Most Beautiful 2HBH

King No1e

King No1e

G.O.A.T.
We always talk about the beauty and finesse of the one-handed backhand, but there are definitely some who pull off the 2-hander with just as much if not more grace.
For me there's a clear #1 on this front:


I know some others favor Nalbandian, Mecir, or Djokovic. Whose 2-handed backhand was the most aesthetically pleasing?
 
ghostofMecir said:
Nalbandian’s. It looked like a left-handed FH.

Safin’s is up there, though.
Click to expand...
GhostofMecir picks Nalbandian over Mecir?
tumblr_inline_pfp352ORsk1r4hkfd_250.png
 


I love Fernando Verdasco's backhand (and overall game aesthetically speaking) the most, but others that would be included would be Del Potro, Murray, and even Nadal.

Off the top of my head. I will think of others between now and next time I post
 
eman11 said:


I love Fernando Verdasco's backhand (and overall game aesthetically speaking) the most, but others that would be included would be Del Potro, Murray, and even Nadal.

Off the top of my head. I will think of others between now and next time I post
Click to expand...
I consider Verdasco's forehand the most aesthetically perfect in the game (along with Federer), but I never thought about his backhand. Interesting.
 
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Nalby, but Safin is a good pick as well.

I always liked how crisp Agassi's BH was, although that's more of a product of his full game than just his BH.


I would upload one of his older matches to really show him in his prime, but the quality of this video was so appealing...
 
Third Serve said:
Nalby, but Safin is a good pick as well.

I always liked how crisp Agassi's BH was, although that's more of a product of his full game than just his BH.


I would upload one of his older matches to really show him in his prime, but the quality of this video was so appealing...
Click to expand...
That video was a bad pick.....2005 Fed is too perfect for me to notice Agassi
 
Agassi, Kuznetsov.

Sharapova 's used to be really nice looking. Kuznetsova has a really beautiful running cc backhand.
 
King No1e said:
We always talk about the beauty and finesse of the one-handed backhand, but there are definitely some who pull off the 2-hander with just as much if not more grace.
For me there's a clear #1 on this front:


I know some others favor Nalbandian, Mecir, or Djokovic. Whose 2-handed backhand was the most aesthetically pleasing?
Click to expand...
Gasquet? Sorry. All of them. I kind of like Medvedev's Mecir-like vibe. Stylistically, I also enjoy Dolgopolov. And way back when? Borg.
 
Even though I picked Nalbandian, I would make a mention of Agassi. When AA was hitting the double hander on the rise - it was spectacular.
 
King No1e said:
That video was a bad pick.....2005 Fed is too perfect for me to notice Agassi
Click to expand...

Yeah, I should have picked a better one. I picked that video mainly because it was easy to see the ball, but upon doing more research, I found a better one. Here:


In great quality as well!
 
Nalbandian takes it for both artistic merit and effectiveness. Safin obviously is not far behind. Alot of obvious others, but Nishikori should be mentioned, I really like his 2hbh AND his forehand as well
 
I'd have to go with Nalbandian since he rarely ever looked off balance on that side.

Honestly, I don't think any part of Agassi or his game was aesthetic :)
 
Nalby and Safin would also be my first picks, though I always appreciated the fluid, almost effortless looking mechanics behind Kafelnikov's backhand. Deceptively elegant imo.
JC Ferrero should also get an honourary mention.
 
What are we talking about here? Esthetics or effectiveness? Hello, it's Djokovic. Nobody comes even close. Shall I post some videos?

Yes, Nalbandian was great. It looked pretty. Safin too. I'm a big fan of both of them.

Djokovic on the stretch ... can destroy you with his BH. Is everyone silly nowadays :)?
 
I must agree with @Tshooter. It is an inherently ugly and workmanlike stroke. I can appreciate a 2HBH that is technically fluid and effective, but it will always be the tractor to the 1HBH's sports car.

Which is okay - sometimes a tractor is better than a sports car. But it's still a tractor.
 
