AO Hacks returns in the countdown in Australian Open 2025, providing fans with player insights to maximise their day at the tennis.
The beauty of 128-player draws at Grand Slams? Spectators get to enjoy many different playing styles and strengths.
Whether you’re a fan of thundering aces, scorching winners, crafty touch or deft net-play, there are players who specialise with all these shots at the Australian Open.
Keep an eye on these six players who promise to dazzle at Melbourne Park with their signature strokes.
Grigor Dimitrov: One-Handed Backhand
Dimitrov’s one-handed backhand is a modern marvel, celebrated for its elegance and effectiveness in a landscape dominated by two-handed backhands.
Dimitrov is now the only top-10 player with a ‘one-hander’, remaining among this elite group thanks to his ability to rip backhand winners down the line.
What truly sets his stroke apart is the heavy topspin he generates. Over the past 52 weeks, his backhand topspin averaged an impressive 2,625 revolutions per minute (RPM), towering over the tour average of 1,839rpm.
Equally noteworthy is Dimitrov’s strategic use of the backhand slice, which he employs in 56 per cent of points – well above the tour average of just 17 per cent.
This mixture of slice and topspin not only disrupts his opponents’ rhythm but also adds an element of unpredictability to his game.
Ons Jabeur: Dropshot
If you searched the dictionary for the word ‘dropshot’, Ons Jabeur’s name would be right there.
Although she endured a difficult year battling injuries, the three-time Grand Slam finalist is set to return to the court this January in Australia where fans flock to see her crafty play.
Known for her creativity and flair, Jabeur executes dropshots more than just about any player in the modern game - and does so with impeccable precision and disguise.
Beyond its beauty, her dropshot is a potent tactical weapon, often used to finish points or break her opponents’ momentum.
Jabeur executes this shot from both wings with exceptional racket control, generate the precise amount of spin and pace needed for the shot to be effective.
Few players are better at keeping their opponents guessing than this dropshot queen.
Arthur Fils: Forehand
Fils is rapidly becoming a star in the tennis world, and his forehand plays a big part in that.
The stroke already stands out as one of the best on tour for its sheer power and spin; during AO 2024 Fils recorded the second-highest average forehand spin rate, generating 3201rpm.
He boosted that average to 3354rpm across the season, and recorded a forehand speed 10 km/h faster than the tour average.
This combination of spin and speed not only allows him to dictate play but also gives him the ability to hit winners from nearly anywhere on the court.
Scarily for the opposition? This 20-year-old has plenty of room to grow and improve.
Karolina Muchova: Volley
Muchova’s game is golden for tennis purists, with her net play serving as the crown jewel of her skill set.
While many players rely on baseline dominance, this year’s US Open semifinalist excels at the net and finishing points with finesse.
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Her footwork on approach shots and ability to anticipate where she can cut off a passing shot is second to none.
Her volleys are sharp and controlled, often turning defence into offense and leaving her opponents scrambling.
While the Czech is not afraid to finish a point with power, Muchova’s touch at the net is a refreshing display of artistry and athleticism.
Amanda Anisimova: Two-handed backhand
Anisimova has made a name for herself with a two-handed backhand that combines raw power with surgical precision.
Over the past two years, The Tennis Podcast has hailed her backhand the best in the world on its ‘backhand list’, and for good reason.
At Australian Open 2024, Anisimova consistently delivered the fastest backhands among the top 50 players, with an average speed of 119 km/h.
This unmatched combination of speed and accuracy allows her to hit winners, fast and flat, both cross court and down the line – and it makes for an outstanding highlight reel.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard: Serve
This year, a young Frenchman has arrived on the ATP tour and taken the attribute of serving to a whole new level.
Towering above his opponents with his height and with his ace tally, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard has been lighting up the tour with his ability to fire down serves like no other player.
His numbers are simply staggering. He averages 19 aces per match – 5.6 more than Hubert Hurkacz, the second-ranked player on that list.
With a fluid motion and rapid speed, Mpetshi Perricard’s serve is a weapon that he unleashes on both first and second serve, making him near impossible to break when he is in a rhythm.
The 21-year-old was one of the biggest movers in the world rankings this year, and his revolutionary serving is a major reason why.