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Yes, the wiper exists on the pro one-hander.
The windshield wiper motion has become a standard component in the pro forehand, as we’ve addressed many times. But more and more you see the wiper finish on the backhand side as well, particularly the one-hander.
You see most often it on the more extreme grip players like the animation of Gaudio here. But players with more classical grips like Roger Federer will use it as well. Why? As with the forehand, it allows them to generate more spin. By turning the racket head over faster, the increase the upward vertical brushing in the forward swing.
Which brings us to Your Strokes for this month, and a very interesting piece of video sent in all the way from Moscow by Tennisplayer subscriber Alex Mikhailov. (We have subscribers now in over 120 countries–love that.)
It’s Alex’s one-handed backhand with an extreme wiper action. And I mean extreme. In fact, I’m not sure I have seen as much one-handed wiper action anywhere, including the pro tour. Watch the finish actually cross over to the other side of Alex’s body before he recovers to the ready position!
Alex’s backhand: a more extreme wiper than any…
