The Modern Pro Slice: Part 2

The pro backhand slice – more spin than the fiercest forehands.

In the first article in this series, we looked at the astounding levels of spin on the pro slice backhand. We determined that slice backhands were actually spinning as fast, and usually faster, than even the fiercest topspin forehands. (Click Here.)

Looking at dozens of examples, we found Federer and Nadal both averaged over 3500rpm. This is an even higher average spin rate than Nadal’s topspin forehand, which is 3200rpm. It’s substantially higher than the forehands of either Federer or Djokovic which are in the 2700-2800rpm range.

In fact we measured one Federer slice backhand that equaled the fastest spinning Pete Sampras second serve ever recorded – about 5300rpm. We also noted that Novak Djokovic, although he still generated substantial spin, hit his slice backhands with significantly less rotation than Federer and Nadal, averaging 2800rpm, virtually the same as his forehand.

Which all leads to the next question – how does this spin happen? Let’s break down the pro slice backhand into its technical components. Let’s see how Roger and Rafa do it, what Novak does, and how they are all similar and different.

The relationships between the racket…