Juan Martin Del Potro has finally returned from a serious
left wrist injury that kept him out for most of the 2014 season. While it's nice to see him back on the tour,
he has indicated he still has some pain in the wrist and doesn't yet have the
feel back in his two-handed backhand. The
wrist has obviously made progress or he wouldn't have returned, but some have
suggested he switch to a one-handed backhand if it continues to give him
trouble.
If it does become an ongoing problem, the idea that he make the switch shouldn't be immediately discarded. He's already 26, and has missed a significant amount of time with injuries over the last few years. If there's something in his power he can do to prevent more of his career from slipping away, it should at least be given some consideration. This doesn't mean switching to a one-hander will be easy or is something he could definitely pull off, just that it's worth a look.
Some may
argue the one-handed backhand is a shot that takes years to develop, and
there's no way someone can pick it up at age 26 and hope to compete at the
highest level on the ATP Tour.
Furthermore, making the change involves more than just the stroke
itself, as it affects a players court positioning, footwork and overall style
of play.
There's no
question it's a complicated stroke, and would take countless hours on the
practice court to develop. While many
junior, college and professional players with two-handed backhands mess around
with hitting a one-hander in practice (and often hit it fairly well), this
doesn't mean it would hold up in match play against top professionals. However, with enough practice, it is isn't
crazy to suggest someone as strong and talented as Del Potro could learn to
play the shot.
Jo Wilfried-Tsonga has occasionally turned to a one-handed backhand in his matches and has seen some success with it. There's certainly a difference between hitting a one-hander occasionally when the situation calls for it and using the shot consistently. However, it shows it isn't completely unprecedented for two-handers to utilize a one-handed backhand in matches.
Jo Wilfried-Tsonga has occasionally turned to a one-handed backhand in his matches and has seen some success with it. There's certainly a difference between hitting a one-hander occasionally when the situation calls for it and using the shot consistently. However, it shows it isn't completely unprecedented for two-handers to utilize a one-handed backhand in matches.
Del Potro
could likely still compete at a high level without his one-handed backhand
being a weapon. So long as it wasn't a
huge liability, he could dominate with his serve and forehand, and run around
his backhand side (like many do already) whenever possible. He could use his backhand slice to handle the
more uncomfortable shots, and come over the top on shots that are easier to
handle. Many players with one-handers get
by with slicing most of their shots anyway (i.e. Feliciano Lopez), so at the
very least Del Potro could employ this strategy. Lopez is top 15 in the world and hits a
one-handed top spin backhand about as often as David Ferrer serves and
volleys.
Obviously
Del Potro would only consider the switch if his left wrist continues to give
him real problems. Even if it's not
perfect right away, there would be no reason to risk making the transition unless
he's looking at missing another significant chunk of time. However, if he is facing another prolonged
absence because of the left wrist, it may be time to hit the practice court
with the sole focus of developing his one-hander. It's doubtful anyone would confuse his
backhand for that of Wawrinka or Gasquet, but the idea shouldn't be dismissed
as quickly as some would like you to believe.
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