There’s just one player left in the US Open who can keep a 150-year-old streak alive!
Stefanos Tsitsipas is the last player left at the US Open who can keep a special 150-year tradition alive—something 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer really didn’t want to see end.
The Greek star is known for having what many call “the most beautiful shot in tennis”—a one-handed backhand. Right now, Tsitsipas is ranked 53rd in the world and has had a tough time at Grand Slams lately, not getting past the second round since Roland Garros 2024.
But after beating Jiri Lehecka 2-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-1 in the Round of 32, Tsitsipas is now the only player left who can keep this 150-year streak going: at least one player with a one-handed backhand making it to the semi-finals of a Grand Slam every year.
Federer, who inspired Tsitsipas, once said he loved seeing players use a one-handed backhand and was sad to think the tradition might end. He even practiced with Lorenzo Musetti, who kept the streak alive in 2025 by making the Roland Garros semi-finals. But in 2026, no players with a one-handed backhand reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, or Wimbledon—making Tsitsipas the last hope at the US Open.
After his win over Lehecka, Tsitsipas posted on X (formerly Twitter), “I’ve got a 150-year streak to save.” The day before, he shared a video with the hashtag #KeepOneHanderAlive.
During a post-match interview, he talked about how much he loves this shot and doesn’t want it to disappear. He also mentioned that he’s coaching a young Japanese player, whose dad asked Tsitsipas to help teach the one-handed backhand.
To keep the tradition alive, Tsitsipas needs to beat Ben Shelton in the Round of 16, and then the winner of Carlos Alcaraz vs. Tommy Paul.
Federer and fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka played a big part in protecting this tradition during their careers. Federer reached 23 straight Slam semi-finals with his one-handed backhand.
Tsitsipas has surprised many with his comeback at the Grand Slam level. His last quarter-final was at Roland Garros 2024, and he’s made two Slam finals before—in the Australian Open 2023 and Roland Garros 2021—but lost both to Novak Djokovic. Since mid-2024, he’s had a few early exits.
If Tsitsipas can get past Shelton on Sunday, he’ll finish the year with a positive record at Grand Slams and be just one win away from keeping this 150-year tradition going strong.