Roger Federer has named the players he thinks have the best backhands on the ATP Tour.
The Swiss Maestro produced one of the greatest one-handed backhands in tennis history, and played with grace and elegance never seen before.
But this particular shot is less common in the game nowadays, with the vast majority of players using the two-handed backhand.
This is something Federer discussed in an interview with Vogue, and admitted it upsets him that the one-handed backhand is now a rare sight in tennis.
Who does Roger Federer think has the best backhand on the ATP Tour?
Federer played against many players who possessed a one-handed backhand and also contested plenty of matches against those who used a two-handed backhand, such as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
Given he once played with it, Federer expressed his sadness at how few players use a one-handed backhand currently.
He also took the time to name the players he thinks have the best two-handed backhands in the game, and it’s a strong list.
“There was a time in March or April when, for the first time in history, there was no top-10 player with a one-handed backhand,” Federer began. “Obviously that was a pity, because I think everybody likes to see a one-handed backhand.
“Let’s say maybe there’s 10 players now in the top 100 that have a one-handed backhand, so the percentage is getting less and less. That’s a pity. The problematic part is that you usually teach your kids to play with a double-handed backhand.
“The best players of today—Alcaraz, Sinner, Novak, Rafa Nadal—have incredible, sick backhands.”
Is Roger Federer the most successful one-handed backhand player of all time?
Federer used his backhand to great effect during his career, especially during his phenomenal comeback at the start of the 2017 season when he claimed the Australian Open title.
He changed his racket which had a bigger head, which gave him opportunities to be more aggressive, especially off the backhand side which troubled many of his opponents.
Pete Sampras was the game’s most successful player that used a one-handed backhand, after winning 14 Grand Slams and finished the year-end number one for six successive years.
This was until Federer came along, as the 42-year-old secured 20 Grand Slam titles, including eight Wimbledon Championships.
Federer’s one-handed backhand helped him spend a 310 weeks at number one, including a record 237 consecutive weeks in the top spot.
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