Choosing A Style Of Backhand

Throughout my tennis career I have struggled to choose which style of backhand to use. I chopped and changed between the single and double handed stroke throughout my junior career, partly due to injuries (I broke my left arm on two occasions falling on court) and partly due to my willingness to copy various idols I had growing up.

When I reached the age of sixteen I decided to stick with the two-hander and I had much success with this shot, gaining my first singles world ranking points in 2000. It wasn’t until a bad loss at a Futures event in Mexico City in 2001 that I decided the double handed variation wasn’t versatile enough for my game. I felt it limited my options and didn’t compliment my personality, style or game.

Many people said I was crazy for changing at such a late stage in my career, and there is no doubt that it adversely affected my results for as long as 18 months. I remember travelling over to France to play some money tournaments barely two months after switching and getting badly beaten by a number of players whose ratings were several categories below my own.

The referees and officials were startled at how I had a world ranking and very high French rating until I explained that I had recently decided to change my backhand. I was sure I’d made the correct decision however, and was confident that results would soon change and I’d move back up the rankings.

Every time I took to the court I would work with intensity to improve the stroke, I’d spend hours on the basics. I focussed on practising cross-court ‘rally’ backhands. It was important that the shot was solid defensively. It took close to two years but eventually my single hander became as reliable as my previous double hander but now I felt I could use it better as a weapon.

Over time the results started to come and now each time I step up to the line I know I can cause players problems off both wings. People often come to me and compliment me on how free flowing and natural my backhand is. That is how your backhand should feel to you, be it single or double.

It is vitally important that the shot matches your style of play, personality and attitude. It should be an extension of yourself and enable you to express yourself naturally and fully. By all means take advice from your coach as to which backhand suits you best, but ultimately make your own decision – it is your game. Tennis is such a fantastic sport in part because it really highlights a player’s own traits and individuality. Everyone plays and reacts in a different way so use the technicalities to react in the way that is closest to your persona.

Next time I will deliver a basic lesson on the single handed backhand, be sure to check in for that. Until then get out there and as Charles Wright of The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band says – ‘Express Yourself’!