No more one-handed backhands? :(

Tennisnerd
17 Feb 202411:52
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses the decline of the one-handed backhand in tennis, suggesting it's becoming less common due to modern game dynamics. The speaker analyzed top 150 players and noted fewer than 10 use the one-handed backhand on the men's side, with even fewer on the women's side. They highlighted players like Shapovalov and Tiafoe who still use it effectively but struggle with high balls. The script also touches on the aesthetic appeal of the one-handed backhand and its efficiency in comparison to the double-handed backhand. The discussion includes the impact of racket choice and playing style on the one-handed backhand's viability, emphasizing the need for diversity in tennis to keep it interesting for fans.

Takeaways
  • 🎾 The one-handed backhand in tennis is experiencing a decline, with fewer top players using it effectively.
  • πŸ“‰ In the top 100 male players, there are only around 10 using the one-handed backhand, and even fewer on the women's side.
  • πŸ‘€ Notable players with one-handed backhands include Shapovalov, Tiafoe, Eubanks, Altma, Lovich, and Evans on the men's side, and Diatchenko and Perry on the women's.
  • πŸš€ High bouncing balls and heavy topspin are challenging for one-handed backhand players to defend against, as seen in matches like Alcaraz vs. Shapovalov.
  • πŸ”„ Changes in equipment, such as bigger racket heads and polyester strings, have contributed to the shift away from the one-handed backhand.
  • πŸ‘Ά There is a concern that serious coaches are less likely to teach the one-handed backhand to new players, which could lead to its further decline.
  • 🎨 The one-handed backhand is considered aesthetically pleasing and elegant, but it may not be as efficient or successful in competitive play.
  • πŸ“Š The majority of players now use the two-handed backhand, which offers better stability and control, especially against powerful shots.
  • πŸ“ˆ Players like Ciprian and Dimitrov are still within the top ranks and use the one-handed backhand, suggesting it can still be competitive at the highest level.
  • πŸ› οΈ Racket choice for one-handed backhand players seems to favor smaller head sizes for better control and feel, although personal preference varies.
  • 🌐 The speaker advocates for the diversity of playing styles and surfaces in tennis, cautioning against the sport becoming too homogenized.
Q & A
  • Is the one-handed backhand in tennis experiencing a decline?

    -Yes, according to the discussion in the script, the one-handed backhand is indeed experiencing a decline, with fewer top players using it and some suggesting that tennis is struggling due to slower courts and a lack of contrast in playing styles.

  • How many top 100 men's tennis players use a one-handed backhand according to the script?

    -The script mentions that there are fewer than 10 or around 10 one-handed backhand players in the top 100 on the men's side.

  • What are some of the challenges faced by one-handed backhand players in modern tennis?

    -The script points out that one-handed backhand players struggle with high balls and heavy topspin, which is more common in the modern game with faster courts and polyester strings that allow for greater velocity.

  • What changes did Roger Federer make to his game to better compete against Rafael Nadal's topspin?

    -Roger Federer became more aggressive, took the ball earlier, and used a bigger head size racket for better stability, which helped him to manage Nadal's topspin more effectively.

  • Why do some believe the one-handed backhand is less efficient in today's tennis?

    -The script suggests that the one-handed backhand is less efficient due to the modern game's fast pace, powerful rackets, and polyester strings, which make it harder to defend against high, loopy topspin balls.

  • What is the current trend in tennis coaching regarding the one-handed backhand?

    -The script indicates that serious coaches are less likely to teach the one-handed backhand to their students, with the double-handed backhand being the majority choice.

  • Which players are mentioned in the script as notable one-handed backhand players in the ATP tour?

    -The players mentioned are Milos Raonic, Matteo Berrettini, Taylor Fritz, Reilly Opelka, Jannik Sinner, and Daniel Evans.

  • What are some factors contributing to the decline of the one-handed backhand in women's tennis?

    -The script notes that the one-handed backhand was never as popular on the women's side, and the number of players using it has further decreased, with only a few players like Diane Parry mentioned.

