Most advice on this choice comes down to personal taste. Research settles less than you might expect, and your own game can tell you more. This guide compares the two strokes factor by factor, says which parts rest on research and which on coaching opinion, and gives you a way to decide, including whether to switch.
What does research say about one-handed vs two-handed backhands?
A 2015 review by Genevois, Reid, Rogowski and Crespo is direct: "no study has provided a clear-cut answer" on which stroke is superior. One reason it gives is that few players master both, which makes direct comparison hard. Studies it cites found comparable racket speed, ball speed and accuracy, and the authors say these factors should not prejudice your choice.
The strokes do produce speed in different ways. The two-handed backhand relies more on trunk rotation, and the one-handed backhand relies more on rotation of the arm. One cited study measured average pelvis rotation at 538.5 degrees per second for two-handed strokes and 280.7 for one-handed strokes. One-handed contact was also further forward relative to the hips, although the authors caution that the reference point differs between the strokes.
At tour level, the two-handed stroke is far more common. As of August 2026, the Spanish tennis site Puntodebreak counted six one-handed players in the ATP top 100, and TennisNerd counted eight in February 2026, plus two in the WTA top 100. These are press counts and they differ. The ATP reported that in the week of 19 February 2024 no top 10 player used one, for the first time in the history of its rankings. That tells you what tour players choose. It does not tell you which stroke fits your game.
One-handed vs two-handed backhand: comparison table
The last three rows draw on the review. The rest are standard coaching opinion, and coaches differ on them, so read them as tendencies. A good player can overcome any of them.
| Factor | One-handed | Two-handed |
|---|---|---|
| Reach on wide balls | More reach, since one arm can extend fully | Less reach, so you need an extra step or must let go with one hand |
| High balls | Harder to drive above the shoulder, so many players slice or move in earlier | Easier to drive, because the second arm adds control |
| Low balls | Comfortable for many players once the timing is right | Needs more knee bend |
| Return of serve | A longer swing, so many players block or slice against fast serves | A shorter swing and a second hand make it easier to block or drive |
| Late contact | Costs more, because contact is further in front | More forgiving when you are slightly late |
| Learning | Usually seen as slower. One cited study of beginning adults found no significant difference in an ability test after four weeks | Usually seen as quicker. That same study found no significant difference |
| Slice and volleys | A natural link, and the review says all-court players appear more likely to use this stroke | Needs a separate one-handed pattern, which the review suggests learning early |
| Ball speed and accuracy | Broadly comparable in the cited studies | Broadly comparable in the cited studies |
Which backhand should you choose?
The review calls the two-handed backhand the stroke of choice of most baseline players. Use that, and the rest of the comparison, to go through this list and see which side collects more of your answers.
| This describes you | Lean toward |
|---|---|
| You stay on the baseline and play long rallies | Two-handed |
| Many balls reach your backhand above the waist | Two-handed |
| You feel rushed returning fast serves | Two-handed |
| You often feel late on backhands | Two-handed, while you fix your contact point |
| You come to the net often and already slice and volley well | One-handed |
| You are often stretched wide and short of reach | One-handed, or two-handed with a strong one-handed slice |
| You like a long, free swing and you prepare early | One-handed |
Decision rule: if you are new to tennis, try both for a few sessions and keep the one you can repeat. If neither is clearly better, start with two hands and learn a one-handed slice as well. The review suggests two-handed players should learn that shot early, and it gives you reach and variety from a single extra stroke. A coach can make this choice faster, especially for juniors.
Should you switch backhands? A four-week test
If your backhand works, you probably do not need to switch. A full change is a big technical project, and you may lose confidence in it during matches. This is one of the cases where a human coach is worth having. If you want evidence first, try this test. The length and the numbers are our suggestion, not a research result.
- Week 1, baseline. With your current backhand, have a partner feed 30 balls: 10 at hip height, 10 high and 10 wide. Count how many land in the singles court, past the service line. Film from one fixed side-on spot.
- Weeks 2 and 3, practice. Keep your current stroke in matches. Give the new one its own block in each session, with drop feeds first and then live rallies.
- Week 4, retest. Take the same 30 feeds with the new stroke, using the same feeder and the same camera spot. Count again.
- Decide. Use the table below. Expect the new stroke to be behind at first, since you have only had a short time with it.
| Result after week 4 | What to do |
|---|---|
| The new stroke is level or ahead | Commit to it, and start using it in low-pressure matches |
| It is up to 5 of 30 behind | If it is better on your problem ball, continue for four more weeks and retest. If not, keep your current stroke. |
| It is more than 5 of 30 behind | Keep your current stroke and add a shot to cover the gap |
What to do instead of switching
Often a smaller change solves the problem that made you think about switching.
- Two-handed, short of reach: add a one-handed slice for wide balls, and let go with the top hand when you are stretched.
- Two-handed, inconsistent: the stroke may be fine and the preparation late. Work through this two-handed backhand progression.
- One-handed, troubled by high balls: move in and take the ball earlier, or slice it.
- One-handed, troubled by fast serves: start your turn earlier and block the return with a shorter swing.
Video helps with all of these, because it shows where contact really happens. TennisAI gives a separate backhand score and feedback from an uploaded clip, so you can compare your own clips over time. Do not make a decision from one clip. A new stroke will often score low in its first weeks, and the score is an automated estimate that can be wrong. Use it next to your 30-ball count.
Frequently asked questions
Is a one-handed or two-handed backhand better?
Neither is clearly better. A 2015 research review found no clear-cut answer and broadly comparable ball speed and accuracy. The better choice depends on your game and on which stroke you can repeat.
Is a one-handed backhand harder to learn?
Coaches usually see it as harder because of the timing and shoulder strength it asks for. The evidence is limited: one study of beginning adults, cited in the 2015 review, found no significant difference in an ability test after four weeks.
Can you switch from a two-handed to a one-handed backhand as an adult?
Yes, but it takes time, and the new stroke usually falls behind the old one at first. Keep your current stroke in matches while you practice, and test the new one with a fixed count.
Which backhand is better for returning serve?
Coaches usually favor the two-handed backhand against fast serves, because its shorter swing and second hand make blocking easier. One-handed players often block or slice the return.
Does a one-handed backhand cause tennis elbow?
The 2015 review reports general agreement that players using one-handed groundstrokes are more susceptible to tennis elbow, and it links this to improper mechanics, mostly citing older work. If your elbow hurts when you hit, stop and see a medical professional.
See this in your own game
Upload a practice or match video to TennisAI and get feedback on your forehand, backhand and serve.
Sources
- Genevois, Reid, Rogowski and Crespo, Journal of Sports Science and Medicine: Performance Factors Related to the Different Tennis Backhand Groundstrokes
- Puntodebreak: The 2026 US Open and the threat to the one-handed backhand (August 2026)
- TennisNerd: The one-handed backhand, who is still playing it and will it survive? (February 2026)
- ATP Tour: Tsitsipas, Dimitrov and the one-handed backhand in the Top 10 (April 2024)
This article is general information about tennis training and does not replace a coach or medical advice. Stop and see a professional if something hurts. TennisAI is made by Pace, the publisher of this blog.
