Tsitsipas proclaims himself the savior of the one-handed backhand

Diego Jiménez Rubio - 5 Sep 2026 | 16:45
Stefanos Tsitsipas ATP US Open 2026 revés a una mano

The Greek is the only survivor in the US Open with this shot and he explains a curious personal story with which he tries to prevent the one-handed backhand from becoming extinct.

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Tsitsipas Saves Reversal by Hand

Stefanos Tsitsipas feels tennis in a special way. Without hesitation in acknowledging the devoted love he has for this sport and how amazed he is by it as a form of expression, the Greek wants to leave a legacy that goes far beyond the results, and he is aware that the perfect vehicle for that is the one-handed backhand, one of his characteristic elements.

In the midst of a moral boost from his victory over Lehecka that propelled him to the fourth round, Stefanos Tsitsipas was asked in a court-side interview about what it means to him to be the only representative competing at Flushing Meadows with a one-handed backhand. The early exits of Shapovalov and Musetti in recent days leave the Greek with that honor, which he embraces without hesitation.

Tsitsipas revealed that he mentors a young tennis prospect to play with a one-handed backhand

"I would like to start some kind of movement, something like a hashtag #KeepOneHanderAlive or something similar. There is a young boy I am mentoring in Japan. His father called me four or five years ago and said: «My son really wants to play with a one-handed backhand»."

"Since then, I have been advising him and encouraging him to keep the one-handed backhand because future generations need many players who use this shot. I don't want this shot to disappear. So I hope that younger generations can keep it alive. And, of course, I am here to help in any way I can."

Tsitsipas's words are not empty; he has always taken pride in wielding the one-handed backhand, even though it has become his great weakness, which many rivals have exploited, and that perhaps hasn’t allowed him to achieve more success, for now. 

At 28, the Greek player looks to the future with optimism, knowing that all the physical and personal problems he has faced in recent years may have given him extra maturity and an even greater sense of privilege for being a professional tennis player. His determination to return to his best level seems clear, and in this US Open 2026, his one-handed backhand is proving to be much more consistent and incisive than usual.

Confidence is a very powerful weapon, especially for an inspired and talented player like the Greek. It should be noted that in the hands of Stefanos Tsitsipas lies the possibility of maintaining something that has never been broken in tennis history regarding the one-handed backhand. Since the Grand Slams began in 1874, there has always been at least one semifinalist per year in one of the four majors with a one-handed backhand. In 2026, this has not been the case, and only he could ensure that the streak continues.

It represents a great responsibility for a player who arrived at the US Open 2026 having hit rock bottom in his career and not being considered for any significant success. He will now face the challenge of competing against Ben Shelton, and if he manages to pull off an upset, he could face Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. A monumental challenge lies ahead for Stefanos Tsitsipas as the great representative of the one-handed backhand.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Tsitsipas se autoproclama el salvador del revés a una mano