Interactive Forum July 2010: Francesco Schiavone: One-Handed Backhand

[johnyandell]

She was the most unlikely French Open champion, well, probably ever. And equally unusual is that one-handed topspin backhand. Justine Henin of course gets the media attention as a short, European women's player with a great, extreme grip one-hander. But technically you can see the same basic elements here! Check it out for yourself and let us know what you see.

Francesca Schiavone One-Handed Backhand

[johnyandell]

Quicktime version

Francesca Schiavone One-Handed Backhand

[llll]

to me schiavone keeps her right arm more bent and closer to her body on the take back compared to justine and her left elbow doesnt get as high (chicken wing) as justine.
both must use an extreme grip since schiavone chest is more open at contact than someone with a more classic grip(fed).
i like her fluidity and how she used her bh to drive and get great spin and angles

[10splayer]

Similarities:As mentioned above, both use strong grips, and employ more rotation in the forward swing. Makes sense given their shorter stature. (stronger grip to offset high ball vulnerability)

Differences: Schiavone uses more of a smile pattern backswing/forward swing, where the first move with the hand is underneath the projected contact point.(down,up,down,up) Henin moves the hand up immediately above the projected contact point, and then drops the racquet into the slot in more of a looping action.(up,down,up)

[labete]

Thank God for the one-handed BH resurgence. So sick of the primarily Eastern European and American two-handed BH female follow-the-leader, march to the dollar-ruble tune. We got slice, we got reach, we got over, we got under and it's nice to watch into the bargain!:

[llll]

Thank God for the one-handed BH resurgence. So sick of the primarily Eastern European and American two-handed BH female follow-the-leader, march to the dollar-ruble tune. We got slice, we got reach, we got over, we got under and it's nice to watch into the bargain!:

what we dont got is power on the high backhand

[zakito]

ok she doesn't look like kournikova, but her name is Francesca, Francesco is the male version of the name!

[johnyandell]

Good point and thanks.