Tennis Grips: The Complete Guide to Every Grip Type & When to Use Them
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Your tennis grips are the foundation of every shot. Get them right and everything — power, spin, control, and consistency — becomes easier. Get them wrong and you'll be fighting your technique on every ball. In this complete guide, we break down every major tennis grip, how to hold each one, and exactly when to use them.
Why Tennis Grips Matter
The way you hold your racket determines the angle of your strings at contact. This directly affects the trajectory of the ball, your ideal contact height, and how much power or control you generate.
The right tennis grip also determines your ability to handle high or low balls and your recovery time between shots. Understanding grips is one of the fastest ways to improve your game — and it costs nothing.
The Grip Bevel System
Tennis racket handles have 8 bevels (flat sides), numbered 1–8. Grip names are based on which bevel your index finger's base knuckle rests on. This system is the same for right-handed and left-handed players (mirrored).
1. Continental Grip (Bevel 2)
Also called the "hammer grip" or "chopper grip" — imagine holding a hammer or an axe.
- Best for: Serves, volleys, overheads, slices, drop shots
- Contact point: In front of the body, at various heights
- Spin: Slice and flat
- Used by: All players for net play and serves
The continental is the most versatile of all tennis grips. Every player — regardless of style — uses it for volleys and serves. It's the grip you should master first.
2. Eastern Forehand Grip (Bevel 3)
Place your hand flat on the strings, then slide it down to the handle — that's the eastern forehand.
- Best for: Flat and moderate topspin forehands
- Contact point: Waist to shoulder height
- Spin: Flat to moderate topspin
- Used by: Classic baseliners, serve-and-volley players
The eastern forehand offers excellent feel and control. It's ideal for players who like to hit through the ball rather than brush up on it heavily.
3. Semi-Western Forehand Grip (Bevel 4)
The most popular forehand grip on the modern tour.
- Best for: Heavy topspin forehands from mid to high contact points
- Contact point: Waist to above shoulder height
- Spin: Heavy topspin
- Used by: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, most modern baseliners
The semi-western is the go-to grip for players who want heavy topspin and the ability to handle high-bouncing balls. It's the best all-round forehand grip for modern baseline play.
4. Western Forehand Grip (Bevel 5)
The most extreme forehand grip — the hand is rotated fully under the handle.
- Best for: Extreme topspin on high balls, clay court play
- Contact point: Shoulder height and above
- Spin: Extreme topspin
- Used by: Clay court specialists, players with very high contact points
The western generates the most topspin of any forehand grip. It struggles with low balls and fast surfaces. It's rarely used on grass or fast hard courts.
5. Two-Handed Backhand Grip
The standard grip for two-handed backhand players: bottom hand continental, top hand eastern forehand (left hand for right-handers).
- Best for: Two-handed backhand groundstrokes
- Contact point: Waist to shoulder height, slightly in front of the body
- Spin: Flat to heavy topspin
- Used by: Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, most modern players
The two-handed backhand provides extra stability, power, and disguise. The top hand does most of the work — think of it as a left-handed forehand (for right-handers). It's the dominant backhand style on the modern tour.
Tennis Grips Comparison Table
| Grip | Bevel | Best For | Spin | Contact Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental | 2 | Serve, volley, slice | Flat/slice | Any |
| Eastern Forehand | 3 | Flat forehand | Flat/light topspin | Waist–shoulder |
| Semi-Western | 4 | Topspin forehand | Heavy topspin | Waist–above shoulder |
| Western | 5 | Extreme topspin | Extreme topspin | Shoulder and above |
| Two-Handed BH | Continental + Eastern | Backhand groundstroke | Flat–heavy topspin | Waist–shoulder |
Which Tennis Grips Should You Use?
For most beginners, start with the Eastern forehand and Continental — they're the most forgiving and versatile. As you develop, experiment with the Semi-Western if you want more topspin.
The Western is only recommended for advanced players on slow courts. For the backhand, the two-handed grip is the safest choice for most players.
🎾 Ready to put your grip to the test? Make sure you're playing with a racket that matches your style. Our top picks for every level: Wilson — trusted by millions of players worldwide • Babolat — the choice of Nadal • Head — precision engineered for every grip style • Prince — great value, great feel • Tecnifibre — the pro's secret weapon
Tennis Made Easy – Drills, Footwork, Mental Game & Training Guides
Take your tennis to the next level with our complete collection of digital training guides — footwork, mental game, drills, and more.
Shop the Collection →
