Some shots define a player’s legacy, and in tennis, a devastating forehand is the ultimate weapon. It can be a blistering passing shot, a topspin-heavy rally breaker, or a full-send rocket down the line.
Today, we’re ranking the 15 best forehands in tennis history. Let’s count ‘em down!
15. Tomas Berdych
Berdych’s forehand wasn’t flashy, but it was brutally effective. He hit it flat, hard, and with minimal emotion—much like his entire vibe on court. While he never bagged a Slam, his forehand made him a nightmare for the Big 3 on fast courts.
14. Karen Khachanov
If you like your forehands loud, Khachanov’s got you covered. This guy’s forehand is an absolute thunderclap—when it lands, that is. A streaky hitter, but when he’s in the zone, it’s an unstoppable force.
13. Carlos Alcaraz
Yes, he’s young. Yes, his career is just getting started. But Alcaraz’s forehand already deserves a spot on this list. Whether he’s whipping it crosscourt with heavy topspin or detonating a 100-mph bomb down the line, it’s got everything: power, spin, and ridiculous precision.
12. Jim Courier
Courier’s forehand was pure 90s aggression—ugly mechanics, but devastating power. He hit it like he had a personal vendetta against the tennis ball, and it helped him win four Grand Slams.
11. Dominic Thiem
Thiem’s forehand is a work of art. With a massive backswing and a full-bodied rip, it’s a shot built for highlight reels. Injuries have slowed him down, but in his prime, his forehand was a heavy, punishing stroke that bullied opponents.
10. Stan Wawrinka
Stan the Man is known for his legendary backhand, but let’s not sleep on the forehand. It may not be as elegant, but it’s a straight-up cannon. When Wawrinka steps into the ball, the sound alone is enough to make opponents flinch.
9. Pete Sampras
Sampras didn’t have a modern spin-heavy forehand, but he had one of the purest strike zones ever. His running forehand was the stuff of nightmares for serve-and-volleyers, and when he loaded up on his inside-out shot, it was practically untouchable.
8. Roger Federer
Yes, the Swiss Maestro is only No. 8 here. Federer’s forehand is textbook perfection—fluid, effortless, and beautifully disguised. It’s not the heaviest, but it’s arguably the most versatile. He can flick, carve, or outright obliterate the ball with it.
7. Juan Martín del Potro
The Delpo forehand was less of a tennis shot and more of a cannonball fired from a skyscraper. When healthy, his forehand had more raw pace than anyone’s—so powerful that even Federer looked helpless against it.
6. Stefan Edberg
A surprising name on the list? Maybe, but Edberg’s forehand was sneakily deadly. It had incredible touch, and when combined with his net-rushing game, it was a masterclass in precision.
5. Novak Djokovic
It may not look as pretty as Federer’s, but Djokovic’s forehand is an absolute weapon. The sheer consistency, depth, and ability to generate angles from impossible positions make it one of the most effective shots in history.
4. Fernando González
“El Bombardero de La Reina” (The Bomber from La Reina) didn’t just hit forehands—he detonated them. González had arguably the hardest forehand ever, and when he connected cleanly, the ball practically evaporated off his racket.
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3. Rafael Nadal
The most feared forehand in tennis? Quite possibly. Nadal’s insane RPMs, heavy topspin, and the way he yanks it crosscourt like a boomerang make it nearly unplayable. On clay, it’s practically a cheat code.
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2. Gustavo Kuerten
Guga’s forehand was pure poetry. His effortless yet explosive shot made clay courts his kingdom, and when he uncorked a loopy, high-bouncing forehand, opponents had no choice but to watch and pray.
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1. Fernando Verdasco
A hot take? Maybe. But at its peak, Verdasco’s forehand was a nuclear warhead. Just ask Nadal about that 2009 Australian Open semifinal. The power, the speed, the audacity—when it was on, Verdasco’s forehand was simply the most terrifying shot in tennis history.
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