The Best Racquets for the One-Handed Backhand - Racquet Characteristics to Look For 

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Played with Wilson’s Prostaff 6.1, PS90, and RF97- all great OHBH racquets. Last year switched to the 2020 Head Prestige 93, and love it, more maneuverable in the short game and feel like I can hit any spot in the court. First racquet was 1972 Dunlop Maxply.

Head Extreme Tour needs to be in your list for sure! An easy prestige mp with a little more spin, almost same control.

Everything you've said here is 100% applicable to me. The best move for me was to go to a heavier racquet. I added an extra grip to add weight to my Head Speed Pro 100, which brings the static weight to 350g without increasing swing weight too much. It's a huge difference with the stability and plow through. I can more than just keep up with the backhand rallies now. The weight gives so much forgiveness on the backhand. Even when I am on the defensive and have an awkward stroke, the ball still hovers over the net and lands inside. As a bonus, the ball goes over in a neutral fashion and not so easy for my opponents to capitalize with winners. My previous racquets that I have been using the past 20 years were all under 300g. Sure, I can have a whippy backhand, but they were inconsistent. When returning a high and heavy backhand, I am prone to injuring my wrist or forearm. It took a leap of faith to go with the much heavier racquet. Incredibly, it has kept me injury free.

Remember Francesca Schiavonne (RG winner), Mariano Puerta (2005 RG runner-up), had pretty good one handed backhands, and used the Babolat Pure Aero.

I've been using the Prince phantom pro 100p since its release and love the feel for the OHBH. My backhand is my stronger shot though, so I wanted the 100 sq in. for forgiveness on my forehand.

If you can handle the Wilson six one 95, go for it, great racquet in general but it's great for the one handed. Great stability, great feeling and good spin (even in a 18x20 string bed). In my opinion better than the RF97, the RF97 is way to stiff so you can start feeling disconfort in your elbow

Great video! Would you consider comparing rackets for ladies or intermediate players looking for lighting versions of rackets between 28x-29x grams?

Soon as I opened this I recognized that Prestige. That was my favorite of all time. I hit with the Prince Phantom 93 18x20, because of that racket. That full head guard on the Prestige is beautiful and probably had something to do with that buttery feel. The open string pattern of the Wilson 6.1's string pattern is too open. It eats strings and the strings move too much for accuracy. The best head shapes were the Pumas and Estusas like the Borg pro.

Yonex sent me an Ezone 98 tour to test a few weeks ago. I expected it to be sort of poor for my 1h backhand compared to both the Vcore 95 and 98, but I have to say I have been very positively surprised. As long as I'm not being lazy wrt racquet head speed anyway.

What’s your take on PS97 (non RF) vs 2021 Radical Pro? Are they too similar to try the other if you have one?

Good analysis! I find the extra weight of the RF97 is great from the baseline with one hand backhanders slice and top but get it closer to the net for passing shots and it becomes a real challenge. Haven’t yet managed to ?upgrade fully from my old PS85! Tried the the PS97 - which is good on the short game but doesn’t deliver winners so easily from the baseline, especially lacking preciseness on the high slices. As much as I want to use a newer model I can’t get away from the ancient 85!!

I play with the Wilson K factor six one 95 racket and the Wilson RF97 autograph racket. I put lead tape on the top of the racket from 10 o clock to 2 o clock then put equal amounts of lead tape on the handle under the grip. hit a one handed backhand. Both rackets provide good plow through, stability, and decent topspin on my backhand. Early preparation and timing are key for me. They are also great on the backhand slice.

I’d put the Head Extreme Tour up with the rest

I've been waiting for someone to post a video about this for a long time.. thanks. Too many two handers out there! I agree with your Gravity Pro comments; great racquet but cumbersome for the one hander. I use the ezone dr98 which is not bad for my backhand but I'll try your suggestions..

