Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic Backhand Comparison (Pro Tennis Technique Explained)
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
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Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic Backhand Comparison (Pro Tennis Technique Explained)
1. Film yourself and see what you can copy from the pros to help you play better tennis
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Thank you Liam Apilado for allowing me to use this video: • Carlos Alcaraz & Andre...
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Thank you 12kpg-Tennis for allowing me to use this video: • Roger Federer & Tomas ...
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You got this!
I discovered your page in the last week and it is the best by far in terms of analyzing top players’ strokes. Very helpful. I am a 4.0-4.5 player and lost my backhand after not playing for many years. Getting back into playing regularly, Ive watched tons of backhand videos from other pages but nothing has helped make it easy to understand and emulate the swings of the tops pros the way your videos have helped. Thank you!
Brice so excited to hear that. If you need me to personally help you with your backhand or any other stroke here’s where you can schedule that. Thanks! onlinetraining.2minutetennis.net/programs/d1f826b0-eebe-4195-8996-6b1f5d2dd3a6
Alcarez is using the technique called pull push method as macci describes it. It gives a shorter path to the ball and actually increases racquet head speed. You can generate a lot of spin with it (I do this myself for validation). You can get a lower drop in the slot easily so perhaps Alcarez just prefers to hit flat. The method is used often on the atp since balls are faster these days.
You wrote here everything what i was answear looking for, accualy R. Macci said Djokovic Use this method pull push but something was diffrent , what do You thinking now witch method is better alcaraz style or djoko?
I love the tip about "letting go" of the racket while it's dropping! I had been struggling with my right hand (I'm a righty) pulling my racket face open and behind the plane of my body in the drop, but that relaxation cue immediately helped my shadow swings.
Seconded!
Amazing video Ryan! Thanks for sharing it! Lot’s or homework to be done! 🙌🎾
Fantastic. I've watched many backhand videos from many coaches and your video finally got me feeling like I was hitting proper backhands today. You explain the movement in an understandable and very detailed way which is easy to remember on court, whereas other coaches just say swing like this and show the movement but it's hard to remember or understand exactly what they did. Thanks, going to watch a load more of your videos
Wow thank you!! Means the world to me Max!!
One could argue that what you showed is that djokovic’s longer racquet path to the ball for the average club player needs more timing nuance. Isn’t the Alcaraz path more compact by definition ?
It absolutely is, it's just that Djokovic's take back is more aesthetically pleasing to look at. Imo, the compact swing is more important since the game is far faster now.
This was one of the most helpful videos I’ve watched. Thank you
@@daygo619ca so glad you liked it.
Great analysis, as always, Ryan! Amazing to see that even at the very top of the game there are small inefficiencies in players strokes that could potentially be improved.
Might just note two things:
1) If the strings do not close (at least a little) during the drop it is almost impossible to swing inside-out. I think you allude to this in the video.
2) Maybe consider eliminating the term "racket take back" for FH and BH in lieu of "unit-turn". As you know, there are multiple ways to take the racket back that may or may not involve the upper body turning with it :).
Love the videos, man! Seriously the best technical analysis of strokes I've seen, and loved the Vic Braden shout-out there ;).
Cheers
I've been transitioning from a 1hbh to a 2hbh and this video really helped me with the method and methodology of the shot. Thanks, Coach.
Awesome comparison video!!! I love the videos you have been making on your channel. I would love to hear your thoughts on comparing Djokovic's backhand to Nalbandian's backhand. I consider Nalbandian's backhand to be the greatest of all time and nobody on the tour has able be able to fire off winners with a two hander like he can. I try to use his backhand as the model for my game as well as my students. The idea of generating spin from your hands and driving the swing outwards as oppose to upwards; I believe leads to a cleaner contact point as well as less shanking of the ball off the frame. I would love to hear your thoughts or you potentially doing a video on Nalbandian's backhand 🐐.
This was damn GOOD!! Subscribed!!
Wow thank you so much!
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I find your comparison interesting, but I do quibble with one thing. If you look at the angle the camera is looking, it is quite different on the 2 courts. You can see it if you look at the baseline. On the Alcaraz court the camera is pointing more downward than on the Djokovic court. That makes it appear that Alcaraz's hands are dropping less than would be the case with the same camera angle as on Djokovic's court. It would be interesting if you could find videos with identical camera angles and do that comparison.
