Best one-handed backhands in tennis
Who has/had the best one-handed backhands in tennis? It’s a tale as old as time… Once a signature shot in the tennis world, especially in the men’s game, the one-hander has become a rare and almost mythical sight on the pro tour. As the modern game shifts toward baseline battles, slowed down by court surfaces and lower quality balls, this elegant yet devastating stroke is fading into the past. Let’s rank some of the most beautiful and lethal one-handed backhands in the modern era.
Who is in the running?
| MALE PLAYERS | FEMALE PLAYERS |
| Pete Sampras | Steffi Graf |
| Roger Federer | Justine Henin |
| Tommy Haas | Amélie Mauresmo |
| James Blake | Carla Suárez Navarro |
| Cédric Pioline | Conchita Martinez |
| Feliciano López | |
| Richard Gasquet | |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas | |
| Dominic Thiem | |
| Grigor Dimitrov | |
| Lorenzo Musetti | |
| Stan Wawrinka | |
| Denis Shapovalov | |
| Gaston Gaudio | |
| Gustavo Kuerten | |
| Nicolas Almagro | |
| Ivan Ljubičić | |
| Paradorn Srichaphan |
What is the criteria?
Here is the list of criteria we used to judge the best one-handed backhands in tennis.
Topspin Proficiency – A great one-hander isn’t just about the slice. We’re focusing on players who consistently use their topspin backhand to rally, attack, and construct points rather than relying primarily on defensive slices.
Offensive Capability – A elite one-handed backhand isn’t just stylish, it’s a weapon. We’re ranking players who can dictate play, change direction with ease, and keep opponents on the back foot with their backhand.
Winner Production – Power, precision, and placement are key. The best one-handers can consistently rip clean winners from that wing, whether off the return, in rallies, or under pressure.
Versatility & Adaptability – The best one-handed backhands aren’t just effective in ideal conditions; they hold up under pressure, on different surfaces, and against a variety of playing styles. A great one-hander should be able to absorb pace, handle high balls (a traditional weakness of the shot), and remain effective in both offensive and defensive situations.
Elegance & Fluidity – The aesthetics of the stroke matter. A smooth, effortless motion with seamless preparation, extension, and follow-through sets the best apart.
No 10 - Stefanos Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas has a solid and aesthetically pleasing one-handed backhand, but it remains a weakness against heavy topspin and relentless attacking players. While he generates good power and variety, his backhand is too often targeted as a liability, especially on faster surfaces. Unlike others on this list who use their backhand as a primary weapon, Tsitsipas relies more on his forehand and athleticism to win points.
His ranking is a reflection of his inconsistency—his backhand can be brilliant at times, but it is not yet in the same league as those ranked higher. With a recent racket switch, his backhand is looking a lot more potent. If it stays this way, we can see him move up in the rankings soon. What racket did Tsitsipas endorse before the most recent switch to the Babolat Aero 98, click here to find out!
No 9 - Paradorn Srichaphan
Srichaphan had a powerful and flashy one-handed backhand that could produce some incredible winners. However, he lacked the consistency and versatility of the others on this list. His backhand was effective when he had time, but it wasn’t a shot he could rely on to dictate play, especially against top-tier opponents.
While impressive, his backhand was not as complete or as feared as those above him. So who else has/had a better one-handed backhand?
No 8 - Tommy Haas
Haas had one of the most technically sound and reliable one-handed backhands of his era. His ability to take the ball early, drive it with precision, and use it effectively on all surfaces made it a true weapon.
Unlike some players ranked lower, Haas had a more consistent and dependable backhand under pressure. However, what keeps him from ranking higher is that, while excellent, his backhand was not as dominant or explosive. It was a great all-court shot, but it lacked the sheer firepower and game-changing ability of the very best.
No 7 - Denis Shapovalov
One of the best one-handed backhands in tennis?. Well, Shapovalov’s backhand is one of the most electric in the game, capable of producing breathtaking winners from all parts of the court. His ability to take the ball early and generate effortless power makes him dangerous. However, his inconsistency and frequent unforced errors prevent him from ranking higher.
