Who has the best backhand EVER?

[djsiva]

Now since Nalbandian is on a streak, a lot of people are just now taking interest in his backhand.

What do you guys think?

I think a two hander is better than a one hander. Its better on returns, control and angles.

I think one handers are more powerful though and of course more stunningly beautiful to watch. I think one handers need the slice for control. Also one-handerrs tend to be better volleyers. But nowadays the volleys is about as frequently used as a drop shot.

Seriously how often does Federer hit a backhand winner off a first serve return. Two handers do it a lot more.

 

[FedForGOAT]

most people consider the best bh ever to be Don Budge's one-handed backhand, which was a very hard topspin bh. another great bh was Ken Rosewall's bh slice.

 

[FalconX]

hmm...where is Guga? That guy's backhand literally won him 3 slams. Where is Agassi? this is a joke.

 

[FedForGOAT]

hmm...where is Guga? That guy's backhand literally won him 3 slams. Where is Agassi? this is a joke.

I agree. but then again, you're only allowed 10 options per poll.

 

[djsiva]

Yeah I wanted to include some of today's players. Sorry. Guga and Agassi should definitely be added. But I don't think they are the best. Definitely better than some of the ones listed though. Fair enough.

Forget about Don Budge. Anyone can hit a really good backhand against a sitter. Most of the guys he played probably fed him easy no pace balls to the center of the court.

Ken Roswall is different. Again I would add him, but I don't think he's the best.

 

[Eviscerator]

Rating 2/10

 

[Fedace]

Guesquet is leading in votes but he is just too inconsistant in his tournament results to be considered having best backhand ever. Even the modern day pros are trying to do what Jimmy conners did with his backhand.

 

[Astrodust]

Justine Henin.

 

[djsiva]

henin is no good

 

[chaognosis]

most people consider the best bh ever to be Don Budge's one-handed backhand, which was a very hard topspin bh. another great bh was Ken Rosewall's bh slice.

These are certainly the top two.

The OP clearly does not know the meaning of "all time."

 

[budkid]

Gasquet has the most BEAUTIFUL backhand...

 

[Federer's pet goat Leanne]

my grandmama

 

[tennisbot]

gasquet definitely have the best backhand ever!

 

[Bogie]

ya, you're missing tons of other amazing backhands such as agassi and guga but out of the given choices, gasquet by far in my book.

 

[fastdunn]

I don't know whose is the best ever. I don't think there is such an answer, IMO (equipment is different, conditions(surfaces, type of balls) are different).

But I certainly never ever seen anything like Gasquet's one hander in about 20 years.

 

[RiosTheGenius]

Cannot believe Ivan Lendl isn't even mentioned in the poll...
well, that's my vote. but I also like these:
-Gasquet, Safin, Nalbandian, Hass, Henin, Federer, Calleri, Gaudio, Robredo, Ferrero, Rios, Guga, Muster, and I really like Mauresmo's

 

[David L]

Now since Nalbandian is on a streak, a lot of people are just now taking interest in his backhand.

What do you guys think?

I think a two hander is better than a one hander. Its better on returns, control and angles.

I think one handers are more powerful though and of course more stunningly beautiful to watch. I think one handers need the slice for control. Also one-handerrs tend to be better volleyers. But nowadays the volleys is about as frequently used as a drop shot.

Seriously how often does Federer hit a backhand winner off a first serve return. Two handers do it a lot more.

I think Nalbandian's two hander is better than a lot of players one handers or two handers. His proficiency with that shot is not common place. He arguably has the best two hander ever, so it does'nt make sense to look at it and generate a general rule about two handers. There are a hell of a lot of two handed backhands on the tour which are just okay. He also has very good instincts on the return generally, so him teeing off on returns is not categorically because he uses a two handed backhand.

The one and two handed backhand have their pros and cons, one is not better than the other. The one hander allows for better mobility on the run and better reach generally on drives and slice. It's also easier to generate topspin and the ball tends to follow more of an arc off driven shots. Its drawback is it's harder to master and not easy to control. The two hander makes controlling the ball easier. It also makes it easier to hit flat and to hit flat with control. Its drawback is it hampers movement and reach more than the one hander. Both types of backhand at their optimum provide no significant advantage when it comes to power.

I don't think Federer/Gasquet would necessarily be improved with a two hander or Nalbandian/Nadal with a one hander, had they developed differently. Some different tournaments would probably have been won and lost. The type of backhand they each use has clearly benefited their games a lot, because they each win so many points and matches with no little help from it. No type of backhand gives you the best of both worlds.

 

[ckthegreek]

The best one-handed to look at was Pioline's, Gasquet's a close second.

 

[BackHander22]

Gasquet has the most BEAUTIFUL backhand...

100% agree.

 

[AndrewD]

Edberg's backhand was infinitely better than Gasquet's. He could generate equal power, was far more consistant and had much greater variety of shot, speed and spin.

