Tennis Singlehanders in the top 100

# 4: Stanislas Wawrinka (WR: 22)

Stanislas Wawrinka

Not too long ago a top ten player himself, 22nd ranked Stanislas Wawrinka is the highest ranked player outside the top ten to employ a single handed backhand. The 'other' Swiss is a three time Grand Slam champion (2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open and 2016 US Open) and has a Masters 1000 title to his name (2014 Monte Carlo).

# 3: Stefanos Tsitsipas (WR: 5)

Stefanos Tsitsipas

One of only three top ten players to employ the single hander, the soon to be 21 Stefanos Tsitsipas is a three time titlist on the tour. The young Greek beat six time champion Roger Federer in the fourth round enroute to his maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the 2019 Australian Open (lost to Nadal).

An eight year old Tsitsipas experimented with both types of backhands, eventually going for the single hander as his idol Federer also uses one.

# 2: Dominic Thiem (WR: 4)

Dominic Thiem

14 time singles titlist Dominic Thiem is a two time Grand Slam finalist (2018-19 French Open) and has a Masters 1000 title to his name (Indian Wells), beating Federer in a three set 2019 final. In a rarity for singlehanders, Thiem's single handed backhand effectively counters the high bounce on clay, helping the Austrian to 10 titles on the surface.

Thiem is also one of the few active players on tour to have a title on all three surfaces.

# 1: Roger Federer (WR: 3)

Roger Federer

World no. 3 Roger Federer is the highest ranked player in the world to employ a single handed backhand. Through large swathes of the late 2000s the Swiss was the lone single hander in the top ten.

Troubled in the past by Nadal's high kicking lefty serves to his backhand side, especially on clay, Federer remodelled his backhand to a flatter version to thwart the Nadal threat on faster surfaces.

The record 20 time Grand Slam champion and 102 time singles titlist's single handed backhand is a thing of beauty, piercing opponents' defenses with a gorgeous down the line or sizzling cross court rendition. Federer's backhand slice is one of the most potent on tour, luring opponents to the net for the Swiss to pass, or to break the rhythm of opponents with subtle changes of pace.