One handed backhand players, favorite/best rackets?

BobbyDe

New User
Smaller head size, heavier/weight in the head tend to work for me. Blades 18x20, IG Prestige’s. It’s mostly technique. The coach at my club really slices through the ball and gets these vicious shots that contrast with his topspin forehands.
 

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
Wilson PS 85
Yonex 95D

Recently tried the RF97 and so far it feels not bad. Still need to get used to it more to get a better sense of whether I like it or not overall.
 

Fairhit

Hall of Fame
Wilson PS 85
Yonex 95D

Recently tried the RF97 and so far it feels not bad. Still need to get used to it more to get a better sense of whether I like it or not overall.
I'm testing the RF97A 2016 and the 1hbh has been one of the high points, heavy penetrating balls, angles, you name it, I can do everything with it.
 

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
I'm testing the RF97A 2016 and the 1hbh has been one of the high points, heavy penetrating balls, angles, you name it, I can do everything with it.
What strings & tension are you using.

I have RPM 17g at 55 lbs but it feels slightly too harsh on my arm. Will probably restring with volkl at lower tension or use 18g string
 

Fairhit

Hall of Fame
What strings & tension are you using.

I have RPM 17g at 55 lbs but it feels slightly too harsh on my arm. Will probably restring with volkl at lower tension or use 18g string
Synthetic gut at 52 lbs, it has been easy on my arm.
 

what_army

Semi-Pro
I think the best racquet for 1hbh is the one that fits you spec-wise. Having said that I’ve been playing tennis for over 30 years and my backhand has never been better than after switching to the tc95.
 

hurworld

Hall of Fame
I think the best racquet for 1hbh is the one that fits you spec-wise. Having said that I’ve been playing tennis for over 30 years and my backhand has never been better than after switching to the tc95.

What weight/balance/SW are your TC95?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I currently have Prince Phantom 93p. Before that, Volkl PB10 mid. I always use natural mains at around 48 and poly cross at around 45.
But, the prince is killing my palms as it has a more pronounced butt cap, and I tend to hold it way low. Trying to see if trimming it off a bit helps.
But, that said, both are amazing sticks for 1HBH!
 

Pneumated1

Hall of Fame
I think the best racquet for 1hbh is the one that fits you spec-wise. Having said that I’ve been playing tennis for over 30 years and my backhand has never been better than after switching to the tc95.

I agree on the TC95. I'm currently torn between my TC95s and Volkl V-Sense 10 325s, but the best 1hbh frames I've ever hit were the Dunlop 300G and 4D 300 Tour (both modified).
 

what_army

Semi-Pro
Interestingly I played for over 15 years with dunlops mw 200g before switching to the TC95. we have similar tastes

I agree on the TC95. I'm currently torn between my TC95s and Volkl V-Sense 10 325s, but the best 1hbh frames I've ever hit were the Dunlop 300G and 4D 300 Tour (both modified).
 

leojramirez

Rookie
310gr/315mm and I've got both 63 and 70ra (299 and 293 swingweight respectively). 16x19

Thats about the balance and weight I like for the one hander, any more head light and I loose depth. Got the Vcore95 leaded with 2 grams at 3, 9 and 12 each and its fantastic on that wing.
 

graycrait

Legend
I'm enjoying using a pair of Volkl Tour 10 93" 18x20 and backup is a Wilson ROK 93. Liked the ROK 93 so much scored another one on the auction site. I have them all about 12.10oz/343g. I should try out the Prince 93P 18x20 but I got all 4 of these 93 18x20s for about half the price of a new 93P and thought, "No way the 93P is going to be much better than the Tour 10 or the ROK 93." Cautionary note: No has ever called out to me, "Hey! Your backhand looks just like Federer/Gasquet/Wawrinka/Tsitsipas/Theim or insert your favorite ATP one hander...."
 

shamaho

Professional
Also rely on my 1hbh topspin a lot and i find that i hit two very different backhands depending on the racket weight distibution.

If the weight is more in the throat like the vcore pro 330 i get a much more controlled shot that is easy to do on the defense but have difficulty getting enough whip to slay the ball when i want to hit a winner. With something more polarized, like the 93p or my customized pure strike i get much more of a whip which can let me hit bh winners easier, but i find it much harder to hit on the defense.

My choice basically came down to which is better for my forehand (polarized) since i can live with either.

Tragically I serve better with a nonpolarized racquet so there is no justice in this world.

