One-Handed Backhand Return vs Two-Handed Backhand Return

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Learn The Croatian Serve 🇭🇷 (FREE COURSE) 👉🏻 bit.ly/tcs1977

[@omarsultanov362]

The most comprehensive and the only (which I managed to find in the KZbin) comparison of BH returns. Highly advisable 👍

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Omar, Thank You

[@bitang2276]

Believe me, two handed back hand is way better when returning serves aggressively. You can return more consistently, and with more accuracy in terms of placement. You can return it with less pace and more pace. It gives more variety.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Zandro, agreed

[@Theizzer]

@@IntuitiveTennis But is it also better when I have a one-handed backhand as groundstrokes? So only two-handed backhand for the returns?

[@benparsons4979]

@@Theizzer if it works for you keep doing it, but it's probably worth focusing on just one backhand so you can work on it and improve it, rather than having to spend twice the amount of time working on two backhands

[@Dubinski2382]

I have a one handed backhand and I think having a heavy racquet (which most one handers have) really helps too. Using Fed's RF97 almost feels like cheating - - you barely have to hold it and it sends back lasers. I often find myself amazed at the flight of the ball off my racquet... It's unlike any other racquet I've ever used.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Josh, incredible feeling when you just deflect the ball and steal all the power. 💪💪💪💪

[@fantolaus]

Same here: the RF97 Autograph 2017 is the definitive racquet for control, power and stability. Is so well balanced that sometimes you don't feel its huge (for us mortals) weight, but on the other hand can be both a cannon and a foil. MASTERPIECE.

[@Matheusfk3]

Swingweight sure helps when receiving a heavy serve, because you're meeting a heavy ball with a heavy stick too. Nice insight!

[@Gizo02]

I prefer the one handed backhand, but there’s no doubt that the two hander is far more reliable for the return of serve, and returning aggressively without chipping the ball back. Apparently when Connors had his dominant 1974 season, his aggressive two handed backhand return was pretty revolutionary and transformative in the sport.

[@boarini2003]

Switching to the 2-hander was the best thing I ever did. I always wanted a beautiful one-hander so I could be like Roger, but the 2-hander is just so much more reliable for me.

[@AsadKhan-lm6yr]

Fantastic explanation. Thank you!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Thank you 🙏

[@heroofcomments8956]

I use two hand backhand for serve return and jumping shots when away shoulder height balls. One hand backhand for all other shots including slice.

[@maxzagor6446]

Very good analysis. I would like to add thought that the one-handed backhand is more energy saving. I see it being preferred by old recreational players even if they started learning recently.

[@DeneNorton]

With a one hander at lower levels one is more likely to get tennis elbow or shoulder injuries, whereas with the two hander the left hand takes some of the load away from a righty’s right forearm muscles. On the flip side I believe that over use of the hip rotation on a two hander could lead to hip problems. It’s interesting that many one handers have a heavy racquet, I believe to give them more power on the backhand. The most difficult thing for a one hander is the rapid grip change required. It has to be reliable under extreme time pressure. On the other hand, sometime one needs to use one hand when returning a wide serve.

[@andrewhwang8951]

Nick, it's not the main point of your video, but I've got a question for you regarding what you said about ready position grip. As you know, I have a one-hander. I used to hold my racket with a continental/Australian grip in ready position, thinking it was in-between my FH's semi-western grip and my BH's eastern grip so it was a short travel to either grip. However, I've recently changed to a ready position with my normal semi-western FH grip. My reasoning is that my non-dominant hand naturally must pull back my racket for BH returns, and thus is naturally there to stabilize the racket as I change grips from FH to BH grip. But on FH returns, it's nice to have my grip already set in place, because for my FH takeback I often let go of the racket with my non-dominant hand sooner than on a BH takeback, and thus it's nice to not have to artificially hold on the racket longer just to facilitate the grip change. This is much better especially for hard serves to the FH side, where your return must be so quick that you have little time for unit turns where your left hand lets you change grips easily. I found myself hitting too many sliced FH returns when I was waiting with a continental grip because I didn't feel I had enough time to change the grip to a semi-western. What do you think of this line of thinking? It's worked well for me so far, so I'm inclined to keep it but really value your opinion!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Andrew, you have to do what works best for you. There are high level players who wait in a forehand grip. I will add that those are usually forehand dominant playing styles, but since you had trouble with the other grip, this might be the better option for you.

[@avista4312]

While I am a one-handed backhand player with an excellent baseline backhand, I sometimes opt to return serves with two hands if I am playing a big server. With two hands on the racket, you have the ability to make micro adjustments to the racquet face and position of your racquet which you just cannot do with the one hander (assuming primarily that you may want to block and/or hit a topspin return). And as a recreational player in the midwest who plays on outdoor courts that are often in average to poor condition, the consistency of the bounces is just not there. Not only can I make micro adjustments to increase the likelihood of better contact, I can also hit the ball later and deeper (past my lead shoulder) which gives me another millisecond or two to make good contact. And as you mentioned in the clip, the one-hander disadvantages of grip change, high bouncing balls and overall racquet stability just make it an inferior for returning serves. I won't be surprised to see an eventual ATP one handed backhand player also choose to return serves with two hands, as it just gives you a few more opportunities to make good returns. And at that level, those extra opportunities could be the difference in breaking a big server and winning a match.

