Who Andy Murray once said had the best forehand and backhand in tennis after snubbing Roger Federer for both

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Andy Murray was certainly never shy of giving his opinion whilst playing on the ATP Tour, whether it was on or off the court.

Since retiring, Murray said he doesn’t miss playing tennis, but the former British number one is now coaching Novak Djokovic. 

In his playing days, Murray won three Grand Slams in total, firstly the US Open in 2012 when he defeated Djokovic in the final.

And the Scot then famously became the first British man to win Wimbledon since Fred Perry when he won the title in 2013, success he then enjoyed again three years later.

And in the same year as Murray’s first Wimbledon win, he did give some surprising answers when quizzed on some of the players he’d faced on the tour so far.

Andy Murray named the best forehand and backhand in tennis in 2013

Murray took on CNN’s quick-fire quiz alongside David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych and Janko Tipsarevic whilst at the Mubadala Open in 2013.

The quartet were asked a series of questions along the lines of the toughest serve to face, the best dressed player and the loudest in the locker room and so on.

But it was Murray’s answers to the best forehand and backhand on the men’s tour that really stood out.

The Scot didn’t pick Roger Federer for either, only concluding that his famous Swiss rival was the best dressed player on the tour.

And whilst it’s hard to argue with Federer’s immaculate appearance off of the court, Murray overlooking his old rival for both shots is worth questioning. 

For context, both Ferrer and Tipsarevic chose Federer’s forehand, whilst Berdych actually backed himself.

READ MORE: Rafael Nadal’s response when asked if Novak Djokovic was good enough to challenge him and Roger Federer back in 2011

Carlos Alcaraz’s forehand now hailed as best of all-time

Interestingly, former world number one Mats Wilander said that Carlos Alcaraz had the best forehand of all time when speaking to Eurosport last year.

Alcaraz had just beaten Miomir Kecmanovic in the Australian Open at the time, and Wilander was convinced that the Spaniard had surpassed some of tennis’ all time greats.

Speaking at the beginning of last year, Wilander said: “He has the best forehand of all time – the difference between him [and Kecmanovic] is that they’re both trying to hit forehands.

“He’s got so many options: he can go inside out, inside in, drop shot – both ways as well. And he can loop it up the way Rafa Nadal can. You’ve got to stay away from his forehand or you’re going to have a very long day.”

He continued: “In terms of technique, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better forehand. It’s not the big, loopy Rafa, it’s better than Djokovic.”