Unfortunately there is no such thing as a single best racket for every shot ! it's a compromise you have to find according to your game style, physical condition, goals, etc... no point in discussing rackets with others... you'll just get confused ! You'll have to assess and think hard about the above, then make a decision and stick out any adaptation hurdles, learn to adapt your game to "hide"your shortcomings and highlight your best game !!

the solution is in your head ;)
 
Prince O3 Hybrid Tour (16x18). Took quite a while off from tennis and recently came back. Still surprised by the spin and pace I can generate with this racket specifically. Mine all weigh around 350g strung (leather replacement grip + overgrip) with Lux ALU Power at 52lbs.
 

skeeter

Professional
Interesting discussion. Long-time one-hander, 4.0-4.5 all courter here. In reading through this, and acknowledging that everyone is different and much depends on playing style and ability (and some racquets just work better than others for certain folks, despite specs that most others may prefer for one-handers), it seems like there is somewhat of a "pattern" in the specs of a racquet that might be best suited for intermediate/advanced players with a OHBH. I.e., and in general and without assigning any hardline numbers, seems to look something like this: smallish headsize (<98?), higher SW (320+), higher static weight (11.5+), thinner beam, fairly headlight, and control-oriented/tighter string patterns; and, or course, it has to look good! :cool: Thoughts?
 

shamaho

Professional
Interesting discussion. Long-time one-hander, 4.0-4.5 all courter here. In reading through this, and acknowledging that everyone is different and much depends on playing style and ability (and some racquets just work better than others for certain folks, despite specs that most others may prefer for one-handers), it seems like there is somewhat of a "pattern" in the specs of a racquet that might be best suited for intermediate/advanced players with a OHBH. I.e., and in general and without assigning any hardline numbers, seems to look something like this: smallish headsize (<98?), higher SW (320+), higher static weight (11.5+), thinner beam, fairly headlight, and control-oriented/tighter string patterns; and, or course, it has to look good! :cool: Thoughts?
you described my favourite ype of racket. within those there are miriads little variants, but generally I can play well with any as long as it has the generic characteristics you mentioned.

Maybe or potentially these general features might be biased by an old-school kind of learning path ? maybe these features don't necessarily need to be for hmmm youger people ? dunno....

then again... most OHBH I see is from a generation now well into their veteran tennis careers
 

Big Ed

Rookie
i love my prince tt warrior 100 and 107 for my topspin ohbh. my 15 yr old son also has a wicked ohbh dippin' topspin but his weapon of choice is a pure strike 100. all strung fb velocity 16ga@52lb. i personally don't see,except being headlight,where the racquet would dictate whether you can hit a ohbh with the racquet. it all in the technique and you adjust to whatever the racquet tells you.
Big eEd
 

Kevo

Legend
Interesting discussion. Long-time one-hander, 4.0-4.5 all courter here. In reading through this, and acknowledging that everyone is different and much depends on playing style and ability (and some racquets just work better than others for certain folks, despite specs that most others may prefer for one-handers), it seems like there is somewhat of a "pattern" in the specs of a racquet that might be best suited for intermediate/advanced players with a OHBH. I.e., and in general and without assigning any hardline numbers, seems to look something like this: smallish headsize (<98?), higher SW (320+), higher static weight (11.5+), thinner beam, fairly headlight, and control-oriented/tighter string patterns; and, or course, it has to look good! :cool: Thoughts?

I tend to agree with your characteristics. I don't like to go too high on swingweight myself. Somewhere close to 320 is probably where I like to stay. But I definitely fit the others. My favorites I've played seriously are the Pure Storm Ltd, not Pure Control 95, which barely beat out the Blade 18x20 that was around when the Pure Storm Ltd was released. I've since moved to older sticks. My favorites so far being the Pro Kennex Copper Ace, and what I play with now, the Rossignol F230. All thin medium weight head light and control oriented. I hit some killer backhands with all of them.

Having said that, I grew up playing a 110 Prince that seemed bigger than I was at the time and somehow managed to learn my one hander with that racquet. I think back on it now and wonder how did I manage? Maybe I didn't. I think I had a losing record with that stick. :-(
 

Boubi

Professional
Hi 1handers, fellow average 4.5 rated 1 hander here, probably my best groundstroke is my backhand as sad/strange as that sounds, any favorite sticks you all like to play with?
I've gone through some racket schizophrenia lately.
Right now I am experimenting with Yonex VC98 plus, great for serves, hit some decent backhands but not as dialed in yet with it. I also had some strange stiffness in the middle of my hitting hand perhaps getting used to the torque the plus racket put on my hand?
Tried Yonex VC95 and had some issues with feeling good about it, might need weight as others have mentioned, but I would prefer not to add another thing to tinker with and settle in on a stock racket, I think I can play ok without leading things up and I am very inexperienced with that.
Also played with Vcore pro, but would prefer a more closed string pattern, RF97 loved the backhand with that, and Pure Strike Tour which also had a great backhand response.