Great video!
Here is a little challenge...
Please consider doing the same comparison with two truly weaponized backhands like those of Zverev and Basilashvili. A Thor's hammer of a backhand has the potential to screw up every opponents game plan because they can't just go there to neutralize.
From the WTA side, it would be very interesting to see an analysis of Krejcikovas backhand. It's very relaxed and clean and it doesn't look dramatic. However, when she goes up against the other top players, her backhand is faster and much heavier from the looks of it. Very hard to find court level practice footage of Krejcikova though.
Also, we haven't forgotten Sharapovas devastating backhand.
Super comparison. Thank you
Outstanding analysis! Thank you!
Excellent analysis. Thank you so much. However, Alcaraz's cross court resembles novaks when he finishes the shot in my opinion, though the setup is different and the down the line looks different in every way beginning to end as you described so succintly. According to Alcaraz himself the perfect player has "... Federer's forehand, Djokovic's backhand, Nadal's mentality and isner's serve".
Nope, the ball height is totally different on Alcaraz compared to Novak. Soo yeah, not the best video
Love this 🎾🎥 analysis
Wow!! What excellent demonstration of how to hit with the backhand, i will practice it next time, Thank you Ryan!
Hey thanks Jaime! I feel like you’re watching all of my videos! It really helps me so thank you! 😊
@@2MinuteTennis I love such analyses. Thank you so much. What do you think about Nadal‘s and Agassis backhand. They had a different grip, I would say that the right hand holds the racket in a way as if you wanted to hit a single handed backhand. And somehow I find that better and more natural and therefore easier to copy. Novak, of course, has maybe the best backhand in the history of tennis.
To what extent is this influenced by their dominant playing surface growing up though? I could see Alcaraz's backhand being more useful on a clay court's high bounces, while Novak's loopier swing fits in with a lower bounce on hard court.
Thanks to you--Great Help. Cheers via Dennis for Tennis
100% reccomend Djokovic backhand and Del Potro forehand. Best combo.
Randy is absolutely correct here. Djokovic uses a pendulum style backhand where the bodies lower trunk propels the racquet like a ball & chain weapon (see Bjorn Borg) The gravity assisted weight transfer of a players relaxed arms creates more accurate and efficient power through the shot. Alcaraz’s backhand is a bit too wristy. Remember just like a complicated mechanical clock, the more moving parts there are in any system or device the easier it will break down under pressure. Good video Randy!
Hello Ryan. I am a long time tennis coach. I am thinking that you may have spent some time with Steve Smith? Anyway great stuff!
This is a perfect example of where using video maybe not telling the whole truth. It can be misleading to look at only one of Alcatraz's backhands and say that he does this on all his backhands. He was probably just hitting a flatter ball and Djokovic was hitting a ball with more topspin. At the key moments, both players are doing the exact same motion. Backswings and follow throughs are situational. The forward swing is what's most important. Both players start their forward swings by pulling forward with their right (bottom) hand and pushing down on the grip with their left hand (top). Its the pull/push of the hands working together that's important. Notice how both players immediately straighten their left elbows with the pushing down of the left hand on the grip. This turbo charges the stretch shortening component of the swing, and creates greater racquet head speed. At contact, both players have a bent right arm but a straight left arm. As the left hand is accelerating towards contact, the right hand is slowing down, causing the right elbow to bend.
If the 2 handed backhand, to some degree, is like hitting a left handed forehand AND on the forehand you want the racquet head on the outside of the hand. Why wouldn't you want the racquet on the outside of the hands on the backhand? Not to the same degree but some. Bio-mechanically, the racquet on the outside of the hand(s) is what allows for the ability to hit with both speed and spin (a heavy ball). Its much more complicated than that but that is what allows for a greater dynamic slot or flip.
Thoughts?
Alcaraz's backhand is better for taking the ball on the rise all he has to do his swing forward so better timing for the racquet drop once the ball bounces
Ok interesting video - Alca Beat Djoko at Madrid - Great match.
The short crosscourt bh from Alca is amazing. He gets enough power from his teqnique for sure.
Djoko struggled on hitting point up shoulders and up. Just because his teqnique is as you say Gravitybased.
👆Alcas teqnique is maybe better on hitpoints High. ☝️
What grip combinations do both players use?
I think the standard at the pro level is continental for dominant hand and semi-western for non-dominant hand.
