Different Types of Tennis Grips Explained: A Complete Guide

Different Types of Tennis Grips: A Complete Guide for Every Player

What Is a Tennis Grip and Why Does It Matter?

So you’ve got the shoes, the racket, and the competitive fire—but your shots still feel off? The issue might not be your footwork or swing. It could be your grip.

In tennis, the grip is more than just how you hold your racket. It’s how you connect with the ball. The way your hand fits around the racket directly influences your topspin, control, power, and even how comfortable you feel during long rallies. Tennis Grip helps define your playing style.

Take a closer look at the handle of your racket. It’s not round—it’s made up of eight flat bevels. Depending on which bevel your index knuckle and heel pad land on, you’ll fall into one of the various grip styles. That’s how we get the different types of tennis grips that cater to different strokes.

From slicing backhands to smashing winners down the line, understanding different tennis grips mechanics gives you an edge. It’s not just about what feels right. It’s about matching your grip to the way you want to play. That small adjustment could make a world of difference.

Understanding Tennis Grips

The bevels are counted from 1 to 8 in a clockwise pattern for a right-handed player and counterclockwise for a left-handed player. Hold the racket perpendicular to the ground, then the bevel 1 will be facing up. These bevel numbers are very important to remember as this gives you an idea of the different grips in tennis while getting used to it.

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6 Most Common Types of Tennis Grips

Let’s get into the different types of tennis grips. Think of these as tools in your kit. Each one has its own purpose. Some are forgiving. Some are demanding. Some are built for finesse, others for firepower.

Continental Grip
It’s often the first grip players learn, and for good reason. Imagine shaking someone’s hand—yep, that’s the motion. Your hand rests on bevel 2. It’s perfect for slices, volleys, and serves. But for big, topspin forehands? Not so much.
Eastern Forehand Grip
Now we’re talking classic. Continental grip lives on bevel 3. It’s versatile and can handle flat shots, a bit of topspin, and even net approaches. It’s often a beginner’s first “real” grip.
Semi Western Grip
The modern superstar. Found on bevel 4, continental grip is what most of today’s pros use. It helps you crank out powerful, topspin-heavy forehands from the baseline.
Western Grip
This one? A bit of a wild card. Resting on bevel 5, it generates massive topspin. Fantastic for high-bouncing clay courts, but less forgiving on faster, low-bounce surfaces.
Eastern Backhand Grip
One-handers, this is your playground. Placed on bevel 1, it’s ideal for players who like crisp, elegant backhands with some slice or spin.
Double Handed Backhand Grip
Continental grip is a two-part story. Dominant hand on bevel 2, non-dominant on bevel 6 or 7. It’s a stable, powerful choice for returning fastballs or slugging it out on the baseline.

You’ll start noticing something as you experiment: your grip doesn’t just affect how the tennis ball flies. It affects how you move. Your timing. Your footwork. Your confidence. It’s all connected. At TennisShop.ae, we have the largest collections of different types of tennis grips in the UAE.

Continental Grip

The Continental tennis grip often called the chopper or hammer grip is your go-to for serves, defensive shots, volleys, slices, and overheads. To know you’ve got it right, check if your thumb and forefinger form a clean ‘V’ shape along the top edge of the racket handle.

Position of the Grip

With continental grip, align your index knuckle and heel pad on bevel 2. Your hand will naturally fall into a hammer-like position—perfect for fast reaction shots.

Advantages

Excellent for quick transitions at the net
Useful for serves, overheads, and slices
Natural feel for backhand volleys and under-spin shots

Disadvantages

Not ideal for topspin-heavy strokes
Tough to use effectively for modern forehand rallies

Players Who Used Continental Grip

Rod Laver

Margaret Court

Billie Jean King

John McEnroe

Eastern Forehand Grip

One of the tennis forehand grip types is the Eastern Forehand Grip. Start by holding the throat of your racket with your non-dominant hand, keeping it waist-high and perpendicular to the ground. At this angle, bevel number 1 should be facing directly up toward you. Now, for the Eastern forehand grip, rotate your dominant hand clockwise to bevel 3 and place your heel pad and index knuckle there. If you’re a lefty, move your hand counterclockwise to bevel 7 instead.

Position of the Grip

Place your index knuckle and heel pad on bevel 3. Right-handers move clockwise to this position from the top; left-handers go counterclockwise.

Advantages

Simple to use and easy to teach
Quick to transition to other grips
Great for players who love hitting flat and approaching the net

Disadvantages

Offers less topspin than modern grips
Struggles with shoulder-height balls or clay court bounce

Players Who Used Eastern Forehand Grip

Chris Evert

Pete Sampras

Steffi Graf

Roger Federer

Eastern Backhand Grip

Another tennis racket grip type is the Eastern Backhand Grip. If you rely on a one-handed backhand for control and spin, the Eastern backhand grip is your best friend. It transitions smoothly,especially if you're already playing with a Western forehand grip. This grip offers a solid mix of control, power, and feel over the ball. It also makes switching grips easier during fast-paced rallies. Bonus? It's a great choice for adding bite to your kick serve too.

