Rafa’s forehand the best in tennis history, says Mouratoglou
Patrick Mouratoglou ranks his top five best forehands in tennis history, with a surprising edition late in the list
Rafael Nadal practising at the Australian Open in January 2023 (Zuma/Panoramic)
Patrick Mouratoglou has drawn a line in the sand and declared that Rafael Nadal’s forehand is the best in tennis history. The coach has also outlined who he would have in his top five, with a surprising inclusion or two. Here’s who Mouratoglou has in his top five greatest forehands of all time:
5. Juan Martin del Potro
As Mouratoglou explains, it’s the incredible timing of his forehand that earns Juan Martin del Potro a spot in the top five best forehands of all time. Not only does it allow him to be very precise, but also powerful.
“Juan Martin del Potro had one of the best forehands in history,” declared Mouratoglou. “The Argentinian had a very personal forehand with a big and high preparation.”
“But his forehand was huge, thanks to an incredible timing. I don’t remember having seen him frame a forehand ever. I barely have seen him hit this shot anywhere else than in the sweet spot of the racquet head,” he continued.
“Juan Martin’s forehand was so efficient thanks to its depth and its pace. It was incredibly accurate, it could hit any zone, and he was playing so flat that its bounce was low. His forehand is one of the best in history for me.”
4. Pete Sampras
Pete Sampras served as an inspiration for many players due to his distinctive technique during his period of dominance. His forehand posed a consistent threat from every corner of the court, and in Mouratoglou’s view, must go down in history as one of the greatest.
“Pete Sampras had a very special technique with his forehand, and it has been copied a lot,” explained the Frenchman. “He was pulling his elbow back while preparing his shot. He loved to turn around his backhand to hit quite flat fast forehands all over the court.”
“He was also so dangerous when on the run,” Mouratoglou continued, “because his forehand cross-court was so effective while in that position.”
“Sampras was seen as the GOAT thanks to his 14 Grand Slam titles before the Big Three emerged. His forehand was one of the reasons why.”
3. Roger Federer
Anyone that has watched the Swiss maestro play will know that Federer’s forehand is his best shot. He manages to take time away from his opponents with this shot. In Mouratoglou’s eyes, it’s obviously one of the three best forehands in the world.
“Roger Federer’s best shot was his forehand,” began Mouratoglou. “It was very unique because he was the first one to have his head turn to the right side while hitting it, and he was keeping it in that position after the ball was leaving his racquet, like golfers.”
“What was standing out the most with Roger’s forehand was his ability to take time away from his opponent with that shot and hurt them all the time. Scoring an incredible number of winners, many of them in the second shot after the serve.”
“It might sound weird, but Federer’s forehand is not even in the two best of all time in my opinion. He had so much more than this unbelievable forehand in his game.”
2. Fernando Gonzalez
Are you surprised by this ranking? There’s no need to be. Fernando Gonzalez’s forehand is devastating, consistently unleashing extraordinary power and precision on the court.
“Fernando Gonzalez had a massive forehand. The quality of his topspin, the aggressiveness he was showing every time he was hitting one, and his capacity to accelerate and hit bombs flatter with incredible power,” explained Mouratoglou. “Definitely, his forehand was a weapon of mass destruction.”
“He was No 5 in the world, and runner up at the Australian Open, even though he’s not that famous. Gonzalez’s place in the rankings of the best forehands in history will surprise you,” the coach acknowledged.
1. Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal’s forehand is undoubtedly one of the most iconic shots in tennis history. With its combination of accuracy and formidable power, he consistently finds the sweet spots, making it the greatest forehand of all time according to Mouratoglou.
“Rafa Nadal’s forehand is unique in tennis history,” Mouratoglou explained. “When playing cross with his forehand, the quality of his top spin, and the zones he finds, always fully open the court for his down the line forehand.”
“When running to his forehand he is always able to find a short cross-court angle that gives him the opportunity to come back to offence on the next shot.”
“When turning around his backhand to hit a forehand, you already know that you’re going to run a lot and lose the point. Rafa is comfortable enough to hit his forehand on a low slice backhand, as much as hitting winners when the ball is over his shoulder.
“I consider until this day that he has the best forehand of all time,” declared Mouratoglou.
