As Stefanos Tsitsipas prepares for a high-stakes fourth-round clash against Ben Shelton at the US Open, he carries the weight of a 150-year-old tennis tradition on his shoulders.
- Stefanos Tsitsipas faces Ben Shelton in the US Open fourth round.
- A player with a one-handed backhand has reached a major semi-final every year since 1877.
- No one-hander has reached a Grand Slam semi-final in 2026 so far.
- Tsitsipas is the final remaining one-hander in the US Open draw.
In the high-octane environment of the US Open, Greek sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas is playing for more than just a quarter-final spot. As he prepares to face eighth seed Ben Shelton, the 28-year-old is effectively defending a 150-year-old legacy: the iconic one-handed backhand.
A Dying Art: The 150-Year Streak at Risk
Since the inaugural edition of Wimbledon in 1877, the men's singles draw at every Grand Slam has featured at least one player utilizing the classic one-handed backhand in the semi-finals. However, 2026 has been a brutal year for the 'one-hander brigade.' From the Australian Open to Roland Garros and Wimbledon, the streak has been under constant threat, with no one-hander reaching the final four.
Following Denis Shapovalov's recent defeat, the responsibility falls solely on Tsitsipas. Acknowledging the weight of this history, the Greek star posted on X: "I've got a 150-year streak to save."
BozokMedia Analysis: Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this matchup represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of tennis. The sport has seen a massive shift toward the stability and safety of the two-handed backhand, leaving the one-hander as a rare, high-risk, high-reward aesthetic marvel.
"Every single decade, we are degrading. We are like dinosaurs going extinct," Tsitsipas remarked, highlighting the dwindling presence of the shot.
Tsitsipas emphasized that unlike the two-handed version, which allows players to 'scoop' a ball when out of position, the one-hander demands perfection. "If you're late, you're late. You missed the train," he explained, noting the extreme requirement for elite footwork and technique.
Historical Context: The Rise and Fall of the One-Hander
The dominance of the one-handed backhand has waned as players prioritize the defensive capabilities of the two-hander. The last man to win a major with this style was Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open. Tsitsipas now seeks to reclaim that mantle for the traditionalists of the sport.
| Feature | One-Handed Backhand | Two-Handed Backhand |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Difficulty | Extremely High | Moderate |
| Footwork Demand | Critical/High | Standard |
| Error Margin | Low (No safety net) | High (Dual-hand support) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Tsitsipas playing against in the US Open?
He is scheduled to play against the eighth seed, Ben Shelton, in the fourth round.
2. Why is the one-handed backhand considered a 'dying art'?
Modern players prefer the two-handed backhand for its stability and ability to handle faster, heavier shots more easily.
