Stan Wawrinka: Breaking down his One-Handed Backhand

[@rszanger]

Wawrinka's backhand preparation is amazing. Everyone can learn his position, preparation no matter what level you are at .

[@kenarthur6253]

Such a beautiful stroke. Could watch Stan hit backhands 24x7. 😂

[@danoliver8804]

Especially when he flattens it out. You can see how deadly it can be.

[@liquidh5226]

The backhand that won him 2 grand slams in the era of GOATS. Amazing.

[@dwaynemcallister7231]

It really did! Nobody could cover it.

[@fernandomartinez8932]

Three grand slams

[@ifeanyiikpegbu6465]

@@liquidh5226 Yes, he was very successful against one-dimensional Djokovic. Federer got him pretty covered and he wasn't really successful against Nadal, asides that Australian open final he beat Nadal

[@hesterdekoninck]

Thank you! I never get enough of watching Wawrinka’s backhand. I just have this strange desire to have a backhand that is as strong and reliable as my forehand. The straight arm felt a bit strange at first, but now i love it, and i think it helps with consistency. Binge watched this over and over at 0,25 speed to get a good imprint. : )

[@monstertrucktennis]

Loop it and bring it on court with you. Hit. Watch. Repeat. The visual imprint is far more effective than the verbal cues from a coach.

[@molybdaenmornell123hopp5]

Me too. It feels a bit like championing equality. No-one believes backhands can beat forehands. Federer once said forehand is king. Well, backhand is queen.

[@burgerherzog]

Glad to hear from an expert what I was thinking about others backhand. For me Federer always counter swings with his left arm while playing topspin backhands as if he was hitting a slice. Stan swings through and doesn't let his left arm stop the flow.

[@miguelbarahona6636]

The best OHBH. Great video. Two things. 1) Stan´s grip is not eastern. His grip, like Thiem´s, is between eastern and continental, and the fingers are positioned as a fist (the finger is not spread as Roger´s). 2) His aproach for the shot is "go for it", he doesn´t hesitate.

[@ifeanyiikpegbu6465]

Gasquet has the best OHBH

[@longgrayline8055]

He hits with his left side extremely well. He times his pivot into the shot beautifully. Great footwork is the key. He has deceptively quick feet for his size and moves extremely well.

[@majormajor9672]

My 1hbh looks pretty much exactly like Stanimal's... except for the feet part, the shoulder part, and the core part... maybe my timing is off slightly, maybe I'm slightly not built like Stan the man at all, but aside from those minor things I pretty much can imitate his 1hbh 200% as long as I don't watch too closely.

[@Southpaw101]

Maybe maybe maybe ...hmmmm

[@bjornopitz6561]

😄👍

[@Phoenixaway]

Cool story

[@pudimdecana51]

Same with me. 😅😅😅

[@Nopanop]

My 2hbh is totally looks exactly like stanimal's

[@rafaelpassos3253]

This leg part is amazing! I'm having tons of problems with my 1hbh because I'm always trying to hit it the offensive way, and when im trying to make defensive shots, I'm always one step behind Thanks for the tips, definitely will try it on my class tomorrow

[@stevenburton7922]

Excellent observations...thanks for posting

[@antonarap]

@Patrick Mouratoglou All this is correct but I think the key to the Stan-hand is the grip. It's akin to a "hammer" grip with a closed fist and the racket forming a near 90° angle with the forearm. This gives you a rock-solid contact but turns the strings too much towards the backhand side and with regular technique all shots would end up wide. To counteract this Stan moves the contact point further in front and adopts a more open stance (or rather a less closed one) which results in the increased body rotation that you observed. All these are advantages over the classic grip: Far better contact, a more stable wrist, weight transfer towards the ball rather than 90° from it, better visibility and an increased margin for error (if he is late, he can just relax the wrist a bit earlier to adjust the angle).

[@germanslice]

I use a flat backhand grip for his backhand and that grip allows effortless big penetrating nasty flat drives which if I add wrist snap makes it behave more like a buggy whip..

[@dwaynemcallister7231]

Interesting analysis, I used to love the one hander that Guga employed it was a weapon too, was similar to Stan's backhand, maybe Guga hit more open stance but their shoulder movement looked similar.