[@aureliorosignoli338]

sempre bravo questo maestro

[@brunolaplace6098]

thank you for this parallel test.But is it possible to return with two hands and play with only one after the serve?

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Thank you for translating Bruno, wish I spoke French. It’s very interesting how one handed vs two handed plays out in reality vs theory. It has been my experience that one-handed backhand players have a hard time playing the two hander. You never see it. On the other hand two handed backhand players will be ok with hitting the occasional one handed backhand bc they are used to slicing with one hand. So I think it will be difficult to use a two handed return and they play a one handed backhand. One would need a lot of repetition and muscle memory to be able to pull this off in a match.

[@brunolaplace6098]

@@IntuitiveTennis I agree with you .But unfortunatly due to a severe injury on the shoulder I cannot return well with one hand, so I wil try to play alternately .Often I play with two hands when the ball is strong on my body .due to a surgery I have play two years with two hands so now I feel good with one hand but I have often the reflex to use two hands. but I don't care the most important is to play. cordialy Bruno

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Bruno, in that case of course play with 2 hands as much as you can to get some relief on the shoulder

[@robinjones5169]

@@brunolaplace6098 I play a one handed backhand and occasionally switch back to two handed either for the return of serve or for everything to reduce the pressure on my right arm, I definitely found my returns more solid but they did lack feel compared to the one handed. I now have a knee injury which is making me reconsider going back to a single/double backhand mix as I can't get enough on the return of serve now.

[@javieraviles4153]

I always played with two hands, but I stopped playing for some time and when I came back my backhand didn't feel natural at all, having a lot of trouble trying to rotate my body. I found the one hander way easier for some reason when it didn't use to be that way and now that is my normal backhand. I still return serves with two hands though because I find it way more forgiving when I hit it late

[@VishnuRajam4x4]

My backhand service return has always been my weakness. Especially in doubles. Going to practice the blocking technique more now. I’ve always just sliced/chipped it back.

[@Dapiramdstv]

Nice explaination

[@AlexanderMayorov]

Thank you Nikola (in Russian stress goes to the second sillable 😅). Deep analysis, as usual

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏

[@Dancinghandsmusic]

If I continue to use a one-handed backhand for my regular groundstrokes, would you recommend that I learn the two-handed backhand just for the return of serve?

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Al, that’s going to be difficult. There is a reason why you don’t see this at the high level. In my experience players that use a 1-H BH have a difficult time executing a 2-H. It is easier for 2-H players to hit the occasional 1-H, because they have some feel from slicing with one hand. You would have to make the complete switch to a 2-H BH and get the reps in.

[@dnomdelopez1921]

Tyvm

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Dnomde, my pleasure

[@thelegore]

Do you ever see players switching from semi-western forehand grip to OHBH eastern by turning just one bevel and switching which side of the racquet they're using?

[@IntuitiveTennis]

That’s interesting Would have to research that Don’t know anyone that does that

[@konjvodeni]

I wondered the same thing, but if you try it you will notice that your left palm then stays in front of the strings instead of behind, which can create problems when you release the racquet to make a shot.

[@brunolaplace6098]

merci pour ce comparatif .mais peut on jouer le retour de service à deux mains et le reste à une?

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Bruno, put it into google translate. No speak French sorry 😐

[@catalinsimescu9872]

Good analyze.Even if I prefer one handed backhand.I have troubles with the other...Djokovic does not.. he has 1-0 against the king..Thank you and I wait more videos about return,if you have this topic in plan.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Catalin, that Djokovic is unbelievable, he’s unstoppable at the moment. Glad you liked the video, I’m going to take a break from return of serve and cover other topics. Next one is on the Rafa forehand!!

[@catalinsimescu9872]

Very interesting will be..Rafa`s lefty forehand is unique.I just wait. All the best.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Catalin, thanks my man. I will keep them coming!!

[@Theizzer]

Hi Nikola. I got a question about this that bothers me since I started tennis a year ago. I do have a one-handed backhand but when I get a big serve against me I block the serve with a two-handed backhand. Is it better for me to stick with the tho-handed backhand return or try to lean the one-handed backhand return? Btw, love your content! It's awesome!

[@Theizzer]

I did win a match against a player that was better then me, simply because I could block his hard serves with my two-handed backhand as a lefty :) (And be cause the guy didn't move well)

[@IntuitiveTennis]

If it’s working with 2 hands stick with it

[@TennisSisters]

Nice, I use one handed backhand!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Tennis Sisters, that’s impressive. Show it off on your channel. It’s a dying art!

[@Gabriel-pe8zs]

I hit forehand and one-handed backhand with the same grip (semi-western). Nik I see you talking a lot about changing grips… so am I doing something wrong? Happy 2024!🎉

[@growtennis434]

Great video! Thanks for the info. The return of serve is such an important part of the game, and one of the least talked about aspects. Do you know what grips are these guys with one handed backhands are holding? Does it change between first serves and second serves or between slice and top spin?

