'How to return to sender' features in the January 2012 issue of tennishead magazine. For more details on how to subscribe, click here.

Creating power: Adapt accordingly
The takeback and follow through will vary depending on what type of backhand Andy is trying to execute. Because here he's inside the baseline, he hasn't got time for a big swing so takes the ball on the rise to create power. If he were trying to create more power his follow through would be longer – and would finish over his shoulder as it did when he hit a 159kph bazooka against Roger Federer in Shanghai in 2010.

Keep your head: Keep it still!
Commentators often refer to players’ heads remaining still throughout a shot and this sequence of images is a good example of Andy doing just that. Take a look at his head from start to finish – it has barely moved throughout images one to six. Even after the ball is on its way his eyes have remained fixed on the contact point for a fraction of a second after the ball has left his racket – and this will help achieve balance and perfect timing.

	Everyone has their opinion about who has the greatest two-handed backhand on the men's and women's professional tours, but for me there’s no argument who has the most natural – Britain's Andy Murray.
	He has an open stance which means the server has no idea where the ball is going. He could hit it down the line or fire an ‘off’ return. He has a perfect shoulder turn and the back leg is loaded so he can get on top of the ball by driving up.
	Andy will know where he is aiming, but even now his opponent will be guessing as he can’t read it from this stance. The wrists have ‘broken’ and as the racket comes forward he will be able to quickly increase the racket head speed.
	Notice his great contact point out in front of his body. It allows his head to remain still which increases his chance of timing the ball perfectly. The racket head is ever so slightly closed to stop the ball from flying long.
	Strong use of his legs sees Andy power up and leave the court surface as he contacts the ball, driving through the shot. His left hand does nearly all the work to send the ball in the direction he wants it to go.
	His left leg is stretched behind him which allows for greater balance as he isn’t spinning around on the shot. He uses a short follow through as he has used the pace of the serve to create his power after taking the ball on the rise.