Stefanos Tsitsipas claims that he started utilizing a single-handed backhand when he was eight years old in an effort to replicate Roger Federer.
Federer developed a single-handed backhand throughout the course of his distinguished career that few other players on the tour could match. The bulk of the field has consistently preferred to use two hands, and this is still the case today.
Tsitsipas mentioned resembling Federer’s single-handed backhand at a news conference on the sidelines of the US Open and said it was now one of his signature shots. In that regard, he even hoped to succeed the Swiss master.
Tsitsipas shared this during a press conference: “I switched and I committed to a single-handed backhand at the age of eight. I remember the phase that I was in between deciding which one am I going to follow. I remember showing up at practice on Monday and playing the entire practice with a double-handed backhand. Then next day on Tuesday, I just decided, You know what, I want to play single-handed backhand. That kept going for weeks and weeks.”
He further added: “I took it seriously, so I said, Single-handed backhand it is. I’m just committing to that. I’m going all the way, not looking back. It stuck since then. It’s my signature shot today. It kind of defines me.”
Tsitsipas at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2023
Ranked world no.7, Stefanos has a composed 41-15 match record in 2023. The Greek is currently having a run at the U.S. Open where he conquered the world no.337 Milos Raonic 6-2 6-3 6-4.
Stefanos Tsitsipas will face the world no.128 Dominic Stephan Stricker in the 2nd round. Their actual head to head record is 1-0 for Tsitsipas.
The Greek clinched 1 title in 2023 in Los Cabos. Stefanos reached the final at the Australian Open and in Barcelona (Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell).
Stefanos won 10 titles in his career: 1 on hard courts, 4 on clay courts, 4 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)