One-handed backhand effectiveness?

[ask1ed]

Thanks for the update, Habib.

I still think there are enough one handed pro's out there that if the one hander had any significant overall advantage over a 2 hander (like I said before) you would see it in the rankings.

You see it in the grand slam final winners, 62-37 since '81 in favor of 1hbh.

 

[sureshs]

I feel that 1 H BH requires less physical exertion than 2 H BH. More reach, so running is less. Ability to slice, which can be used instead of drive/topspin when energy is depleted.

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

You see it in the grand slam final winners, 62-37 since '81 in favor of 1hbh.

Probably see it with number of weeks at number 1 too. Sampras, lendl, federer, mcenroe I'm sure spent quite a bit of time at number one .

 

[MonkeyPox]

I think that most of the women, or at least a lot of them, have better backhands than forehands. And of those, most are two handed backhands. It is just an easier shot to make adjustments and compensations with, especially in a defensive posture. And most of them can really crack one offensively too. Most of the pro men are a different story since they tend to tee off on forehands if they have the choice.

I have a two handed backhand, and having basically taught myself how to play, I think basically it was just easier to learn and so that's what I did. I can slice now as well with one hand, but doubt I would ever be able to hit a one handed topspin backhand, but I'm fine with that. My backhand is my best shot as it is, so it's all good. I have no one handed backhand envy. I ain't no hater either.

 

[Rob_C]

Well, mechanically, one-handed backhands are very tough on the shoulder.

(The follow through phase of the one-hander is very bad on the shoulder. The shoulder is not as stable when it's raised that high. The supraspinatus tendon of the rotator cuff, along with a sac of lubricating tissue called bursa actually rubs against a bone called acromion. Repetitive irritation can be very painful, this is called impingement syndrome. Further irritation and the bursa becomes useless as a cushion, and the supraspinatus tendon rubs against the acromion bone, eventually the tendon tears away. This is why serves lead to shoulder problems, especially the kick serve.
A strong rotator cuff will prevent such rubbing. Trust me, coming back from torn rotator cuff surgery taught me a lot about the shoulder. I had a partially torn supraspinatus, my bursa was removed because of inflammation and it was basically useless, supraspinatus was repaired. So i have to keep my rotator cuff strong to prevent tearing my surgically repaired supraspinatus again. I was 16 when i had the surgery, i'm 20 now. Made a full recovery but i need to work on my shoulders all the time, to prevent and keep it strong
Sorry for such a long explanation, but it helps my argument)

Tennis lesson usually starts when a person is young, the supporting tendons around the shoulder (rotator cuff) arent strong enough. So it's recommended that kids start with two-handers, they then get so comfortable with it, it's hard for them to change to a one-hander. And in tennis, you stick with what works.

Luckily for me, i was taught one-hander first, two-hander second. And i chose one-hander. It just feels so comfortable. For me, two-hander is the harder of the two shots.

The follow thru on a one hander shouldn't aggravate your shoulder because your arm really should only go to shoulder level. The finish should be with the racket pointing up in the air, tho, but that's the result of supinating your forearm.

I've had recurrent shoulder trouble, especially whenever I come off a long period of inactivity. Serves are the thing that'll aggravate my shoulder, my one hander doesnt.