Wanted to brainstorm, maybe something 1handers can add some brainstorming too, any comments welcome.
Volkl power bridge 10 mid
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
Interesting discussion. Long-time one-hander, 4.0-4.5 all courter here. In reading through this, and acknowledging that everyone is different and much depends on playing style and ability (and some racquets just work better than others for certain folks, despite specs that most others may prefer for one-handers), it seems like there is somewhat of a "pattern" in the specs of a racquet that might be best suited for intermediate/advanced players with a OHBH. I.e., and in general and without assigning any hardline numbers, seems to look something like this: smallish headsize (<98?), higher SW (320+), higher static weight (11.5+), thinner beam, fairly headlight, and control-oriented/tighter string patterns; and, or course, it has to look good! :cool: Thoughts?

Smallish Headsize - I use 95 now but I had a lot of trouble going from a 90 to a 95 and had to change my style
Higher SW - 384 - check
Static Weight 13.25 ounces
Thinner Beam - I think so
Headlight - 6 points so not the super 10 points of serve and volley days
String pattern 18x20 - sure
Looks - looks deteriorate after use
 

muttu34

Rookie
Here is my journey:
1- PS95. Was a stiff racket and caused me some injuries
2- Volkl PB 10. Was good but wanted something different after a while when I saw Stan
3- vCore 95, Orange. Was good, but had to use Led Tape at 3+9 until the racket cracked
4- Prince 100P (Lucas Pouile) racket. Was good but something didn't feel right
5- A mate had a Wilson Blade 98 (18x20) Countervail. Tried it and fell in love with it. Had it for a year or saw and invested in 2 more. This had the right balance, and the countervail made it very smooth and easy on my arm.
 

Legend of Borg

G.O.A.T.
i hear the Vcore 95 is pretty insane for a OHBH but i've yet to play with it

perhaps my next target on my racketholic purchasing spree...
 

Kurt0707

Rookie
I good OHBH is also important for my game and I found the following very good for OGBH; Ezone 98+, Angell K7 Lime (SW>330) and even TT100P due to its high twist weight. These also work very well on serves too. I am yet to test Vcore95 and Dunlop CX200+ very soon, and I feel CX200+ with a higher twist weight will be more effective (also that I platy a pretty flat game)...
 

beepee1972

Semi-Pro
I do rather like other types of racquets. Coming from a Prince Tour 100 310 grams, a Volkl PB10 325 grams, down to a Volkl V1 Pro of 305 grams. I now use a ProKennex Tour 300. That did take some time to get used to, and I slightly had to change the angle between the racquet and my hand, but now I can really hit some nice balls and consider my backhand better (again) than my forehand.

But a headlight balance seems to be the most important factor for me. That is why I never really got used to the V1 Pro
 

drak

Hall of Fame
My one handed backhand is better now that I switched to a weighted SW104. My problem was that I tended to get a bit too wristy leading up to contact and the extra length and a bit more swingweight have cut that down so I'm more consistent getting to the contact point. I may have lost a bit of top as a result, but I miss probably one-fourth less.
For my 1hbh I have determined having a too polarized set up is detrimental to consistency/control (too wristy-flickly), I have found in the new Blade that adding 9 grams or so from the 3.5-4 inch spot (above the bottom of frame) up to the 7 inch mark has made a big difference in my backhand stroke, now much smoother (less flick) and stroke seems much more "in sync" with my arms and body when I swing. Sorta hard to believe how much difference that has made for me, but I had been overswinging/over rotating with weight too much at the extreme ends of the frame, the weight up the handle has really helped "sync" my swing and now an easy smooth stroke results in a crushed backhand
 
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movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
For my 1hbh I have determined having a too polarized set up is detrimental to consistency/control (too wristy-flickly), I have found in the new Blade that adding 9 grams or so from the 3.5-4 inch spot (above the bottom of frame) up to the 7 inch mark has made a big difference in my backhand stroke, now much smoother (less flick) and stroke seems much more "in sync" with my arms and body when I swing. Sorta hard to believe how much difference that has made for me, but I had been overswinging/over rotating with weight too much at the extreme ends of the frame, the weight up the handle has really helped "sync" my swing and now an easy smooth stroke results in a crushed backhand

