‘The streak is over’: Stefanos Tsitsipas’ US Open defeat ends the one-handed backhand’s historic Grand Slam streak dating back to 1877

For 149 years the one-handed backhand was one of tennis’ defining strokes. From Ken Rosewall and Rod Laver to Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka, it became one of the most elegant varieties of tennis.

But the tradition has come to an end after Stefanos Tsitsipas’ US Open departure on September 6, 2026. Tsitsipas was one of the last major players to carry the one-handed backhand at the top level who lost against Ben Shelton in the fourth round. Here’s everything you need to know.


Stefanos’ 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 defeat against Ben Shelton meant that 2026 became the first year since the beginning of the Grand Slam tennis in 1877 without a men’s one-handed backhand player reaching a Grand Slam semifinal.

Tsitsipas was aware of the responsibility he was carrying on his shoulders when he was heading to the second week in New York. Other prominent one-handed players like Lorenzo Musetti and Denis Shapovalov have already been eliminated. Stefanos even posted before going into the round that he had a “150-year streak to save.”

But unfortunately, ‘the streak is over.’ Shelton dominated the match from the baseline leaving Tsitsipas unable to produce the sustained attacking tennis required to survive. With his exit, one of the sport’s longest-running traditions disappeared from the Grand Slam semifinals.

The fans showed disappointment calling it “Stef’s worst slam”. The user noted, “Stefanos Tsitsipas kept the streak alive for a while reaching 2 Slam Finals and 6 Total Slam semifinals so far” finally ending saying he had a very tough draw.


Another optimistic user followed, “Thankfully the streak still stands for quarter finals.” One posted calling the tradition as “a dying art.”

Some mentioned Stan Wawrinka’s contribution saying “it is his final gift to extend the streak” as the US Open marked his final Grand Slam before retirement.

Some blamed Tsitsipas previously saying, “he has the least probability to save this streak” and eventually the user’s words came true. As for his fans, they urged him to “just start hitting two handers” calling the match between him and Shelton as the “evidence for why the one handers in slam semifinals streak is ending.”

It has been pretty well-known for some time that the streak is ending. In 2024, Tsitsipas’ fall to No. 11 meant that the ATP Top 10 contained no player with a one-handed backhand for the first time. Two years later, the era has finally come to an end.

The modern game has increasingly favoured the two-handed backhand because of its stability and versatility. Modern polyester strings allow players to generate enormous amounts of topspin, producing balls that bounce higher and kick aggressively. Those high balls can be particularly uncomfortable for a one-handed player, who has less support when making contact above shoulder height.


The two-hander also provides greater stability on serve returns and defensive shots. Against powerful serves and heavy baseline attacks, players can use their second arm to absorb pace and redirect the ball without requiring the same level of preparation.

Tsitsipas himself gave the simplest explanation after his US Open defeat. His statement declares with a two-handed backhand, a player can still “save the situation” when late but with a one-hander, “you missed the train.”

The one-handed backhand was once almost inseparable from elite men’s tennis for almost the first 100 years.

In the 1970s, nine of the world’s top 10 players reportedly used the stroke. Even as tennis became faster and more physical through the 1980s and 1990s, players such as Sampras, Stefan Edberg and Gustavo Kuerten continued to win the biggest titles with it.

Then came Federer. The Swiss maestro transformed the one-hander into one of the most recognizable shots in sporting history. Stan Wawrinka later demonstrated that it could still be an enormous power weapon, while Richard Gasquet and Dominic Thiem offered their own distinctive versions.

Tsitsipas represented perhaps the final link between that generation and today’s baseline-dominated game. But for now the one-handed backhand will be continued by players like Musetti, Shapovalov and others.


But Tsitsipas’ exit is significant as it marked the first time in 149 years of Grand Slam history that a season could pass without a one-handed backhand reaching a men’s major semifinals.