Dominic Thiem Names His Top 5 Players with the Best One-Handed Backhands

Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, recently shared his personal ranking of the top five players of all time with the most impressive one-handed backhands. The Austrian highlighted a mix of established legends and rising stars in the tennis world.

Thiem’s Top 5

In a discussion on the “More Than A Name” podcast, Thiem revealed his selections:

• 1. Stan Wawrinka: Thiem considers Wawrinka to be the best, praising the Swiss player’s powerful and precise backhand.
• 2. Richard Gasquet: The French player’s elegant and fluid backhand technique earned him the second spot on Thiem’s list.
• 3. Roger Federer: Federer, a tennis icon, secured the third position with his renowned all-court game and graceful backhand.
• 4. Gaston Gaudio: The Argentine player’s exceptional one-handed backhand made a lasting impression on Thiem, landing him in fourth place.
• 5. Lorenzo Musetti: Representing the next generation, Musetti’s backhand skills secured him the fifth spot on Thiem’s list.

Notably, Thiem intentionally excluded himself from the ranking, stating, “That wouldn’t be fair.”

The Last Grand Slam Winner with a One-Handed Backhand

Thiem remains the most recent player to win a Grand Slam tournament utilizing a one-handed backhand. Since his victory at the 2020 US Open, Stefanos Tsitsipas has arrive closest to replicating this feat, reaching the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open [1], but ultimately falling short against Novak Djokovic on both occasions.

Future Plans

Thiem recently sparked speculation about a potential return to professional tennis with a cryptic social media post. He is expected to announce his plans on Monday, March 23, 2026, detailing whether and in what capacity he will continue his involvement in the sport.

As of March 22, 2026, Dominic Thiem has a career record of 348–215 in singles and has won 17 ATP Tour-level singles titles [1]. His highest singles ranking was No. 3, achieved in March 2020 [1].