Stan Wawrinka’s backhand set-up does the talking

SportLocation Tennis Desk · 21 Sept 2026

Stan Wawrinka stays low, turns early and gets the racket up quickly, then springs back into position as the rally moves on.

Stan Wawrinka’s rally work is built around a simple, sharp pattern: get side-on, load the legs and bring the racket up early for the backhand. In this clip, that shape is clear. He holds a compact base, turns through the shot and keeps the upper body controlled rather than reaching for the ball.

The important part comes straight after contact. Wawrinka does not admire the stroke; he pushes back into balance and resets for the next exchange. That recovery step is what keeps the point alive on a hard court, especially when the ball is coming through quickly and there is little time to stand still.

It is a neat reminder that the shot is only half the job. The other half is the first move out of it, and Wawrinka gets that part right here.