Grigor Dimitrov's backhand
Traced frame by frame from real footage.
Dimitrov's one-handed backhand is the heaviest in the top 10. Over three years to October 2024 it averaged 2,681 rpm on clay and about 2,580 on hard courts, and he was the only one-hander in the top 10. Topspin backhands averaged 2,625 rpm against a tour average of 1,839.
- 1The takeback is led by the shoulders, with the other hand on the racquet's throat.
- 2Contact is out in front of the front leg, the hitting arm straight.
- 3At the finish the arms split wide in opposite directions, chest open to the net, and the back leg kicks up for balance.
Our own observations from the traced frames. Flip through the plate above to check them.
By the numbers
Over three years to October 2024, the heaviest backhand in the top 10: 2,681 rpm on clay, 2,580 indoors, 2,576 outdoors on hard and 2,399 on grass. He was the only one-hander in the top 10.
Craig O'Shannessy, ATP Beyond the Numbers, Oct 2024Over 52 weeks to December 2024, his topspin backhand averaged 2,625 rpm against a tour average of 1,839.
Australian Open, Dec 2024He was 1–14 against Nadal, often cited as the problem a heavy left-handed forehand poses to a one-hander.
Bill Connelly, ESPN
What you can copy
The open-chest finish with the arms split is the part to copy: it keeps the shoulders from over-rotating on a one-hander.
Our reading of the traced plates
What we don't claim
- We found no credible source for his grip, so we don't give one.