One-Handed vs Two-Handed Backhand: A Real Comparison

The choice between one-handed and two-handed backhand is one of the few genuinely open technical questions in modern tennis. The two-handed backhand has dominated the professional game for forty years and continues to be the default teaching choice. But the one-hander is not extinct — it has specific advantages, and a small but durable contingent of top players still use it.

This article is an honest comparison: where the two-hander is better, where the one-hander is better, what the data says, and how a coach should think about which one to teach.

What the Distribution Looks Like

On the current ATP tour, roughly 90% of players use a two-handed backhand. On the WTA tour, the number is similar or slightly higher. The professional game has chosen — overwhelmingly but not unanimously.

The notable one-handers on the men’s side in recent years: Federer, Wawrinka, Thiem, Tsitsipas, Dimitrov, Musetti. On the women’s side, one-handers are rarer but exist (Sabalenka and a few others use a two-hander but display occasional one-handed slice as their dominant secondary stroke).

The dominance of the two-hander is real but the existence of successful one-handers at the highest level is also real. The choice is not settled by “the pros do it” because the pros do both — just at very different frequencies.

Where the Two-Handed Backhand Is Better

Five specific advantages, in roughly decreasing order of importance:

1. Return of serve. Returning a 200 km/h serve requires precision and stability the one-hander struggles to provide. A two-handed grip on the racquet handle gives more control on incoming pace and absorbs the impact better. Studies of return effectiveness show two-handers generally have a small but consistent advantage on first-serve returns (Reid et al., 2008).

2. High-bouncing balls on the backhand side. Modern topspin produces balls that climb to head height on the backhand. A two-handed grip stabilizes the racquet face when reaching up and out for these balls. A one-hander often has to slice or step back from high-bouncing balls — both compromises.

3. Pace and stability on attacking shots. A two-handed backhand can produce high pace with relatively compact mechanics. The second hand on the racquet provides power and racquet face stability. Two-handed backhands of professional players reach 130+ km/h regularly.

4. Faster development. Junior players typically pick up two-handed backhands faster than one-handers. The reduced reach is compensated by easier control. A 9-year-old can hit a recognizable two-hander after a few sessions; a one-hander takes longer to develop competent fundamentals.

5. Less load on dominant arm. The non-dominant hand shares load with the dominant hand on every stroke. Over a career, this reduces the chronic wear on the dominant arm. For players already managing tennis elbow or shoulder issues on the dominant side, this is a meaningful protection.

Where the One-Handed Backhand Is Better

Four advantages:

1. Reach. A one-handed backhand reaches further — typically 30-50 cm further than a two-hander — because the dominant arm extends fully. On wide balls and stretches, this is a real geometric advantage. The one-hander gets to balls a two-hander cannot.

2. Slice variety. The one-handed grip naturally accommodates the slice backhand. One-handers tend to have better slice mechanics — more bite, more low bounce, more deceptive trajectory. The slice is a real tactical weapon that one-handers integrate more naturally into their game.

3. Net play. At the net, the one-handed backhand volley is more agile and faster to execute. The two-hander has to release the second hand on most volleys anyway — so the natural one-hand-at-net feel comes more easily to a player who uses one hand on ground strokes.

4. Aesthetic and personal preference. Less measurable, but real. Some players love the one-hander. Some players hate the two-hander. The relationship a player has with their backhand affects practice quality, motivation, and long-term commitment. For a player who loves the one-handed shot, the motivational lift is genuine.

What the Data Says About Pace and Spin

Studies measuring pace and spin on professional backhands find:

• Two-handed backhand pace: typically 115-135 km/h on aggressive cross-court drives.
• One-handed backhand pace: typically 105-125 km/h on the equivalent shot.

The pace gap exists but is smaller than commonly assumed. A well-developed one-hander hits within 5-10% of two-hander pace. This is meaningful but not catastrophic.

On topspin:

• Two-handed: typically 2,200-2,800 RPM
• One-handed: typically 2,000-2,600 RPM

Again, a real gap, again small. The one-hander is not generally a flatter shot than the two-hander; the topspin is just slightly lower in average.

The honest summary: at professional level, two-handers slightly out-produce one-handers on pace and spin. At amateur level, the gap closes further. Player technique matters more than the underlying choice of one or two hands.

