Roger Federer - Backhand Topspin

[AndyRoddick969]

good shot... for an Android . . .

[DestroyBoys]

0:14 the man is protecting his goods!

[useronuralp]

@DestroyBoys idiot thats a tennis term to make contact with chair umpire it means "ball is in" go fck your self before i blow your goods

[DestroyBoys]

@useronuralp cough cough joke cough

[animefreak619240]

thank you for the high high quality :)

[kreaze20]

This is more of flat backhand than a top spin.

You can tell because he is hitting a winner and landing near the baseline.

Djokovic is hitting more of topspin backhand in this clip.

[anpa161]

thumbs up if you think that winner backhand ball entered the hole in the back wall.

[Gunthix209]

I almost thought the ball was going to kill a cameraman in the rectangular hole

[dus2cra]

This is real power...

[9XxKOONTAxX9]

two handers are for bitches

[misterlonely1446]

@9XxKOONTAxX9 no, actually, two handers are for more power. kinda wish i was a one hander tho, come to think of it...

[hattrickster33]

@misterlonely1446 yea on the backhand control is more important than power imo.

[HijoProdigio]

Top spin? It seems a flat backhand more than a top spin one...

[tdreff]

Two handed has 2 big benifits....return of serve, especially on a high bouncing kick serve (almost impossible to return with topspin with one hand), and the other advantage is hitting with an open stance. Again, almost impossible to generate any pace with one hand. There's also a little more deception with two hands. Generally, you can tell by the front shoulder turn which way a one handed backhand is going. Two hands you can flick it because of the extra hand.

[jfkpublicservant]

@tdreff It depends on the player.

Two handed bhs are easier to hit in general, and you generate more pace when the ball is out of your striking zone.

Besides being an artform and beauty of a shot, the one hander offers the advantage of imparting supreme athleticism into a high level player that uses it, and typically one-handers have better net games than do two handers. When the ball is in your strike zone, you can hit the one hander more powerfully than the two.

[tdreff]

@jfkpublicservant I'm not arguing with you. I myself hit a one-handed backhand. And I completely agree with you when it comes to the net game. (I've been a serve and volley player my whole life.) I just think if I was teaching a young player just starting out, I'd encourage him to use two hands.

[jfkpublicservant]

@tdreff Ah...

In that case I agree.

However, I do love it when I play with/against others with one handed backhands.

[tdreff]

@jfkpublicservant Why is that? I'm always curious when it comes to tactics. Do you use one or two? I'm guessing two based on your comment in regards to volleying.

[tdreff]

@tdreff Check that, I meant to say you're probably playing a one handed.

[jfkpublicservant]

@tdreff Yeah, I use a one hander.

As far as the development of athleticism, I can't stress how much this is a pre-requisite for the oney. I'm only 5'7, and usually this shot is recommended for people that are tall. As a result, I've had to learn to take virtually every ball on the rise (I played D1 high school tennis at #1 singles and went to state) when it comes to the backhand, which means I'm moving extremely fast, and have to be even faster if I'm on the run.

[jfkpublicservant]

@tdreff

You develop variety with the oney because you're slicing the backhand around 50 percent of the time. When you slice that much, you start to realize that there are many different kinds of slices that you can hit (the aggressive, the drop, the floater, the short slice etc.) as opposed to the one type of slice that two handers usually have which isn't even that good most of the time.

You also learn to hit a "punch" shot with the backhand to return serves, its like a half volley groundie.

[jfkpublicservant]

@tdreff As for the development of the net game, this is harder to explain.

I think because the one hander is far more difficult to pull off than the two, you subconsciously want to play fewer points off the backhand wing if possible. As a result, you try to come into the net more often than a two hander who is more comfortable in the backcourt. Coming into net more=being better at net.

Also, some of the mechanics of the oney are similar to what you want on a backhand volley.

[GueorguiJoukov]

@jfkpublicservant

There is one issue with the one-hander and that is controlling it - you have to get it right everytime or it becomes ugly real quickly.

However, once you get over this and become consistant, that stroke is a huge notch above a two-handed stroke. With a two handers, you have to alter your position to hit certain angles and there is no way your racket will go as fast - biologically, a one-hander can get in quite faster.

[jfkpublicservant]

@GueorguiJoukov

Yes and no.

When the ball is in your strike zone, you can really rip the oney.

But if its slightly below, or (in my case, as I'm only 5'7) way above your strike zone, it's nowhere near as powerful as the two hander.

Stepping in, shortening the stroke, and taking it on the rise is the key.

[GueorguiJoukov]

@jfkpublicservant

You will see that Federer doesn't have any problem hitting low balls and even attacking them while about any two handed players have... A two handed stroke is easier to control and that is why it's easier to hit an high and for having seen Federer knocking 95 plus mph backhands above his shoulders, I have a hard time seeing how it's not more powerful.

