When it comes to the two-handed backhand in tennis, few names spark as much debate as Novak Djokovic. Known for his incredible flexibility, precision, and power off that side, the Serbian superstar has long been considered among the elite. But is he truly the greatest of all time? According to Rick Macci, the legendary coach who once mentored Serena Williams, the answer is a resounding yes.
Macci didn't mince words when asked to pick the best two-handed backhand in tennis history. Taking to X, he confidently declared, "Novak has the best two-hander of all time." He went on to explain why, praising Djokovic's unique biomechanics. "Many unreal double-barrel shotguns, but when you look deep under the hood... this is why the Joker is by far the best," Macci wrote. He highlighted Djokovic's "pull/push stroke" as "silky smooth and not a poke," and marveled at his "rubber band man" range of motion to improvise on the court. Most importantly, Macci emphasized Djokovic's ability to deliver that "Serbian sniper backhand" in Grand Slam moments, calling it the deciding factor.
It's hard to argue with Djokovic's numbers. He leads the tour in total return points won and break points converted, stats that underscore his backhand's devastating effectiveness. For fans eager to see him back in action, the wait is almost over. Djokovic is set to return at Wimbledon, kicking off his campaign on Monday against Vit Kopriva.
His most recent outing was at Indian Wells, where he fell to Jack Draper in the fourth round. He then withdrew from Miami, as well as the Monte Carlo Masters and Madrid Open. With two clay-court Masters 1000 events already missed, speculation swirled that he might skip Rome too. But Djokovic has decided to play, entering as the third seed.
If the draw falls his way, a potential final showdown with Jannik Sinner looms large. But first, Djokovic will need to navigate a path that should see him comfortably reach the quarter-finals. There, an intriguing clash could await against Italy's own Lorenzo Musetti. The world number three came up just short in their last meeting, but with his two-handed backhand firing on all cylinders, Djokovic will be a tough out for anyone.