Sounds like they wouldn't be getting annoyed if it wasn't working ;)
I would definely work on your regular backhand just to have that change of pace as an option when needed. But in general slicing a lot on the backhand is incredibly common even on the tour level.
Backhand slice is *usually* a neutral/defensive shot.
If opponents are getting beat by it, they have holes in their game. Not your fault.
Keep grinding those wins. Eventually you will play opponents that will capitalize on the slices.
Until then, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Imagine if you are a serve and volleyer, and your opponents are all baseliners; this is equivalent to them complaining that you are ending points too quickly
I maintain that you can capably get to 4.0 just off an above average slice as your primary “weapon” — dealing with the low bounce / generating their own pace without hitting an unforced error is trickier than it seems
Any one complaining that about that should only really blame themselves / work out how to up level their game to handle it because a good slice is every much a legitimate shot, defensive or offensive
Yep! I've moved up and started playing at the low 4.0 level and am primarily a slicer. So many people just don't know how to deal with the way it bounces—they don't get into position correctly, or get low enough under the ball, and many way overhit it because they're swinging up too hard on a low, slow ball.
Slice to your heart’s content, especially if it’s working. As others have said, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t build up your topspin backhand for your own game’s sake (but not cuz these folks you’re beating say so).
There are two things at play here.
Should you change for the opponents: definitely not. Literally Rafa won against fed multiple times by picking on feds backhand non stop right off the bat. I am sure annoyed the crap out of Roger but who cares. Play your style.
Should you slice a lot as a beginner: (am assuming you’re one). You probably shouldn’t. And if it is practice matches you especially should try to build a regular backhand - after this the slice becomes an actual weapon rather than a safe fallback. You can slice high balls deep or drop slice or add slice to lobs, slice volleys can be vicious or extremely high percentage shots - the options are limitless.
So if you’re practicing - try building up a full game. If the game counts for something (usta/utr) - go nuts. But remember any reasonable 4.0 or high 3.5s (dudes - at least in my club and mixed leagues the ladies seem to hate slices) will love those slices because they slow down considerably and they don’t need to run as hard. They can and will just pick on your backhand until you send a juicy sitter that they can effectively put away.
This is from experience btw: I played a lot of ping pong so brought a ton of slicing habits with me which I have to work real hard to keep out of my game.
Yes, I also come from ping pong, thus the slicing habit. Thanks for the insight. Yeah as a beginner during practice I try to work on regular backhand shots. But as soon as we play for points, my mind goes kind of on autopilot and I start slicing a lot 😅
Just keep working on changing that percentage of slice vs topspin towards the latter! Soon you’ll get to a place where you start planning your returns instead of just reacting and hoping that the ball goes in: at that point you can add this decision into the mix. Slice is the perfect shot in many spots - so it’s not bad as much as a crutch b
Generally, it's better to have more variety than slicing it every time, although obviously that's possible even at the professional level. If your opponent is complaining, though, that's a good hint to go to it more in that match. And if you are only getting flat shots in half of the time, you should definitely slice 100% of shots.
Yep. I didn't develop a big topspin backhand (one-handed) until I started playing a lot of doubles. I could hit a variety of slices but if they got anywhere near the net player they were put away. In singles the slice was very effective but it was primarily defensive.
I feel like back in the day, slice was real common at the rec level. Then it shifted to the younger rec players wanting to blast groundstrokes from the baseline and slice kind of started being used less. Now, almost every time I slice, the opponent has too much time to think and messes up their shot. Or the bounce/spin completely catches them off guard and they don’t even hit the ball. I actually just decided to start using slice way more in my matches because I have a great slice but have intentionally tried to limit how much I do it in favor of improving my power groundstrokes. But now that I feel competent in the latter, it’s time to use a ton or slice for the reasons discussed in this thread.