[jfkpublicservant]

@GueorguiJoukov

Federer knocks those 95 mile an hour backhands above his shoulders when their sitters or floaters. If they actually have pace on them (like a Nadal forehand) there is NO way on earth he will crush a backhand. In fact, he'll probably slice it, or TAKE IT ON THE RISE.

Also, just because Rog can do something doesn't mean that the rest of us can :)

[GueorguiJoukov]

@jfkpublicservant

Roger is probably the only human you will see being used rightly as an example to compare different strokes because he has the best form on each of them. I used Federer simply to isolate the shot itself to know what is humanly possible.

And, to tell you, there are not much lefties which can crank cross-court forehands like that, especially off a Federer stroke and there's no way a righty can hit that hard down the line over an over without missing.

[jfkpublicservant]

@GueorguiJoukov

@GueorguiJoukov

Rog gets to those low balls because he changes his grip from eastern to between eastern and continental. Then he'll dip his racket underneath the ball and flick it. Or he'll slice it. He's not hitting it anywhere NEAR as hard as when its in his strike zone.

[GueorguiJoukov]

@jfkpublicservant

To be able to hit those half-volleys myself, I can guarantee you that he doesn't alter his swing the least bit, he just gets lower and shorten his swing. I do it off average balls, he does it off winners and that's why he's got 16 GS and I play without being paid. : )

Roger is amazing, but you still won't see any two handers picking off balls like that, not even Agassi did it.

[jfkpublicservant]

@GueorguiJoukov

IF you have a true mastery of the shot- which Roger obviously does- then the one hander is better on the run than the two. If you don't, then obviously not.

That is why as you point out, Agassi usually didn't hit those kinds of shots on the run, although his backhand was overall a better shot than Rog's.

He could easily win rallies that went backhand to backhand with Rog if Rog didn't change up the pace or run around and hit a forehand.

[GueorguiJoukov]

@jfkpublicservant

I control my backhand about as well as my forehand; I'd even sometimes mix it up and offset my position onto mid court balls to take a backhand instead of a forehand. I hit it inside-in, inside-out, cross court, short cross-court and down the line; I can spin them low or make it more floating to cut deep in the court for a passing shot option... In my case, it's good enough to be a weapon, but that's not that hard because I do not play against pros.

[GueorguiJoukov]

@jfkpublicservant

The key to a good backhand is levrage and that is what your second hand limits. See that it is also by chocking up on distance that you find more control. If from you to the ball there is more distance which allows a faster impact, the reverse is also true; the distance from the ball to you enhance the effect of the ball hitting the strings and deflects your racket more easily.

A two hander is just a matter of control...

[jfkpublicservant]

@GueorguiJoukov

I used to think the one hander gave more power, but look at these examples that show otherwise:

Connor's backhand was more powerful than Mac's.

Agassi's backhand was more powerful than Pete's.

Safin and Nadal's backhands are more powerful than Rog's.

So...I can't really support that thinking anymore. The one hander helps the player develop more variety and overall skill which is why the top 3 players of all time had oneys, but the two gives more power and control I think.

[GueorguiJoukov]

@jfkpublicservant

Safin and Nadal CANNOT crank 95mph plus backhands - they top under the 90. The aditionnal control will however allow better rally balls.

[jfkpublicservant]

@GueorguiJoukov

Are you sure about that? Nadal's arms are huge, and Safin is well, just huge.

[GueorguiJoukov]

@jfkpublicservant

Federer accelerates his racket unlike anyone... the use he makes of his entire body is probably unrivalled, no matter which shot you pick. Federer's backhand is truly "the lesser of two evils."

It's about how fast you can generate your power and about the length you allow yourself to use in order to accelerate it. Federer produces that much energy faster than anyone on his forehand, there is no way his muscles are going to react differently on an other shot.

[ulizinho]

it looks as if fed does not switch his grip in order to play a real topspin backhand here, as he usually does. Anyway, what a great winner.

The weirdest onehanded backhand played Boris Becker, with a real strange grip, almost no topspin, very flat and fast. (Terefore, he never could play angles like Sampras, Federer or Nadal)

[ulizinho]

so would a ideal player play single of double handed?

I know only of the swiss Marc Rosset who switched between one and two hands.

Sampras and Edberg became single handed in their youths. I have seen a Federer pic, where he plays a jump-in return with two hands.

[xinnianhao]

It's always fun to aim for the hole.

[paulchae8]

looks more flat to me

[mitroveca]

thats the beauty of the one-hander. you could switch from slice to topspin on the fly and because of the looser shoulder turn and wrist you could disguise the direction of your shot more easily. not to mention it looks million times better than the two-hander

[GueorguiJoukov]

Yes. One handed backhands are a million time better if you can play them.

