Best looking active player backhand slice?

[albertobra]

Djokovic gets to hit topspin BHs on a lot of shots where almost everyone else would use the BH slice. It's something he does better than anyone else, imo

Oddly enough, I've also noticed that the uglier Djokovic's slice looks, the more effective it is. His slice is actually a pretty underrated part of his game. Probably because it's so weird looking

I agree, Djoko's BHS is good for what he uses it. If we take out the drop shot, which really shouldn't enter in the argument of BH slice, 8 times out of 10 we will see Novak use the BHS for cross court rally when the ther side is doing the same thing.
Probably Djoko doesn't feel the need to develope a more complete BHS, because he is very successful already with what he has on that side of the court.

Obviously Fed’s looks nice.

Dimitrov’s is good and for the most part looks the same as Fed’s but I can’t get over just how silly he looks the way he sticks his neck out like he’s trying to slice and hit the guillotine at the same time.

In terms of results, Murray and Rafa’s slices are very good too. Murray’s is a tad overrated whilst Rafa’s are a tad underrated. Murray’s is more aesthetic because Rafa’s grip is closer to an Aussie grip than a traditional conti, making it look a little weirder than the technique would suggest.

On Dimitrov, true, the initial 'chop' is so similar to Fed's, but then he gets lost (as you say), and that translates in terms of efficiency of the shot. I just see Dimi´s BHS floating before landing, even when it razors the net, before touching court it floats, no way it is sharp as Fed's one.

 

[albertobra]

double

 

[flanker2000fr]

Federer easily has the purest backhand slice of any active players.

If looking at non active ones, it's hard to get past Edberg's.

 

[flanker2000fr]

Federer easily has the purest backhand slice of any active players.

If looking at non active ones, it's hard to get past Edberg's.

 

[Bender]

Federer easily has the purest backhand slice of any active players.

If looking at non active ones, it's hard to get past Edberg's.

If there’s one thing I learned from the Tips / Instructions board, it’s that I wouldn’t call Fed’s slice a “pure” slice if by that you mean traditional.

A traditional slice is more of a slice + drive shot than a chop shot, which is what this is.

 

[Bender]

Federer easily has the purest backhand slice of any active players.

If looking at non active ones, it's hard to get past Edberg's.

If there’s one thing I learned from the Tips / Instructions board, it’s that I wouldn’t call Fed’s slice a “pure” slice if by that you mean traditional.

A traditional slice is more of a slice + drive shot than a chop shot, which is what this is.

 

[Alfred Chicken]

There are two kinds, one kind of skips/skids, the other digs into the court and stops.

A heavy slice is really hard to lift back over the net.

J

Even though coming from only a table tennis player's vantage point, who's actually effectively and defectively bad at playing tennis, I agree.

 

[snr]

But that's almost all underspin (or backspin), not sidespin

I've never heard anyone who's a good player call a slice "heavy." When a shot is called heavy it is because of topspin

I'll agree on heavyness being a strange way to describe slice. I think I get what thees people are saying - a ball with lots of action, but heavy seems strange.

Regardless, I have to disagree that its not side spin. Yes, a large portion is under spin, but they'res definitely much more "side action" on Fed's slice. There's two types of slice techniques (I forgot what they're called some famous coach "teaches one" was it Wagner?), but one cuts more under the ball, and one is more diagonal and sideways. Watch the axis of Fed's versus say someone like Murray who also has a great slice.

Anyway, watch a practice court level behind Fed, he'll still have the regular back spins but he'll have quite a few that curve in the air.

 

[snr]

But that's almost all underspin (or backspin), not sidespin

I've never heard anyone who's a good player call a slice "heavy." When a shot is called heavy it is because of topspin

I'll agree on heavyness being a strange way to describe slice. I think I get what thees people are saying - a ball with lots of action, but heavy seems strange.

Regardless, I have to disagree that its not side spin. Yes, a large portion is under spin, but they'res definitely much more "side action" on Fed's slice. There's two types of slice techniques (I forgot what they're called some famous coach "teaches one" was it Wagner?), but one cuts more under the ball, and one is more diagonal and sideways. Watch the axis of Fed's versus say someone like Murray who also has a great slice.