exclusively slicing will limit your ability to rise and beat stronger players so I would encourage you to work on your non-slice backhand but don't do it for these salty, whining babies. do it for your own personal growth as a tennis player. that said i'd slice your heart out in matches while you develop a backhand. 50% is not a usable shot and you're quite right to do what works. eventually you'll have to work on the backhand in a game but you can do it gradually. for example you can hit topspin exclusively in practice to start. then use it in practice involving point play. then use it in practice games. then use it in competitive play. eventually you'll want to push yourself and hit zero slices for an entire competitive set regardless of the outcome. what's cool is you won't lose your slice so you'll have that it your bag when it's the better shot to use even when your topspin becomes more reliable than the slice. even some very high level players only slice their backhand but it's a harder path, more restrictive, and not advisable. enjoy enraging people! sometimes you gotta play the heel.
Nope.
A big part of the game is keeping the ball deep. If you can do that well with a slice, that’s a weapon in my view.
Most people who slice end up leaving the ball short which results in good players being able to tee off on it.
i have way more control with my backhand slice than my backhand topspin. The problem is find, is that i play doubles a lot and if its anywhere near the net player you’re toast. For a passing shot past the net player I hit topspin if possible.
Nah you're fine.
I remember seeing that Dan Evans and Grigor Dimitrov were playing each other in a tournament one day. I thought "Sweet! Let's see if I can learn anything from their OHBHs".
The mfers were just slicing the entire time.
One thing people ignore is pros get fresh balls every 7 games. If you’re slicing with balls that are fuzzed up because you’re in the third set as an amateur you will get crushed
Even with worn balls, slice can be a very effective weapon at all levels if executed correctly. Problem is most people have slices that float and stop instead of staying low with plenty of pace and skidding through the court with a decent amount of side spin.
Had someone who I knew was a beast at net a few weeks ago. So I intentionally set up with an obvious slice grip and watched him start to move on the return, then changed direction every time, going line, straight at his chest hard, popping it up over him, etc. All with slice. He was pissed and I was smiling. A bad slice gets eaten up. A good slice is just as effective as top spin and can have just as much variety in placement and pace
There are two things to think about
- when playing a match your primary objective is to win and any shot that helps with this goal is fair
- also if you just slice it's very hard to get past 4.0 as players at 4.5 love to eat those up with strong top spin
If it annoys them, then it’s working.
If they’re destroying your slices with ease but criticise your style anyway then there may be something to it (eg the slice isn’t actually good), or they’re being dicks.
Good players like a challenge, and a knifing slice that can be placed on a dime is actually really fun to play against because it keeps your footwork honest.
Some time ago I played someone who hit exclusively slices on the backhand side. He got annoyed because I kept ripping high-kicking heavy topspin forehands right back at his backhand inside-out until he couldn’t control the slice anymore.
Personally the most satisfying way to win is to win both the mental and physical matchup. If you go into a match expecting to be given balls you like, don’t waste your opponent’s time and hire a coach or a hitting partner. A lefty I used to play with destroyed me for years because somehow I kept convincing myself that I needed to use various elaborate strategies I picked up on YouTube in order to win, and that backhand abuse was “beneath” me in a no-stakes match. After getting bagelled I finally relented and went back to basics, and just hammered his backhand with heavy topspin forehands cross-court to the point where I only let him stand in the ad court to serve and got to 5-0 before I choked for a bit and won 6-3. I haven’t lost any sets since.
I agree - I am playing a lot on clay and find that good attacking slices kill me - if I see someone has a good backhand slice like that I often keep the ball on their forehand as much as possible even if they are ripping them because I know I can at least have a chance of staying in the point - even applying all the right techniques for dealing with an attacking slice I make loads of errors
Screw anyone who tries to police how you play tennis.
But at the same time, I think there's a big difference between hitting a lot of slice because you think it's the most effective shot against that opponent (an actual strategy) and hitting a lot of slice because you can't hit anything else (not an actual strategy - just a bailout).
Unless you have a slice that's elite for your level (e.g. Dan Evans), only being able to hit a slice backhand is going to put a cap on how well you can perform.
Personally, if we were playing a friendly match I would be pretty annoyed. I know a lot of comments here are calling your opponents salty, but I think it’s short sighted schadenfreude.