Unlike players above him, he lacks the discipline and reliability to use his backhand as a consistent match-winning shot. If he refines it, he could climb higher, but for now, it remains a high-risk, high-reward weapon – just look at his signature jump backhand to understand the share explosiveness of this shot. Find out the rack Shapo is endorsing here.
No 6 - Gustavo Kuerten
Guga’s backhand was a thing of beauty, especially on clay. His ability to generate spin, dictate rallies, and hit incredible angles made it one of the most feared strokes of his time.
However, what keeps him from ranking higher is its effectiveness on faster surfaces—while dominant on clay, his backhand was not as lethal on hard or grass courts. Compared to those above him, he lacked the same level of adaptability across different conditions.
No 5 - Richard Gasquet
If we are talking about beauty, this is surely one of the best one-handed backhands in tennis! Gasquet’s backhand is a masterpiece, featuring a high take-back, heavy topspin, and incredible accuracy.
It is undoubtedly one of the most aesthetically pleasing strokes in history. However, what holds him back is its effectiveness in dictating play—while great for rallying, it lacks the ability to consistently break down opponents the way the best one-handers can.
His ranking here reflects the fact that his backhand, while elite in technique, is not as complete as those above him in terms of offensive dominance so this masterpiece sits at the half way mark.
No 4 - Grigor Dimitrov
This is very close to one of the best one-handed backhands in tennis. Dimitrov’s (dubbed baby Fed) one-hander is often compared to Federer’s due to its smoothness and motion.
While technically sound and beautiful to watch, it lacks the raw firepower of the best one-handers. Unlike Wawrinka or Thiem, he struggles to generate consistent depth and aggression with it, often resorting to defensive slices when under pressure. Find out the racket he endorses here.
No 3 - Dominic Thiem
Close to the top of best one-handed backhands, Thiem’s backhand is certainly one of the most powerful and versatile one-handers in history. He can generate incredible topspin, crush winners from deep behind the baseline, and absorb pace with ease. Unlike Gasquet or Dimitrov, his backhand is not just a rallying tool, it’s an outright weapon.
His ability to use it effectively across all surfaces gives him the edge over Kuerten. However, he sits at no.3 due to his occasional inconsistency and difficulty in taking the ball as early as some of the greats. Thiem used the Babolat Pure Strike 97.
No 2 - Stan Wawrinka
No one on this list hits a more destructive one-handed backhand than Stan the Man. His ability to crush winners, especially under pressure, makes his backhand one of the most feared shots in tennis history. Unlike Thiem, he can take the ball on the rise and dictate play more consistently.
His three Grand Slam titles were won by dismantling and decimating the best players in the world, proof that his backhand was not just great but truly elite. Stan endorses the Yonex VCORE Percept 97.
No 1 - Its a tie folks!
And here we are… The two best best one-handed backhands in tennis ,period. It’s impossible to crown just one player with the greatest one-handed backhand of all time, so we won’t. Roger Federer and Justine Henin stand at the top, their backhands embodying the perfect blend of elegance, power, and effectiveness.
Roger Federer’s one-hander is the gold standard in the men’s game. His fluid motion, effortless acceleration, and pinpoint precision made it a thing of beauty. While his slice was a masterclass in variety and defense, it was his topspin backhand, especially in his later years that evolved into a devastating shot, capable of standing up to even the heaviest topspin forehands. Federer could take the ball early, redirect pace with ease, and unleash stunning winners down the line or cross-court, all with unmatched grace. Fed mainly used 3 rackets in his career, Wilson Pro Staff 85, Wilson Hyper Pro Staff Tour 90 and Wilson RF97.
Justine Henin’s backhand, on the other hand, remains the most iconic in the women’s game. Despite her small stature, she generated immense racket head speed, producing heavy topspin and effortless depth. Her backhand was not just elegant, it was a weapon! She could dictate play, rip winners from anywhere on the court, and handle power with exceptional technique. In an era dominated by two-handers, her backhand stood out as a rare and unstoppable force.
While their styles and circumstances differed, Federer and Henin shared one common trait: they elevated the one-handed backhand beyond aesthetics, proving it could be both deadly and dominant in the modern game. That’s why they share the top spot, two players who made this stroke into an art form. Justine used a version of the Wilson Hammer tour or a Pro Stock variant with Power Holes.