23,148 views, 375 likes, 67 comments, 132k subscribers. Nice!!
Thanks so much!!!
Are they using the same grip? With my grip I’m using (right hand is continental left had is bevel 8) I can’t make the strings look like Novak on the take back. Mine is closed.
Bevel 8? That means you’re using 2 continental grips. Is that the grip you have with your left hand? A continental?
@@2MinuteTennis yes. Correct
@@djp3525 can you email me a pic of you holding your backhand grip? Ryan@2minutetennis.net. Thanks!!
@@2MinuteTennis sent!
@@djp3525 keep the right hand continental and the left hand eastern/semi western,
1 year later the narrative changes.
Excellent points. I will say that of course it's good to look to the past but let's not forget the trend setters who buck conventional wisdom and go their own way. I remember Bjorn Borg in an interview was asked about his western looping forhand and his coaches trying to coach it out of him and he just said "it just feels good and right to me." As a coach I try to be mindful of this because certain ways can feel horrible to me but good to others. For example try teaching yourself how to play using your non dominant arm and it will bring a whole different perspective on things. I still can't execute a proper serve technique lol.
how should it look like if the ball is higher? ie shoulder height?
One of the biggest differences would be the need for a higher turn. The backswing height changes with the height of the ball. The swing is also a bit more across the body after contact. Thanks!!
Can you do Connor’s backhand
If I can find a video of connors that I have permission to use I’ll do it. Thanks!
The height differential must also be considered. Alcaraz possesses a unique ability to micro-improvise very quickly, that nuances and similarities with great two handers can be missed.
And I Rick had a pretty consistent backhand.
Ryan nice video! Please do one between guys that both have excellent backhands so we can understand this issue a little more - I would Djoker and Nalbandian, or Djoker and Goffin. That would be really interesting!
are you implying Alcaraz doesnt have a great backhand? I'm so thrown off.
How about bashilavellis backhand
00:42 maybe there is even more slams in the left side
seecond!!! thanks!!!
Hey good job!!!
Great analysis of two backhands! I did not know why Novak's backhand was so lethal and consistent but I sure do now. There are more facets to discover on the greatness of this stroke...please do continue. All the best
I agree with most of what you are saying BUT the part about the "left of the letter V" vs. "right of the letter V". On an optimal backhand where you want to generate power, the logical place for the racquet to finish after a good lag and acceleration of the hands has to be the right part of the letter V. When players finish on the left side of the letter V, they just countered or used their opponent's pace.
I've seen Djokovic often finish with the racquet on the right side of the letter V; when he hits for power or when his point of impact was higher. But he definitely tends to use his wrists mostly before and during the shot and he kinda shuts them down right after impact.
On a jumped backhand (flamingo 🦩), where the point of impact is almost always shoulder high, you'll have a hard time finding a pro player finishing on the left side of the letter V. Food for thoughts.
I enjoyed the video!
The greatest observation is within the positioning of their rackets at the end of the backswing. Biomecanically Novak is more effective
Gosh You analysis is interesting but your philosophy is confusing. Tennis has changed so much since Vic Braden's theories were presented in the early 70s. The Modern Forehand for instance is not based on just gravity assist but the prestretch (which Djokovic does have on his backhand) and lag as well as slightly closed face all have changed the stroke since say Stan Smith or Jimmy Connors were hitting. I would say that Braden's theory about bending and lifting the leg as a source of topspin no longer applies but the legs do provide power for the explosive racquet speed that body and then shoulder, arm and racquet (as well as modern strings and racquet) generate.
If the method is coherent they will attain their specified goals according to their individual needs . Agassi backhand is similar in a way to Alcaraz?
true carlos backhand has that similar whip to andre’s and hence better for attacking
I didn't watch the whole video but did he atleast explain that Novak racquet drop is because his leg is open, if Carlos approached a shot with his legs open then his racquet will also drop more. And if Novak had to make a running backhand his racquet will not drop. So atleast first tell that this video is not made with the same leg positioning. U are a coach u should know arm technique is much much less important to legs
I guess Nishikori, Zverev, Nalbandian and Murray have bad backhands because they have the same "letter V" as Alcaraz.
Nope. They have really good backhands. Pros don’t watch my videos. Club players do. So I like to teach info that’s good for club players. Thanks!!
