Having seen Justine yesterday at Federers semi final match,she has watched him many times before and is a fan of mens tennis,it made me think who has a better backhand.She is the undoubted Federer of the womens game she is a female replica I think.Her game is very much a mans game especially for her small frame.

Federer's backhand Vs Henins.It kills me to say this but Justine actually has a better backhand than him.Her rotation in comaprison to his combined with her ending off open stance is awesome.Federer tends to hit more of a topspin backhand where as she at will can flatten it out amazingly.I wish they could get into a back hand crosscourt rally :D

Please discuss who you think is better of that flank.Its quite interesting to think about it.

It's a good question, almost impossible to answer. Maybe by working out the number of winners they both draw from this side as well the number of UEs can we have a tangible answer on this.

Esthetically, I still prefer Federer's as it looks slightly smoother and he applies a bit more top spin which gives him more angle crosscurt. The other thing to consider is that Federer is faced with pacier shots than JH so I would be surprised if Henin's consistency on her BH would be as great when facing Nadal on clay.

Its quite a question! I would love to see her face the spin from Nadal on her backhand and given that she is so short it would make for comical viewing if he hit spins that just bounced well over her head!

Thank God she doesn't have to face Nadal.However Justine does pretty well against some of the 'men' in women's tennis ;)

They both have different grips and hit the ball really differently, so comparison is difficult.

Justine's backhand has to be the best single- hand backhand that I have seen in the women's game. It's just something that you can't coach. No-one can hit a flat backhand better.

Roger's backhand is probably the most improved in men's game. He can play every shot in the book and has wonderful racquet control. His backhand was just wonderful in the early rounds of RG especially. I'd go so far that his backhand is probably now the best single-hand backhand in the men's game (yes, surpassing Gasquet, Gaudio).

I hope that some of the younger players coming through are being inspired by the fact that the world number ones in both men's and women's game have one-handed backhands as aesthertically it is a wonderful shot for any player to have in their armoury.

I always love your posts Petalp,very rarily do I disagree.
True Justine really does have the best single handed backhand ever and its execution is amazing.That accolade used to belong to a very young fearless Amelie Mauresmo.She at one stage really had the shot that was the looker.

Yes,Federer has a completely different grip to Justine.I seem to think that he is more stiffer on the execution combining a bit of a classic stroke with a lot more of the modern technique.Also watch his head during his strokes,still,still still and he looks at his racquet when he hits the ball,

Justine to me has a more free flowing execution with massive shoulder rotation.you can actually see her torso twist with her follow through,its amazing.

The curiousity still ramains for me is to put them against each other hitting these two different strokes and then pit Justine against the manic spin of Nadal hoping it just doesnt bounce over her head! roflmao

Yes. Petalp is always right! no denying that.

But besides being the best one single HBH in the men't tour, I think this is the shot that will let Federer down tomorrow. If simply he could have the pace/power of Djoko's BH yesterday, I woudl really fancy his chances tomorrow. Many times, Djoko was able to open the court with great BHs. Federer has not the same power unfortunately on that side and it is going to be tricky.

*tries to ignore uncouth comment* *fails*

I think Justine's backhand is more fluid than Federer's, it just seems more natural, as Petal said, you can't coach that. I think they are probably both just as effective on their respective tours :shrug:

Although Henin's is undoubtedly better on clay as she can flatten it out :)

LOL at the idea of Henin playing Nadal, wouldn't quite be fair roflmao

Sorry about that,Serena W 19,but you must admit Serena almost rivals Nadal for biceps.

Yes she is muscly, I know you wouldn't have meant if nastily though FR :)

roflmao