Get your one-handed backhand up to speed.

Problem
You lack the power you’d like on your one-handed backhand, especially since you seem to swing with plenty of force. Many times this happens because your racquet is accelerating at the wrong time. Instead of speeding up into contact, you’re actually accelerating the racquet after impact. This can lead to an exaggerated and off-balance follow-through.

Solution
On your backswing, hold the upper throat of your racquet with your nondominant hand so the head is back by your hip and your hitting arm is away from your body. Don’t let go of the racquet until the forward swing snaps it out of your grasp. Think of creating all the power and racquet speed on your stroke from the snap out of the backswing to the point of contact. Make sure your nondominant arm and shoulder don’t rotate around with the start of your forward swing. They should work as a counterbalance, helping you resist the tendency to rotate open and providing more power for the front shoulder to pull and drive the stroke. You’ll find that your racquet is now accelerating up to full speed before contact rather than afterward. This will generate more leverage in your swing and make for a natural follow-through.

Article by Pat Doughery, Photos by Manuela Davies/Propix – Tennis.com