Position of the Grip

Grip bevel 1 with your heel pad and index knuckle. This provides a balanced racket face that’s ideal for one-handed strokes.

Advantages

Allows clean topspin and flat shots
Smooth grip changes
Pairs well with Continental Tennis grip at the net

Disadvantages

High backhand returns are tough to handle
Not suited for two-handed backhand players

Players Who Used Eastern Backhand Grip

Pancho Gonzales

Pete Sampras

Semi-Western Grip

If you’re the kind of player who loves grinding it out from the baseline, the Semi-Western grip might just be your perfect match. When done right, this grip lets you unleash powerful, topspin-loaded forehands that push your opponent deep behind the baseline. Among all forehand grips, the Semi-Western reigns supreme, especially for waist to shoulder-high balls where it offers ideal control and punch.

Position of the Grip

With semi-western grip, your index knuckle and heel pad align on bevel 4. It positions the racket face for maximum topspin with just enough racket speed.

Advantages

Ideal blend of spin and control
Works well on both hard and clay courts
Allows aggressive baseline play

Disadvantages

Hitting low balls can be awkward
Fast grip switching at the net may slow you down

Players Who Used Semi-Western Grip

Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal

Serena Williams

Andy Murray

Western Grip

The Western tennis grip can be one of the trickiest grips to master, mainly because consistency is tough to maintain especially on faster courts. That said, it’s unmatched when it comes to generating massive topspin, making it a favorite for players who thrive on heavy, high-bouncing forehands.

Position of the Grip

In western grip, your hand shifts further to bevel 5. This closes the racket face, ideal for brushing the ball and loading it with topspin.

Advantages

Creates unmatched topspin
Excellent for high-bouncing balls
Best grip for slow surfaces like clay

Disadvantages

Weak against low balls
Difficult to adapt quickly for volleys or slice

Players Who Used Western Grip

Karen Khachanov

Kyle Edmund

Jack Sock

Double-Handed Backhand Grip

If you're looking for both stability and control on your backhand, the double-handed grip is a solid choice. It’s especially beginner-friendly. Just remember, proper shoulder rotation and a smooth swing are key to generating real power behind the shot.

Position of the Grip

Your dominant hand (usually right) uses the Continental grip on bevel 2, while your non-dominant hand grips bevel 6 (or 7). It’s all about balance and leverage.

Advantages

Easy to control high-speed shots
Stable under pressure
Adds topspin with less effort

Disadvantages

Reduced reach on wide balls
Slower to set up than a one-hander

Players Who Used Double-Handed Backhand Grip

Bjorn Borg

Jimmy Connors

Novak Djokovic

How to Choose the Right Tennis Grip

Picking the right grip isn’t about copying your favorite player.It’s about finding what suits your body, style, and goals. Here’s how to decide:

Assess Your Game

If you're aggressive and love spinning forehands, go Semi-Western.
If you charge the net often, Eastern or Continental may suit you better.

Try Bevel Variations

Be open to adjusting between grips. You’ll discover nuances that improve your shots.

Prioritize Comfort

Don’t force a grip. If your wrist feels strained, it’s probably not the one.

Stay Flexible

Top players switch grips mid-match. You should too. Learn to shift between them fluidly.

Evolution of Tennis Grips

The game of tennis didn’t always look the way it does now. Back in the day when rackets were made of wood there was really only one grip: the Continental. Players used it for everything. Forehands, backhands, volleys, serves. One grip ruled them all.

But then the game got faster. Rackets evolved. Strings changed. Courts got quicker, and players started chasing new ways to control the ball. That’s when the grip revolution began.

Forehand Grips

Bill Johnston, way back in the early 1900s, used a Western grip before most people even knew what that was. As time moved on, players like Björn Borg introduced heavy topspin, and suddenly the Eastern grip became mainstream. Fast forward a few decades, and the Semi-Western took over thus blending power and spin in a way that matched the modern game perfectly.

Backhand Grips

The evolution here was even more dramatic. For years, the one-handed backhand, usually with an Eastern grip, was the standard. But as players started hitting harder and rallies grew longer, the double-hander became more practical. More stable. It offered the kind of consistency that the fast-paced game demanded.

Today? Most pros know more than one grip. They adapt. They switch mid-point. Because in modern tennis, flexibility is power. And it all starts with how you hold the racket.

Tips to Switch or Improve Your Tennis Grip

Grip changes feel clunky at first. That’s okay. Practice them during drills, not just during matches. Use your non-dominant hand to rotate the racket while loosening your dominant hand.

Try transitioning from Eastern Grip to Semi-Western forehand mid-practice. It teaches your wrist how to handle different racket angles. Do this slowly, repeatedly, until it becomes second nature.

NOT ALL GRIP IS GOOD FOR EVERY SHOT

Each grip has its moment. No one grip rules them all. If you want to play smarter, experiment during training—not tournaments. Practice your smashes with one grip, your backhands with another. You’ll be amazed at how adaptable your game becomes.