“Magician” Roger Federer’s one-handed backhand shot that kept the dying playing style alive hailed by Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick hails Federer's single-handed backhand as he reckons that the era might come to an end.

“Magician” Roger Federer’s one-handed backhand shot that kept the dying playing style alive hailed by Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick and Roger Federer (via Imago)

Roger Federer, one of the most loved players in tennis, has always been an inspiration to millions of people around the world. Not only the fans, but the younger generation look up to the Swiss star, trying to learn tennis techniques from Federer, who was known for his unique playing style. 

In a period when many players were trying to master the one-handed backhand, Federer became well-known for it. Notably, he perfectly executed a backhand that got everyone talking about it. 

YouTube video

However, with Federer retiring, there are not many players practicing this art. Recently, Andy Roddick brought up the same topic in his podcast “Served,” where he threw light on the influence the Swiss had on the tennis world and how he kept the dying playing shot alive. 

FS Video
I think we kind of avoided this conversation for a long time largely because of Roger, and what a supernatural talent he was, on that side a magician.
Said Roddick in the recent episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick’

Furthermore, the American also discussed the one-handed backhand era coming to an end, with not many players willing to learn the skill. It seemed very predictable that the era was coming to an end, and Roddicks recognized it as the new normal. 

It feels like it was coming; it’s something I didn’t think about it all in January, but it was like the new normal and all.
Added Roddick on the backhand of Federer. 

Andy Roddick hailed the iconic one-handed backhand of Federer as not many use the shot on the evolved courts in tennis

The one-handed backhand was one of the most famous shots in the older generations and was made immensely famous by Roger Federer. 

Roger Federer
Roger Federer (Via Imago)

Andy Roddick, a player who faced many players with such a backhand, agreed, saying that the backhand looked “f***ing cool.” Having said this, the American also believed that it wasn’t as effective as the double-handed backhands, which had more power in them. 

With the tennis courts getting slower and the racquet strings changing, the one-handed backhand seems ineffective when compared to a double-handed one. 

After Federer, not many players seemed to follow the trend, as they followed the conventional double-handed backhand. Recently, Stefanos Tsitsipas, the only top 10 ranked player with a single-hand backhand, fell a couple of ranks.

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