Pressure-proof your tennis with the defensive backhand slice (as coached by Glenn Weiner)
The best tennis players never look under pressure — and they all have one thing in common: a defensive backhand slice.
Attacking tennis is about putting your opponent in a state of emergency by robbing them of space and time. However, the ability to hit a deep backhand slice from a defensive position will pressure-proof your tennis and make you an impenetrable wall at the baseline.
Glenn Weiner — former coach of Kei Nishikori and one of the many coaches showcasing their skills at CoachLife.com — explains the art of a defensive backhand slice.
The defence backhand slice by coach Glenn Weiner,
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Why is the defensive backhand slice crucial in tennis?
The defensive backhand slice is an indispensable tool in every player’s armoury. It helps players regain time and space in a rally by turning defensive positions into neutral ones.
This shot brings control, poise and safety to your game — and makes sure you don’t get blown over by heavy-hitting baseliners. Not only will it give you breathing room in a rally, hitting with depth can give your opponent an unwelcome surprise (pushing them back), and therefore changing the dimensions and momentum of a rally.
Top tips for a defensive backhand slice
As Glenn Weiner explains in his exclusive video on CoachLife.com, players must understand that ‘it doesn’t need to be anything special’. This shot is not an attempt at a winner from a defensive position. Instead, sending a backhand slice deep into your opponent’s court is a brilliant way to rebut their pressure and change the feel of the exchange.
When approaching the slice: try to strike the ball from a balanced position, with a slight lean and step into the court to transfer your weight through the ball (which will add depth). This is also an effective shot to hit on the run. And remember: depth wins.
Who are the best players with a defensive backhand slice?
All top players have a defensive backhand slice up their sleeve. Roger Federer was a master at controlling time and space this way. In today’s game: Grigor Dimitrov, Carlos Alcaraz and Matteo Berrettini have particularly effective defensive backhand slices on the men’s side; and Ash Barty (now retired), Elana Rybakina, Jasmine Paolini and Dianne Parry on the women’s side.
British tennis fans, in particular, will recall how many times Andy Murray hit a backhand slice on the run and kept himself alive in the rally from seemingly impossible positions.
Sword vs shield: how to view the defensive backhand slice in your game.
Matteo Berrettini is a player who has made his defensive backhand slice a cornerstone of his game. The Italian, former-Wimbledon finalist uses it as a shield to protect his weaker backhand side and stand tall under groundstroke pressure. His strategy is sword vs shield: Matteo’s destructive forehand does the damage, while his defensive backhand shield (epitomised by the slice) helps him stay balanced and in a healthy state during the rallies. It’s the perfect tonic to his hard-hitting game.
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