Single handed backhand with ATP Pro

A short video dedicated to the single handed backhand
As an ATP ranked player with a single handed backhand I share some technical and tactical tips about how to keep your backhand sharp
I hope this video helps you to improve your game
If you have any feedback please comment below
#tennis #music #proplayer #sports #training #motivation #tennisplayer #gym #backhand

[@DamonYe]

Awesome video!! Thanks for making it! Really interesting idea about taking the racquet back slow and controlled and timing it to the ball. And also shortening it for a faster ball. I usually do the opposite and just try to rush it to get it back as fast as possible. I think your way makes the stroke more smooth and keeps you relaxed more. Need to mess around with my backhand. Thanks again for the tips!

[@seanplaystenis]

Thank you! Really appreciate the feedback and I’m really glad it’s helped. The more you can keep your swings smooth and relaxed and ensure you look after contact your shot should be good. The shorter back swing for quicker balls just allows a better contact, and as the ball coming is quicker you don’t need to add too much pace to it.

[@brodieboy3]

Great stuff - your swing looks a lot like Stan's BH - which I happen to think is one of the best 1 handers out there. Gasquet's the other 1-hander that I love - but he's uses more whip and with you and Stan it's bit more of a pull - thru and across your chest - with just a bit of whip from the elbow. The only difference I see is in the backswing where you keep your racket head more level and Stan and Roger and Gasquet keep their racket head angled up on their turn/ coil and then let it drop into the slot as they start their swing which perhaps helps add a bit of energy/ momentum thru the hitting zone. But bottom line - love love love your swing. You look like you can hit that thing all day and not break down. I do have a question about the slice and when you use it. You mention in your video about using your slice to angle it short. wide and low to hopefully get your opponent out of position and/or cause him to give you a ball that you can get offensive w/ on your next shot (FH or BH). You also mention that you use it when forced to hit BHs that are deep and at shoulder level. I imagine you also use your slice defensively when pulled deep & wide or short and wide and you don't have time to effect a topspin drive. My question is why I don't see more pro level players use their slice offensively - i.e. a hard biting slice that stays low and often skids and trails away on a hard court. I'm nowhere near your level, but I use that shot a decent amount as an offensive shot when pulled wide or when I'm approaching because - like with any BH slice - It's easier to hit a slice on the move and you can hit it hard and low which is why I even sometimes use it as a passing shot - normally doing it almost naturally when I'm rushed and forced wide/ deep and don't have time to set up for a normal topspin drive but want to hit it hard and low over the net. And because it's much easier to hit a slice BH on the move - I find it works well to move in on a high ball or cut off a ball hit to my BH after being pulled wide to my FH and just knife that ballL (i) inside-out to my opponents FH if I catch it around mid-court, or (ii) knife it cross court if pulled wide or otherwise hitting it from the add side, or (iii) knifing it up the line if I can cut off a wide cross court BH hit by my opponent that lands just a bit short. In all cases - my hard slice if knifed properly is going to skid and stay low and often trail away after landing. I find it to be especially effective when hit to an opponents FH because so many players these days use more extreme grips and they often don't do well with fast, low skidding balls - especially if they are trailing away which is what happens when you hit an inside out BH slice from the mid-line of the court as you move to recover from a wide FH. When I watch pros like you during warm-ups - I see a fair amount of knifed BH slices [Fed for example], but once the match begins - i rarely if ever see that shot. I see it used defensively mostly - or as a change of pace like you mentioned to hit a short angle and either bring a guy into net who doesn't want to be there because he's not a great volleyer or can't hit a great approach shot off that short angled shot. But again - what I don't see is the slice used offensively. Again - a knifed BH that stays low and skids and often trails away and which can be hit hard on the move by just leaning in and knifing the shot. Sorry for the long set-up. I just wanted you to understand the kind of hard/ knifed slice BH I'm talking about as a complement to a more conventional topspin BH drive or a more defensive/ stay in the rally slice BH. Thx much and good luck with your upcoming matches. Keep us posted as to your upcoming tournaments and let us know if you are you coming to North America this summer after the Clay and grass court seasons. 😬

[@seanplaystenis]

Thank you for your feedback, really appreciate the comparison to Stan! Hes a legend. I think the reasons why players don’t use the slice as much to attack these days are -the conditions have slowed so slice sits up abit more - rackets have got lighter, players getting stronger so they can really whip the slice more -also I think that the movement getting better means the players quicker up to the ball and so they are in position to hit drives. I think the game goes through different stages and at the moment it seems to be big hitters.

[@quentincrisp6933]

So when you say "loose & through the ball" is the wrist pronating ? Great video however!

[@seanplaystenis]

The wrist is just brushing over the ball, you don’t want to flick the wrist too much when making contact

[@rubinsingh4779]

What version of the PS97 are you using, and how would you say it handles the opponent’s pace? Thanks

[@seanplaystenis]

I’m using the rf97 v13 👍

[@seanplaystenis]

It’s a really solid frame, very stable on contact especially against pace, if you time it will, no need to swing too much

[@rubinsingh4779]

@@seanplaystenisthanks, have you tried the 315g version? If so, would you still say it holds up against advanced players? Great guide otherwise 👍

[@jeremyvanvlymen7191]

Crush the ball, the ball flattens on the strings - no brushing, sorry.

[@watcher687]

Isn’t a faster take back and getting ready early a better option for rec players who are not great athletes?

[@seanplaystenis]

I think that the faster take back can make players rushed mentally, I think its important to have a slow take back to stay calm and not rush. Also helps your timing and rhythm

[@watcher687]

@@seanplaystenis As a good athlete and player that may be true for you but I’m still worried a lower level player can get caught being late somewhere in the middle of that slow take back. As you know lower level players are usually late in their turn/prep/take back hence have a rushed forward swing.

[@user-kl6os3gd5s]

What do you string your pro staff with?

[@seanplaystenis]

I string it at 58lbs with lynx tour 1.30 gauge

[@user-kl6os3gd5s]

@@seanplaystenis That’s pretty high for a pro staff, is it a soft poly? I use head hawk at 50 in an RF97 340

[@verlatenwolf]

Unique tips!! And ive seen a lot/ too much.

[@seanplaystenis]

Thank you!

[@rcyc]

Your backhand looks better than Dan Evans!

[@seanplaystenis]

Thank you, doing my best, I do really like dans style on the backhand, especially the slice

[@rcyc]

@@seanplaystenis He slices a little too much like Grigor Dimitrov, as compared to RF.