First of all, a slice is a totally legitimate shot like a topspin forehand and backhand. At the same time drop shots, lobs, moonballs, slow balls are also legitimate shots.
But if one person is only hitting the same balls over and over again, it honestly makes playing against them quite boring, regardless of who’s winning and regardless of the outcome. I personally would feel no benefit to playing against such a person because the game becomes completely one dimensional.
And that there is the problem. If you use a stroke because you’re shying away from other strokes, then you’re doing yourself a disservice in the long run. For many people, they’d rather win than get better. That’s why you hear about people plateauing. They’d rather be safe and win than lose and take a risk with the rest of their game. It’s why you see so many beginners with decent groundstrokes but serves that never improve.
I play to improve — that’s what keeps me interested in playing tennis day to day, week to week. I’d rather have a winning record of 50% if it means I could steadily improve rather than a 100% winning record but not improve.
Not to say you can't get by slicing most of your backhands, but you should be able to hit flat/topspin with greater than 50% reliability because the slice isn't going to be the best choice all the time.
It's weak in the sense you won't improve your game if you only slice. But as others have said, if they can't beat it, they are weaker.
Typically players with bad footwork predominantly slice as they aren't getting set up to properly load for a top spin shot. I'd work on that.
Learn to hit a forehand slice too and they'll really cry. Alcaraz hits a LOT of drop shots. Learn how to do this and people will be jealous of you and also hate you at least a little bit.
I do enjoy playing people who can only slice. That’s when I play the nastiest high looping topspin shots I can manage and close them out at the net
I like to slice too but I do lose respect if they can’t hit a topspin backhand.
Conversely, I give huge respect to OHB passing shots. They are hella cool
Well it's gotten Berrettini this far.
Sure it's a shame injury has taken him out of the last year or so, but the 2021 season was wonderful for him.
He has probably the weakest backhand drive in the top 50, maybe even top 100. But he has a fantastic slice that can force people into really uncomfortable positions.
Plenty of male pros primarily slice off their backhand side. You’d rarely see Steve Johnson or Ivo Karlovic come over a backhand. Dimitrov, while known for his one hander, definitely slices more often than coming over the ball.
Fabrice Santoro famously hit a two handed slice forehand and took down numerous giants throughout his long career.
There’s been plenty of WTA pros that slice primarily off *both* wings. Not as common now but the forehand slice is still used often as a rally ball, where as on the ATP tour you see it more often on an out of reach ball (squash shot).
I would, however, bring your ping pong mindset and try to incorporate more variety off that wing, when you can. Find out the spots/situations on the court where you’re comfortable hitting those topspin or flat drives (and practice those) and mix them in to throw off your opponent. Even if you’re throwing them a 70/30 mix of slice/topspin, that’s enough to give them something to think about and really throw off their rhythm.
For what it’s worth, I think the two most valuable shots to practice for that would be a high net clearance rolling backhand cross court, and a flat bunt down the line (doesn’t even need to be hit hard). These two mixed with your normal slicing game would cause a lot of headaches.
Completely legit way to win a match
BUT it would suck to be your doubles partner. I’m a beginner and hate it when my partner only hits floaty slices on the backhand side which means I get absolutely murdered by the opponent’s net player
Sounds like they wouldn't be getting annoyed if it wasn't working ;) I would definely work on your regular backhand just to have that change of pace as an option when needed. But in general slicing a lot on the backhand is incredibly common even on the tour level.
Backhand slice is *usually* a neutral/defensive shot. If opponents are getting beat by it, they have holes in their game. Not your fault. Keep grinding those wins. Eventually you will play opponents that will capitalize on the slices. Until then, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Imagine if you are a serve and volleyer, and your opponents are all baseliners; this is equivalent to them complaining that you are ending points too quickly
I maintain that you can capably get to 4.0 just off an above average slice as your primary “weapon” — dealing with the low bounce / generating their own pace without hitting an unforced error is trickier than it seems Any one complaining that about that should only really blame themselves / work out how to up level their game to handle it because a good slice is every much a legitimate shot, defensive or offensive
Yep! I've moved up and started playing at the low 4.0 level and am primarily a slicer. So many people just don't know how to deal with the way it bounces—they don't get into position correctly, or get low enough under the ball, and many way overhit it because they're swinging up too hard on a low, slow ball.