Are you saying Djokovic's back hand is better than alcaraz's?
Yes, especially when it comes to club players trying to copy technique.
Looks like a lefty baseball swing.
different stance different coming-ball director different return angles
ur analyze always about upper body...?
I don’t always analyze upper body. But I do mainly focus there bc the vast majority of club player mistakes are upper body mistakes.
thank ur kindness. choosing more similar situation was my recomemend.
Typical American. The backhand is for defense and the forehand is for offense. Let’s see, what rank is the highest ranked American??? For top level tennis, both sides have to be a weapon.
For top level tennis…? Who do you think I make my videos for? Atp and wta pros? Hahahaha. 80% of my channel viewers are 35 years of age and older. 60% are 45 and older. I’m obviously not making videos for pros or players trying to go pro. Do you really think that aspiring atp and wta players are checking 2MinuteTennis on RUclips to learn how to get better? I make my videos to help CLUB AND RECREATIONAL PLAYERS have more fun and improve.
@@2MinuteTennis Well, I don’t think it really matters. My only point is in todays tennis no matter what level, the backhand should be an offense weapon and just not a shield. Just just my opinion. A lot of people are looking for tips on adding power to their backhand.
@@GeneralRock114 I came here, as a rec player, to gain more consistency in my BH so won't be as much of a weakness as it currently is. Rec level players don't necessarily need any weapon. Consistency, at the rec level, is what wins matches.
@@kaza2845 I guess it depends on the level of player you want to be.
@@GeneralRock114 I agree. People are really limiting themselves. Even if they're over 45 you can still improve your backhand to make it a weapon. The important thing is to try
I’m getting tired of people pronunciation of alcareeeeeeeessssss. Alcaraaaaaazzzzzzz
Yep I def didn’t pronounce his name correctly. Thanks!!!
I think it’s going to be really hard for people to get used to it! Btw! Great comparison! I really appreciate your videos. I like the combination on deep topics but you keep your explanations easy to understand for any level
Ur extreme way of bending down inside ur home is NOT what joker is demonstrating... It looks silly... He simply drops the hands and his Right wrist is flexed.. his Left wrist is extended... in the cocked and locked position... They remain very close to his body in that position until he pulls the trigger... Of course it's one continual motion.. anyway, taking your body down to the carpet is Not what u want to do.
Thanks for your comments.
What I don't get is when compared to Fed's forehand, Carlos's FH is whippy and you loved it. But when compared to Novac's BH, Carlos' wippier again but you don't like it. Any reasons? Is it because you view BH as more of a defensive thing than FH so you'd like BH to be always stable and consistent?
He explained in the first couple minutes why he prefers the video less whippy
Carlos backhand looked great today at Indian Wells😬
As long as you the racket is positioned perfectly at contact and you follow through correctly, the take back doesnt really mean much. Everyone on the tour has unique swings (on serves, forehands, backhands) but if you took a snapshot at the moment of contact theyd all be nearly identical. Go with what feels good for you, focus on correct grip, contact w the ball, footwork, and follow through.
When you do the backhand you keep your wrists straight, but if you watch Djokovic's right hand it is flexed a LOT when he goes through the loop.
That’s bc he’s swinging very fast and I’m simply shadow swinging. Thanks!!
Thought the same
There’s no escape from Alcaraz.
Thanks! Do you think it matters if the left arm is straight at the point of contact? Or is that physique-specific?
Love this video. One question: I always hear that the two handed backhand is just like the righty or lefty forehand. What are your thoughts?
Actually I've noticed Djokovic has 2 different types of backhands depending on if he is attacking or defending in a certain way.
He has the swoosh gravity swing and then a loaded and waiting backhand when he wants to flatten it and beat a player to a spot or is stretched out.
He must have a really strong core for some of his stretch winners.
Love your videos btw. You have a great ability to analyze and explain 👌🏾👍🏾
Good comparison I agree! Novaks is just more simple =
Thats why is the best backhand on tour!! 😊
Great video, you are really good at explaining! How would you then compare Nick Ks backhand? isnt that a 3rd version which is really flat? What are the pros and cons here?
One more thing. Novak I would say uses his wrist a lot! when he drops the racket. (I like your visualisation of dropping the racket :-) )
So Novak is using his wrist a lot at this time, his left wrist starts to higher but when the racket drops it is the right that is highest and totally bend.
