The Two-Handed Backhand: Tennis’ Greatest Innovation
The 1970s, a decade defined by bell-bottoms, disco, and polyester suits, also marked a transformative period for tennis. The sport witnessed an unprecedented surge in global popularity, fueled by the construction of new tennis facilities and the emergence of professional tournaments with lucrative prize money. Tennis had become big business.
One iconic moment of the era occurred in 1973 when over 50,000 spectators and millions of television viewers watched Billie Jean King defeat Bobby Riggs in the $10,000 “Battle of the Sexes.” Despite such milestones, one of the game’s most significant technical evolutions—the two-handed backhand—remained largely unexplored for nearly a century, even though sports like baseball, cricket, and golf had long embraced two-handed techniques.
This changed during the 1970s as a few trailblazing players began incorporating the stroke into their game. A 17-year-old Chris Evert was among the first to showcase its potential, reaching the No. 3 ranking in women’s tennis. Her precision and dominance, aided by the two-handed backhand, earned her recognition as a future champion.
On the men’s side, Björn Borg and Jimmy Connors emerged as leading figures of the decade. Both relied on the two-handed backhand to revolutionize their game, setting new standards for power, control, and consistency. Connors, trained by his mother and grandmother, adopted the stroke early, recognizing its advantages for his smaller frame. At just 20 years old, he became one of the youngest American men to achieve the No. 1 ranking.
The stroke’s mechanics, which leverage the non-dominant hand to stabilize the racquet and generate topspin, offered players a more repeatable and powerful shot. Beginners and advanced players alike benefited from the added stability and increased spin potential, especially as the pace of the game intensified.
Despite its advantages, adoption was slow at first. Tracy Austin and Harold Solomon were among the few players of the era to follow Evert, Connors, and Borg in embracing the two-handed backhand. However, by the 1990s, its popularity exploded. Champions like Monica Seles, Venus and Serena Williams, Martina Hingis, Jim Courier, and Goran Ivanišević showcased its effectiveness on the global stage.
Today, the two-handed backhand stands as one of tennis’ most impactful innovations, reshaping the game and inspiring future generations.