[@iqless7313]

I mean, some of what he's saying is dubious. The shot they picked to do this video is actually a slight mishit, LOL. The ball makes contact with the bottom part of the racket, quite off-center. That in turn makes the racket "wobble", and that's what makes the racket make the 45 degree angle AFTER it hits the ball. If you pause it exactly at the moment of contact, the racket is MUCH more straight, almost perpendicular, like 85 degrees. The topspin here is achieved not by racket face orientation, but the low-to-high movement of the racket.

[@mirstation]

This so-called analysis is just part of a program to create content. It's an online marketing strategy that leads to millions in the bank. Patrick is good, but not everything he publishes makes sense.

[@jamesfriedman4645]

Patrick: (long and complicated analysis) Wawrinka: "I just swing naturally"

[@monstertrucktennis]

Sometimes the words get in the way as coach injects his perspective.

[@Nightrangersb]

But Stan’s words don’t help and Patrick breaks it down brilliantly. Each element is important and needs to be elucidated. Sorry if it’s too many words for you.

[@monstertrucktennis]

@@Nightrangersb worship the Pontificator. Visual learning is more efficient and more effective when it comes to complex physical tasks.

[@frankfurter7260]

Especially when the analysis is fantasy.

[@tennnis498]

@@frankfurter7260 I like that one. A pleasant fantasy indeed to have the Wawrinka backhand. I’d probably be warning the opponent “you’ll probably want to stand back by the fence, but then I’ll angle it on you”. He’s got a great drive and slice.

[@thediplomat3137]

How do you discuss Stan's backhand without even mentioning his grip. Its absolutely key to provide control to such an aggressively accelerating swing

[@lonibytyqi6093]

what is his backhand grip? My OHBH grip is eastern (I believe).

[@zulkhairia.182]

i think backhand grip almost the same for everyone no?

[@robertwong-w5s]

2:27 Racket Angel at contact poit is about 60 degrees rather than 45. Excellent expalination as always.🌹

[@germanslice]

I have got some of Stan's Backhand up and running. Racquet tip pointing up toward sky in so the shoulders line up with the ball: YES Swinging the racquet keeping it close by the body as Stan does, YES. I use a Compact swing. Extending the arm out into the ball when it comes in YES. However when I reach this point, I prefer to just Turn butt to finish than bring the arm up in the finish As Stan's Backhand is a pretty physically demanding backhand...

[@nicolasramossalcedo9176]

The best backhand 🔝🔥

[@LiamApilado]

So powerful and controlled

[@rachidbaaira9869]

Great video Mr Patrick, Merci beaucoup pour l'information, top analyse.

[@CH-yp5by]

Now its our turn you say, so is there any particular way we can send a short video?

[@bresoo]

awesome vid - thanks mate

[@HonkyMonky]

One handed backhand is da best. I have exactly the same as Stan and i'm proud of it!

[@atrem7942]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 send in a video please🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@HonkyMonky]

@@atrem7942 in your dream 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@miguelbarahona6636]

Video.

[@aymarmahier2835]

@@miguelbarahona6636 see you at the us open

[@miguelbarahona6636]

@@aymarmahier2835 See you there too.

[@douwemonsma5874]

At impact 2:27, the angle is 75 degrees, not 45! so the racket face is nearly vertical. Your angle drawing is after contact where the racket face flips a bit due to the ball impacting the racket face below the center axis. But even using your yellow lines at @ 2:28, it would be 67 degrees, so also near vertical.

[@ilmelangolo]

Merci for the left arm thing!

[@marykistnen6837]

Yes, that makes sense. Always thought that the left arm going really back was a bit strange.

[@OriginalKarasu]

maaannnn i miss Stan the man!!! ;'(

[@brendanoshea2936]

His secret is that he’s stronger than everyone in a very specific way while still having good shoulder mobility. The straight arm gives him consistency and he is almost always moving forward when hitting because he’s strong enough to do that. He takes the ball early ish and is strong enough to do this even when the ball is high(for the most part). With his technique can’t snap and slap the ball the way thiem does but it’s better to have Stan’s solid power with consistency and leaning forward than thiems highlight jumping falling backers.

