The exit of Stefanos Tsitsipas from the US Open 2023, as the last player with a one-handed backhand in this Grand Slam, is considered the end of a 149-year era in the history of tennis. Since the first Wimbledon tournament in 1877, there has always been at least one player using this technique in the semifinals of Grand Slams. Now, this event is seen as a milestone in tennis history, indicating profound changes in playing styles and techniques used.
Transformation in Playing Techniques
In recent years, the popularity of the two-handed backhand has significantly increased. This change is not only a result of technical and scientific advancements in the sport but also due to the higher efficiency of this technique compared to the one-handed backhand. In the early 2000s, Roger Federer dominated men's tennis, but with the arrival of Rafael Nadal and his innovative techniques, Federer's weaknesses in the one-handed backhand became apparent. Nadal was able to target this vulnerable point using high-spinning balls.
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Cultural and Strategic Implications
Recent developments in tennis, especially the decrease in the number of players using the one-handed backhand, will have deeper impacts on the culture and strategies of the sport. With the elimination of this technique, the tactical diversity in play will diminish, and spectators will witness a reduction in exciting competitions between different playing styles. In the past, the strategic differences between players using various techniques added more appeal to tennis. However, with the trend towards homogenizing techniques, tennis is moving towards uniformity and the fading of the sport's beauty.
Roger Federer, one of the biggest advocates of the one-handed backhand, has expressed hope that this technique will not completely disappear. However, the reality is that the conditions of play and tennis rules can positively change to bring this technique back. There is a need for changes in the rules and conditions of play to preserve the beauty and diversity of tennis and provide players with more opportunities to use different techniques.
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