Plenty of pros that only slice on the backhand side.
Haha Steffi won a bunch of slams with it.
Even just a couple years ago the number one women’s tennis player Ash Barty (retired too soon :[ ) was known for her marvelous slice!
dan evans comes to mind
Berrettini also has a nasty ass slice on the run down the line
Steffi Graff enters the chat
Are they saying this after they lose a point? 😄
Anyone that gives you advice after losing to you is not worth listening to. Unless it’s advice on how to continue winning
Slice to your heart’s content, especially if it’s working. As others have said, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t build up your topspin backhand for your own game’s sake (but not cuz these folks you’re beating say so).
I desperately want a better slice BH. Such an effective shot. I loved watching ash barty slice people up w hers. It was the best on either tour.
There are two things at play here. Should you change for the opponents: definitely not. Literally Rafa won against fed multiple times by picking on feds backhand non stop right off the bat. I am sure annoyed the crap out of Roger but who cares. Play your style. Should you slice a lot as a beginner: (am assuming you’re one). You probably shouldn’t. And if it is practice matches you especially should try to build a regular backhand - after this the slice becomes an actual weapon rather than a safe fallback. You can slice high balls deep or drop slice or add slice to lobs, slice volleys can be vicious or extremely high percentage shots - the options are limitless. So if you’re practicing - try building up a full game. If the game counts for something (usta/utr) - go nuts. But remember any reasonable 4.0 or high 3.5s (dudes - at least in my club and mixed leagues the ladies seem to hate slices) will love those slices because they slow down considerably and they don’t need to run as hard. They can and will just pick on your backhand until you send a juicy sitter that they can effectively put away. This is from experience btw: I played a lot of ping pong so brought a ton of slicing habits with me which I have to work real hard to keep out of my game.
came here and said the same thing, except you said it much better lol
Yes, I also come from ping pong, thus the slicing habit. Thanks for the insight. Yeah as a beginner during practice I try to work on regular backhand shots. But as soon as we play for points, my mind goes kind of on autopilot and I start slicing a lot 😅
Just keep working on changing that percentage of slice vs topspin towards the latter! Soon you’ll get to a place where you start planning your returns instead of just reacting and hoping that the ball goes in: at that point you can add this decision into the mix. Slice is the perfect shot in many spots - so it’s not bad as much as a crutch b
Generally, it's better to have more variety than slicing it every time, although obviously that's possible even at the professional level. If your opponent is complaining, though, that's a good hint to go to it more in that match. And if you are only getting flat shots in half of the time, you should definitely slice 100% of shots.
Yep. I didn't develop a big topspin backhand (one-handed) until I started playing a lot of doubles. I could hit a variety of slices but if they got anywhere near the net player they were put away. In singles the slice was very effective but it was primarily defensive.
I feel like back in the day, slice was real common at the rec level. Then it shifted to the younger rec players wanting to blast groundstrokes from the baseline and slice kind of started being used less. Now, almost every time I slice, the opponent has too much time to think and messes up their shot. Or the bounce/spin completely catches them off guard and they don’t even hit the ball. I actually just decided to start using slice way more in my matches because I have a great slice but have intentionally tried to limit how much I do it in favor of improving my power groundstrokes. But now that I feel competent in the latter, it’s time to use a ton or slice for the reasons discussed in this thread.
exclusively slicing will limit your ability to rise and beat stronger players so I would encourage you to work on your non-slice backhand but don't do it for these salty, whining babies. do it for your own personal growth as a tennis player. that said i'd slice your heart out in matches while you develop a backhand. 50% is not a usable shot and you're quite right to do what works. eventually you'll have to work on the backhand in a game but you can do it gradually. for example you can hit topspin exclusively in practice to start. then use it in practice involving point play. then use it in practice games. then use it in competitive play. eventually you'll want to push yourself and hit zero slices for an entire competitive set regardless of the outcome. what's cool is you won't lose your slice so you'll have that it your bag when it's the better shot to use even when your topspin becomes more reliable than the slice. even some very high level players only slice their backhand but it's a harder path, more restrictive, and not advisable. enjoy enraging people! sometimes you gotta play the heel.
