Tennis
Understanding tennis grip types: A comprehensive guide
Read ahead for the top tennis grip types, including how to form each grip and why it’s important to master more than one.
In tennis matches, everything can change in a matter of seconds — and this couldn’t be more true than at the Red Bull Bassline tournament. In this unique tiebreaker format, tennis players move lightning-fast, giving every shot their all. As Red Bull tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas explains, Bassline competitors put their full energy into those rapid moves on the court.
Stefanos Tsitsipas at Red Bull BassLine 2021 in Vienna, Austria
© Matthias Heschl / Red Bull Content Pool
"Everyone‘s going at it 100 percent, each one displaying their best game,” he says.
When you’re giving 100 percent on the court, every millisecond and move counts, no matter how small. In particular, one of the most essential techniques you should be ready to change at a moment’s notice is your tennis grip. There are several types of tennis grips, but four are especially common.
01
What is a tennis grip?
A tennis grip is the way you choose to hold your tennis racket. Your grip plays a huge role in the power of your shot.
Tennis grips have evolved quite a bit over time, but the classics haven’t totally gone out of style. As rackets and tennis court surfaces have gotten an upgrade, though, the changes have inspired grip innovations. While you may have a favorite type of grip, different grips will give you better performance on certain shots, so being versatile is essential.
Stefanos Tsitsipas at the 2023 Erste Bank Open ATP Tournament in Vienna
© Mirja Geh / Red Bull Content Pool
02
Eastern grip
The eastern grip has both a forehand and backhand version. The eastern forehand grip, a favorite of tennis icon Roger Federer, was prevalent in the late ‘80s and ‘90s, and it’s still great for groundstrokes. If you want precise control and a nice spin, the eastern backhand grip is a great choice.
To use the eastern grip, start by properly placing the index finger of your dominant hand. If you’re right-handed, place your palm-side bottom index knuckle on the third bevel (one of the eight sides of your racket’s octagon-shaped handle). If you’re left-handed, your knuckle will land at bevel number seven instead.
From there, place the base of your palm on the butt of the handle where the racket flares out at the end. With the backhand grip, your bottom knuckle will be on the first bevel, on the opposite side of the racket handle.
03
Western grip
If generating topspin is your main goal, the western grip is for you. It’s also a go-to for tennis players on the ATP Pro Tour.
For both left and right-handed players, the bottom knuckle of the palm-side of your forefinger sits at the fifth bevel for the western grip. From there, place the base of your palm at the butt of your racket’s handle before wrapping your fingers around it.
04
Continental grip
The continental grip has been around since the very earliest days of tennis. It’s not quite as popular in modern tennis, but it’s still good to know, especially if a low-bouncing ball comes your way. Your dominant-hand index finger’s bottom knuckle will go on the second bevel — if you're right-handed. For left-handed players, it’s the eighth bevel.
05
Semi-Western grip
You may have seen the semi-western grip in matches with pros such as Novak Djokovic. Like the eastern grip, there’s both a forehand and backhand version.
The semi-western forehand grip has your index bottom knuckle on the fourth bevel if you’re right-handed — the sixth bevel if your left hand is dominant. For the semi-western backhand grip, it’s the eighth bevel for right-handed tennis players and the second bevel for left-handed players. As with the other grips, once your forefinger is in the right place, position the base of your palm at the butt of the handle.
06
Pros and cons of each grip type
Marketa Vondrousova
© Jan Kasl / Red Bull Content Pool
Eastern grip:
If you’re a serve and volley player, the eastern grip is a great choice, especially on faster tennis court surfaces like grass. It’s also pretty easy from a beginner's standpoint, so if you’re new to tennis, this is a good first grip to learn. Unfortunately, while it’s great for a powerful volley, you don’t get the same topspin as other grips. It’s also not the best for high-bouncing balls, making it tricky if you’re playing on a clay court.
Western grip:
The western grip, on the other hand, works beautifully on a clay court. It’s perfect for these courts’ slower surfaces and high bounce, and it’s great for baseline players too. However, when you need to switch to another grip from the western, it can be hard to do so instantly. That, of course, isn’t ideal when trying to outwit your opponent. Plus, low-bouncing balls can be hard to hit with the western grip.
Continental grip:
One of the biggest benefits of the continental grip is that it’s pretty easy to switch from it to other grips in a snap. It can also give you an advantage on several types of shots, from every kind of volley to overheads and drop shots. You won’t get a ton of power with this grip, though, and there’s a significant deficiency when it comes to topspin.
Semi-western grip:
The semi-western grip is incredibly versatile in terms of court surfaces and position. You’ll do just as well playing baseline as you will close to the net. If you’re outside your typical strike zone, though, you may have to go wider than normal to hit the ball. While switching to the Eastern grip from the semi-western is a smooth transition, going to the continental grip isn’t quite as graceful.
Choosing the right grip for your game
Dominic Thiem at the 2023 Erste Bank Open ATP Tournament in Vienna, Austria
© Mirja Geh / Red Bull Content Pool
Never settle on just one type of grip. You’ll need to change it up for different shots, and getting too comfortable with one grip won’t help you grow as a tennis player. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a favorite grip. The best approach is to try them all with a variety of shots and see which works best for you.
If you’re new to tennis, some one-on-one time with an instructor goes a long way. These experts can recommend different grip types for you and offer their advice on what works best in different scenarios. Plus, you’ll have a professional set of eyes to look at your current grip and tell you if your form is correct.
07
How to change your tennis grip
You don’t want to practice changing your grip for the first time in the heat of a match. Instead, practicing quick grip changes before match day is key. You can warm up by switching grips from the ready position. Changing from a forehand to a backhand grip is one of the most common grip switches you should master.
To switch from forehand to backhand, your non-dominant hand will do the driving. Loosen your grip with your dominant hand just a bit. Then, use your non-dominant one to rotate the racket to your new grip. After you’ve tried this in the ready position, you can focus on one particular type of shot and practice switching grips between swings. For example, you can practice switching to the eastern grip from other grips to perfect your groundstroke game.
Perfect your grip for a better tennis game
No tennis grip type is the best for every single shot or environment. Versatility is essential if you want to reach your full tennis-playing potential. Make a habit of practicing the four main grip types on a regular basis. You’ll thank yourself when you have the upper hand on match day.