What are the differences between the various grips?

Question

So I have talked to my tennis coach a few times, and I've been wondering...

The main forehand grips are continental, western, and semi (western). What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of them?

I also am curious about the eastern one handed backhand. I'm currently in the process of learning it, and I've been trying for like 8 months now. It is a real pain, but I want to know how long did it take for those who have it to get it down to be pretty consistent.

Answer 1

Continental grip is great for hitting volleys, serving, and hitting forehands that are low to the ground (everyone used to play on grass where the balls didn't bounce up high).  Bad grip for hitting high balls or generating topspin or pace.  You see that with Stepanek who struggles to generate pace and spin on his forehand and misses it when given pace and high-bouncing spin because he can't produce enough topspin to bring it down in the court.  VERY unusual in the modern game.

Full western is what Nadal uses.  Great for high-bouncing balls and for producing topspin.  Negatives are that you lose time because you have to make extreme grip changes when going to volley or hit an overhead or going to hit a backhand.  Also makes it hard to "get under" low-bouncing balls.  If the grass at Wimbeldon hadn't been changed to produce such high-bouncing balls, and played more like it did 10 years ago or more, Nadal would have NO CHANCE to succeed from the backcourt with his extreme grips.  That's why he struggles on fast hard courts against players like Blake, because they hit balls that travel through the court and don't bounce very high.  The grass at Wimbeldon is actually SLOWER and higher bouncing than at the US Open which has helped Nadal reach the finals there the last 2 years, and which is why his hard court results are not as good.

The semi western grip allows you to handle higher balls, produce topspin, and make more rapid grip changes.  Pete Sampras played with an Eastern forehand grip, whereas Federer has a hybrid forehand grip that is between Eastern and semi-western.

Grips have evolved because courts play slower than the olden days, and most balls bounce higher.  The grips players use now allow them to more comfortably deal with the height and spin of most balls they receive.

Can't comment on the eastern one handed backhand, as I have a 2-handed topspin backhand and use one-handed for slice.

Answer 2

I don't know enough to answer your full question but let me share with you what I know.

As far as I know the continental grip was used in the olden days for pretty much all shots. However as the game has gotten faster people have switched to the semi western and western grip for their forehand. This allows them to hit with top spin to keep the ball in the court and hit harder shots at the same time.

However, I just recently heard from the commentators in the stepanek-fed match that step still uses the continental grip for his forehands. The semi western and western grips are more commonly used. I believe Sampras played with the semi western grip. I guess it enables u to hit flat and impart a bit of top spin as well. Most players today, I think, use the western grip enabling you to hit with more top spin. You can go further than that also... may be rafa uses it?

Answer 3

Here's is the link to grips guide

http://www.tennis.com/yourgame/gear/gene...