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Growtennis, thanks Federer twirls the racquet then goes into FH or BH grip. The other one-handers seem to all wait in a Australian grip with the exception of a few. Kohlschreiber for example waits in a western backhand grip. Which grip they end up using when they hit the return depends on many variables. However, Fed and Wawrinka seem to chip a lot with a continental grip if the serve is directed to their backhand with a lot of pace.

[@growtennis434]

I see Stan chip that return a lot. Always a little surprised more people don’t sneak in on him. Thanks for the quick response

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Growtennis, 👍🎾

[@Dubinski2382]

@@growtennis434 Stan loves to bring someone in as he has a double barrel cannon to hit a passing shot from either side. He struggles with serve and volley players but if they don't initially want or intend to come in and he can keep his return low, he sets himself up nicely given his style of play.

[@bork8786]

I would add two more points: 1) with a one-handed backhand, too much load goes on one hand, and on a two-handed backhand, the load is distributed more evenly on both hands 2) Thomas from Feeltennis said that a two-handed backhand is easier for children than a one-handed backhand, because their hands are still weak

[@MrRockrobstr]

But you can reach farther out to wide serves with one handed backhand.

[@omarsultanov362]

Hi, Nik. Just watched it again. Re. 1H BH: if you'd release an additional revised version of this tutorial would you consider adding Almagro return? His full western right hand grip allows minimum grip adjustments for the BH return. Great for doubles = easy topspin lobs (with the extra space of the alleys) + dropshots. This option partially offsets one of the singlehanded BH returns liabilities - complex timing.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Omar, I don’t like the format of this video and won’t be doing advantage/disadvantage again. Too confusing and hard to watch. As far as Almagro, I don’t think he has a full western grip. Looks like semi-western on FH and eastern on BH I will definitely make more return videos. Possibly separately discussing the 1-H and the 2-H backhand returns and I will include the western one-handed backhand grip.

[@omarsultanov362]

@@IntuitiveTennis Hi, Nik. Thank you for your time and attention. This format (pros & cons) is great for me, by the way. Your new inputs are highly welcome, for sure. Good luck! 👍😊

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Omar, oh thanks. I have received some negative feedback from people on this format, but glad you liked it. My I will reconsider and try to improve the presentation.

[@psagafi]

@@IntuitiveTennis I like this format. thank you for putting it together

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Mike S, thank you

[@charliefoster6710]

How about doubles?

[@ARKenMan]

In my opinion, you missed a reason why the Two-hander should be used. Using that left hand is taking a percentage of the load of the entire match off of the muscles of just ONE arm constantly being used and the left arm being the driving force behind the 2 hander where the right arm is really there just for stability and can rest a bit. It makes a huge difference. I went from 1 h bh to 2 h bh and was amazed at that difference alone but mainly I switched to handle the high kicks. I still bh slice a lot though so there's no problem with slicing chipping if you have a 2 h bh. I think with Djokovic and Agassi being the best return of servers EVER says a lot about why the 2 h bh is really the best. Although I will say, that a ripped 1 h bh still is the coolest shot in tennis and I think it's easier to do so (with me any way). Stan Wawrinka comes to mind.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e32ol4GQp8xgp9k

[@isaiahjohn8703]

Two-handed backhand works great with Novak because he is tall and very elastic (flexible). His arm can reach quite a distance and legs go with it -- much better than Federer.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Isaiah, nole on the full stretch is incredible. 👍👍

[@TwoWheels47]

I believe 1hbh is more difficult to master, but to say that the 2hbh is superior is debatable at best.

[@mrhatman675]

Why can t you just use both just have in mind to use the two handed backhand when the oponent is serving also in defence now if the ball is more down to the ground (you know what I mean) use the one handed backhand it is more comfortable gives you more sapce and you don t have fully turn your body also in angles the one handed backhand is better cause it is much easier you are more comfortable and can turn your raquet in the direction you want much easier with one hand in comparison to two hands

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Dimitrios, tsonga, Kyrgios will at times use the one-hander, but it’s more of a bunt. It’s close to impossible to have two backhands that are elite level. If a stoke is just slightly below that level, players will not use it in a match. All the guys with 2-handed backhands know how to hit a one-hander. However, it just simply isn’t good enough to utilize in a match.

[@mrhatman675]

@@IntuitiveTennis anyway I use both of them when I feel it would be better for that circumstance

[@pierredemare609]

no dis. on high balls for 1handed; they slice it back. otherwise a great video.

[@AsadKhan-lm6yr]

Disappointed with Thiem’s lack of confidence in his backhand today at the 2019 US open vs Fabiano btw.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Very surprising result

[@AsadKhan-lm6yr]

He sliced a lot to try and get his backhand rhythm back. Would he have been better served trying to drive his way back to consistency knowing that it would eventually come back?

[@IntuitiveTennis]

I didn’t see it, very weird result

[@AsadKhan-lm6yr]

Intuitive Tennis worth checking out the highlights. Didn’t look his normal self where he usually gives the backhand areal whack!!

[@neygercey7899]

The winner is the one that makes you play better...lol