My 2012/2013 (ish) Wilson Pro Staff 95 Six.One BLX with a leather grip oooooffff backhands feel stronger than forehands

Blade 98 2015 version (I think) 18x20 works great for my one hander but it is tough if you are late at all because of the balance. Interested to try the pure strike for a demo.

How is vcore 98 for one hander?

I own both the Yonex Vcore 95 and Vcore Pro 97 310. Both rackets really are a joy to swing on the one-handed backhand.

Is the Tecnifibre Tfight RS 305 a good one-handed backhand racket?

Just got a mint Head Microgel Radical MP to try for this very question. Put 10g in the handle and 3g in the head, will see how it goes compared to my Phantom 100x 305

Head Radical 360+ MP with 8-10g in the handle - absolutely love it. You can laugh because its pretty near to the Pro. I played the pro for a year, but the MP with some extra weight just has the little extra for my game. 😃

Interesting observations and I agree with most of it. As someone who played with a Prestige in my youth, I have been on a racquet safari until recently. You wouldn't think an OS would be good. However, there's the way you hit and OS racuqets "tend" to have very high twistweight. I'm currently playing with a HEAD i.Radical OS and just love it to hit flat and slice. Not so much for radical topspin. Your results may vary.

I use an ancient Yonex rq 180, no budget for a modern racquet. 😞😭

Natural gut is great for a one hander coz it adds power to a low powered headlight racket.

Excellent video Jonas! Your thoughts on the Babolat Pure Strike Tour for a one-hander? 320g and 315mm balance. I recently bought one, only just edging out the Head Radical Pro (as I needed a bit more stability on returning heavy serves, depth of shot in the court and a big serve) but do now feel the Radical Pro might have been a better all-round choice, as my one-handed backhand is taking longer to adjust than I thought and I'm not getting as many winners off that wing now... (also agree the Tecnifibre TF40 315 would be a very good option, along with the Vcore Pro HD)

small head size racket especially pro staff 90, feel so good for my one handed backhand

Speed Pro 360 works for me 👍🏻

How about the Prince Textreme Tour 95. You spoke about the 100. Could you kindly comment on the 95 version?

I've been enjoying playing with a wooden Bjorn Borg Allwood recently. 370grams, 338 sw. Feels great on OHBH. Can hit full power every shot. Great training tool to work on mechanics and contact point. Also strength development.

I love the pure strike tour for my one handed backhand. The beefy head helps noticeably with stability (on those high backhands) and with generating pace on the swing. I find weight more useful than swing speed for one handed. PS tour also “helps” by generating more power for me than either RF 97 or vcores. It is a bigger sweet spot than those too. I think it helps with big spinning backhands that one handers need these days. It is also good for precise location, although perhaps less so than those others, but with the benefit of greater power. I string it with Hyper G Soft at 52, and also have had no arm/shoulder issues that had been an issue with my Head Radical Pro before. The dampening might not help with volley feel (which I agree is not its strength), but it does help with arm issues and power, which as an aggressive baseliner I prefer. I am a 50 year old 4.5. I would add that this racket responds unusually well to hard hit flat balls (probably due to thicker beam and stiffness relatively for a “players frame”…being a sort of middle ground) while also generating great spin shots. This balance is something I missed in many players rackets.

a blade v8 305g with a little bit of lead on the handle is great, 69 RA, pretty nice

Between the Vcore tennis racquets the Vcore 95 Red flame which I think was released in 2018 & the Vcore 95 2021 which one is better for a One handed backHand player compared to You as a tennis nerd I see reviews that the Vcore 95 2021 is abit fake compared to the Vcore 95 Red flame just a note wateva option you give me is what am buying till I go Pro I already took your advice on the Vcore series & I embrace it but when I went to order I found their are two so kindly your best of the two the Vcore 95 2021 & the Vcore 95 red flame which do u think will help me more as a one handed backHand🙏🏼please Help 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Wilson RF 97 Autograph, Puma Becker Super, Volkl PB 10 Mid and Delta Core Melbourne.

