Who does the best one handed backhand in mens tennis?

Question

I absolutely admire Tommy Haas's one handed backhand, it all fits together perfectly.

Answer 1

Gasquet has the best but the rest of his game needs to improve. Here he is beating Roddick which is no big deal but still awesome backhand winners throughout the 5 set match.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2cFAl65k-I&feature=related
Roger Federer has the next best but has conditioning like no one else and a complete game.
Back in the day Stefan Edberg had the best and was the best
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkNf3EwheMg&feature=related
and then Pete Sampras. Check out some of the youtube vids on these guys if you can find them.
Edberg vs. Sampras
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfw9hRP0deI
Federer vs. Gasquet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8yIouDCxzg

Answer 2

As far as one handed backhands go, among current players there is no question Richard Gasquet has the best one handed backhand in the world (by far). Tommy Haas also has a really good one hander and I would probably put him second on the list followed closely by Roger Federer, then James Blake. Pete Sampras also had a great one handed backhand.

When it comes to two handed backhands, David Nalbandian has the best followed by Marat Safin, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. If Andre Agassi were still playing, he would have the best two hander in the game.

Here is how I rate the top backhands in the world right now:

1) Richard Gasquet
2) David Nalbandian
3) Tommy Haas
4) Roger Federer
5) Marat Safin
6) Rafael Nadal
7) Novak Djokovic
8) James Blake
9) Andy Murray
10) Tommy Robredo

Answer 3

I don't believe it will. The evolution of the tennis racquet has caused the two-handed backhand to be more popular in the men's game. A new pathway in the evolution of the racquet may bring it back into prominence, but I can't foresee how it could possibly change for this to happen. As for the debate over which is a better shot; I think both backhands have their pros and cons (i.e. reach, control, etc). The two-handed is usually adopted at a every young age because it allows more power and is easier for the child. In the end, when both shots are learnt at the same level, neither is a better shot.

Answer 4

You are right about Tommy Haas, He has a very nice and powerful one handed backhand that is capable of smacking winners from anywhere on the court.

but while Haas' backhand might be more powerful, Roger Federer's is more versatile. He is able to not only smack winners, but he is equally adept at angling the topspin backhand wide, or slicing it wide as well. He uses the chip backhand effectively against bigger hitters like Roddick and Safin...forcing them to hit the ball up and therefore out, and most importantly, Federer uses the backhand as a way to get to net and finish off the point against fast clay court players like Nadal.

I would definitely give Federer the clear advantage for those 2 reasons alone....his versatility and ability to get to net.

Answer 5

Gasquet
Federer(even Roger said Gasquet's backhand was THE best in the ATP)

Haas
Blake
Youzhny

Answer 6

Tommy has a nice backhand but the man with the best one-handed backhand is Roger Federer. He makes such great winners with it.

Answer 7

Mens tennis currently, Roger is the best and his shots are compelling to the opponents and fans.
Sampras also had a great and solid backhand.
Someone mentioned Agassi did it...(LOL)......Never seen
Agassi using one-hand backhand. He was always a two-hander.

Answer 8

I'm picking Richard Gasquet. I think his backhand might be the best, along with Federer. I think Gasquet's backhand has more sting to it, and it's his best shot. Haas does have a good one, but I don't know if it can do as much damage as Federer's or Gasquet's.

Answer 9

Roger Federer and Pete Sampras...to the earlier responder, Andre had a two handed backhand.

Answer 10

i'm saying richard gasquet has the best one handed backhand.

many people might say roger federer, but i think as far as backhands go, gasquet's is smoother, and very often he gets an amazing shot off of it. don't get confused in that federer's over all game is better than gasquet's.

haas's backhand is pretty good too, but i don't think its comparable to gasquet's. could just be personal opinion though, because there's no way to scale that.