How fruitful is the re-emergence of the backhand slice proving for the world’s best tennis players? Greg Rusedski and Annabel Croft discuss the finer points.
The Sky Sports analysts were in the studio for Miami Open coverage and the topic of conversation, alongside presenter Marcus Buckland, turned to the backhand slice – a shot that has become disregarded in recent years – and its impact on tour.
Both believe that the younger generation of players are using it to great effect, something which has helped to change the psychology and game styles of their more experienced counterparts.
“We are seeing a lot more sliced backhands creeping back into the game once again,” Croft said.
“I think it went away but the fact Murray has used it so effectively throughout the course of his career and a lot of the youngsters coming through [use it].
“[Roger] Federer has used the sliced backhand effectively and [Juan Martin] Del Potro is using it more and more. We are seeing so much more variety than a few years ago.”
Rusedski argues that court conditions and surfaces have had an impact on game plans and cited the improvements made by Indian Wells champion Juan Martin del Potro on his backhand wing, since his wrist injury woes.
“The court speeds have changed. They have got a little bit quicker which allows players to use the slice to come in and neutralise players as well,” the former British No 1 added.
“[Juan Martin] Del Potro said in his press conference he wished he had his two-handed backhand previously but in retrospect it has improved his sliced backhand. Because he has had no choice after his wrist surgery.
Another aspect covered in the debate was the merit of the short angled backhand slice to change the momentum of baseline exchanges and Roger Federer has emerged as key proponent of the tactic.
Croft said: “The other interesting slice that I have been keeping an eye, which I think is fascinating and wasn’t around when I was playing, was the use of the short slice angle.
“Federer has used it very effectively. He is not afraid to bring players in.”
On the same subject, Rusedski referred back to his era of competing: “I think that is a great play. In our generation we did use it to bring players in.
“We had players like Lleyton Hewitt who preferred to play from the baseline, was not the tallest of guys and it just makes them uncomfortable.
“We used to use the sliced backhand a lot better – especially the short one – but most guys have played the same style of tennis over the last 10 years.
“Federer has realised I can’t play my same game to beat these guys because I need to play closer to the baseline, bring people in with the short slice and add more variety to my game.
“By doing that you become better as a player and that is why he has won three out of the last five majors.”
