The one-handed backhand, once tennis's signature of grace embodied by Roger Federer, is vanishing from the professional game. At the U.S. Open, only two men and two women in the top 50 employ the shot, marking the first year since 1877 that no one-handers reached a Grand Slam semifinal. Modern technology — graphite rackets and polyester strings — generates extreme topspin, causing balls to bounce at shoulder height where a two-handed grip offers superior control.

Serve speeds exceeding 150 m.p.h. also demand the stability of two hands for defensive returns. Coaching pipelines reinforce the shift; Federer noted that most coaches now teach the two-hander because it requires less shoulder rotation and wrist strength. While the evolution has produced a more powerful, athletic baseline game, critics argue it has sacrificed artistry. Lorenzo Musetti, currently world No. 14, is cited as the finest remaining practitioner, his play recalling "a slower and more beautiful game.".