Tennis Legend Thiem Reveals His Top 5 One-Handed Backhands

The retired Austrian star shares his picks for the best one-handed backhands in tennis history.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:52pm

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Dominic Thiem, the most recent Grand Slam champion with a one-handed backhand, has revealed his top 5 one-handed backhands in tennis history. While Thiem's own backhand was a key weapon throughout his career, he doesn't believe it belongs in the top 5, instead naming Stan Wawrinka, Richard Gasquet, Roger Federer, Gaston Gaudio, and Lorenzo Musetti as his top choices.

Why it matters

Thiem's one-handed backhand was a major factor in his success, including his 2020 US Open title, making his perspective on the best one-handers in the sport particularly insightful. His rankings provide an expert opinion on the most iconic and effective one-handed backhands in tennis history.

The details

Thiem, who retired in 2024, won a total of 17 ATP titles and reached world #3 in the rankings. He believes Stan Wawrinka has the best one-handed backhand ever, followed by Richard Gasquet, Roger Federer, Gaston Gaudio, and Lorenzo Musetti. Many players and experts have also praised Wawrinka's one-hander as superior even to Federer's, which was more renowned for its style than pure effectiveness early in his career.

  • Thiem won the 2020 US Open, becoming the most recent Grand Slam champion with a one-handed backhand.
  • Thiem retired from professional tennis in 2024.

The players

Dominic Thiem

A retired Austrian tennis player who won 17 ATP titles and the 2020 US Open, making him the most recent Grand Slam champion with a one-handed backhand.

Stan Wawrinka

A Swiss tennis player who won 3 Grand Slam titles and is widely considered to have the best one-handed backhand in tennis history.

Roger Federer

A Swiss tennis legend who is renowned for his elegant one-handed backhand, though it was not as effective against Rafael Nadal early in his career.

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What they’re saying

“For me, Stan [Wawrinka] is number one, Richard Gasquet number two, Roger [Federer] number three, Gaston Gaudio number four – unbelievable one-handed backhand.”

— Dominic Thiem

“That's one thing he got wrong in his career: he let me repeat shots on his backhand.”

— Rafael Nadal

The takeaway

Thiem's expert opinion on the top one-handed backhands in tennis history provides valuable insight into the most iconic and effective strokes of that kind, highlighting the mastery of players like Wawrinka, Gasquet, and Federer. This underscores the enduring appeal and importance of the one-handed backhand in the sport.