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Published 17:25 IST, August 30th 2023

'I Think the most..': Ex-India player on who has better forehand Djokovic or Alcaraz

Ingrained in the buzz of US Open 2023, republicworld.com caught up with former India Tennis player Somdev Devvarman and put in front the query.

Reported by: Prateek Arya
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Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic after the Wimbledon 2023 final (Image: AP) | Image: self
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It's time of the US Open, and whenever a grand slam arrives, the biggest players often collide to a set ablaze the court. When the foremosts square off then it is the straight-up contest between their weapons. Some players secures the edge with their immaculate serve, whereas many go with the traditional serve-and-volley approach.

The backhands and forehands often work as the defence and offence, and whoever carries an exceptional blend of both dominates the circuit. Fans often discuss who has the best backhand and forehand in the game, but could never zero in on one answer. So, who has the best backhand and forehand in the game? Let's settle this once and for all.

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3 things you need to know

  • US Open 2023 is currently underway
  • Carlos Alcaraz is the current World No. 1
  • Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic is expected to qualify for the final

Also Read | 'One Of The Coolest': Foremost Indian Tennis Player Explains What Makes US Open Unique

Who has the best backhand and forhand in the game?

Ingrained in the buzz of US Open 2023, republicworld.com caught up with former India Tennis player Somdev Devvarman and put in front the same query. On backhand, Devvarman vehemently took the name of Djokovic but  when it comes to forehand, he factored in many names, yet gave a concrete answer on who he thinks has the best forehand in the current roster.

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"Novak Djokovic has the best backhand probably of all time. Just think about that as a weapon, it's great on return of serve, great on passing shots, great on offence, great on defence, doesn't make errors from it, can change line, can go cross, and has the option of a Drop Shot and the disguise. You don't often see Djokovic not hit the centre of a racquet on the backhand. So, I do think, he's got the best backhand of all time. 

In terms of forehands, it's tough. Alcaraz would probably be up there because again the disguise, the drop shots, just don't know what he's gonna do, he can hit every shot in the book. I wouldn't want to take away Rafa from that conversation because Rafa's forehand has been one of the main reasons he has won 22 slams. You wouldn't want to take Rafa out of that conversation, and who else? There are a lot of great forehands out here, Casper Ruud has a great forehand, but there is a variety between hitting it big and hitting it faster through the court, taking it early vs. hitting it earlier, and Tsitsipas takes it incredibly early. Raonic has got a beautiful inside-out forehand, Novak is very controlled, so, everybody's got different styles and different ways that they use their weapons, but I think the most effective forehand today on the tour is probably Carlos Alcaraz."

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*Watch the US Open (Men's & Women's 1st Round Morning Session) – LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 2 & Sony Sports Ten 2 HD, Sony Sports Ten 5 & Sony Sports Ten 5 HD channels from 8:30 pm IST, 28th August 2023 onwards.

Updated 17:25 IST, August 30th 2023