When to Choose the One-Handed Backhand

Specific player profiles where the one-hander makes sense:

Profile 1: Players with shoulder issues on the dominant side. Counter-intuitively, the one-hander often produces less stress on the dominant shoulder than the two-hander, because the stroke is less constrained and the swing path is freer. For players managing shoulder pain, a one-hander can be more sustainable.

Profile 2: Players with a strong slice tendency. Players who like to hit lots of slice find the transition between slice and topspin backhand easier with one hand. The grip changes are less disruptive.

Profile 3: All-court players who come to net frequently. The volley game integrates more naturally with one-handed backhand technique. Doubles specialists also benefit.

Profile 4: Tall players. The reach advantage of a one-hander compounds when combined with longer arms. A 1.90m+ player with one-handed backhand has wide-ball coverage that a two-hander cannot match.

Profile 5: Players who simply love the shot. Motivation is real. A player who hates hitting two-handed backhands will not practice them with the focus needed to develop. Sometimes the right backhand is the one the player will actually train.

When to Choose the Two-Handed Backhand

Default profiles where the two-hander is the right choice:

Profile 1: Modern aggressive baseliner. The dominant style of modern tennis rewards the two-hander. For a player aiming to compete in this style, the two-hander is the high-percentage choice.

Profile 2: Players starting young (under 10). Juniors typically learn two-handers faster and reach competence sooner. The early-career trajectory favors the two-hander.

Profile 3: Players with normal-or-shorter arm reach. Without the reach advantage, the one-hander loses one of its key benefits. For players of average height and reach, the two-hander is structurally simpler.

Profile 4: Players returning serves regularly at high pace. Aggressive returner profiles benefit from the stability of the two-hander.

How a Coach Should Decide

The coach’s decision framework, in order:

Question 1: How old is the player? Under 10: default to two-hander unless strong reasons to do otherwise (parent preference, junior pulling toward one-hander). Over 10 with no existing backhand: consider both. Over 10 with established backhand: only change for strong reasons.

Question 2: What is the player’s primary game style? Aggressive baseliner: two-hander. All-court or net-oriented: consider one-hander seriously. Defensive counter-puncher: two-hander generally.

Question 3: What does the player’s body suggest? Tall players with long arms: one-hander is more natural. Average-or-shorter players: two-hander is the default.

Question 4: What does the player want? A player who emotionally connects with one style will train it harder. Within reason, accommodate preference — the technical advantages of the “objectively better” choice are smaller than the motivational advantage of the chosen style.

A Note on Changing Backhand Style

Changing from one-hander to two-hander, or vice versa, after years of development is one of the harder transitions in tennis. It takes 6-18 months for the new stroke to reach the quality of the old one. During the transition, match performance drops measurably.

The transition is sometimes worth it — a player with chronic two-hander issues might benefit from one-hander, or a junior pulled toward one-hander as their first style might need to switch to two-hander for competitive trajectory. But it should never be undertaken casually. The cost is real.

When transitioning, drop tournament play during the rebuild phase. Use practice matches and lower-stakes play to develop the new stroke without the pressure of needing to perform with it. After 6-12 months, return to competitive play with the new shot established.

One Thing to Do on Court Tomorrow

If you currently play one-handed backhand and have wondered about switching: hit twenty cooperative two-handed backhands at half pace. Just feel the difference — the stability, the control, the reach reduction. If you currently play two-handed: hit twenty cooperative one-handed backhands. Feel the reach, the slice opportunity, the different rhythm.

Neither set of twenty will commit you to anything. But it might inform whether the version you don’t currently play has something to offer. Most players have never seriously tried both — they got their backhand at age 8 or 12 and never reconsidered. The reconsidering can be useful.

The choice is real. Make it with eyes open.

About the author: Emre Köse is a tennis coach at Beykoz Tenis Kulübü in Istanbul, with 12+ years on court. He holds a BSc in Coaching Education from Marmara University, Faculty of Sport Sciences.

Related in this series: The grip continuum · Slice mechanics · Modern forehand: open stance and the rotational engine

Selected reading:

• Reid, M., Whiteside, D., & Elliott, B. (2008). Comparison of three-dimensional kinematics between the one- and two-handed backhand in adolescent tennis players. Sports Biomechanics.
• Genevois, C., Reid, M., Rogowski, I., & Crespo, M. (2015). Performance factors related to the different tennis backhand techniques. Journal of Sports Sciences.
• Roetert, E. P., & Ellenbecker, T. S. (2007). Complete Conditioning for Tennis. Human Kinetics.