[@RoboticCrystal]

great analysis ,i notice his core, hips coiling before stretch arm on contact adds to that power .could you please give more insight on the grip change, how changing the grip effect say cross court direction and spin generation. thanks coach

[@tennnis498]

When you mention his core, I think huge power is coming from there. If he had played hockey, he’d probably have had a ridiculous slapshot. The US Open where he beats Novak, he’s winning the “shoving match”. Novak has to back up, but he knows he doesn’t want to. When he does, Stan gains more control. Stan had the physicality, I felt, to beat Rafa at the French. But I didn’t account for the savvy of Nadal at RG.

[@ifeanyiikpegbu6465]

I used to think Stan has the best and most powerful one-hander...but I think Gasquet is on top in the pecking order. His own is just unreal

[@dwaynemcallister7231]

Gasquet has a great one hander for sure and it looks a lot similar to how Guga hit his one hander. Gasquet never had the overall success of Stan or Guga for that matter so maybe it is a underrated shot.

[@marykistnen6837]

Gasquet's backhand wasn't near as agressive as Wawrinka's. As far as I can remember he stood too far behind the baseline too.

[@mezomoza7]

This and Nadal‘s forehand are the most beautifully devastating shots in Tennis

[@Wolverine168]

Best Backhand ever

[@juzaaa]

This movement is very similar to a disc golf backhand form, some of the power comes from the back hip and legs too in some cases where you have time to really line up the power shot.

[@juzaaa]

And that is why the straighter arm is fine, the power comes from the ground too. In disc golf though, the arm is at about a 90 degree angle since you need to have the disc fly out of your hand, and that doesn't "fly" well in rackets and racket sports 😄

[@CCintheUK]

A legendary backhand. I’m surprised his lack of extension with the left arm doesn’t lead to over rotation.

[@dominicdao2106]

Has it ever been confirmed if Stan is right-eye dominant? Has Patrick ever mentioned this? It would explain how he's able to hit the one handed backhand so well even with a closed stance. And it would give me a perfect excuse as to why I can't hit it like Stan can 😂

[@catedoge3206]

Imagine if Wawrinka and Henin had a baby. Ultimate one hand backhand machine!

[@1337sim1]

Not sure why he should "compensate" for his straight arm... To me it's the fact he extends his arm at the contact point that GIVES him power. All his weight, torque and body rotation goes into the shot BECAUSE his arm is extended 😎 Edit: try hitting a forehand with a crocodile arm and see if you have power (answer: you will not)

[@iqless7313]

I think you might be right. If you look at WTA, most women hit forehands with a bent arm, whereas most ATP players hit with a straight arm. If your arm is extended, with the same amount of rotation, you'd be giving the racket head more speed.

[@lassel1644]

What about his western forehand grip playing backhand

[@johnnacke4134]

I read that his grip is not a classic backhand grip. It is somewhere between a continental and an Eastern. Is this true?

[@goldencalf5144]

I heard that it was more towards semi western. The more closed racquet angle suggests this is the case.

[@questionmark7045]

1. there is no ":wrist part" - its forearm rotation part - supination - the wrist is blocked and rotates 2. its a stretch - release action - you stretch going back with hand and going forward with shoulder the gap widens- then the arm catches up - the stretched muscles are mostly the back muscle and supinator and biceps brachii muscles

[@squidjames7735]

Gluteus maximus to

[@CaocaoXI]

I really like to have that backhand. But it’s pretty hard to do.

[@hearstzhang3881]

Nice

[@lassel1644]

Actually thats pretty much my backhand but i do a slice when hitting the ball...i havent figured out how to topspin it. Either it goes down on the floor or up to the roof😮

[@stockyguru]

Where’s is Stan anyway? Not seen him play in while

[@ilovesuisse1]

He had a foot injury, he had to recover from that.

[@mrbalsemgosok]

I used to play as a single handed backhand. However I've decided to change my play with two handed backhand. It seems like the two handed backhand is easier to control and point the target. However I'm struggling when the ball is near to the body. Meanwhile for single handed backhand, the power and top-spin is there. I can reach the ball easier compare with two handed backhand. However, I'm struggling to control and having not enough time to to hit the ball. Just my opinion based on my experience playing amateur tennis for about 30 years.