My friend is always like WTF? when we play. He plays a deep ball there and what do you know a second later, the ball hits the line 3 feet from the net. Federer does the same except he does it vs ATP top players and it goes quite faster here:

Roger Federer: Ridiculous backhand angle+ racket trick show

Try to do that with a two hander! Even an idiot woudl hit that since he would see you get further to get the angle right.

[jasoncho92]

Dont spout bullshit like that. A one hander isnt even 1.2x better than a two hander. Angles arent harder or easier with a one hander. Watch Rios and youll shit you pants. I use a one hander by the way

[GueorguiJoukov]

In opposition to what you are saying, I put biological facts that leads to conclude what I said.

If you want the same angle with a two hander, you have to turn your body more. You cannot get the same acceleratio ndue to the restriction of your second hand and you cannot vary the effects, angles and power as much o na two hander because of this limited range of variation.

This freedom allows greater flexibility. The second hand limits your abilities as much as your errors.

[ulizinho]

but two hands are better for topspin and blocking, like Nadal or Agassi. Or Rios.

I would say Federer has the best singlehanded backhand since Guga.

[GueorguiJoukov]

Of course, better as a mean of defence. But, if you are in position and you can play the net, isn't it better to be able to switch the game from defence to offense sudenly?

The best play at this game is the one who can make the most of his chances - an all-around like Federer.

The freedom allows offense, but, as I said, it does enhance your risks as well.

[supertrex2]

its just this. My friend is a 2hander FAN. then he saw Federer practice in Miami open. hes like omg wtf what a nice 1 backhander lol...

[mysteriekiller]

Nonsense. Just bull...

[GueorguiJoukov]

What doesn't make sense?

I do not talk out of belief, but of understanding and as far as I can see and understand this game is often played by angles and in a lesser part by a defensive play-it-back stroke.

And your one-handed backhand does allow your wrist to move more freely. Everything in this backhand can therefore be better, but understand the margin is also valuable in making mistakes as it is in allowing greater results.

[sauceyboy]

I don't think it makes a difference.

[sebaqe]

@GueorguiJoukov

say what you want about one hander vs two hander... it's a viable debate... most people use two, but the last two dominant players both used one. Women's tour as well, Henin.

but, there's no wrist movement on the one hander, just like there is not wrist movement on the two hander.

[GueorguiJoukov]

An other example of how Tennis should be played.

Federer sees a shorter ball coming corss-court, he steps in and the weak bounce place it right on the spot. He kills it right away.

If he tried to turn around and hit a forehand, Djocovic has the time to get back and he doesn't win the rally. With a lesser heavy backhand from Djocovic, he has the space and take it.

People are affraid of killing these. Federer isn't and stands n1. Imagine now how good it would be for you.

[benjyyy]

The reason it is such a weapon is because of the disguise. Watch the video and look at how late it is clear he is going to the the topspin and not the slice, only just before he swings. With other players it is evident quite early which shot they are going to hit. Disguise is a massive part of Rogers game!

[howtokillaninja]

haha hahaha vinman that fucking classic.

[Runforyourlif]

ths is not a topspin........it is a flat shot.....but only the angling make the ball spin forward as it touches the ground(adding that this is also a hard court)

[jsizzle4o8]

get owned djokabitch

[lilhu93]

Djokovic could own u any day

[vinman21754]

Not if your sucking his dick like you are now.

[E121C]

nice.

[E121C]

fail job.

[cohctoh871]

it is a beautiful shot, but his forehand is still the best shot, at least john mcenroe would agree.

[raphael1245]

so simple

yet so dangerous

[caloyjp]

How does he do that??!!! Unreal!!!1

[GueorguiJoukov]

He would take his racket, swing the shot and answer: this is how I do it.

Seriously, I have an explanation. It may not be so detailed, but when it comes to writing, even the fewest can mean much. I think you will agree with me as much as the whole scientific community:

Because he is Roger Federer.

[evilmunki54]

It's a continental backhand.

[evilmunki54]

SORRY! --> EASTERN!!!

[ChiiboxV2]

eastern

[gunmenow]

so schoen

[diablotank]

what grip does he use?

[uscstudent13]

close to a continental

[AznHylite]

its an eastern 1h backhand grip

[w4kj4k1992]

nice.. does federer use western on his backhand?

[txchou]

No, not western.

[goleafsgo1981]

Nice video :)

his backhand is beautiful!

it looks eastern to me

[gunmenow]

i saw him use western backhand dealing with high bounced balls

[GueorguiJoukov]

@txchou

Well, it's a western forehand grip but when you turn your arm over, it's an eastern backhand grip...LOL

[aleztfu]

@w4kj4k1992 eastern

[alienblob21]

@w4kj4k1992 you know a western one hander is next to impossible right.. lol

[valahogy]

Pretty nice