Some players muscle the ball. Others glide into their shot and make it look like the easiest thing in the world. There’s something endlessly satisfying about a smooth backhand—the kind that feels like it was born out of pure instinct rather than practice.
From silky one-handers to laser-guided two-handers, these are the players whose backhands had rhythm, grace, and a touch of magic. They didn’t just hit the shot—they floated through it. Here are the 13 most effortless backhands in tennis history.
13. Richard Gasquet
Gasquet’s one-handed backhand looks like a slow-motion highlight even in real time. His technique is so fluid it’s almost hypnotic.
12. Martina Hingis
Hingis didn’t overpower her opponents—she outsmarted them with timing and feel, and her backhand was the perfect example. It was always in the right place at the right time, with barely any effort required.
11. Stan Wawrinka
Wawrinka’s backhand might look powerful, but the beauty is in how relaxed and natural it seems, even when he’s crushing it down the line. It’s like he’s barely trying and still painting the lines.
10. David Nalbandian
Nalbandian’s game was all about timing, and his backhand was as clean as they come. It was compact, smooth, and ridiculously easy on the eyes.
9. Justine Henin
Henin had one of the most graceful one-handed backhands the women’s game has ever seen. Her stroke looked like it belonged in a ballet studio instead of on a tennis court.
8. Marat Safin
Safin brought power, but his two-hander never looked rushed or forced. It was cool, clean, and completely effortless even when the stakes were high.
7. Grigor Dimitrov
Often compared to Federer, Dimitrov’s one-hander has an elegance that’s hard to teach. It’s all balance, rhythm, and smooth mechanics.
6. Novak Djokovic
Djokovic’s backhand might be the most technically sound in modern tennis, and it’s delivered with such ease that it often feels robotic—in a good way. He absorbs power and redirects it without ever breaking a sweat.
5. Amélie Mauresmo
Mauresmo’s one-handed backhand had a silky, floating quality that felt different from anyone else on tour. It wasn’t just effective—it was mesmerizing.
4. Roger Federer
Federer’s entire game is defined by ease and style, and his backhand is no exception. Whether blocking a return or flicking a winner on the run, he makes it look like a casual afternoon drill.
3. Andre Agassi
Agassi’s two-handed backhand was all about timing and laser precision. He took the ball early and redirected it so effortlessly that it looked like the ball was doing all the work.
2. Monica Seles
Seles hit with both hands on both wings, and her backhand was a masterclass in control and placement. Her compact stroke gave off an effortless rhythm that belied its precision.
1. Gustavo Kuerten
Kuerten’s one-handed backhand was poetry in motion—loose, rhythmic, and full of flair. Watching him hit it felt like watching someone dance across clay with a paintbrush instead of a racket.