I use a polarized setup and yes, there's a loss of control, but it's easier to hit topspin. Those flat shots down the line that land just inside the baseline - you don't have the control. But you can hit nice topspin with a loose wrist and maybe that topspin is as effective as the flat shots down the line. I find that the benefit to polarized is more on the forehand side and it's a detriment if you have an old-school classic 1HBH. The question is whether or not the tradeoff is worth it to you.
 

drak

Hall of Fame
I use a polarized setup and yes, there's a loss of control, but it's easier to hit topspin. Those flat shots down the line that land just inside the baseline - you don't have the control. But you can hit nice topspin with a loose wrist and maybe that topspin is as effective as the flat shots down the line. I find that the benefit to polarized is more on the forehand side and it's a detriment if you have an old-school classic 1HBH. The question is whether or not the tradeoff is worth it to you.
Its very subjective as everyones strokes are different, I am using a 98s so I get the extra spin/launch angle built in - so reducing the polarization somewhat is actually a benefit as I still get plenty of spin/clearance but can really drive thru the ball as well with an easy smooth swing, FH "for me" works very well with this set up as well
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
Its very subjective as everyones strokes are different, I am using a 98s so I get the extra spin/launch angle built in - so reducing the polarization somewhat is actually a benefit as I still get plenty of spin/clearance but can really drive thru the ball as well with an easy smooth swing, FH "for me" works very well with this set up as well

I agree but I struggled quite a bit going from 90s to 95s on the backhand side and it took quite some time to figure out why. The accuracy just was not there are hard shots and the fix was changing my backhand stroke.
 

drak

Hall of Fame
I agree but I struggled quite a bit going from 90s to 95s on the backhand side and it took quite some time to figure out why. The accuracy just was not there are hard shots and the fix was changing my backhand stroke.
As I said we are all different, I am hitting my BH the best I have in yrs with the new Blade v 7 98s, just adding that weight from 3.5-7 inches and a bit in the throat really made a big difference, sorta has shocked me actually after 40 yrs of tennis (still a 4.5). Before I felt like my hand/arm was out of sync with racket tip/head which lead to some significant swing inconsistencies and being very erratic, I am still "adjusting" but an easy/smooth swing is now producing much better results
 

drak

Hall of Fame
I agree but I struggled quite a bit going from 90s to 95s on the backhand side and it took quite some time to figure out why. The accuracy just was not there are hard shots and the fix was changing my backhand stroke.
One other thought, I am now 63, as I age timing and strength wane even though I work out constantly to stay fit and strong, but Father time does have his way. I think its getting harder as I age to have success/consistency with more "whippy/wristy strokes" and smoother and easier but still with good racket head speed are producing better results.
 
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asifallasleep

Hall of Fame
RF97 for sure but I have to admit that my Pro Staff 88 is one of the best ever for a 1 hand backhand. My PS88's are almost the exact same specs as Wawrinka's 95D's and we all know what his best shot is......
 

AceyMan

Professional
Phantom 93p 18x20.

When I read this my checking account whispered, "Here we go again ...". :p

(1HBH has been my strongest stroke and the center of my game since forever. It's even, dare I say, purty to watch.)

Good thread!
/AC
 

Classic-TXP-IG MID

Hall of Fame
Best racquets for my OHBH in no particular order:

Angell Custom TC97 (both string patterns)
Angell Custom TC95 18x20 (330g, 305mm balance)
Dunlop Biomimetic 200 Lite (don't let the "Lite" fool you)
Prince Classic Response 97 (or Precision Response 660)
Head Prestige (several models): Pro (Microgel); or Prestige IG MP; iPrestige MP; Prestige Mids (Pro Stock, LM - Made in Czech Rep, Tour 600)
Head PT630
Head Radical Tour 630
Head LM Radical MP
Head IG Radical MP and Pro
Head G360+ Gravity Pro
Head G360+ Speed Pro
Yonex VCore 95D
Yonex DR98
Yonex VCore Tour G 330
Yonex VCore Pro 97HD
Yonex VCORE 95 (2018)
Fischer VT Pro 95
Volkl C10 Pro
Volkl PB10 MP and Mid
Boris Becker DC Melbourne
Tecnifibre TFight 315 Limited (both string patterns)
Tecnifibre TFight 305 XTC
Wilson Blade 98 18x20 (2015) - haven't tried the v7 yet
Wilson Blade 98 Pro Stock (2013 paint-job but nBlade underneath)
Wilson Blade Pro 16x19 (haven't tried the 18x20 as it's not sold in my country)
Wilson UT/ UP
Wilson 6.1 95 (both string patterns)

Many of these I have modified to my specific liking, but all were pretty good to start with.
 
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