How to Choose the Tennis Grip is a crucial aspect of tennis is understanding the different tennis grips and their specific uses. A tennis grip refers to how you hold the racquet, with various grips suited for different types of shots. The three main types of tennis grips are the Continental, the Eastern, and the Western, along with a variation of the Western grip known as the Semi-Western grip. In this article, we’ll explore the most popular tennis grips and guide you on how to identify which grip you’re using at any given time.
How to Choose the Tennis Grip
When you first look at a tennis racquet’s handle, you might notice its octagonal shape. This design is standard across all tennis racquets, offering both comfort and the necessary friction to maintain a firm grip. The octagonal shape divides the handle into flat sections known as bevels. Understanding these bevels is key to determining the type of grip you’re using, as the specific grip depends on where your index knuckle and heel pad are positioned on these bevels.
The bevels are numbered 1 through 8 going clockwise for right-handed players while they run counterclockwise for left-handed players. Bevel #1 will be the bevel facing up if you were to hold the blade of the racquet perpendicular to the ground. Keep this in mind as we continue onto the different types of tennis grips.
Types of Tennis Grips
Continental Grip
Index knuckle and heel pad on bevel 2
The Continental grip is mainly used for serves, volleys, overheads, slices, and some defensive shots. To use this grip, place your index knuckle and heel pad on bevel #2. You can tell you’ve got it right if your thumb and forefinger form a V across the top of the handle.
Advantages:
- Ideal for serves and overheads, allowing for a natural wrist motion that adds power and reduces arm strain.
- Great for volleys, providing control and underspin with an open racquet face.
- Allows for quick volleys at the net, whether forehand or backhand.
- Useful for defensive shots like drop shots or wide balls.
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to generate topspin on forehand shots.
- Can lack consistency.
Eastern Forehand Grip
Index knuckle and heel pad on bevel 3
The Eastern forehand grip is best for fast, flat shots and can be easily switched to a Continental grip for volleys. Shots made with this grip are typically at waist height.
To achieve this grip, place your index knuckle and heel pad on bevel #3. You can also flatten your hand against the strings and slide down to the handle to find this grip.
Advantages:
- One of the easiest grips to learn for forehands.
- Quick transition from Eastern forehand to Continental.
- Great for players who like attacking the net.
- Allows for some topspin.
Disadvantages:
- Limited control over high balls.
- Not ideal for long rallies due to reduced control.
Eastern Backhand Grip
Index knuckle and heel pad on bevel 1
The Eastern backhand grip provides spin and control for a one-handed backhand, making it versatile, especially if paired with a Western forehand grip.
To use this grip, place your index knuckle and heel pad on bevel #1.
Advantages:
- Offers control and spin on backhand shots.
- Easily transitions from Eastern backhand to Continental for net play.
- Can be used for kick serves.
Disadvantages:
- Challenging to hit shoulder-height shots.
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Semi-Western Grip
Index knuckle and heel pad on bevel 4
The Semi-Western grip is popular among baseline players because it generates both topspin and power, making it a favored choice for forehand shots. The contact point for shots is between waist and shoulder height.
To achieve this grip, place your index knuckle and heel pad on bevel #4.
Advantages:
- Provides a balance of topspin and power.
- Offers more safety and control.
- Allows for shots to be made further in front of you.
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to handle low balls.
- Harder to switch to the Continental grip for volley
Western Grip
Index knuckle and heel pad on bevel 5
The Western grip is less common due to its difficulty in consistent play, but it excels in generating extreme topspin.
For this grip, place your index knuckle and heel pad on bevel #5.
Advantages:
- Creates more topspin than any other grip.
- Balls bounce high and fast.
- Ideal for shots made further out in front of you.
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to return low balls.
- Less effective on faster surfaces.
- Harder to switch to and from this grip.
Double-Handed Backhand Grip
Left hand: Index knuckle and heel pad on bevel 7. Right hand: Index knuckle on bevel 2 and heel pad on bevel 1.
The double-handed backhand grip is commonly used for its stability and control, making it easier to learn, especially for beginners. It relies heavily on shoulder rotation and a proper swing for power.
To achieve this grip, place your left hand’s index knuckle and heel pad on bevel 7, while your right hand’s index knuckle rests on bevel 2 and the heel pad on bevel 1.
Advantages:
- Easier to learn than a one-handed backhand.
- Provides stability and control.
- Great for low shots and can generate power and topspin.
Disadvantages:
- Requires more time to set up.
- Limits reach, making wide shots harder.
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