Anyway, watch a practice court level behind Fed, he'll have a variety of slice but ther'e

 

[Standaa]

Federer.

Next.

 

[Gulfo]

 

[Gulfo]

For me its Dimitrov's slice

 

[pc1]

Federer.

 

[flanker2000fr]

If there’s one thing I learned from the Tips / Instructions board, it’s that I wouldn’t call Fed’s slice a “pure” slice if by that you mean traditional.

A traditional slice is more of a slice + drive shot than a chop shot, which is what this is.

I actually agree with you. And Edberg's slice is a textbook example of what you describe as a traditional slice.

Fed's motion is far more of a chop, but he somehow manages to keep an amazing fluidity through this motion. I guess that's just one of the things he manages to do, where others would fail if they were to attempt it.

 

[jm1980]

I actually agree with you. And Edberg's slice is a textbook example of what you describe as a traditional slice.

Fed's motion is far more of a chop, but he somehow manages to keep an amazing fluidity through this motion. I guess that's just one of the things he manages to do, where others would fail if they were to attempt it.

Everyone chops their slices nowadays. It's more due to the heavy topspin their slices have to counter than anything else.

 

[FedLIKEnot]

Dolgo.

Dolgopolov

+1.

 

[jaggy]

murygoat

 

[King No1e]

Federer. Best slice since the great Kenny Rosewall.

 

[King No1e]

Djokovic's slice actually doesn't look bad to me. I guess it's just because I'm used to it, but it doesn't look that awkward like most people say.

 

[Sport]

Federer has the most effective slice backhand. Nadal has the most beatiful one (even though it is not as effective as Federer's one).

 

[Tennis_dude101]

Ash Barty has a nice one too!

The Queen of Slice

 

[Lew II]

Slices naturally look better, when executed by one-handed backhand users (if we are talking about backhand slices off course!) Wawrinka, Federer, Dimitrov and Thiem all have good looking slices! Forehand slices usually look quite ugly tbh and most of the times not nearly as effective!

One of the best slices ever was from a forehand.

A two handed forehand.

 

[SaintPetros]

Probably Fed. He's the only guy that can hit a drive slice and a chop-slice from BH. I've seen better drive slices, but his chop is one of a kind.

 

[SaintPetros]

I'd say anyone 4.5 and above?

I realize heaviness is not exactly well defined, but I've rarely heard underspun shots being called "heavy"

They mean heavy as in "lots of slice" as opposed to "heavy" meaning weighty/forceful like how it usually means w/topspin

 

[Third Serve]

Fedr

Wow, Het, have you finally converted?

 

[BeatlesFan]

Federer has the most effective slice backhand. Nadal has the most beatiful one (even though it is not as effective as Federer's one).

You have limited capacity for humor or self scorn, so I know you're being serious here. There is nothing beautiful about Nadal's slice. It's a tortured, inelegant, utilitarian shot.

Your offering isn't an opinion, it's blind, deaf, clueless fandom. Fed in this short clip shows more ability and variety than Nadal has shown with his slice in the past 33 years. Nadal isn't even capable of executing these types of shots.

 

[Zoid]

Federer > Lopez > Dan Evans > Dimitrov >

 

[RaulRamirez]

The consensus is Fed, and I agree. His slice is remarkable for its fluidity and the amount of sidespin he imparts on it.

 

[King No1e]

Honorable mention to Monfils. Really crisp, technically sound stroke (like all his other shots).

 

[Lleytonstation]

But that's almost all underspin (or backspin), not sidespin

I've never heard anyone who's a good player call a slice "heavy." When a shot is called heavy it is because of topspin

I think "heavy" for backhand slice is more like "uncontrollable" as it is difficult to play anything but defensive with it.

 

[Tshooter]

FEDR.

It's so beautiful to watch my eyes tear up. Thiem's is ugly by comparison though far from ugly compared to the rest of the tour.

FEDR also has a lot of "bite" on his BH slice. Click through and watch it in 4K and be prepared to be emotionally moved by the FEDR BH slice.

 

[The Green Mile]

Honorable mention to Monfils. Really crisp, technically sound stroke (like all his other shots).

Gael? Dude's slice is fugly IMO and not very effective either

 

[Robert Baratheon]

Ash Barty has a nice one too!

