The Endangered Art: Can a One-Handed Backhand Still Win a Grand Slam?
Lorenzo Musetti uncoiling his backhand presents a vision of vintage elegance on the tennis court. The 23-year-old Italian glides effortlessly across the baseline before carving out his signature single-handed shot, a whippy action that culminates in a painterly flourish high above his shoulder. The entire motion, flowing from his 6-foot-1 frame, appears more choreographed than crafted, raising a compelling contemporary question: can a single-handed backhand still win a Grand Slam championship in today's punishing, high-rpm era dominated by power players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner?
Stan Wawrinka's Unwavering Belief
Stan Wawrinka, arguably the most powerful modern-day exponent of the one-handed backhand, has no doubts about its potential. "We see it already with Musetti — he is a really, really good player," Wawrinka declared during the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. "I love to watch him play. He's a really interesting player; he can do everything. He moves well and his backhand is unbelievable."
The 40-year-old Swiss legend, now in his farewell season, reflected on his own career with the stroke. "I enjoyed playing it myself, it gave me a lot of matches. It helped me achieve what I wanted," Wawrinka said. "The enjoyment I experienced playing a one-handed backhand was the same when I was younger and later in my career."
A Dwindling Breed on the ATP Tour
In an era defined by baseline brutality and relentless topspin, the single-handed backhand has become an endangered species on the professional tennis circuit. Current statistics reveal a stark reality:
- Only one practitioner, Lorenzo Musetti, currently resides inside the ATP Top 5 rankings.
- Just eight players in the entire Top 100 wield the classic one-hander.
- This elite group includes Musetti (No. 5), Denis Shapovalov (39), Grigor Dimitrov (42), Stefanos Tsitsipas (43), Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (54), Daniel Altmaier (55), Aleksandar Kovacevic (71), and Stan Wawrinka (92).
- This represents roughly eight percent of the top-tier competitive field.
While it remains one of tennis's most elegant and expressive strokes — fluid, unmistakable, and artistically captivating — pure artistry alone is rarely sufficient to claim major titles in today's physically demanding game.
Stefanos Tsitsipas on Breaking the Drought
Stefanos Tsitsipas, a two-time Grand Slam finalist at the 2021 French Open and 2023 Australian Open, was once widely tipped to deliver a major championship for the single-handed backhand community. "I'd love to see it happen," the 27-year-old Greek star stated. "It would be a great story if it happens, we are rather an extinct species. I would put myself in there, for sure, as one of the players who could break this drought."
Denis Shapovalov on the Weapon of Creativity
Denis Shapovalov's left-handed one-handed backhand stands out as both a formidable weapon and a distinctive signature on tour. The Canadian explained the strategic nuances: "It has definitely become more common to have a solid two-handed backhand and be aggressive with the forehand. It's that steady shot with which you can absorb pace. At the same time, the one-handed backhand gives you a weapon. You can be more creative with it, have more variety, more spin, and be more aggressive."
Shapovalov expressed both belief and realism about the challenge ahead. "I definitely believe in myself. I've been to the quarters and semis of Slams," he noted. "It's very difficult to get there and beat these top guys, especially Jannik and Carlos right now, but I would love to see that."
The Future of an Artistic Tradition
As the tennis world continues to evolve toward ever-greater physicality and power, the one-handed backhand represents a beautiful anachronism — a stroke connecting today's game to its more classical roots. The debate surrounding its Grand Slam viability highlights the tension between tradition and innovation in professional sports. With talented practitioners like Musetti, Tsitsipas, and Shapovalov still competing at the highest levels, the dream of a one-handed backhand champion remains alive, however challenging the path may be against the dominant forces of modern tennis.
