Evert's or Henin's backhand: whose would you rather have?

[DeShaun]

In the past I would have said Henin's unquestionably, but nowadays I'm not so sure. Justine's backhand absolutely has more pop, but after watching match footage of Evert, I see now, Evert's placement was consistently as deep, only more varied/apt to hit a corner; not to mention, Evert's stroke is more effortless/less mechanical looking. That said, though, Justine's backhand is truly phenomenal.

 

[BTURNER]

This one is easy for me. Henin had a fine absolutely gorgeous backhand. Not Henin's fault, but it did not pass or lob Court, King, Goolagong, Navratilova or Mandlikova on all surfaces as well as rally steadily on any surface. Alongside the aforementioned benefits you mentioned, Evert's had complete disguise even on the fastest most awkwardly bouncing grass. Evert did not think the pass would go in an inch from the sideline, anymore than she beleived 2+2 probably = 4.

 

[Limpinhitter]

In the past I would have said Henin's unquestionably, but nowadays I'm not so sure. Justine's backhand absolutely has more pop, but after watching match footage of Evert, I see now, Evert's placement was consistently as deep, only more varied/apt to hit a corner; not to mention, Evert's stroke is more effortless/less mechanical looking. That said, though, Justine's backhand is truly phenomenal.

Evert's backhand was great. Better than Henin's? I don't know. What I do know is that Evert was the most focused, mentally toughest, athlete, of any sport, man or woman, I've ever seen.

 

[boredone3456]

I would love a backhand for crosscourt like Henin has, that things is amazing when she lets it rip. However, as good as it is, I might take Evert's because I think her's was more consistent and she was a little more precise with hers than Henin was. But in the end, its tough to compare, because a one hander and two hander are really night and day sometimes.

 

[Warriorroger]

For the wow factor Henin, but to win matches Evert's, it was very consistent, deep and never broke down.

 

[maxplymac]

Jim...er...Chrissy Evert

 

[Roy125]

I would take Henin's backhand but that's just mainly because I like one-handed backhands better. Henin's backhand had more power, but Evert's had extreme precision in order to pass all the serve/volleyers in her era.

 

[hoodjem]

Henin's backhand: love the topspin one-hander.

 

[jrepac]

totally different strokes, but Evert's in a heartbeat....just one of the most consistent backhands EVER. Plus, she could play defensively and offensively with it...go watch the last point of the '85 FO final if you have any doubt


Henin has a great one-hander, no question.

 

[BTURNER]

Not only does that two-hander get high billing in her clay dominance, you also have to give that Evert backhand a chunk of the credit for her 10 Wimbledon finals, and 4 Aussie finals for a total of 5 majors won on grass. Folks kept trying to slice approaches low to that side for 'easy' high put away volleys or serve out wide over there. Other than Martina with her leftie spin, it did not work.

 

[cc0509]

I pick Evert any day. Nobody had a more beautiful backhand in terms of form. She was just great to watch. Very graceful.

 

[hoodjem]

totally different strokes, but Evert's in a heartbeat....just one of the most consistent backhands EVER. Plus, she could play defensively and offensively with it...go watch the last point of the '85 FO final if you have any doubt


Henin has a great one-hander, no question.

Yep. Evert's BH reminds me of Rosewall's: unbelievably consistent.

And maybe Henin's is more like Laver's (or one of Laver's many backhands).

Maybe it's illogical to choose a flashier, riskier, killer shot over an ultra-consistent, steady, never-miss shot--but call me illogical.

 

[Borg Number One]

I like the Evert backhand. It was so consistent, but she also hit a lot of winners and forced a lot of errors with it. It was her "bread and butter shot" and one of the best backhands ever.

 

[robow7]

I'll take Evert's, just so damn rock steady.

For flash, you have to love Henin's but just watching her come over the ball makes my elbow hurt.

 

[CEvertFan]

For me it's easy - the Evert backhand.


I absolutely love one handed backhands in general and Henin's one hander is a great one (I also use a one handed BH when I play tennis - the 2 hander just isn't comfortable for me) but the Evert backhand, for it's time, was just so much more of a weapon IMO.

 

[NadalAgassi]

Henin's forehand is even better than her backhand. Well when she is playing her very best that is, when she isnt her backhand is the shot that always stays while the forehand goes. In 2003, 2006, and 2007 her forehand was the most killer shot though and destroyed the opposition.

 

[SoftTen]

I would go for Evert's backhand. Each time I feel she looks great when playing it. Graceful I should say.