The single-handed backhand in professional tennis is facing a slow-motion extinction event, driven by a combination of modern training methods, technological shifts, and the sheer dominance of double-handed competitors at the top of the sport, according to 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer.
Speaking to reporters in Berlin during the Laver Cup, Federer outlined the systemic pressures forcing players away from one of the game’s most aesthetically celebrated strokes. While the former world number one maintains that the single-handed backhand still has a place in the modern game, he noted that a lack of top-ranked role models using the technique creates an uphill battle for the next generation of players.
“Supongo que mucho de esto viene del entrenamiento,” Federer said, speaking to the media in comments. “Sería genial tener al número uno y al número dos del mundo jugando a una mano, algo que no tenemos ahora, así que eso no va a inspirar a la generación de jugar con revés a una mano. Los jóvenes tienden a fijarse en los mejores jugadores del mundo y si ven un revés a dos manos, entonces piensas que ese es el camino a seguir, aunque puede que no lo sea.”
The Evolution of Power, Technology, and Training
Modern tennis has evolved past reliance on mental fortitude and baseline stamina alone. Technological advancements in racket manufacturing and string technology have injected immense power into the sport, allowing players to dictate points with millimeter precision.
Federer, winner of 103 professional titles, played with a single-handed backhand that remains widely regarded as one of the finest in tennis history. He pointed out that reversing the trend requires proactive intervention from coaches willing to evaluate a player’s natural biomechanics rather than following convention.
“Creo que son los entrenadores de todo el mundo los que pueden darse cuenta de que algunos jugadores juegan mejor con una mano que con dos,” Federer stated. “¿Alguna vez quitas una mano? Esa es la pregunta. El entrenador debe saberlo y el jugador debe tener la urgencia de intentarlo como lo hice yo.”
Tactical Trade-Offs: Defense Versus Craft
The tactical divide between the two styles remains stark. A double-handed backhand offers superior leverage when dealing with high-bounce balls, defensive scrambling, and heavy service returns. Conversely, the single-handed variant demands impeccable timing and exceptional footwork to handle heavy topspin directed at the weaker flank.
Yet Federer observed an interesting evolution in contemporary tactics. Players wielding two-handed backhands have developed significantly better slice shots compared to two decades ago when he first joined the professional circuit, closing a traditional gap in court craft.
“Por supuesto, con el revés a dos manos se puede luchar mucho más en la devolución y en la defensa, mientras que con el revés a una mano puede ser mucho más difícil,” Federer said. “Lo que también veo hoy en día es que los jugadores que juegan a dos manos tienen un slice mucho mejor, algo que creo que no siempre era así hace 20 años cuando llegué al circuito. Será interesante de ver. Será triste ver cada vez menos jugadores con el revés a una sola mano.”
What Lies Ahead for the Single-Handed Backhand
With fewer juniors mastering the stroke and a shrinking representation of single-handed players inside the ATP Tour’s upper echelons, the shot risks becoming a stylistic relic. The burden now rests on coaches to identify prospects suited for the single-handed technique and provide the specialized instruction required to make it viable against modern power games.
The Laver Cup continues through the weekend in Berlin, serving as the backdrop for ongoing discussions among tennis legends regarding the future technical landscape of the sport.
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