[@soevjaanoemar2761]

Brilliance BH!!!

[@MERIDIAN2251]

Rather than copying his style, I use Stan as a reference vs my own backhand. I notice my weaknesses and try to fix them.

[@thomasrebotier1741]

Si on compare avec Gasquet, justement, le rôle du bras gauche est complètement opposé. Quelle conclusion pour un joueur de club ?

[@molybdaenmornell123hopp5]

Ma conclusion est que tous les deux techniques sont possible pour un revers exceptionel. Je crois aussi que Dimitrov a un fois laché un revers à 170 kmh prèsque sans aucune preparation. (Excusez-moi si je fais de fautes, je ne suis pas Français.).

[@nimda2468]

is he left eye dominant?

[@justulistories5509]

Nice analysis except the point that his racket head cannot be at a 45° angle when touching the ball. This would result in the ball going directly into the ground. At 2:27 you can see the moment the ball is stroke and at that moment the racket is nearly perpendicular. I would rather say that his racket path is steep after hitting the ball to get some topspin. But all in all i dont think the strokes that are shown have that much topspin and are more flat which makes them even deadlier.

[@franciscomanrique4979]

Gracias por desgranar el golpe.

[@joaquinpinochet3719]

I feel when I hold the raquet like that I tend to leave balls on the net. Any help?

[@monstertrucktennis]

Swing low to high and experiment with the contact point. Stan's is a bit out in front and the racquet face is slightly closed. Because of his low to high swing, this is the perfect launch angle for this point of contact.

[@520LUNNY]

Gasquet has best looking looking backhand. Stan most powerful.

[@daviddescoteaux6252]

I would love to watch your analysis of Richard Gasquet's backhand. To me it's a better one. More consistent.

[@MMM18092]

I think Wawrinka as a player just is more inconsistent/volatile and I would put that down to attitude and mentality rather than technique.

[@dwaynemcallister7231]

Which player has had better result's? I don't think Gasquet ever won a slam, it's a great shot but maybe the other parts of his game limit him. @@MMM18092

[@squidjames7735]

3 grand slams to none … cough, cough.

[@Zalageta]

Don’t forget Stan has strong legs,the hips

[@Ferrotandil]

2:27 if this is 45º angle I am Roger Federer

[@oooodaxteroooo]

its 60, yeah ;)

[@iqless7313]

@@oooodaxteroooo It's more like 80.

[@ravibagiya8765]

Can you please also analyse Thiem's backhand? There aren't any good videos out there honestly

[@Garibaldem]

Guga Kuerten backhand was even more efficient than Stan’s. Maybe you could do some analysis as well :)

[@CombatLegacy]

I think Gasquet has the best backhand technically. The reason Wawrinka's backhand is such a weapon from the baseline is because of his trunk width/strength and torso rotation. In short, he's built like a truck and uses this powerful and heavy torso to rotate heavily into the shot.. more than anyone else. Federer and Dimitrov have more of a classic technique where they extend their left arm to stay sideways. Gasquet is a little bit somewhere in between however why I value his backhand the most is because his backhand is exactly a big reason why he had such a career WHILE being nothing special physically. He's not as athletic and nimble and physically gifted as Fed or Dimi and he's nowhere near as strong as Stan. So to have a backhand on that highest level while being like an average 'joe' compared to these guys means that your backhand has to be technical perfection because you have no other leverage. He also has nice variety on it, and I honestly think that if his forehand was as good as his backhand or better (like the other guys), and if he was as physically gifted and had the athletics or strength of the other guys he'd be a multiple grand slam champion for sure. That's how great his backhand is for that level and compared to the rest of his game.

[@dimitrism.1814]

Easily the best one handed backhand of all time

[@dwaynemcallister7231]

Hard to argue this point but maybe Guga was close to having the same weapon!

[@kenzone]

Not only is Stan’s backhand powerful and consistent, it is also the most beautiful to watch, just like Del Potro’s forehand and Federer’s volleys.

[@aca2077]

Delpos fh was ugly. Y’all blind

[@ldgnotebook]

Oddly, Porto’s ugly FH beat RG 2009 us open. Don’t forget book “Winning Ugly” by Brad Gilbert. Nadal’s “Unconventional” FH captured 12 RG French open trophies. How odd and ugly winning.