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Cashman said:
I must agree with @Tshooter. It is an inherently ugly and workmanlike stroke. I can appreciate a 2HBH that is technically fluid and effective, but it will always be the tractor to the 1HBH's sports car.

Which is okay - sometimes a tractor is better than a sports car. But it's still a tractor.
Click to expand...
It is not ugly at all. What tractor, lol. Somehow people think that 1HBH is prettier. It is irrelevant. What's up with tractors and sport cars :laughing:. That's just plain stupid.

It is what works for you. I mean I love Gasqet's BH. Where did it take him. Nowhere. Think about it. How did Fed lose so many matches against Rafa. Well, Rafa pounding that one hand BH to death. I hate that match up.

IMO, Stan when he is on, and that is not too often, can use his 1HBH as a real weapon. Fed, sure when he was younger but that is his weakness nowadays.
 
metsman said:
visually, definitely Nalbandian's.
Click to expand...

agreed it is a lovely looking shot, I watched him live in the infamous Queens final (great seat, close up) and was just in awe of the grace and smoothness, sadly i didn't get to watch it for as long as I had hoped!
 
Djokovic has arguably the greatest backhand ever, let alone 2HB.

May I also mention Nishikori in this conversation. Watching Nishi and Djokovic trade backhands, should be on every coache's play list when teaching kids.
 
Djokovic2011 said:
What about Djokovic's, vive? Surely you think it looks aesthetically pleasing whenever he uses it to smash a certain bull off the court, no? :)
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any item contributing to the denadalizion of tennis is obviously extremely pleasing (on all levels) and can suddenly reveal some unsuspected beauty :)
(as regards novak's 2HBH, i see it as clean and, while displaying some pleasing eslasticity, lacking a bit of smoothness compared to the ones i mentionned)

PS: even a simon forehand could (almost) be seen as aesthetical in such wonderful circumstances :)
almost... @Candide
 
Nadalgaenger said:
Robbie Koenig says it perfectly: “Yaas baby!!”

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GOAT backhand. The only reason I don't have him at #1 for aesthetics is because Safin and Nalbandian had more raw power on it. But on defense, best looking backhand of all time. He's the only player I've seen who can look good doing a complete split while sliding 2 metres.
 
eman11 said:


I love Fernando Verdasco's backhand (and overall game aesthetically speaking) the most, but others that would be included would be Del Potro, Murray, and even Nadal.

Off the top of my head. I will think of others between now and next time I post
Click to expand...

Good call on Verdasco.

Nishi, Safin and Fatbaldian are my other favorites.
 
Nalbandian for sure, lots of other longbody guys from that era too like jcf, and coria. Simon is a nice example too.

Has anyone mentioned Benoit Paire? I think his bh is the only reason he’s pro. Can do anything with it.
 
I find something about Nalbandian’s backhand ever so slightly unnatural that I find it overall unpleasing aesthetically but I can’t for the life of me figure out what it is. It’s kinda the tennis equivalent of uncanny valley. Maybe it’s the contrast between how in his takeback his arms always look flexed and stiff and yet his swing itself is flowy—I know I don’t like the look of Murray’s backhand take-back for that same reason.

I very much prefer the short, simple, and brutal effectiveness of Safin’s backhand, so that’s my favourite backhand. Agassi, Nadal, and Verdasco’s follow suit, although Verdasco’s backhand is basically the same as Nadal’s except in his takeback his racquet tip faces almost right up, whereas Nadal’s tend to go straight back. Djokovic’s looks pretty good too, but his flailing and stretching tend to get in the way of that.
 
eman11 said:


I love Fernando Verdasco's backhand (and overall game aesthetically speaking) the most, but others that would be included would be Del Potro, Murray, and even Nadal.

Off the top of my head. I will think of others between now and next time I post
Click to expand...

Each one of his shots is a joy to watch. But the overall game could be a pain sometimes being a fan of him.
 
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