I had backed “The Love State” (5)

I believe the answer is:

idaho

'state' is the definition.
(Idaho is an example)

'i had backed the love' is the wordplay.
'backed' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'the love' becomes 'o' (In tennis, 'love' means 'zero').
'had' written backwards gives 'dah'.
'i'+'dah'+'o'='IDAHO'

(Other definitions for idaho that I've seen before include "NW state of USA" , "US state in the Rocky Mountains" , "Union member?" , "One of 22 Across, capital Boise" , "American state, capital Boise (5)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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