Would Henin's backhand've been good on the ATP tour (if she were a 6ft 1in man)?

[tennis_hack]

My coach thinks Henin's backhand is fundamentally flawed because she doesn't throw her non-hitting arm back very far, if at all. It kind of just stays by her side during the follow-through.

Look here;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdDwMj3_WMA

Dimitrov, on the other hand exemplifies 'proper' form on the 1hbh, as he nearly touches the racket with the non-hitting hand behind his back.

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

This wasn't as much as a problem for Henin as it could have been because the WTA doesn't have any big topspin hitters. Not flingin back the non-hitting arm gets you in trouble if you have to face heavy topspin shots on your backhand, apparently.

If we were to somehow perfectly transpose Henin's exact backhand onto a strong and athletic 6ft 1in male pro, wouldn't it be exposed and get murdered by someone like Nadal? Dimitrov has taken a set off Nadal on clay, and his perfect backhand technique probably had something to do with it, whereas the flaws in Henin's backhand would probably be completely exposed?

 

[firepanda]

Henin's backhand has always been my favourite shot of all time. Even more than Nadal's passing shots and Federer's tweeners. But then again, I'm 2hbh, so I have no idea from a technical perspective.

 

[Disgruntled Worker]

Henin's backhand is the ONLY reason I would watch WTA tennis.

 

[BevelDevil]

Federer flings his arm back... What does your coach say about Fed's H2H against Nadal?

Flinging the arm back is usually related to opening up the chest. Is he saying that opening up the chest hurts creates problems against high balls? What exactly is the connection he is trying to make? The clay-court 1hbhs are the ones that tend to open up their chests.

Perhaps he's just throwing any argument at you to get you to change your backhand (which you probably should, if you're struggling on balls below the chest). Maybe he's trying to encourage you to counterbalance and keep your body more neutral at contact. It's probably easier to be consistent that way. So maybe it's worth listening to his suggestions (while not necessarily buying into his reasoning).


Btw, Dimitrov is hardly a good model for people learning the 1hbh. Like Federer, he keeps his arm bent way too long, and he has that exaggerated follow through. I also think his grip is too light and he thrusts up with his legs too much. It obviously works for him, but as a model I think it's too tough emulate.

Also, three reasons why Dimitrov's bh may hold up better than Fed when playing Nadal: 1) He stands much further back, 2) he's an inch taller, 3) he's standing up taller when he hits the ball


Henin's bh in a 6'1" ATP body is probably the GOAT 1hbh (and contender among all bhs) and would probably do better against Nadal than any current 1hbh.

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

Her mechanics would have been different as a consequence of having a 6 ft 1 frame... and it would have been awe inspiring!

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

Henin's bh in a 6'1" ATP body is probably the GOAT 1hbh (and contender among all bhs) and would probably do better against Nadal than any current 1hbh.

I absolutely agree with this

 

[rh310]

Henin's backhand is the ONLY reason I would watch WTA tennis.

Plus her footwork