Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Lorenzo Musetti Protects Tennis History, Standing Alone to Keep the One-Handed Backhand’s 52-Year ATP Year-End Top 10 Streak Alive

Musetti’s Top 10 rise keeps the one-handed backhand’s 52-year tradition alive.

Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Lorenzo Musetti ensured a distinct piece of tennis history remained intact, finishing the 2025 season at No. 8 to keep the one-handed backhand present in the ATP year-end Top 10. The Italian secured his place in the elite during the second half of the season, becoming the only player to represent the stroke at the top of the sport. His rise mattered because, without him, the year-end rankings would have broken a streak that has lasted since 1973.

DID YOU KNOW❓

With 🇮🇹 Lorenzo Musetti finishing 2025 at #8, there's still been *at least* one player with a one-handed backhand in every year-end Top 10 in ATP rankings history. 💥

This is the first time there's only one in the year-end TOP 20, though:https://t.co/CuuBe3juam
— TENNIS (@Tennis) November 26, 2025

A Tradition Preserved Through Narrow Escapes

The continuity of the one-hander has been tested in recent years. For more than a month in early 2024, the Top 10 featured no players using it. It was the first time the ATP rankings, which began in August 1973, had experienced such an absence. That drought ended when Grigor Dimitrov returned to the Top 10 and stayed there through the close of the season, finishing at No. 10. His presence restored the streak of more than 50 years.

A similar situation unfolded in 2025, and there were no one-handed backhands in the Top 10. The gap echoed the concerns of the previous season, raising the possibility that the tradition might be nearing its end. Musetti changed the equation during his breakthrough clay campaign, entering the Top 10 in May and remaining there through the year, ultimately landing at No. 8 by the ATP Year End.

Musetti d. de Minaur 1-6 6-4 7-6

Lorenzo is a Masters 1000 finalist

He’s shown so many admirable qualities all week

Physicality
Intelligence
Patience
Passion

✅1st Monte Carlo final
✅Back to back top 10 wins

Special moment for him & his team

Fighting hard, winning big 🇮🇹❤️ pic.twitter.com/AqB7CVgQpb
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 12, 2025

Musetti is the only player with a one-hander in the current Top 10 and the only one in the Top 20, marking the first time the year-end Top 20 has featured just a single player of the stroke. Musetti’s ascent reflects both the rarity and resilience of the shot. While the stroke has gradually faded from the men’s game, its legacy remains intact for another year, or rather the streak of 52 years remains intact.

Mandatory Image Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

ATP 52 Year Streak

Lorenzo Musetti

One Handed Backhand

Rudra Dubey

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I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.