The Extreme Closed Stance: The Pro One Handed Backhand

Why is the closed stance preferred by top players on the one-hander?

In the last article we looked at the surprising dominance of the closed stance on the pro two-handed backhand. (Click Here.) We found that the clear preference of the top two-handed men’s players was to hit closed by taking a large diagonal cross step to the ball. We also saw that there were clear biomechanical advantages in doing so.

Is the same true on the pro one-handed backhand? Yes, and even more true. The percentage of closed stances hit by top one-handed players like Roger Federer or Stan Wawrinka or Tommy Haas is even higher than for the top two-handers.

Of course the top one-handers all hit with the other stances as well. They all hit with neutral stance, especially around the center of the court. And they all hit with open stance, especially when forced on time or deep in the court, though the percentage of open stance one-handers is the lowest of the three options.

But when the players have the choice, they hit closed, especially on balls hit around the baseline on the backhand side–in other words, the balls hit in most exchanges.

One handers…