Hey Guys! Anyone has idea about pro staff 97L 290g? I have been using it it’s lovely and maneuvering. What’s your opinion?

Dunlop cx200 tour 16x19 is a great one hander at 95sq/in especially if you bump thr weight up a bit

is head radical mp a good choice? i have always played with a wilson pro stuff 290gr, but it’s too light for me right now, so i’m looking for a heavier racket (no more than 300gr) which is good for one handed backhand…

Head Pro Tour 2.0!

What is your opinion on the Ezone 98 tour for one-handed backhand?

How do you compare Wilson RF 97 to Yonex Vcore 95 when it comes to stability and feel? I didn't like the feel of score pro 97 (to muted), and I wonder if perhaps the score 95 would feel to light or not as stable as RF 97...

Jonas, the narrower the throat/shaft is a very important factor many dont experience except for that Outlier Mr Gasquet. Extending the handle allows a better feel, grip and control swinging a single backhand. Extending frames is the only way to make 95 inch plus frames to feel like 95 racquets. Try an old Prince Mono 97 to see this theory, the wider the V the longer the frame needs to be to feel great on that left hand take back and release point vital for us Single BH rippers.

It'll be amazing to have the equivalent video for intermediate players (as this one is for advanced). I like the Vcore recommendation, but it feels that a head size of 98 will be small for me. However, if I look at the Vcore 100, the beam might be getting a bit too thick (at 25 in the middle). Would a Pure Strike 100 be a better option?

Hello Jonas what do you think of the Head Speed 360+ MP for the OHBH?

It just doesn't matter. If your strokes are crap, the racket makes no difference.

I recently got a Dunlop CX 200 Tour - fits OHBH specs nicely.

That's why I like those specs. Thanks for the video, very informative, I agree 100%. Cheers from Australia.

Nothing from Dunlop? Surprising…..

I think I like stuff racquets because I can feel the ball better ???

Man the Wilson Ultra Pro V3 it's like butter for the OHBH !!! I'v tried Blade but It didn't work out, i was always late.... The Wilson Ultra Pro V3 it's Just PERFECT !!!! In the past i used de Wilson 6.1. 95TEAM and now with the Ultra Pro V3 i'm in heaven!!!! Congrats from Brasil!!!!

I was lucky enough to have lengthy demo's of some rackets and initially found the Strike 16 x 19 to be too heavy but when I went back to it found it to be more comfortable and better for my techinique (especially my one handed backhand where it feels like the racket is doing most of the work for me) so opted for that model. I'm fast getting used to the weight and enjoy the improvements in my technique.

Gravity tour is amazing for the one handed backhand. It is lighter than the Gravity pro so it is easier to add weight to the handle.

I have a one handed backhand and the racket that has suited the best to me is the Babolat Pure Aero. I´ve been a topspin player since my child years, so I need the bigger head and sweetspot. Francesca Schiavonne had a nice 1HBH and won RG with that racket. The Pure Aero has improved my game a lot.

I picked up 2 Dunlop Srixon tour 2.0's for $50 bucks each brand new when the cx200 came out. Shockingly they're my favorite sticks! Better than my Blade v7! Also weighted it up some in the handle and hoop for 350g total all in. Very heavy but for some reason I can really swing that beast. I have to find out what the SW is next time I get it strung. Ugliest paint job on earth, excellent low powered control oriented full swing stick!

What do you think about the xtreme mp nite for one handed backhand?

I think dunlop is geared towards the one hander.

Hey, what di you think about the old prince Rebel 95(Monfils model) to hit One hand backhand using ofc even topspin? Is It similar to the yonex percept 97h(wawrinka model) ?

How bout the Babolat Pure Aero? The one Nadal uses

Really helpful!What about Dunlop cx200 (non-tour)?