[@mezomoza7]

Just like Nadal‘s forehand

[@kevinkemenar2434]

Hi, How about Roger Federer? he is actually good for one Backhand and has amazing skills?

[@frankfurter7260]

LOL that he contacts the ball at a 45 degree angle. 🙄 I’d he did the ball would hit the ground and never make it near the net. Next time freeze frame at the exact point of impact not after. Topspin is generated because the racket is going from lower than the ball to higher. Period.

[@x4ex]

Patrick, why did you say about 45 degrees racquet angle? You definitely know that it's nonsense. You will hit your side of the court if you try to rotate the racquet to this angle. Just rewind your footage with Stan to previous frame with actual moment of contact and you will see there is a mishit that rotates the racquet after contact. I don't believe you didn't know it!

[@dunerino892]

true, complete nonsense and physical impossible

[@orangecoolius]

Was thinking the same thing

[@molybdaenmornell123hopp5]

I think 45 is a number that gets thrown around for all kinds of half-closed angles, even though it's usually more like 20 or 30 (0° being a vertical racquet face).

[@ManBearPig14]

That's true, if you have a 45 degree angle before contact, the ball with hit the ground instead of going over the net lol

[@lyderhorn]

Yea at contact it was like 80° And while he is saying "45°" the lines that are being drawn show a 60° angle.. in conclusion, he is not looking at the video while talking, and the video editor showed the wrong frame, otherwise the mistake would be even more evident.. at the end of the day its a 2 minutes video so we shouldn't expect quality content

[@isou2554]

Believe me, you don't wanna see my Backhand!

[@itaycohen4525]

Is he not loosing stability for not extanding his left arm back?

[@jfollas698]

Great coaching. In mind I look like Stan but I'm sure the reality is far from it 😂.

[@scottstorchfan]

Best ,yes. Aesthetically, no. Federer, Dimitrov and Gasguet imo.

[@alfandosavant4639]

Analyzing his power without his hip rotation? Wrist flick? I dunno, it's kinda missed from the actual things Stan does.

[@ScobedRobed]

45 degrees 😂

[@andreagirolami6869]

The only way to hit a super single handed backhand is to prepare the shot in a semi-open stance for foots and legs. The shoulders and torso rotation is the same as for two-handers. The movement of the arm is circular and the racquet is blocked in a 45 degrees angle to the playground. Obviously it needs strength of shoulder, bicep, tricep, forarm, wrist, hand, etcetera (it needs the same muscles of armwrestling in a certain way)... Two-handers of the whole world, this is the truth for you all: two-handed backhand is the shot for women, kids and LGBT community 🌈🦄🤣 But not for me: I'm a proud man and my choice is one-handed backhand. 💪🎾🇮🇹

[@pedropaivalemos]

U can hit a one hbh with open stance as well... Since u turn your dominant shoulder appointing the ball that coming to you, making the unit turn and all the weight transfer to the ball...

[@pedropaivalemos]

Guga kuerten used to do a lot of this open 1 hbh specially in serves devolutions..

[@dwaynemcallister7231]

Do you remember Justin Henin? She also would control the point with her one handed back hand, it was her weapon.

[@mauricecatayan3406]

45 degrees. Really?

[@RB-lw8go]

All he does is rotate. Doesn't go forward. Wrist action probably never came up during he's development. Just plant and rotate, the physics tennis. Not easy, but that simple.

[@Omni-King2099]

Guess it's time to show you my one hundred backhand 🥴😂.......jk

[@badabing8884]

Roger’s slice backhand is better than Stan’s.

[@naitsoo]

One hundred backhand😂

[@petarpopov7648]

Sadly it is almost extinct

[@tarunkumarreddy8295]

Endless talking...

[@adamopez5815]

I have a similar body type as Stan Wawrinka...My back hand style is quite similar, obviously no where near the consistency and power. We have huge legs (read quads) and wide hips and are capable of exploding with rotational movements. Also we are a bit stocky with very wide and powerful chest and our necks are wide and muscular. Kind of the mike tyson of tennis lol