One-Handed vs Two-Handed Backhand: Which Should You Play?

The two-handed backhand

The two-hander is the modern standard for good reason. The second hand adds stability and power, makes the stroke easier to learn and repeat, and — crucially — handles high, heavy balls far better, which is exactly what modern topspin produces. It also tends to make for a stronger, more compact return of serve.

The trade-offs: slightly less reach on the stretch, more awkwardness on very low balls, and you'll still need to learn a one-handed slice for defence and variety (everyone does).

The one-handed backhand

The one-hander offers more reach, a more natural transition to slice and volleys, and a feel and elegance its fans adore. Its variety — drive, slice, drop — flows from one grip and one hand, which makes an attacking, net-rushing style very natural.

The trade-offs are real, though: it's harder to learn and master, more demanding on timing and strength, and it genuinely struggles against high, heavy balls to the backhand — which is why the pro ranks have steadily shifted toward two hands.

It's niche now, not dead: Lorenzo Musetti carried it to a career-high inside the top five in early 2026, but only a handful of the top 50 use one. The useful nuance from the modern game is that the one-hander's real bottleneck is the return and being rushed by pace — in neutral baseline rallies a heavy one-hander can actually be the more offensive shot.

Fixing the one-hander's weak spots

If you play a one-hander, the two places you'll leak points are the return against big first serves and high, heavy balls to the backhand — and both have concrete fixes rather than just 'get stronger'.

On return, don't try to hit a full topspin drive off a fast first serve — the grip change is too big to make in time. Default to a compact chip or block: minimal backswing, firm wrist, just redirect the ball deep. Save the topspin drive for slower second serves and rally balls.

For high balls, treat it as a footwork problem, not a swing problem. Either step in and take the ball early, on the rise, before it climbs above your shoulder, or retreat and let it drop back down into your comfortable strike zone. Set the outside foot early so you can meet the ball around waist-to-shoulder height instead of reaching up for it.

So which should YOU play?

For most players — especially adults picking the game up, or anyone who wants consistent results sooner — the two-hander is the pragmatic choice: easier to learn, more forgiving, and better suited to the modern high-bouncing game.

Choose the one-hander if you're starting young with time to develop it, you love a slice-and-approach style, or the sheer feel of it is what keeps you playing. Just go in knowing the high-ball weakness is something you'll have to manage.

Either way, you need a one-handed slice

This surprises beginners: even committed two-handers hit slice with one hand. The slice is essential for defence, for low balls, for approaches and for changing rhythm. So learning some one-handed backhand feel isn't optional — it's part of every complete game.

Can you switch later?

You can, but it's hard once a stroke is grooved — expect months of feeling worse before you feel better. That's the strongest argument for choosing deliberately early rather than drifting into one by accident. If you're a true beginner and undecided, default to two hands; it's the lower-risk path to a reliable backhand.

The bottom line

• Two-handed — easier, more stable, better on high balls, stronger return. The default for most.
• One-handed — more reach, better slice/variety, gorgeous feel; harder to master and vulnerable up high.
• Everyone needs a one-handed slice regardless.
• Undecided beginner? Start two-handed.