Federer's U.S. Open return highlights fading one-handed backhand
Roger Federer, making his first U.S. Open appearance since 2019, discussed the decline of the one-handed backhand, attributing it to coaching preferences for two-handed strokes. Only six ATP top-100 players currently use the shot, and no one-handed backhand player has reached a Grand Slam semifinal this year. Federer also confirmed he will not return to competitive tennis.
Federer, 45, is appearing at the U.S. Open for the first time since 2019, playing an exhibition alongside Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, and John McEnroe ahead of his Hall of Fame induction. The one-handed backhand now appears in just six ATP top-100 players and four WTA top-100 players, with no Grand Slam semifinal appearance from a one-hander this year — a drought that could extend to the first time since 1877 if it continues through New York.
Federer traced the decline to coaching trends, noting most instructors now favor two-handed strokes because they are simpler to teach young players. He also cited slower balls and racket technology changes as factors. His own career adjustments included switching to a larger 97-square-inch racket in 2014 and adopting the aggressive SABR return tactic after his 2016 injury layoff. He confirmed he will not return to competitive tennis.
The fading one-handed backhand could reshape how tennis is taught and watched at grassroots levels, as young players and coaches may increasingly view the shot as a stylistic relic rather than a viable foundation. Federer's visibility in discussing the trend may prompt reflection among academies and parents about whether prioritizing immediate results over long-term skill development is wise. Fans who grew up admiring the shot's elegance could feel a sense of loss, while the sport itself may see a narrowing of tactical variety, potentially affecting match dynamics and spectator engagement over time.