Dominic Thiem was a giant in men’s tennis, having recorded a stunning career within the ‘big three’ era.
Thiem clinched 17 tour-level titles, one of which came on perhaps the biggest stage in tennis; the US Open.
The Austrian came back from two sets down in the 2020 final at Flushing Meadows against Alexander Zverev to hold the famous trophy aloft inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
His victory that day marked the last time a player with a one-handed backhand managed to win a major title.
The shot is far less common on the ATP Tour than it used to be, and although it brought him plenty of success in his playing days, Thiem said he would not advise a young player to use a one-handed backhand.
Dominic Thiem explains why one-handed backhands are less common now
In an interview with Florida Tennis, the 32-year-old said: “If I’m really honest, if somebody has a decent two-handed backhand and is 11 years old or something, let’s say, playing in our academy, I would not suggest switching to a one-handed backhand.
“I’m brutally honest on this one. Just because, for example, in Vienna, I was watching live tennis for the first time in a while, and the pace is developing.
“It’s getting faster and faster, and I think you just have a little bit more stability with two hands if you have long rallies, and in that fast pace, you just have a slight advantage with a two-handed backhand.
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“That’s why I think the one-handed, unfortunately, it’s also getting less and less [common].
“But there always will be some players like [Lorenzo] Musetti who have unbelievable talent, who have unbelievable feeling in their hands. He can do a lot with the slice, with the drop shot, with all the variations.
“But it’s getting more and more difficult, and yeah, that’s why I wouldn’t suggest a player to make that switch right now.”
Dominic Thiem says if he thinks a one-hander can win a major
When asked if he thinks a one-hander can win a Grand Slam in the near future, Thiem replied: “I really hope so.
“There are some players who, maybe, are able to do it, but it’s not going to be easy for sure.
“It can happen that, for example, Musetti will win one in the next year, but it’s not like Sinner or Alcaraz, where you can be sure that they are going to win one.
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“There is also the possibility that for some years, or maybe for long years, there is no Grand Slam champion with a one-handed backhand.
“So let’s see. I’m curious, but of course, I have a lot of hopes that I’m not going to be the last one for too long.”
The last player with a one-handed backhand who came the closest to winning a major was Stefanos Tsitsipas, who suffered a near-miss in the 2023 Australian Open final against Novak Djokovic.
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