How Did Federer Win 20 Majors With a One-Handed backhand?

[marc45]

excellent article by Tignor...includes his rankings of top one-handers ever, male or female

How did Roger Federer win 20 majors with a one-handed backhand? | Tennis.com

If there’s a need to add some luster back to the Swiss star’s Slams, the continued decline of the one-handed backhand in his absence should do it.

www.tennis.com

 

[bigbadboaz]

The question doesn't need to be asked so incredulously.. Fed arrived at a time when they were still considered viable, and played maybe half of his career before talk of obsolescence became common. A player of his talent and stature could obviously rack up the titles regardless of his BH style.

Thanks for the link; I'm about to check it out.

 

[Rosstour]

That's why many people consider him the greatest ever. He played a style that was well on its way out and showed that if you could hold your nerve then the old swashbuckling offensive game is still superior if everything clicks.

 

[Federev]

excellent article by Tignor...includes his rankings of top one-handers ever, male or female

How did Roger Federer win 20 majors with a one-handed backhand? | Tennis.com

If there’s a need to add some luster back to the Swiss star’s Slams, the continued decline of the one-handed backhand in his absence should do it.

www.tennis.com

It has something to do with him being epic.

 

[Mainad]

One-Handed Backhanderer was a genius?

 

[helterskelter]

The question doesn't need to be asked so incredulously.. Fed arrived at a time when they were still considered viable, and played maybe half of his career before talk of obsolescence became common. A player of his talent and stature could obviously rack up the titles regardless of his BH style.

Thanks for the link; I'm about to check it out.

That's not true. The article is right that there's been talk of the demise of the single-handed backhand since (at least) the 1990s.

 

[mental midget]

not just the ohbh...but playing essentially high-risk tennis in an era where conditions tilted the odds pretty squarely in the favor of percentage play and defensive heroics. the guy was good!

 

[Rina]

He is simply.... heavy-handed.

 

[Vincent-C]

That's not true. The article is right that there's been talk of the demise of the single-handed backhand since (at least) the 1990s.

Oh, way before that.

There will be more 1hbh winners of Majors, even if all conditions are presently, precariously constructed to keep that from happening. Our Rulers like pong [two-hander] tennis; I, don't.

What Stan did to two of the Big Three in Majors provides a hint to future 1HBH Greats.

"Go *after* the ball, chilluns!"

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Roger Federer will always be the guy.

 

[Vincent-C]

There have only been a few two-handers that could even be worthy of mention:

Connors
Mecir
Safin

The rest were fruity at best

 

[Halfdan]

What Stan did to two of the Big Three in Majors provides a hint to future 1HBH Greats.

The 2015 RG final is one of the tennis matches that's the strongest ingrained in my memory.
One of the best displays I've ever seen, and I remember they showed tweets during the TV broadcast from great players being incredulous and calling what Stan managed to produce "Playstation tennis".

 

[RaulRamirez]

I enjoy Tignor's writing, but hadn't been on that site in a while.
For variety's sake, it will be nice to see more elite players wield the one-hander. While the following is subjective, it is arguably the most aesthetically pleasing (commonly played) shot in the game.

 

[marc45]

good to see Henin mentioned, and so high....what a loss for the tour at the time, every bit as much as Barty...but as long as she's happy

 

[mental midget]

There have only been a few two-handers that could even be worthy of mention:

Connors
Mecir
Safin

The rest were fruity at best

figure i'd mention nalbandian to save others the trouble. i liked watching rios's as well, had a 'crafted' look to it...off both sides really.

 

[socallefty]

#100 on the ATP career return list won a lot of Slams just like another 1HBH player who ranks #235 on the career return list. By being high on the all time career ATP Server list - #8 for Fed and #12 for Sampras. They were both incredible offensive players who held serve easily and got a break or two when they needed it along with winning a majority of TBs. If Federer and Sampras can’t be higher up on the all-time return list, it tells you why the 1HBH is fading away at the highest levels of the game as it is a handicap on returns.