo are my favourites. I like the fact that both players mixed up slice and topspin in their rallies - more like male players. In the 1990s I've found so many one hand players overdid it with the slice backhand.
tennis4josh
Rookie
So many posts and no youtube link?
L
Laurie
Guest
Delve into my archives here
Henin v Mauresmo 2007 Eastbourne final
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQHJORL4lkQ
Graf v Seles 1999 Australia quarterfinal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks-ldu230XM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V3Mv1T4oho
Davenport v Myskina - 2005 Filderstadt quarterfinal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4SoGOvUK20
Venus v Zvonareva - 2008 WTA final Doha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KW3E3vim70
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