The journal
Long reads, essays, profiles and reviews — newest first.
The high backhand: the ball that made me switch
High balls to the backhand are the classic problem for one-handers, and they're a big part of why I moved to two hands. These are the five ways I know to deal with them, plus a drill to practise them.
“Is this live?” What rumours cost the people around the players
A two-second pause in Vienna put a summer rumour about Musetti and Berrettini back in the headlines. Neither has confirmed it, and I'd rather talk about the people who have to read it.
Lilli Tagger in Guangzhou: the final she lost, and why it still counts
Tagger lost the Guangzhou final to Harriet Dart in three sets. At 18, it was her third WTA final in twelve months.
Anatomy of the one-handed backhand
A frame-by-frame guide to the one-handed backhand, from the grip to the footwork, with a diagram of each phase and one drill to take on court.
Where are they now? Dominic Thiem
Dominic Thiem's wrist ended his career in Vienna in October 2024. Two years later he's mentoring juniors at the academy his father runs in Burgenland and playing amateur football in Baden.
I switched to a two-handed backhand, and I still miss the one-hander
Coaches teach the two-hander for good reasons, and I made the switch myself. For club players trying to get better, the one-hander is still worth keeping in the bag.
Help keep the one-hander alive.
New videos, player files and gear picks by email, whenever I publish them.