**Tsitsipas Laments Fall of the One-Handed Backhand as 149-Year Run Ends**
In a significant shift for the sport of tennis, the U.S. Open has marked the end of a 149-year streak of one-handed backhand representation in Grand Slam men's singles semi-finals. This historic change was solidified when American player Ben Shelton defeated Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fourth round, leaving the tournament devoid of any competitors using the one-handed backhand.
The one-handed backhand, once a staple of the game, has seen its popularity decline in recent years, increasingly overshadowed by the two-handed backhand. This evolution in playing style reflects broader trends in tennis, where power and consistency have become paramount. Historically, at least one player employing the one-handed backhand reached the semi-finals of a major tournament each year since the inaugural Wimbledon in 1877.
Tsitsipas, who lost to Shelton with a score of 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, expressed his disappointment regarding the decline of this classic stroke. He noted that in the 1950s, nearly all players utilized the one-handed backhand, with estimates suggesting that 97% to 98% of competitors favored this technique. In stark contrast, he remarked that today, only about 2% to 3% of players continue to use it.
“It’s such a traditional, classic shot, that it’s a shame to lose a shot like that,” Tsitsipas said in a post-match interview. While he acknowledged the significance of the one-handed backhand's decline, he also suggested that it is not the end of the world for tennis, stating, “Tennis still goes on the way it is.”
The Greek player further elaborated on how the narrowing of playing styles in modern tennis has impacted the game. He lamented the lack of diversity in player techniques, noting that the sport has shifted towards a more homogenized style of play. “Tennis used to be played with so many different variations of style and that variation has narrowed to one particular style these days, where everyone is playing the same,” he explained.
Tsitsipas reminisced about the variety of playing styles that characterized tennis in previous decades, including serve-and-volley players and counter-punchers. He expressed concern that the current landscape lacks the unique personalities and strategies that once made the sport captivating. “What used to make (tennis) so interesting was you had those that played a specific way and others that played another way,” he noted.
Ben Shelton's victory over Tsitsipas was not his first encounter with a player using the one-handed backhand in this tournament. He had previously defeated Canadian Denis Shapovalov, another left-handed player who employs the one-handed stroke, in the third round. Shelton's success has drawn attention to the ongoing evolution of playing styles in tennis, as he represents a new generation of players who are redefining the game.
The decline of the one-handed backhand is emblematic of broader trends in sports, where advancements in training, equipment, and playing surfaces have led to shifts in technique and strategy. As players adapt to these changes, the traditional strokes that once defined the game may continue to fade from prominence.
While the loss of the one-handed backhand in the men's draw at the U.S. Open may be disheartening for some tennis purists, the sport itself remains vibrant and continues to evolve. As players like Shelton rise through the ranks, they bring with them new styles and approaches that may reshape the future of tennis, even as they signal the end of an era for one of the game's most iconic techniques.