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Agassi, Roddick, and siliconCOACH

A Tale of the Two-Handed Backhand

Jim McLennan

My first appreciation of the two-handed backhand occurred in the 1970's (the good old days?). Connors, Borg, Evert – three stellar models, each slightly different, and each used in a different way. 

Connors, Evert, and Borg - three of the best backhands in the game back in the day.

Jimbo returned serve as well as anyone, perhaps ever. Standing in, punishing the ball crosscourt or down the line, either flat or with the slightest underspin or occasional sidespin, Connors looked for any and all opportunities to attack. Borg unveiled the whippy two-handed topspin, deadly accurate with disguise, able to hold all but the quickest of volleyers (McEnroe that is) from moving early to pick off the ball at the net. In some ways Borg's two-hander had much in common with the modern forehands, heavy, spiny, lots of action. Finally, the magnificent Chris Evert, the smoothest, deadliest, backhand in the women's game. Crosscourt, down the line, pinpoint accuracy, impeccable balance, precision footwork, all without the slightest appearance of effort.

Now let's take a look at the leading American models of the two-fisted backhand. Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick. Agassi moves forward, punishes the return of serve, and may have elevated the two-hander past Jimbo's standard. Andre's Dad has said his backhand was better than his forehand, and truly in the later part of his Grand Slam surge, Andre ran around his backhand far less than in his younger days. He now appears content to punish opponents much like a boxer (as was his father), using his backhand as one of those punishing weapons rather employing the flamboyant run-around style of a Courier and nearly all of the modern baseliners. Agassi's stroke is a model of efficiency; early shoulder turn, simple backswing, arms relaxed, just the slightest wag or waggle as the forward swing begins. He trusts the crosscourt and threads the needle down the line.

And now Andy Roddick. He is the absolute best thing to come onto the American scene since our last two super heroes. Tenacious, scrambling, clawing, he brings it, each and every time. But equally, he is gracious and humble. He shows us his emotion and he commits to Davis Cup. We could not, repeat not, have a better model for our youthful aspirants. But, allow me to examine his backhand without diminishing my respect for his game, for what he has done, and hopefully for what he is yet to accomplish. 

I wish his backhand was simpler, that he would be willing to move forward on the ball, even that he could develop a two-handed backspin approach (as did Jimbo). I would prefer he could play with more balance, disguise, and topspin as does Safin, or simply that he could swing easier and with more economy as do Coria or Nalbandian. And this is because, were his two-hander sweeter, less effortful, more deadly, then the legions of players copying his game would have a better model to mimic.

A few years ago I was sitting with Andy's then coach, Tarik Benhabiles, watching Andy play James Blake, and our vantage point was on the baseline. It appeared Andy was willing to move forward and make something happen on the forehand side, but gave ground on the backhand and then assumed a generally defensive ready stance subsequent to his two-handed hits. I asked Tarik, “Do you think Andy could learn to take the ball earlier?” Tarik deflected my pointed question, providing me this diplomatic reply, “No one sees the ball as early as Agassi.” I was thinking mechanics, he was talking vision. And though vision may play a role in court positioning and mechanics, I was simply asking about Roddick's ability and intentions on the backhand side.

In the following sequence, we can see both similarities and differences between Andre and Agassi, and though I cannot measure nor comment on Andre's vision, I do believe you can see a tendency for Andy to muscle, to hit more from his arms than his hips. And as to his net playing aspirations, were he to take the backhand earlier he would have one more route to the net. 

Figure 1: Eagerness to Hit

One proviso before we compare and contrast. Andy and Andre are not hitting identical incoming balls. They are not in the same court position. Nor are their intentions identical. And in no way am I suggesting that they are. I submit, however, that both strokes characterize each player's style and their mechanics. 

Agassi and Roddick – America 's one-two punch

They both bring so much to our tennis theater – personality, commitment, grace and humanity. Agassi favors precision, Roddick relies on power. But the style of Agassi's early years reminds me of Roddick, and just as Agassi grew his game into a Grand Slam winning machine, Roddick shows the drive and determination to do the same, let's just give him some time.

Figure 2: Balance on the Back Foot

More Details on the Differences in Agassi and Roddick's Backhands

Video analysis is great, but viewing each stroke element in still photos gives us the opportunity to study each difference a little more thoroughly.

Eagerness to Hit

In this first comparison (Figure 1), Andre squares and appears to stalk the ball. Everything in this pose is about moving to the ball and doing something with it.

Figure 3: Turning In

Andy has straightened up and will begin to back pedal. Certainly he may be facing a ball with considerably more depth and difficulty than the one Andre received, but this is a tendency I continually note.

Balance on the Back Foot

As both players have turned their shoulders (Figure 2) and are soon to let the racquet out within the backswing. Andre is impeccably balanced, poised for an elegant transfer of weight.

Roddick, however, might just be early with his step. It's a rhythm thing, and on that Agassi is the acknowledged master.

Figure 4: Tension in the Arms and Shoulders

Turning In

As both players have stepped in and the racquet is being pulled into the hitting zone (Figure 3), note Agassi's back knee entirely turned in prior to the hit, Andy is beginning to swing from his upper body as his hips and legs are silent as regards turning in to the hit.

Tension in the Arms and Shoulders

This may be the most telling picture for you two-handers out there.

Agassi is again the model of economy and precision, his arms are lightly bent and his shoulders hang naturally (Figure 4). 

Figure 5: Fighting the Ball

Andy is tensing, both in the arms and shoulders, and when swinging at nearly anything (baseball, golf, tennis, maybe even cricket) tension is the enemy.

Fighting the Ball

Finally, as they finish, Agassi has transferred more of his energy into the racquet (Figure 5).

Andy somehow has diminished the transfer and put the work into arms and hands. My colleague Brent Abel aptly describes this “fighting the ball.” 

Roddick's Preparation

Figure 6: Tension in the Arms

From a slightly different camera angle, note Roddick's preparation with his arms extended (Figure 6). 

Though this is the style of Hewitt and others, it belies to me the slightest tension and work at the start of the stroke, and in many instances, what starts with effort will ultimately finish the same way.

Pinching the Shoulders

Roddick meets the ball at knee level on the left, and slightly above his waist on the right (Figure 8). 

Figure 7: Pinching the Shoulders

Ideally, the higher contact is preferable when cracking the ball, when passing, and especially when moving forward to approach or finish. But as was shown in the side view, again Roddick introduces tension in his shoulder and neck as he meets the ball.

Finally, in both instances Roddick drifts back to center, characteristic of his grinding style of play on the backhand side.

Granted, not every ball need be an offensive opportunity but wouldn't it be more effective (not to say fun) to move forward?

Lessons for Your Game

Figure 8: Defensive Recovery Footwork

If you are working on your game, and tinkering, as I am prone to do, here are a few ideas to take with you to the practice court. 

Continuously monitor the amount of energy you expend when hitting the ball – this is not to say you must judge or criticize yourself but rather become aware of how hard you work and what you get on the hit in return. The key is often if and when the back knee turns in. 

Second, develop a keen awareness of your arms on the initial take back. There are no guide books that prescribe the recommended tension from too loose, to loose, to tight, to overly tight, but your body has its own wisdom and will lead you to a comfortable balance. 

Your comments are welcome. Let us know what you think about Jim McLennan's article by emailing us here at TennisOne.

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