  • How does the script describe the aesthetic appeal of the one-handed backhand compared to the double-handed backhand?

    -The script describes the one-handed backhand as a more aesthetically pleasing shot, suggesting that it is often admired for its elegance, even though the double-handed backhand may be more efficient.

  • What are some of the racket specifications preferred by one-handed backhand players mentioned in the script?

    -The script discusses preferences for smaller head sizes like 98 or 95, which are considered easier to swing through compared to a 100 square inch racket, although personal preference and playing style also play a significant role.

  • What is the script's perspective on the future of tennis in terms of diversity and contrasting styles?

    -The script advocates for the importance of diversity and contrasting styles in tennis, expressing concern that a lack of variety could make the sport less interesting for fans and potentially lead to a decline in interest.

Outlines
00:00
🎾 The Decline of the One-Handed Backhand in Tennis

The speaker discusses the perceived decline of the one-handed backhand in tennis, sparked by a discussion on Tennis.net. They note that many people agree that tennis is struggling due to slower courts and a lack of variety in play. The speaker then analyzes the top 150 players, finding fewer than 10 men and only about two women using the one-handed backhand. Notable players like Shapovalov, Tiafoe, Eubanks, and Evans are mentioned, along with women's player Diane Parry. The discussion highlights the difficulty of defending against high balls with a one-handed backhand, exemplified by a match between Alcaraz and Shapovalov. The speaker also references the rivalry between Nadal and Federer, where Federer adapted his game to better handle Nadal's topspin. The evolution of tennis equipment and playing style is considered, with the one-handed backhand becoming less common due to modern game dynamics. The speaker expresses a desire for the one-handed backhand to persist, as it adds aesthetic value to the sport.

05:02
🏸 Racket and String Choices of One-Handed Backhand Players

This paragraph delves into the equipment preferences of players who utilize the one-handed backhand. It mentions specific racket models like the Blade 98, Pro Stock, and the Pro Staff RF 97, used by players such as Ciprian, Dimitrov, and others. The speaker highlights the flamboyant style of players like MTI and the challenges they face in winning matches. The paragraph also touches on the performance of players like Eubanks, Daniel Evans, and Duan Lajović, and how their choice of racket and string type influences their game, especially on different surfaces like clay. The discussion includes players' rankings, their preferred rackets, and their struggles or successes in the sport. The speaker also contemplates the future of the one-handed backhand and whether it will continue to be taught to new players, given its perceived inefficiency compared to the double-handed backhand.

10:03
🌐 The Importance of Tennis Diversity and the Future of the One-Handed Backhand