Personally I love a 33cm balance for my 1 handed backhand. Tsitsipas is close as well at 32.8cm balance. The weight in the head makes contact feel solid. 5.0 full time hp coach however

What about for lower rated players that are told not to use these?

Dang. I play with a Pure Aero and it felt good. 😇. I like the strike 98 too

Indeed, New Radical Pro 360+ is Great for a one-handed backhand. Leather replacement grip and on top of it, textured overgrip balanced with 6-gram lead at 12 o'clock. Still head lighted (32 cm balance) perfectly manoeuvrable. If you can keep your backhand stroke not in punishing a horse but soft like a ballerina in choreography, then I would say string it in the main rpm rough and the cross Velocity natural colour, 24-23 gram(excellent spin, comfort, power and decent amount of control-touch). It is butter on the hot french baguette; it becomes not a weakness anymore but a severe tool for counterattacks ;)

Thanks for the video. I am glad you made it for us one-handers. What about the handle shape? I find the Wilson (square-ish) better for me than a Head (rectangular) racquet. What are your thoughts?

Yonex Ezone 100L (2021) : 285 g weight, balance 325mm 16 /19 string pattern, 27 inch length, 100 inch head size. Works for my ohbh and forehand topspin as well. Just my humble opinion ... peace... 🙏😉🎾💯

I have noticed that the quality of the video editing has gotten a lot better. Not to say the previous video’s editing was bad but now it’s very nice.

I have a one handed and use the gravity pro 😭😂

Love the shirt.

RF97 … no better than that 😎

So I recently started playing again after being out of the game for about 10 years. I have a strong forehand but have always had a weaker one handed backhand. I have and primarily play my old liquid metal radicals, but picked up at gravity mp and while I don’t love everything about the racket, my one hander is so much more of a weapon with it than my old radicals. I did check the specs of the gravity I have though and it is a bit outside the stated specs, being a bit more heavy (329g strung vs 313 spec) and more head heavy(334mm spec vs 330mm actual). I have been considering picking up a second but am unsure, and since the specs are so far out. I thought it was interesting though since this was quite contrary to your advice here, but obviously everyone is different. I feel like my topspin and consistency are both up with the gravity, and attribute that to its larger sweet spot, more flexible frame, and more open string pattern. The biggest weaknesses I have with the racket at the moment is volleys that like to sail long more than my liquid metal. I’m going to keep playing it tho to see how I feel playing with it longer. Thanks for the great content!

Any thoughts on the Head Boom for one handed top spin or slice?

Are you Swedish or nah?

Hej Jonas. The content i was very curious about. I have switched to the Pro Staff 97 v13 and it is fine for me. Cheers

For my One hander I love my Wilson ProStaff 95 S.

Jonas, good points. I've played one handed backhand for over 50 years. Being older and less strong, I find head size and shape are not as important as frame aerodynamics. I feel that on forehand and serve as well. My Prestige S (98) and Gravity MP (100) feel better to swing one handed than my thicker beam ezone 98. I can feel the aerodynamic difference most especially on backhand. Keep your great discussions coming 😉👍

Great video. I currently use a Prince Graphite Tour 107 with my one hand backhand. I have been using this racquet for about a year; switching from a Wilson Blade 18x20. I like the oversize for bunt back big serve to my backhand. I am able to hit a decent topspin backhand and I have a strong slice backhand. I switch because I'm getting older and need more pop on serve and forehand.

U love head prestige! Even i use it but getting a bit bored. I use a really old one though. Youtek. Should I get the new one?

I’ve got a customised blade v8 (370 grams) and it’s the best racket I’ve ever played with. So much easier than the RF97. Not as stable at net as the PS. But loads better control both sides from baseline and a lot more manoeuvrable than the PS.

