MONTE CARLO, April 15th - Stefanos Tsitsipas' triumphant return to the Top 10 of the ATP rankings this week signifies a significant comeback for the one-handed backhand in men's tennis.
Tsitsipas' surge to No. 7 coincides with Grigor Dimitrov's continued success, placing two players who utilize the single-handed backhand technique amongst the sport's elite for the first time since October 2021.
This development marks a reversal of a recent trend. On February 19th of this year, Tsitsipas' temporary exit from the Top 10 resulted in a historic first - no players with one-handed backhands were featured in the rankings for the first time since the ATP's inception in 1973.
However, this gap proved short-lived. Just six weeks later, Grigor Dimitrov's electrifying run to the final in Miami ignited a resurgence. He reclaimed his spot in the Top 10, ending the one-handed backhand drought.
Tsitsipas' Monte Carlo victory further strengthens the presence of the single-handed backhand. His climb to No. 7 creates a powerful duo alongside Dimitrov at No. 10, marking the first time two players with one-handed backhands have shared the Top 10 since October 2021.
Looking beyond the immediate elite, the future of this playing style appears bright. Players like Lorenzo Musetti (No. 24), Chris Eubanks (No. 42), and Dan Evans (No. 49) are all keeping the single-handed backhand tradition alive within the Top 50, suggesting a continued presence of this historic technique in the years to come.