What are your thoughts here?
BTW I am 50 and are back after 30 years away from tennis and need to change my backhand to have more top spin. I hit it really flat and with a big bag swing. My back hand is currently the most inconsistent... So I need to lock a style and practice it. Thinking of Novaks style
Hello ryan, this is quite an interesting analysis, but i have few questions about this.
First, about the gravity assisted swing, you tell us using the right hand (right handed) to go down naturally and then swing. But isn't alcaraz also has this? He lets his racquet down instead of his hand, producing IMHO the same result. Djokovic does it in this video, but i hardly find any of him doing this in other videos of him. So my question is, is this right hand down more of a basic must or is it just "cosmetic"? (as essential tennis' Ian likes to say it).
Second, the left side of the V on the follow through. Isn't this part of follow through, i mean, you cannot control it anymore right? Can i have the right side of the V and still hit good shots?
Third, is it possible that alcaraz and djokovic try to hit different type of backhand here? Alcaraz tried to hit the ball more, flatten it out. And djokovic, he tried to be relaxed, and i think this was djokovic at the start of his training, so he tried to hit the ball more upward/vertical and tried to be as loose as possible.
But still good analysis anyway, learned something from this. Thanks
Hello Ryan, great analysis of these two great players backhand. My question for you is: When do I drop my racket with the face semi-closed like Novak? As the tennis ball about to bounce or after the tennis ball bounces and rising?
Thank you for your response. Cheers!
is he leftie im so confused
Is who lefty?
The Tennis Bruce Lee
The whippy nature of Alcaraz's swing increase risk of injury in my opinion (I am a chiropractor so know a bit about biomechanics).
Take a look at Djokovic’s backhand during the Italian Open 2022 and you will see a totally different swing.
just took a look. what would you say is different?
Спасибо, хорошо объяснили! 🎾👍🤝👋🇷🇺
bro, to make the comparison, both player need to have the same stand. you are comparing Alcaraz (close stand in the video) vs Djoko (Open stand). This is bad example video for comparison.
Close stance vs Open stance are very different.
Where is the general contact point on the backhand?
Awsome video really! The analysis part and the coaching tips are great. You should definetly teach the Novak swing to beginer.
But obviously, you're wrong on some point.
1. Alcaraz is a pro player himself. He should definetly not copy what Novak does. High level player should do what feels right for them and for their body structure, not try to copy anyone haha. BH consistency might be good for Novak games, but not everyone play tennis the same.
2. Nadal, which to me, has good as Novak...and has a very very good and powerfull backhand, use the same "whip" technique as Carlos. So the 2 best player ever have different BH technique whith both there strenght and weakness. One is more solid and consistent, the other as more spin, angle and power.
Ok appreciate your thoughts! Thanks for wacthjng
I disagree that what they are doing is essentially different. I think they are essentially doing the same thing but with Novak having a bigger range of motion. I think the reason for Novak having a bigger range of motion is that he has looser, more relaxed wrists, whereas Alcaraz is a bit more tensed up. I do agree that Novak's backhand is "better" though, due to his relaxed wrists.
What he's trying to do is there's too many moving parts with Alcaraz backhand like a Marat Safin.
Two hand is a fad...one day everyone will go back to the one hand when a winning player uses it then everyone will follow him.
Thanks for the comment. Fed converted a lot of people to one hand that’s for sure.
lol why do you think so?.......i am.one handed and i think its sooo much stronger on the contrary to what many think, and i can make great winners because of great angle noone expects BUT it was terrribly difficult to learn, my hand almost fell off in the process, also its veeeeery sensitive to movement, legs must do 90%
I feel that the one hander genuinely has it's pros and cons equally. I think if you master it then it'll give better control to the court than the double hander. But the two hander naturally generates more power and consistency hence many players choose the double hander. I don't think the game will go back to the one hander cause in the modern game the serves are big and the backhand return is always safer with both hands. Fed converted many youngsters to one handers for sure but we still see the double hander quite considerably more. Hence one winning player won't change the strategy of the whole game.
@@atharvarale3362 those one HB who cant hv great slice are defo in worse position than 2HB, when it comes to returns, btw the most successful WTA player Steffi rarely used BH she had perfect slice
@@hrabmv it's the same case with Ash barty rn. She has a more efficient slice and mostly uses slice to dictate the point from the baseline