Can Dimitrov and Tsitsipas Keep the One-Handed Backhand Dream Alive?

Grigor Dimitrov and Stefanos Tsitsipas: The One-Handed Backhand Dreamers in 2024

In a season full of ups and downs for many tennis players, Grigor Dimitrov and Stefanos Tsitsipas stood out as two players with a shared characteristic: a beautiful, yet challenging one-handed backhand. While Dimitrov ended the year on a high note, returning to the Top 10, Tsitsipas found himself struggling to maintain his place among the elite, dealing with both on-court disappointments and off-court challenges.

Grigor Dimitrov‘s 2024 season was a testament to resilience and talent. The 33-year-old Bulgarian made an impressive return to the Top 10 for the first time in over five years, marking a significant milestone in his career. His breakthrough came in March, when he reached the finals of the Miami Open. For any player, making it to the Top 10 is a major accomplishment, but for Dimitrov, a player who relies on the elegance and finesse of his one-handed backhand, achieving this feat in today’s power-heavy game was nothing short of extraordinary.

Dimitrov continued his strong form throughout the year, reaching quarterfinals at Roland Garros and the US Open. He finished the year ranked No. 10, proving that his unique style of play, which often gets overshadowed by the dominant two-handed backhand players, still holds a significant place in modern tennis. Dimitrov himself has acknowledged the challenges of playing with a one-handed backhand, stating that it has both helped and hurt him throughout his career. However, this year, he embraced his emotional and free-flowing game, noting, “I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I show my emotions as they are.” The maturity and understanding of his playing style have allowed Dimitrov to find new confidence on court, and his results in 2024 reflect that growth.

On the other hand, Stefanos Tsitsipas‘s 2024 season was far more frustrating. After starting the year ranked sixth, the 26-year-old Greek saw a decline in his ranking, dropping out of the Top 10 and currently sitting at No. 11. His struggles were particularly evident in Grand Slam events, where he suffered a second-round loss at Wimbledon and a shocking first-round exit at the US Open. For a player with such high expectations, these results were a tough blow.

Off the court, Tsitsipas faced challenges in his personal life as well, notably his complicated relationship with his father and coach, Apostolos Tsitsipas. The rift culminated in a public outburst during a match in Montreal, which led to the end of their coach-player relationship. Tsitsipas himself acknowledged the need for growth, stating, “I need to grow up as well and take decisions based on my own gut feeling.” This statement suggested that Tsitsipas was looking for a new direction, both in his career and personal life.

Despite the setbacks, Tsitsipas remains one of the most exciting players to watch. His one-handed backhand, when executed well, is a thing of beauty, and his potential is undeniable. With a clearer mindset, a more organized coaching setup, and improved technical skills—particularly his backhand slice—Tsitsipas could easily make his way back into the Top 10 and beyond.

In 2024, both Dimitrov and Tsitsipas showed that the future of the one-handed backhand is far from over. Dimitrov’s comeback and Tsitsipas’s search for clarity both speak to the enduring allure and importance of this iconic shot. Tennis fans can only hope that these two players will continue to hold on to the dream of mastering their one-handed backhands and challenging the game’s best in the years to come.