The Queen of Slice

Man she is crafty!!
Beautiful

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Wow, Het, have you finally converted?

Never in a million years.
That was the time when I wasn't aware of the truth, and the truth is Feder

 

[Chadalina]

Not alot of footage of Karlovic's slice, but he uses it alot in matches and stays low (considering his height)

 

[Tshooter]

Not alot of footage of Karlovic's slice, but he uses it alot in matches and stays low (considering his height)

It's effective but FUGLY. OP asked about best looking. Obviously it's subjective. Except FEDR's BH slice is objectively good looking.

 

[Chadalina]

It's effective but FUGLY. OP asked about best looking. Obviously it's subjective. Except FEDR's BH slice is objectively good looking.

Nope he hold his back shoulder and anchor leg like a pro

Do you even know how to hit a 1h slice?

 

[OldschoolKIaus]

At the moment: Mischa Zverev.

 

[Tshooter]

Nope he hold his back shoulder and anchor leg like a pro

Do you even know how to hit a 1h slice?

Enjoy it in slo-mo. Savor it. We won't have it on tour forever. We'll be stuck with whatever the heck Tiafoe is doing.

 

[ForumMember]

No one comes close to Fed. Please continue with the discussion for second best.

 

[Chadalina]

Enjoy it in slo-mo. Savor it. We won't have it on tour forever. We'll be stuck with whatever the heck Tiafoe is doing.

Its nice to meet your mr Federer.

Slo mo i dont even watch those in the tips section

 

[ForumMember]

Not alot of footage of Karlovic's slice, but he uses it alot in matches and stays low (considering his height)

I am surprised to see that he practices anything other than serves.

 

[Chadalina]

I am surprised to see that he practices anything other than serves.

Those groundies are solid, i consider myself a good player but dr ivo could probably beat me from the baseline

 

[Tshooter]

Those groundies are solid, i consider myself a good player but dr ivo could probably beat me from the baseline

Sounds like it would go five sets though if Ivo played from the baseline.

 

[Chadalina]

Sounds like it would go five sets though if Ivo played from the baseline.

Its more of a comment as to how good he really is. Also a compliment to how bad atp players can make him look at the baseline.

People say he is only a serve, but hits better than 99% of us.

I like him btw

 

[Tshooter]

He knows how to maximize his game. He's a great competitor. He is mentally tough. It bothers him not at all that he can't break your serve. He'll just wait for his opportunities and if they don't come bring on the tiebreak. And his ground game was massively improved over the years especially his BH. When I first watched him play back around 2004 or so he couldn't really do anything with his BH. A mere 12 years or so later and his BH slice was a decent rally shot that wasn't that easy to attack. He's still learning how to hit a topspin BH and I think he will get there.

I think FEDR once said it takes a lot of concentration to play him because you know you only get a very few chances a set to break him, if you're lucky. Or maybe he was talking about Isner.

 

[ForumMember]

Those groundies are solid, i consider myself a good player but dr ivo could probably beat me from the baseline

This statement doesn't sound very complimentary to him though. Raises more doubts than quelling them when you had to use a probably there.

 

[Tshooter]

This statement doesn't sound very complimentary to him though. Raises more doubts than quelling them when you had to use a probably there.

It is complimentary because it sounds like Chad is a very good player. But when you're that good you can only go so far as to say probably.

 

[ForumMember]

It is complimentary because it sounds like Chad is a very good player. But when you're that good you can only go so far as to say probably.

Complimentary may be to Chad but doesn't really put Karlovic in a very bright light.

 

[Tshooter]

Complimentary may be to Chad but doesn't really put Karlovic in a very bright light.

I think you're missing just how good Chad is.

 

[toby55555]

What the heck is a "heavy" slice?

Fed normally doesn't even put that much side spin on his slice

The way Thiem attacks the ball with a very steep swing perhaps.
I’m always happy to see players like Evans and Berretini mostly using slice as it’s my strength, can’t hit a backhand drive consistently

 

[Purplemonster]

Think of him what you may but Tomic has a great slice backhand

 

[Nadal15thslam]

Kokkinakis for me. I enjoy his slice bh a lot.