Ivan Lendl vs Roger Federer Backhand Passingshots

[sidelis]

Quando si giocava in mutande!

[marinozzone]

Due straordinari campioni...questa è l'unica cosa che hanno in comune....

[ykky1110]

I think Federer's backhand stroke is weak point to left-handedness.

But Lendl's backhand stroke is NOT weak point to left-handedness.

[ripperduck]

Notice that in either case, Lendl and Rodger both hit the the ball on the bottom third of it. And both players have an amazing set up quickness, they are in position to hit their shot so damn quickly.

[ulizinho]

Guga !!

[bdz67]

agree.. Edberg has better BH backswing and follow throw than lendl.. but lendl's back is more consistent and precise in their time

[Raindogs111]

Federer vs Lendl is a dream fantasy matchup.

[Vento2010]

the backand lendl is more beautifull,Lendl use the racket like a sword

[ulizinho]

best singlehanded backhands to me are

Kuerten, Federer and Gasquet in good shape

Lendl was great, too, but he was rather back behind the line.

[sam7666]

Lendl's backhand in terms of raw power and straight line velocity is unmatched. He could hit over it with topspin or flatten it out against McEnroe on the return of serve like a bullet with technology from 20 years ago. I also love how Ivan being a taller guy, stays down on the shot so well, very textbook.

[miltyu97]

Rog's backhand has a more still trunk, better balance overall. Rog's backhand is more wristy as well.

Both had excellent one-hand backhands.

[matteodinenno]

@miltyu97 There's not time today for regal setup. So Lendl's bh has a more magnificent backswing and a more linear follow-through while Roger's is shorter and quicker (then wristy). But looking at the photos we can see also that at the contact point Rog's arm seems more stretched, while both Ivan's elbow and wrist a little bit flexed, also because of the different grips. Lendl uses an eastern similar to a serve grip, Federer's looks like a "doorknob" grip...

[miltyu97]

Partly the bent/straight arm comes from the different contact point.

Fed use more efficient power generation. It's as if he does 2 motions: 1) trunk 2) arm. By the time the trunk turns completely, arm is already way out in front (causing a straighter arm).

Then he'll stop the trunk almost completely to transfer the energy to the hitting arm. From that already out in front position then the arm accelerates in addition to the energy the trunk gave it.

Rog's more like a whip than a thud.

[matteodinenno]

@miltyu97 That's why Roger's bh is not less powerfull in spite of bigger backswing and "flatness" of Ivan's "backhanded slap". Look at the other comparison i posted and tell me what do you think about. I think Roger's is the best "today's backhand", while in Lendl's time there was also Stefan Edberg, who had the most beautiful backhand i've ever seen...

[zb9775]

I would rate Lendl's backhand strokes as more superior against federer's backhand. It seems that they are using the different grips for backhand.

Lendl's one handed backhand was able to counter the wicked top-spins by Borg, Wilander, Muster etc. But Federer's backhand seems to have problem against Nadal's heavy wicked top-spin.Clearly Federer's backhand strokes were mostly defensive rather than offensive against Nadal's wicked top-spin backhand. Well, lendl's backhand strokes were solid...

[miltyu97]

@zb Nadal had much heavier topspin and left handed. That could account for some of the perceived "handling" difference.

[matteodinenno]

@zb9775 I prefer Lendl's backhand too, but not for the reasons you adduct. Technically is almost the opposite couse ideal contact point of Ivan's grip is lower. First than Wilander and above all Muster top spins, Lendl had to face McEnroe's attacks with high speed passing shots against John's sliced approuches. Borg retired before and his score against Lendl is even better than Nadal's against Fed, not because of his wicked top spins, of course, but Ivan being too young and Borg too much strong

[federerownz]

@zb9775 well clearly we have new technology and new rackets with way more power plus nadal is ripped and puts more rpm than most top lvl players.

[AllGenreMusic]

@zb9775 Lendl hit his backhand much flatter while Federer on the other hand tries to hit through with topspin which allows Nadal to expose Federer's backhand side all day and which is also the reason why some one-handed backhand players such as Youzhny and Blake were very successful against Nadal, as their backhands went through the court much more.

Federer doesn't have the best one-handed backhand, but it is certainly a beautiful shot. He does in my opinion have the best backhand flick ever.