Is backhand the only thing that declined for Tsitsipas?

smalahove

Hall of Fame
Zverev has eaten Stepfanos for breakfast in 2024.
What will happen in 2025?

Imo, it looks like Zverev has found his groove back on the backhand side, and added another notch or two on the FH.
Against, ohbh players like Tsitsipas or Musetti, he will continue to dominate the BH CC, on all surfaces.
 

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
If we need to chart the relationship, what should we put in the x axis, and what on the y axis?
I would start with the rate of co-Instagram posts per day on the x axis against the number of days remaining in the slam after his loss (slams have both atp and WTA at same venue).
 
He doesn't need to switch.
NO, if stefanos tsitsipas wants to take his game to the next level, stefanos tsitsipas has ABSOLUTELY NO CHOICE but to learn how to actually utilize effectively his non-dominant arm in order to play a two-handed backhand that will not be completely picked apart by top-level opposition.
 

vokazu

Legend
His serve is a bit suspect technically. He tends to fall to his left side after he serves. His backhand slice is not that good either.
 

Sudacafan

Bionic Poster
NO, if stefanos tsitsipas wants to take his game to the next level, stefanos tsitsipas has ABSOLUTELY NO CHOICE but to learn how to actually utilize effectively his non-dominant arm in order to play a two-handed backhand that will not be completely picked apart by top-level opposition.
How many pro players made that switch from OHBH to 2HBH, or vice versa, in the middle of their careers, or later?
 
How many pro players made that switch from OHBH to 2HBH, or vice versa, in the middle of their careers, or later?
I believe it is unheard of for any tennis professional in any official part of his or her professional career to radically change his or her backhand technique from a one-handed backhand to a two-handed backhand and vice versa which is why I only said that stefanos tsitsipas has ABSOLUTELY NO CHOICE but to change his one-handed backhand to a two-handed backhand in order to take his game to the next level even though we know that stefanos tsitsipas simply does not have the balls to actually undergo such a radical change in order to take his game to the next level.
 

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
NO, if stefanos tsitsipas wants to take his game to the next level, stefanos tsitsipas has ABSOLUTELY NO CHOICE but to learn how to actually utilize effectively his non-dominant arm in order to play a two-handed backhand that will not be completely picked apart by top-level opposition.

Nonsense
 

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
How many pro players made that switch from OHBH to 2HBH, or vice versa, in the middle of their careers, or later?

It probably could be done, but why risk it?

Even if he stays where he is in the rankings, he'll still end up a rich man when he hangs up his racquet.
 

Sudacafan

Bionic Poster
It probably could be done, but why risk it?

Even if he stays where he is in the rankings, he'll still end up a rich man when he hangs up his racquet.
I don't think this can be done, and I am an optimistic person.
Anyway, as you explained it, this is ineffectual.
 

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
WRONG, your response is COMPLETE NONSENSE and you have ABSOLUTELY NO COUNTERS to anything that I have said!

Federer did just fine with a one-handed backed. Dimitrov is still competitive with a one-handed backhand.

Tsitsipas beat Sinner this year with a one-handed backhand.

The one-handed backhand ALONE is not crippling Tsitsipas. His mentality, his seeming loss of confidence, his problematic matchup against Alcaraz are just a few other factors.
 

Sudacafan

Bionic Poster
Federer did just fine with a one-handed backed. Dimitrov is still competitive with a one-handed backhand.

Tsitsipas beat Sinner this year with a one-handed backhand.

The one-handed backhand ALONE is not crippling Tsitsipas. His mentality, his seeming loss of confidence, his problematic matchup against Alcaraz are just a few other factors.
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, NO OBJECTIONS.
 

kangaroo1973

Semi-Pro
Federer did just fine with a one-handed backed. Dimitrov is still competitive with a one-handed backhand.

Tsitsipas beat Sinner this year with a one-handed backhand.

The one-handed backhand ALONE is not crippling Tsitsipas. His mentality, his seeming loss of confidence, his problematic matchup against Alcaraz are just a few other factors.
Lets be honest, Fed s backhand was an all time S tier shot. Especially 2017-2019 with larger racquet frame which gave him more time and control.
 

kangaroo1973

Semi-Pro
Of course backhand is not the only thing which holds our beloved philosopher back. It is also pathetic ROS, poor mentality, choking and injuries to a certain extent.
But that backhand is in my opinion the worst shot on the tour
 
Federer did just fine with a one-handed backed. Dimitrov is still competitive with a one-handed backhand.

Tsitsipas beat Sinner this year with a one-handed backhand.

The one-handed backhand ALONE is not crippling Tsitsipas. His mentality, his seeming loss of confidence, his problematic matchup against Alcaraz are just a few other factors.
Once again NO, you are COMPLETELY WRONG as always because tsitsipas is NOT federer and NOT dimitrov. It is ABSOLUTELY BEYOND CLEAR that the one-handed backhand weakness of tsitsipas is BEYOND CRITICALLY WEAK given the FACT of how carlos alcaraz, novak djokovic, and many others are capable of completely abusing and pummeling down the one-handed backhand weakness of tsitsipas and one little win against jannik sinner DOES NOT change THE FACTS. MARK MY WORDS unless tsitsipas learns how to use his non-dominant arm on his backhand and learns how to play a two-handed backhand, tsitsipas will continue to get his little weak one-handed backhand PUMMELED into COMPLETE OBLIVION!
 

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
That's incorrect. Federer has lost many matches because of his unreliable forehand in big moments.
I remember his forehand misses at squandered match points.

It's like talking to a wall. Makes sense, I guess, given that they're Djokofans.
 

Rosstour

G.O.A.T.
To me, he seems to have lost a lot of his passion for the sport. Just looked unhappy being out there. I think injury struggles will do that

But tactically, you mentioned that he went back to his old serve, which seemed to help during the indoor season. Curious to see what this new coach brings to the table. Not having dad yapping at him from the stands might improve his state of mind.

Just from a few matches, it looked like he was more aggressive on the return. Will he keep that up in the 2025 is the most important question.

His Dad will be back in the fold very soon I fear
 

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
His Dad will be back in the fold very soon I fear

Not sure. I saw true changes at the end of the year. The problem with them coming at the end of the year is that he may revert to his old habits during the layoff.

Fingers crossed that he keeps going in the right direction. The thing for Tsitsipas is that he's not bad enough to be worried, but not good enough to be top 10, at the moment.
 

Rosstour

G.O.A.T.
Not sure. I saw true changes at the end of the year. The problem with them coming at the end of the year is that he may revert to his old habits during the layoff.

Fingers crossed that he keeps going in the right direction. The thing for Tsitsipas is that he's not bad enough to be worried, but not good enough to be top 10, at the moment.

At the first sign of trouble with Paula, Apostolos will make an appearance

My theory is it was her who gave Stef the courage to try to become more independent
 

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
At the first sign of trouble with Paula, Apostolos will make an appearance

My theory is it was her who gave Stef the courage to try to become more independent

I don't know. I give a lot of credit to Svitolina, for example, but I don't see that with Badosa.

Stef has had a somewhat tumultuous relationship with dad long before Badosa appeared. That racquet swipe was pretty bratty and the constant chatter from the box was oppressive. Makes Uncle Toni look hands off.

Truthfully, I don't think Tsitsipas has enough confidence in his own game to think his way out of tricky matches. He really is the scarecrow out there. This is a big reason I'm opposed to on court coaching. Players don't develop independently.
 
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