<P> Despite there being many different variations and styles, in general there are three different techniques to hit the one - handed backhand . The first is the slice, the oldest version of the single - handed backhand, which was popularised by many classic players such as Ken Rosewall and was still used up until the 1980s even in the women's tour, with many great women champions such as Steffi Graf having one of the lowest, most effective slice backhands . The slice backhand is considered the most simple and is the easiest to learn technique-wise . However, it is much harder to master . Unlike the slice on its own, the slice backhand refers to a player continuously using slice on their backhand as an ordinary shot, instead of for variety . Most slice backhands are executed with a continental grip, identical to that of the backhand volley . The motion is also simple, and involves a cut at about 45 degrees to the bottom of the ball . The slice action closer to the bottom results in a higher and slower ball, typically used for lobs while a cut closer to the side of the ball results in a faster and lower ball . It is considered hard to be able to consistently pull off deep, low yet quick backhand slices and requires lots of practice and finesse . Such slice backhands often prevent opponents from getting under the ball easily and hitting easy winners . It also slows down the pace of the ball due to the back - spin on it, giving time for the player to anticipate and set up shots . For example, Steffi Graf often used her slice backhand to buy time for her to move around and hit inside - out forehands, her signature shot . It can also act as a good bluff to hit drop - shots or even fake drop - shots . </P> <P> From the 1940s to the 1960s, the flat single - handed backhand was popularised by many players, most famously Rod Laver and Don Budge . He was one of the first players to use a flat single - handed backhand with a hint of top - spin . Although flat or top - spin shots were not rare at the time, they were not common shots and were used mainly for variety only, especially on the backhand side . These shots were generally faster - paced, but were considered harder to learn and execute . Even today, there are still many players who use the flat single - handed backhand, such as Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer, although they have added more top - spin to cope with top - spin from other players as well . However, by the 1980s, the flat single - handed backhand was the norm for most single - handed backhand players, with marquee players such as Stefan Edberg, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras using it to great effectiveness . The advantages of the flat single - handed backhand include its speed, the angles it can produce and its depth . It is usually executed with an Eastern or Semi-Western grip, and involves a "throw - back" in which the racket is pulled across the player's body, sometimes with the help of the left hand, and a release to hit the ball followed by a much larger follow - through and finish as compared to the slice backhand . </P> <P> While Björn Borg was considered to have had a double - handed backhand, he released his racket with one - hand, and was arguably the catalyst for the evolution and popularity of the double - handed backhand as well as the top - spin single - handed backhand . In the 1980s, when more players were using top - spin, single - handed backhand players found it more difficult to hit flat backhands due to the difficulty of neutralising the spin . Therefore, many players incorporated much more top - spin in their single - handed backhands, which was uncommon at that time . Up til today, many players who are considered to have some of the best single - handed backhands ever, such as Richard Gasquet, use a top - spin backhand . Other current players who use it include Nicolás Almagro and Grigor Dimitrov (Although he is also capable of hitting it flat). This helped single - handed backhand players cope with high spinning balls . The advantages of the top - spin single - handed backhand include consistency, placement, the angles it can produce as well as its ability to cope with high balls . Single - backhand "flicks" also evolved due to the popularisation of the top - spin single - handed backhand . Unlike the flat single - handed backhand, top - spin single - handed backhands are almost always performed with the Semi-Western or even Western Grip . Richard Gasquet, who is considered to have one of the most elegant and efficient single - handed backhands, is known for his long, winding action on his backhand and his elegant follow - through . The top - spin single - handed backhand is probably the hardest to learn . It involves the player employing a Semi-Western or Western grip, and winding the racket around his body and, most importantly, bring it lower than the ball . Then, he has to hit the ball at the middle to bottom of the ball while winding his hand upwards and front of him, in a "window - wiper" action . A mistake that is often made in this execution is not bringing the racket low enough or not having a follow - through . </P> <P> Many great players employ a combination of two or even three different styles . For example, Stan Wawrinka, who is said to have one of the most powerful single - handed backhands ever, can hit extremely flat backhands, but can also apply top - spin to them . Stefan Edberg in the past, along with Roger Federer and Grigor Dimitrov are able to apply all three, using the slice, flat and top - spin backhands effectively . This variety makes it hard for the opponent to guess what kind of shot they are going to play . </P>

When did the double handed tennis backhand change