The final paragraph emphasizes the importance of diversity in tennis, including different playing styles and surfaces. The speaker expresses concern over the homogenization of tennis, where surfaces are becoming more uniform, potentially leading to a less interesting sport for fans. They argue that contrasting styles and surfaces are what make tennis beautiful and engaging. The speaker hopes for the preservation of these elements to maintain interest in the sport. They invite viewers, especially those who play with a one-handed backhand, to share their thoughts on its future and whether it will remain a part of tennis in the coming years. The video concludes with an invitation to visit Tennis.net for more content and a reminder to support the channel through membership or Patreon.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘One-Handed Backhand
The one-handed backhand is a tennis stroke where players use only one hand to swing the racket. It is a central theme of the video, as the speaker discusses the decline in the popularity of this stroke among professional players. In the script, the speaker mentions that there are fewer than 10 one-handed backhand players in the top 100 men's rankings and even fewer on the women's side, indicating a shift in the sport's technique.
πŸ’‘Slow Death
The term 'slow death' is used metaphorically in the script to describe the perceived decline of the one-handed backhand in tennis. It suggests that this style of play is gradually fading away, much like a slow, inevitable demise. The speaker uses this phrase to grab attention and to express concern over the potential loss of this traditional tennis technique.
πŸ’‘Tennis Nerd
Tennis Nerd is likely the name of the channel or the persona of the speaker in the video. It implies a deep and passionate interest in tennis, often associated with a detailed understanding or obsession with the sport's intricacies. The speaker uses this term to establish credibility and to connect with the audience who share a similar enthusiasm for tennis.
πŸ’‘Top 150 Players
The script refers to the 'top 150 players' in the context of discussing the prevalence of the one-handed backhand among high-ranking tennis players. This term is significant as it sets the scope of the analysis and indicates that the speaker is considering a broad spectrum of professional players to make a point about the declining popularity of the one-handed backhand.
πŸ’‘High Bouncing Balls
High bouncing balls are tennis balls that bounce high after being hit, making them difficult to return, especially with a one-handed backhand. The script mentions that players with a one-handed backhand struggle with these types of balls, which is a key reason why the double-handed backhand is becoming more prevalent in the professional game.
πŸ’‘Rafa-Roger Rivalry
The 'Rafa-Roger rivalry' refers to the intense and historic competition between tennis players Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. In the script, this rivalry is cited as an example of how the game has evolved, with Federer adapting his one-handed backhand to be more competitive against Nadal's powerful topspin game.
πŸ’‘Polyester Strings
Polyester strings are a type of tennis racket string material that allows for greater velocity and spin on shots. The script mentions that the use of polyester strings, along with powerful rackets, contributes to the changing nature of the game, making the one-handed backhand less advantageous.
πŸ’‘Aesthetic Appeal
Aesthetic appeal refers to the visual attractiveness or pleasing nature of something. In the context of the video, the speaker argues that the one-handed backhand has an aesthetic appeal that the double-handed backhand may lack, making it a more elegant and visually pleasing shot to watch and play.
πŸ’‘Contrasting Styles
Contrasting styles in tennis refer to the different playing techniques and strategies employed by players. The script emphasizes the importance of these contrasts for the diversity and interest of the sport. The decline of the one-handed backhand is seen as a potential loss of one such contrasting style.
πŸ’‘Coaching Perspective
The coaching perspective is mentioned when the speaker asks if coaches would teach their junior players the one-handed backhand, given its perceived decline in effectiveness and popularity. This highlights a practical consideration in the world of tennis training and development.
πŸ’‘Tennis Evolution
Tennis evolution refers to the changes in the sport over time, including shifts in playing techniques, equipment, and strategies. The script discusses the transition from predominantly one-handed backhands to double-handed backhands as part of this ongoing evolution.
Highlights

The one-handed backhand in tennis is experiencing a decline, with fewer top players using it.

In the top 100 male tennis players, there are fewer than 10 using the one-handed backhand.

The one-handed backhand was never as popular on the women's side, with only about two players in the top 150 using it.

Some notable players with one-handed backhands include Shapovalov, Tiafoe, Eubanks, Altma, Lovich, and Evans on the men's side.

On the women's side, Diane Parry is mentioned for her beautiful one-handed backhand.

The one-handed backhand struggles with high balls and heavy topspin, as seen in matches between Alcaraz and Shapovalov.

Roger Federer adapted his one-handed backhand to compete with Nadal's topspin, using a bigger racket head for stability.

Modern tennis with fast pace, polyester strings, and powerful rackets makes the one-handed backhand less common.

There are few coaches teaching the one-handed backhand to new players, favoring the double-handed backhand instead.

The double-handed backhand is seen as more efficient and easier to defend against high balls.

The one-handed backhand is considered aesthetically pleasing but less efficient in competition.

Players like Ciprian Filip, Dimitrov, and MTI use specific rackets like the Blade 98 Pro Stock and Pro Staff RF 97.

Some players like Eubanks and Daniel Evans use rackets that suit their one-handed backhand playing style.

Dusan Lajovic, a Serbian player, demonstrates that a one-handed backhand can work well on clay courts.

There is a debate among coaches about whether to teach junior players the one-handed or double-handed backhand.

The one-handed backhand may become extinct in the future, losing its place in tennis to the double-handed backhand.

Tennis needs diversity in playing styles and surfaces to maintain interest and contrast in the sport.

The transcript calls for discussion on the future of the one-handed backhand and its place in tennis.

Transcripts
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