TENNIS.com - Article Instruction - Backhand - Richard Gasquet's One-Handed Backhand

From start to finish, the Frenchman's one-hander is a thing of beauty.

By Leif Shiras
Photos by Manuela Davies/Doublexposure

Richard Gasquet

1. Gasquet’s first move is to get his upper body into position. His high take-back makes for a full shoulder turn and ensures a long swing. His head remains still and his eyes track the ball over his right shoulder. Gasquet’s weight is on his back foot in anticipation of his final step into the shot. He uses a modern Eastern grip—the index finger base knuckle rests on top of the handle—and his left hand not only guides the racquet back, but also helps him coil his shoulders. His right wrist is cocked, and it remains in that position throughout most of his swing.

2. In this photo Gasquet initiates his attack. His racquet head begins to drop and his weight shifts forward. The coordinated movements of his hands and feet, combined with a stable upper body, allow for increased racquet-head speed, impeccable timing, and clean contact. To generate power, Gasquet doesn’t swing for the fences. Instead he concentrates on making the racquet head move swiftly and smoothly through the contact zone. His position in the court and his upright stance suggest that his intention here is to maintain an edge in the rally by hitting with power, depth, and spin.

3. Gasquet’s racquet head drops farther before it accelerates under the ball and up into the shot. This is critical because the racquet needs outward and upward momentum to hit the ball deep into the court. Gasquet continues to shift his weight onto his front foot. At this point he should know where he wants to hit the ball, but he doesn’t peek at the target; he looks only at the ball.

Richard Gasquet

4. The most important part of any stroke is the contact point. The angle of the racquet face, the speed of the swing, and the support of the legs are all crucial components of proper contact. Gasquet leads with his hand. His wrist is cocked, as it was during his backswing, and his racquet head catches up to his hand at impact, forcefully brushing the ball from low to high to produce topspin. The energy stored in the quadriceps of Gasquet’s front leg transfers up into his swing, while his head and upper body remain quiet. At this point in the swing, the racquet is moving at top speed, which gives the shot power and spin. In tennis, spin is code for control. Power with control is an awesome combination.

5. Gasquet’s full follow-through is the last touch to one of the great shots in the game. His arm and racquet extend fully and his shoulders uncoil. His eyes focus on the contact point, which reflects his confidence in his technique. If you pull your head up early to see the shot, you’ll short-circuit your stroke. Make sure you finish what you start.

6. Only when the shot is completed does Gasquet fully open his shoulders, allow his left leg to come around, and follow the trajectory of the ball. His followthrough ends up behind him, which keeps him in rhythm and prepares him for the next shot.

Leif Shiras, a former touring professional, is a commentator for the Tennis Channel.