CAUTION: WHEN I WENT TO YOUR 'SUPPORT TENNIS NERD' PAGE, THE LINK TO PAYPAL SEEMS TO BE BROKEN. Though maybe it's me, I dunno. Thanks! Cool video, consistent with my exper.; after finding Pro Staff 97 to be fantastic classic racket but a tad heavy for me, and with some forearm soreness after a lot of playing for a few months after not playing for a few years, I've tried quite a few rackets and hit on the Pro Staff 97L, frame only wt. about 285 g - and I'm adding two layers of Head protection tape to both save the racket and incr. the swing weight just a bit.

I was using prestige for years. Now using pure aero but not sure it’s great for 1 handed backhand. What u think?

WTH!!!??? Back in the 70s when I started playing, the one handed back hand wasn't a issue. I was playing with a wooden stick smaller than a 85. Yes, players were using two hands. But the one handed back hand was standard. 12.5 - 15 ounces was typical then. Today's player is just too soft.

How about the new Yonex VCore 98? And the new Pure Aereo hits the specs you talked. How about the swingweight for the OHBH? Thanks

2013 blade has been unreal for my ohbh. Picked up a pro staff recently for fun. More power and feel on my forehand but can not get into a groove on my bh side with it sadly. Abslitely no feel on my backhand

Hi, nice video. I wanna ask you because i actually use a Wilson KFactor 90 340grm in 27,5kg, i'm 4.5 whit OHB and a agressive style whit volley. I dont have much control, even that tension the ball is out of the court. Which raquets you recommended Head Prestige 320gr 18x20 or a 16x19? I like heavy raquets made me more stability and trust, thank you

Great video. I am playing with thje Babolat Pure Drive plus and have a one hander. Will try the Pure STrike for a top spin backhand. But which Pure Strike? I don't want a heavier racket than the PB Plus

I somehow like the Wilson Blade 98 for my OHBH. It also had a buttery smooth slice.

Can you make a video on how to properly hit the one handed backhand, with the grips and how the arms should be at contact and follow through

Bit of weight seems to help one handed b. After all Wawrinka’s racquet weights 375 gr strung.. Ok he’s also got the arm to match it..

one more characteristic to look for is the distance between the top of the handle bar and the bottom of the throat. I think the longer the gap, the greater stability especially when hitting one-handed backhands. technifibre tfight and t40 have noticeable longer gaps than the average racquets. That's why they still feel stable in 1handed backhands despite their not-so-headlight balance and not-so-thin beams.

Hi Just bought Blade 16/19 V8....I found that has less head weight than the V7. You know where I should out weights to have the same balance of the V7? Thanks

Love the blade v7 for ohbh

Thanks!

As possessor of both Radical Pros and Prestige pros rackets, and owner of a semi-flat OHBH, this videos makes me very happy :D

C10 Pro

I agree with you. 95 sq.in. is where it's at as for as I am concerned. I tried for 2 years to play with 100 sq. in. (Prince Phantom 100P, Prince Classic Graphite, Angeel TC100), and it's just too clunky, especially since I tend to be a bit late on my topspin OHBH, and I don't feel connected on the slice. Therefore, I chose an Angell TC95.

Had no idea I needed to hear this. Thanks a lot

I have a ohb and use a Gravity Pro with a leather grip - works great for me. Once you find the right timing/spot the ball came out nicely out of the racket. After the video I'm eager to test the Prostaff 97 v13 and the Prestige MP. Might work even better for my game. Amazing video as always!

Is the Dunlop CX 200 2021 good racket for one back hand ???

Totally disagree about the rounder head shapes. Especially three gravity, but also prince synergy, clash 98.. the rounder shape really helps with spin on the one handed backhand. The more oval rackets like the prestige are maybe good for slice and more flat backhands, but not for spin. I agree on thin beans and a low balance (31,0 cm which i customize). Static weight with a low balance and not too high swing weight is no issue

Why radical pro and not mp? Is radical pro easier to move despite it being heavier? Or just better stability etc ?

Agree with everything except for the length. As I go for a bigger head size I need to add length to keep my contact point right. So I do standard on 95, 27.25 on 98 and 27.5 on 100.