How To Select Your Forehand Grip

Step 1: The Eastern grip

This is a nice, natural feeling grip, suitable for beginners as well as advanced tennis players.

Simply hold the racket with the V of your thumb and forefinger slightly to the right of the top of the grip. Not on the first edge, but on the second.

To adopt this grip, you can place your racket on the floor, and lay your hand over the handle. This will naturally bring the V of your hand to the correct position at the second edge, and you can pick up the tennis racket.

This grip helps impart topspin to the ball, giving a high ball to your opponent.

Step 2: The continental grip

This is a grip which many players use for serving as well as forehand. It's also known as a chopper grip, named thus because it's how you'd hold an axe for chopping.

To find the grip just hold your racket as if it were an axe. The V of your thumb and forefinger should be on the top bevel of the racket's handle.

The continental, or chopper grip allows for a variety of shots available to you. Beginners can use it for a simple flat forehand, and as your tennis game improves you'll find that this is the correct grip for a slice forehand.

Step 3: The semi-western grip

This grip originated with the introduction of courts that produce high-bouncing balls.

To find the semi-western grip you can firstly adopt the eastern grip by placing the V of your hand on the second edge of the handle. And then move your grip one bevel further. This places the V of your thumb and forefinger on the third edge.

The semi-western is an advanced grip that gives more topspin than the eastern grip, making the balls bounce even higher.

TIP: When choosing a grip, the most important thing is that it feels comfortable, allowing you to hit the tennis ball cleanly.