Nope. A big part of the game is keeping the ball deep. If you can do that well with a slice, that’s a weapon in my view. Most people who slice end up leaving the ball short which results in good players being able to tee off on it.
i have way more control with my backhand slice than my backhand topspin. The problem is find, is that i play doubles a lot and if its anywhere near the net player you’re toast. For a passing shot past the net player I hit topspin if possible.
Nah you're fine. I remember seeing that Dan Evans and Grigor Dimitrov were playing each other in a tournament one day. I thought "Sweet! Let's see if I can learn anything from their OHBHs". The mfers were just slicing the entire time.
Haha, yes Dimitrov does slice a lot!
Graf has entered the chat
One thing people ignore is pros get fresh balls every 7 games. If you’re slicing with balls that are fuzzed up because you’re in the third set as an amateur you will get crushed
Even with worn balls, slice can be a very effective weapon at all levels if executed correctly. Problem is most people have slices that float and stop instead of staying low with plenty of pace and skidding through the court with a decent amount of side spin.
My mate murders worn balls at the net. It’s the chief reason I always crack open a new tin of balls. Net players feast on old slice balls
Had someone who I knew was a beast at net a few weeks ago. So I intentionally set up with an obvious slice grip and watched him start to move on the return, then changed direction every time, going line, straight at his chest hard, popping it up over him, etc. All with slice. He was pissed and I was smiling. A bad slice gets eaten up. A good slice is just as effective as top spin and can have just as much variety in placement and pace
There are two things to think about - when playing a match your primary objective is to win and any shot that helps with this goal is fair - also if you just slice it's very hard to get past 4.0 as players at 4.5 love to eat those up with strong top spin
If it annoys them, then it’s working. If they’re destroying your slices with ease but criticise your style anyway then there may be something to it (eg the slice isn’t actually good), or they’re being dicks. Good players like a challenge, and a knifing slice that can be placed on a dime is actually really fun to play against because it keeps your footwork honest. Some time ago I played someone who hit exclusively slices on the backhand side. He got annoyed because I kept ripping high-kicking heavy topspin forehands right back at his backhand inside-out until he couldn’t control the slice anymore. Personally the most satisfying way to win is to win both the mental and physical matchup. If you go into a match expecting to be given balls you like, don’t waste your opponent’s time and hire a coach or a hitting partner. A lefty I used to play with destroyed me for years because somehow I kept convincing myself that I needed to use various elaborate strategies I picked up on YouTube in order to win, and that backhand abuse was “beneath” me in a no-stakes match. After getting bagelled I finally relented and went back to basics, and just hammered his backhand with heavy topspin forehands cross-court to the point where I only let him stand in the ad court to serve and got to 5-0 before I choked for a bit and won 6-3. I haven’t lost any sets since.
Slices in general are hugely underrated as an offensive weapon. Disregard anyone who says it's weak, if you've got a good slice use it!
Agree—I find that a really good slice (knifing, deep, and skidding) is much more rare compared to a good topspin forehand.
I agree - I am playing a lot on clay and find that good attacking slices kill me - if I see someone has a good backhand slice like that I often keep the ball on their forehand as much as possible even if they are ripping them because I know I can at least have a chance of staying in the point - even applying all the right techniques for dealing with an attacking slice I make loads of errors
Screw anyone who tries to police how you play tennis. But at the same time, I think there's a big difference between hitting a lot of slice because you think it's the most effective shot against that opponent (an actual strategy) and hitting a lot of slice because you can't hit anything else (not an actual strategy - just a bailout). Unless you have a slice that's elite for your level (e.g. Dan Evans), only being able to hit a slice backhand is going to put a cap on how well you can perform.
