Backhand Slice Style vs. Fundamentals

Back in the day, the backhand slice was one of the most important shots in tennis. It stayed low on the grass courts. It was a great tool for defense and an amazing approach shot to finish points off up at the net. In fact, some players would only hit slice backhands on that wing, for they didn’t possess a topspin drive. 

Over time, with new technologies and materials, the slice backhand has died down. In other words, two handed backhands have dominated the market, providing more control and consistency.

Although the slice backhand is still used as a secondary shot for all players, some slices are different from others. Therefore, in today's article, we want to show you the difference between the J slice and the U slice, as well as which to adapt at the recreational level.

Floating Balls

There has been some confusion regarding how a backhand slice should be executed. Some people believe it should be struck in a linear manner, as if you are clearing a table to your side.

This technique can indeed create underspin, provided that your racket face is open. When you strike the ball with an open racket face, you generate underspin, which causes the ball to spin in a backward or downward direction.

However, there are some drawbacks to this approach. When you slice in a linear fashion, like Ken Rosewell, with an open racket face, you may lose power because you're essentially disconnecting the ball from your body by pushing it forward.

Additionally, due to the open racket face, your slices may have a tendency to sit up, especially if you hit the ball too hard. There's also a risk of hitting the ball long, meaning it goes beyond the court boundaries.

The primary purpose of a slice backhand is to keep the ball as low as possible over the net. This low trajectory forces your opponent to bend down to reach it, making it more challenging for them to execute an attacking shot in response.

Correct Ideas

The fundamental technique for hitting a modern slice in tennis involves a specific motion: you should hit the ball from a high-to-low trajectory. This is what creates slice spin on the ball.

Contrary to the misconception that an open racket face generates slice, it's more about the path you take to hit the ball. The key factor is striking the ball from a position further behind you.

To clarify, when you hit the ball closer to your body, especially with a Continental grip, the racket face naturally tends to be more closed. The degree of openness may vary depending on the ball's height, but it generally results in a shot with a lower trajectory.

Now, you might be wondering how to achieve a slice with a neutral racket face. To create slice spin, you must initiate the shot with a high-to-low motion, continuing to move the racket in a low direction as you make contact with the ball.

When you observe high-level players in the modern era, they employ a more rounded and circular motion that moves across the body to generate the desired slice spin on the ball. This technique allows them to control the trajectory and spin of the slice effectively.

Federer’s J-Slice

One fundamental element of a modern slice backhand is the high-to-low trajectory, but there are stylistic variations among players.

First, let's look at Roger Federer's slice, which I call the "J-Slice." Federer starts with his hand positioned quite high, typically around his left ear. He begins the stroke at a higher point than most other players.

Federer's technique involves a very vertical attack on the ball, moving directly down onto it. The racket's path resembles the shape of the letter "J." This style generates significant underspin due to the vertical attack, resulting in a very low trajectory.

However, there's a challenge associated with this slice style. It can be challenging to clear the net consistently because, upon contact, the ball tends to go downward quickly. Executing this slice effectively requires excellent hand skills and precise timing.

Simple U-Slices

Another stylistic variation of the slice is the "U-Slice," which Novak Djokovic often uses in his backhand slice technique. Similar to Federer's J-Slice, the approach to the ball in the U-Slice is vertical, with the racket initially moving downward towards the ball.

However, what sets the U-Slice apart is what happens shortly after contact. In this style, the racket doesn't continue to move downward as much as in the J-Slice.

Instead, it levels off and comes back across the body. The slice's path resembles the shape of the letter "U."

When Djokovic executes the U-Slice, he starts a bit lower, but other players using this style typically initiate the slice around their non-dominant shoulder. 

They then move the racket vertically down to the ball, level the racket out, and bring it back across their body to finish around their dominant shoulder. This motion results in a slightly higher trajectory compared to the J-Slice, making it easier to clear the net.

Higher Clearance

For recreational-level players, I often recommend using the U-Slice. It naturally produces a higher ball trajectory, making it easier to clear the net.

Additionally, because the racket path goes a bit higher on one side, it allows for more power generation. 

It's somewhat similar to hitting a one-handed backhand and drawing energy from the shoulder, making it easier to apply power to the ball when executing the slice with a U-shaped path.

Personal Preferences

Rafael Nadal, known for his unique style, doesn't use either the J-Slice or the U-Slice in his backhand slice technique. Instead, Nadal's slice is distinctive because it lacks a substantial follow-through, and he relies heavily on the pace of the incoming ball.

Nadal typically starts his slice around his non-dominant shoulder, and his racket abruptly stops somewhere on the dominant side of his body. While his racket path does go across the body, it doesn't continue upwards like Djokovic's U-Slice or downwards like Federer's J-Slice.

Instead, Nadal absorbs the pace from the incoming ball and imparts underspin by moving from high to low and then across the ball.

Nadal's slice has a more compact motion compared to most other players. It allows him to control the ball effectively and utilize the incoming pace to generate the desired underspin.

While replicating Nadal's slice might not work perfectly without the same pace as his opponents, this distinctive slice technique is characterized by an abrupt stoppage on the dominant side of the body.

Final Thoughts

It's crucial not to confuse style with fundamentals when it comes to the one-handed backhand slice in tennis. The fundamental elements of a modern one-handed backhand slice involve starting high, preferably around your non-dominant shoulder, and maintaining a vertical approach to the ball to create underspin.

The style, on the other hand, refers to the specific variations in how players execute the slice, such as the J-Style used by Federer, the U-Style employed by Djokovic, or the unique approach of Nadal.

While the fundamentals provide a solid foundation, players can experiment with different styles to find the one that suits them best. By trying out variations like the Rafa slice, Federer slice, or Djokovic slice, players can discover which style complements their game and feels most comfortable to execute. However, don’t forget who just won the US Open.