Your grip is the foundation of every stroke you take on the tennis court. Changing your grip changes the angle of the racket at impact, which affects the placement, spin and pace of the shot. As Jon Levey writes on Tennis.com, the grip must be selected and the shot executed in an instant. "There is no perfect grip; each has its advantages and limitations." However, the more grip options in your repertoire, the more versatile your game.
Purpose
There are two fundamental reasons to master multiple grips, WebTennis.net explains. First, using the correct grip allows you to align the racket face with the ball at contact, providing a more natural swing with more power. The correct grip also reduces the potential for injuries to your rotator cuff, elbow, wrist or lower back. By using the correct grip for each shot, you'll naturally hit the ball with optimal power. The second reason to use the correct grip for each shot is to increase your versatility on the court. You can play shots more aggressively and from any position on the court with the proper grip for each shot. Transitioning from the baseline to the net is easier with the correct grip, allowing you to attack more often.
Continental Grip
The continental, or neutral, grip is a flat grip used to serve, volley and hit overhead smashes. If you picture the "V" formed by the thumb and forefinger on the racket, the V is at about 11 o'clock for a right-handed player. This also is a good grip for slicing drop shots. The disadvantage of the continental grip is simple: It is hard to hit topspin shots with this grip. Instead, it is necessary to play shots lower and closer to the net, which leads to inconsistency.
Other Forehand Grips
You assume the eastern forehand grip by rotating the V to about 12:30, a position equivalent to shaking hands with the racket. This is a good grip for learning the game. It's versatile, allowing for some topspin as well as flatter shots, but it's not ideal for the heavy topspin forehands of the modern game. The semi-western forehand turns you hand farther clockwise to about 2:30. This is a standard grip for the heavy topspin shots of the modern game. With more margin for error, you can hit the ball harder, but it's hard to return low shots. The western, or full western grip, rotates your hand to 3:00 or more, an extreme grip that puts your palm underneath the racket. It's a grip often used by clay court specialists and players who make heavy use of topspin.
Backhand Grips
Backhand grips, except for the two-handed backhand, are mirror images of forehand grips. Start with the continental or neutral grip and move the V counterclockwise instead of clockwise to about 9:30. This is the eastern backhand position, a versatile grip that can be used to spin, slice and hit kick serves; however, it's difficult to get much topspin on balls that come in high. The extreme eastern or semi-western backhand grip is mostly used by highly accomplished players. While it's easier to get more topspin on your backhands with this grip, it isn't well-suited to low ball returns and it's harder to transition your grip changes from this position. The grip for a two-handed backhand often positions your dominant hand in a continental position and your other hand above it in a semi-western forehand grip. This produces a compact stroke, good for players who lack the strength to hit powerful one-handed backhands. It's an effective grip for returning serves. On the downside, two-handed backhands limit your reach and your ability to perfect one-handed slices or volleys.
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