Prettiest backhand??

[borg number one]

Prettiest backhand? Well, Rod Laver not only had one of the most effective backhands ever, but if you ask me, his backhand was exquisite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43csIDKmkMk (Laver vs. Ashe)

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

^ How can you suggest Rod Laver without acknowledging Ken Rosewall or Don Budge?

 

[Jonny S&V]

^ How can you suggest Rod Laver without acknowledging Ken Rosewall or Don Budge?

Agreed, I'd put Rosewall's ahead of Laver in terms of aesthetics.

In terms of the 'modern' game, I would say that Guga had the prettiest, most fluid backhand, with Gasquet being a close second in the one-hander department. To me, Safin's was the most pretty two-hander, even tho he did muscle the ball, and the pace he got was utterly ridiculous. Nalby and Baghy are close seconds in the two-hander dept. As for slice backhands, I call it a three-way tie between Fed, Llodra, and Lopez (yes, Lopez).

 

[Lifted]

I love Edberg's backhand.

 

[hb_hound]

Tommy Haas

 

[piece]

Gonzo? Wow.

I think his backhand is very very underrated, he can put out some mad pace on that wing too. His DTL BH is fantastic too.

However, a pretty shot it is NOT. He moves like he's got leg calipers on while doing the BH.

Forgot about Gonzo. I actually really like the way his looks. The abbreviated follow through is really unique. Gives his backhand this feel of simplicity.

 

[Pwned]

I think Federer's looks the best. But I'd rather have Gasquet's or Wawrinka's bh.

 

[CyberInferno]

Justine Henin's

It's by far the prettiest AND also provably the deadliest

Completely agreed. Fluidity in motion.

Agreed, I'd put Rosewall's ahead of Laver in terms of aesthetics.

In terms of the 'modern' game, I would say that Guga had the prettiest, most fluid backhand, with Gasquet being a close second in the one-hander department. To me, Safin's was the most pretty two-hander, even tho he did muscle the ball, and the pace he got was utterly ridiculous. Nalby and Baghy are close seconds in the two-hander dept. As for slice backhands, I call it a three-way tie between Fed, Llodra, and Lopez (yes, Lopez).

I hadn't thought about the slice aspect. Fed is definitely phenomenal in that area.

 

[The_Question]

From the past: Edberg

Today: Wawrinka

 

[kiki]

It´s a Federtards post; ¿ Did you ever hear about a man called Ken Rosewall????

 

[cc0509]

Re: Djoker and Woz

Two handed backhands should be disqualified from this competition. There is no such thing as a "pretty" 2HBH.

I disagree completely. Have you ever seen Chris Evert's two handed backhand? It is truly a thing of beauty.

 

[CyberInferno]

I disagree completely. Have you ever seen Chris Evert's two handed backhand? It is truly a thing of beauty.

On the men's side, I think Agassi had a nice-looking two-hander. Very solid, compact stroke.

 

[borg number one]

^ How can you suggest Rod Laver without acknowledging Ken Rosewall or Don Budge?

I don't know, maybe because he's a lefty. For some reason, left handed shots look really cool to me. I just love how he hits that backhand. I'm right handed and hit a two hander mostly, so it looks that much more interesting to me. I know Rosewall's BH was a bit better than Laver's and Budge had a great BH as well, but in terms of aesthetics, Laver's BH gets the nod in my opinion.

 

[laboule]

Federer & Nalbandian.

 

[rainingaces]

Rochus has a nice looking bh but it never gets mentioned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_646UTW50hg

I would say Wawrinka has a very solid and the most consistant bh but not the best looking that is gasquet.

 

[boogywhip]

Nalbandian's backhand was blessed at birth.

 

[billnepill]

1h - Kuerten, Federer, Haas, Sampras
2h - Nalbandian

 

[Kaz00]

Dr Ivo hes really hitting through it this week!!

 

[Tennis360]

Gasquet's. watched him Live several times. still in awe everytime he hits that glorious BH.

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

Budge

(Rosewall and Laver were sweet too) of today's players Gasquet and Henin, Wawrinka.

Budge, Gasquet, Henin and Wawrinka all use the same full eastern backhand grip. Budge would put his thumb up alongside the grip... letting him change direction on flat drives more.

I use the Budge grip, Im an american so Ive never played another player with a full eastern grip but would love to (pacific northwest region). Whenever I play anyone 5.5+ the first thing they do is compliment my backhand then promptly hit to my forehand 90% of the time. The grip is difficult but with excellent footwork it is deadly and totally fun to hit. About the only shot that works somewhat well against it is a really low and highly angled slice or highly jamming shots to the body. Great for destroying mid to high balls, winners from anywhere on the court. Tricky timing though.

 

[lgbalfa]

edberg and kevin kim.

 

[Shaolin]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Andrei Pavel yet and he deserves some recognition.

 

[cghipp]

I really like Kohlschreiber's.

However, Kuerten's was the most fun to watch!

 

[namui]

My vote for Stefan Edberg :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXB4msX1oYo

 

[heninfan99]

Pretty:
Henin
Edberg
Gasquet

 

[chrischris]

Some nice backhands

Dimitrov
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uVCOQY50OA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpDa45zmzwg

Kohlschreiber
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl3eYmnet_Q

Gasquet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NDYSLi3pSE

and this guy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvz1aVslbZQ

That guy is my choice.

 

[thanu]

Rochus has a nice looking bh but it never gets mentioned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_646UTW50hg

I would say Wawrinka has a very solid and the most consistant bh but not the best looking that is gasquet.

I like Oli's backhand as well.... hope he gets his ranking back up so we can see him in major tournaments again!

 

[PennAlum]

Re: Djoker and Woz

Two handed backhands should be disqualified from this competition. There is no such thing as a "pretty" 2HBH.

Only borg had a pretty 2-hander, fluid and artistic.

 

[EdVin70]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Andrei Pavel yet and he deserves some recognition.

+ 1, Pavel's backhand motion is very clean

 

[Boricua]

Gasquet, Federer, and Almagro

Henin, Mauresmo and Schiavone

Love the beauty and grace of one handers

Two handers -

Nalbandian, Borg, Nadal, Connors, Agassi, Berdich and Safin

Wozniacki, Clisters, Seles, Sharapova

 

[alupower]

Guga!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TENNIS_IS_FUN]

marat safin

 

[tennisfu]

Yeah I'd definitely go with Andrei Pavel.

 

[stevorino]

Gasquet no competition.

this for sure.

 

[halalula1234]

gasquet and henin!

 

[Cooper_Tecnifibre4]

Aside from Fed's obvious puuurtty Backhand.

I would say Gasquet & Berdych.
Oh and I <3 Kohlshrieber's BH

 

[Raiden]

gasquet and henin!

That's pretty much "it" as far as GOAT BHs are concerned. Nothing more needs to be said

 

[cghipp]

That's pretty much "it" as far as GOAT BHs are concerned. Nothing more needs to be said

Henin's may have been more effective, but I think Mauresmo's was more beautiful. And I definitely have a renewed appreciation for Gasquet's after seeing him in action over the last couple of weeks.

 

[dominikk1985]

how about rios
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Keh6tw2XCYI

BTW: look how early they took the ball, I didn't remember chang going for it so much.

 

[NicoMK]

Surprisingly, non one mentioned Kafelnikov's backhand, a great weapon and beautiful IMO.

One handed, Pioline's was great I think !