The Backhand Edition
On learning, technique, and Sampras
Colin here. I wrote recently about returning to tennis after a 20+ year hiatus. Now, I’m a junkie—searching down courts wherever I am. (I just had a cash-only private lesson transaction in Vegas that felt illicit! At the back courts of Bally’s, no less!) As part of re-engaging with the game, I’m also re-building things that bothered me about playing as a junior. And, as an act of self-imposed suffering—perhaps akin to co-publishing a daily newsletter—I am learning how to hit a one-handed backhand.
Coming from two-handed land, this movement feels janky, awkward, and seems to defy the laws of physics. It has been a journey, but I’m finally getting the hang of it. But, just my luck, it turns out the shot is no longer in style. In a deep dive Medium post, Peter Cioth weighs in:
Among enthusiasts of the one handed backhand, the conventional wisdom for nearly two decades now has been that the only hope for reviving the shot was that Roger Federer would inspire such a fandom among young players that they would emulate his style. However, this seems to be ineffective, considering that Federer himself has said that he would teach his kids a double handed backhand.
Federer’s backhand was originally developed to enhance a serve and volley based game- Federer employed that tactic much more frequently in his early career, particularly on faster surfaces. The fact that he was able to adapt his backhand so well to the modern baseline game is an incredible achievement, but expecting even the best young players to replicate it from a young age is nearly impossible.
Watching Federer hit a one-handed backhand is truly amazing. He makes the shot look so elegant and versatile:
Why is this interesting?
Turns out there’s another person who switched from the two-hander to some iconic results: Pete Sampras! I had to wade through a few forums for the backstory, but the gist is when he told coaches he wanted to win Wimbledon, they told him he had to hit one-handed. So, as a junior, he ripped up his game, lost a lot of matches, and eventually learned how to master the one-handed backhand. Seven Wimbledon titles later, the decision seems validated.
When recounting the switch to NPR, he said:
I mean for two, three years there I wasn't having much fun and you know, my boy was Michael Chang, and I used to beat Michael, when I went to the one-hand I'd start losing to Michael and so whatever happened, around 18 everything just exploded. I got bigger, I got a little stronger, I developed a good one-handed backhand and it developed a certain volley of game. And I, you know, look at my career, look at the Wimbledons that I've won and feel like, you know, without making that switch, I don't know if I would have won a Wimbledon.
My aspirations are far more mundane. I just like the elegance of the shot, and how it feels to hit out in front of the ball. I’m still nowhere near where I aspire to be (see Federer video above), but as I get older, I am learning to enjoy the process of getting there. (CJN)
Newsletter of the day:
Claire and Erica are longtime friends of WITI. They founded the incredible business Of a Kind, which championed emerging designers. Now, they are back with A Thing or Two, a media brand that we highly recommend. These two have taste! First, sign up for the newsletter, and then make sure to tune into their podcast. For an amuse-bouche, try Mr. Sam Valenti’s edition. (CJN)
Quick Links:
Speaking of newsletters, a great one from Casey Lewis (of NY Mag Strategist fame) on Gen Z culture. (CJN)
Great ByBorre profile (CJN)
The Meme King of Wall Street (CJN)
Thanks for reading,
Noah (NRB) & Colin (CJN)
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