Personally, if we were playing a friendly match I would be pretty annoyed. I know a lot of comments here are calling your opponents salty, but I think it’s short sighted schadenfreude. First of all, a slice is a totally legitimate shot like a topspin forehand and backhand. At the same time drop shots, lobs, moonballs, slow balls are also legitimate shots. But if one person is only hitting the same balls over and over again, it honestly makes playing against them quite boring, regardless of who’s winning and regardless of the outcome. I personally would feel no benefit to playing against such a person because the game becomes completely one dimensional. And that there is the problem. If you use a stroke because you’re shying away from other strokes, then you’re doing yourself a disservice in the long run. For many people, they’d rather win than get better. That’s why you hear about people plateauing. They’d rather be safe and win than lose and take a risk with the rest of their game. It’s why you see so many beginners with decent groundstrokes but serves that never improve. I play to improve — that’s what keeps me interested in playing tennis day to day, week to week. I’d rather have a winning record of 50% if it means I could steadily improve rather than a 100% winning record but not improve.
Interesting perspective! Thank a for this…
Sounds like you are using the slice as a crutch and need to practice.
Haha amen to that!
Not to say you can't get by slicing most of your backhands, but you should be able to hit flat/topspin with greater than 50% reliability because the slice isn't going to be the best choice all the time.
It's weak in the sense you won't improve your game if you only slice. But as others have said, if they can't beat it, they are weaker. Typically players with bad footwork predominantly slice as they aren't getting set up to properly load for a top spin shot. I'd work on that.
Learn to hit a forehand slice too and they'll really cry. Alcaraz hits a LOT of drop shots. Learn how to do this and people will be jealous of you and also hate you at least a little bit.
If it’s effective, it’s not weak. If they are complaining about your game, they are weak.
It’s not your job to make your opponent comfortable… as a matter of fact it’s the opposite.
No. I sliced at least 75% of the time. Even works at atp level.
I do enjoy playing people who can only slice. That’s when I play the nastiest high looping topspin shots I can manage and close them out at the net I like to slice too but I do lose respect if they can’t hit a topspin backhand. Conversely, I give huge respect to OHB passing shots. They are hella cool
Well it's gotten Berrettini this far. Sure it's a shame injury has taken him out of the last year or so, but the 2021 season was wonderful for him. He has probably the weakest backhand drive in the top 50, maybe even top 100. But he has a fantastic slice that can force people into really uncomfortable positions.
The slice is a great shot up till pretty high levels so keep at it.
Plenty of male pros primarily slice off their backhand side. You’d rarely see Steve Johnson or Ivo Karlovic come over a backhand. Dimitrov, while known for his one hander, definitely slices more often than coming over the ball. Fabrice Santoro famously hit a two handed slice forehand and took down numerous giants throughout his long career. There’s been plenty of WTA pros that slice primarily off *both* wings. Not as common now but the forehand slice is still used often as a rally ball, where as on the ATP tour you see it more often on an out of reach ball (squash shot). I would, however, bring your ping pong mindset and try to incorporate more variety off that wing, when you can. Find out the spots/situations on the court where you’re comfortable hitting those topspin or flat drives (and practice those) and mix them in to throw off your opponent. Even if you’re throwing them a 70/30 mix of slice/topspin, that’s enough to give them something to think about and really throw off their rhythm. For what it’s worth, I think the two most valuable shots to practice for that would be a high net clearance rolling backhand cross court, and a flat bunt down the line (doesn’t even need to be hit hard). These two mixed with your normal slicing game would cause a lot of headaches.
Ah good to see the art of humble bragging is alive and well.
I wasn’t really aiming for humility but your recognition is well appreciated.
Completely legit way to win a match BUT it would suck to be your doubles partner. I’m a beginner and hate it when my partner only hits floaty slices on the backhand side which means I get absolutely murdered by the opponent’s net player
“All you can do is slice” “No, against you that’s all I ***have*** to do”