My top 5 list, in no particular order, would be.

Budge
Rosewall
Borg
Edberg
Henin

 

[ivo#1fan]

There must be some kind of error, you have left out Ivo Karlovic from pole?!

 

[fastdunn]

Edberg's backhand was infinitely better than Gasquet's. He could generate equal power, was far more consistant and had much greater variety of shot, speed and spin.

I agree but (possibly due to better technology and bigger head size) Gasquet's can produce some winners from anywhere on the courts in some situations at which players would hit a defensive shot in the past.

 

[JMS]

I love watching Nalbandian's and Gasquet's but Nalbandian's is the more consistent of the two

 

[Thor]

Take out of the list Nadal,Federer,Gasquet,Coria and Hewitt.
These guys have no claim for best backhand.

Gaudio's BH is IMO the best one hander ive ever seen - so if you want a BH poll,based only on this 1 shot regardless of how it fits in the player's game and how successfull he was Gaudio is a strong contender.

Other than that,there are 10 others id put before those 5 ive mentioned

 

[drakulie]

Agassi has the best backhand ever.

 

[Jackie T. Stephens]

Federer has the best backhand of course, he has great focus and can place the ball anywhere he wants to.

 

[RiosTheGenius]

this looks like a thread started by someone who just wanted to start a thread, the poll was not thought out at all or maybe the person who started it is not very familiar with players.
my tip, learn more about the history of the game and the greatest players in history before starting polls.
Coria, Nadal and Hewitt have very nice BHs but do not belong in the poll with the others, while you're missing people like Hass, Lendl, Muster, or other excellent backhands like ...... Moya, Roddick----just kidding

 

[djsiva]

this looks like a thread started by someone who just wanted to start a thread, the poll was not thought out at all or maybe the person who started it is not very familiar with players.
my tip, learn more about the history of the game and the greatest players in history before starting polls.

Tell me who would you add?

I know I don't have the best guys in there, but I definitely have the BEST included the guy with the BEST backhand ever.

Like I said I tried to include players that the board has seen. I know some of the recent players don't belong there, but the GUY with the best backhand is there: MECIR.

 

[RiosTheGenius]

Tell me who would you add?

I know I don't have the best guys in there, but I definitely have the BEST included the guy with the BEST backhand ever.

Like I said I tried to include players that the board has seen. I know some of the recent players don't belong there, but the GUY with the best backhand is there: MECIR.

if you finish reading my previous post you'll see who I suggested, but if according to you Mecir has the best backhand ever , we don't need a poll do we. there's no room for debating when you say "the best one is there, it's Mecir".

 

[coolhandluke]

you all are much too young to appreciate a great backhand.


ken rosewall

 

[stormholloway]

Edberg's backhand was infinitely better than Gasquet's. He could generate equal power, was far more consistant and had much greater variety of shot, speed and spin.

My top 5 list, in no particular order, would be.

Budge
Rosewall
Borg
Edberg
Henin

That's ridiculous. I love Edberg's backhand but he's no Gasquet in this regard. Did you see the display of shotmaking at Wimbledon from Gasquet? Please show me a reel of backhand highlights from Edberg that are on par with that.

And to say his backhand is infinitely better is stretching beyond belief.

 

[Tennis-Chris]

Agassi

Andre had one of the most potent and leathal backhands in the history of tennis - you left him off the list.

 

[Ronaldo]

henin is no good

Mandlikova best ever for the Ladees! And left off Borg and Vilas? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkoPk3iy65A

 

[Shaolin]

Where the FCUK are Safin and Guga???? You have Coria, Nadal and Hewitt listed but no Kuerten or Safin. Okkkkkk......

 

[Forehand Forever]

Roddick all the way.

 

[Ronaldo]

Where the FCUK are Safin and Guga???? You have Coria, Nadal and Hewitt listed but no Kuerten or Safin. Okkkkkk......

Safin, forgetaboutit!

 

[stormholloway]

Mandlikova best ever for the Ladees! And left off Borg and Vilas? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkoPk3iy65A

Wow. Laver's backhand looks nearly identical to Federer's in that video.

It's a shame Sampras never acquired a Laver-like backhand with all of his homework he did on the man.

 

[Alejandro D]

Is this thread about good looking or effective backhands?
In terms of beauty, Gasquet bh looks like a work of art. Same as Gaudio's. But Nalbandian's is much more effective. And this is tennis, not ballet.

 

[FedForGOAT]

Is this thread about good looking or effective backhands?
In terms of beauty, Gasquet bh looks like a work of art. Same as Gaudio's. But Nalbandian's is much more effective. And this is tennis, not ballet.

I agree. that should apply for Nadal's bh, too. I'm not a Nadal fan, but i feel he's underrated. His bh might not be the prettiest, but its extremely effective.