What Is Tennis Grips?
Tennis grips are the way a tennis player holds the racket in their hands. It is an integral part of their game and can have a huge impact on their performance and technique. Tennis grips come in a variety of styles, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to find the right grip for your individual game and style.
The Different Types of Tennis Grips
Tennis grips can be divided into two main categories: forehand and backhand grips. Within each category, there are several variations and combinations. Here are the main types of tennis grips.
Forehand Grips
- Continental Grip: This is the most common forehand grip. It is a “neutral” grip and is used for most strokes. The racket is held with the base knuckles of the hand, and the palm faces the target.
- Semi-Western Grip: This grip is slightly more advanced than the Continental grip. It is used for more aggressive shots and requires more power and spin. The racket is held with the base knuckles of the hand, and the palm faces slightly to the left of the target.
- Western Grip: This grip is the most advanced of the forehand grips. It is used for powerful shots with a lot of spin. It is held with the base knuckles of the hand, and the palm faces further to the left of the target.
Backhand Grips
- One-Handed Backhand Grip: This is the most common backhand grip. It is a “neutral” grip and is used for most strokes. The racket is held with the base knuckles of the hand, and the palm faces the target.
- Two-Handed Backhand Grip: This grip is slightly more advanced than the One-Handed Backhand grip. It is used for more powerful shots and requires more power and spin. The racket is held with both hands, and the palms face each other.
Which Tennis Grip Do Most Pros Use?
Most professional tennis players use a combination of the Continental, Semi-Western and Western grips for their forehands. On their backhands, the majority of pros use the One-Handed Backhand grip.
Advantages of Using the Forehand Grips
- The Continental grip is a “neutral” grip and is ideal for beginners. It is easy to learn and use.
- The Semi-Western and Western grips are used for powerful shots with a lot of spin. They require more power and technique, but can give a player an edge on the court.
Advantages of Using the Backhand Grip
The One-Handed Backhand grip is the most commonly used grip by pros. It is a “neutral” grip and is ideal for beginners. It is easy to learn and use and is great for generating power and spin.
Disadvantages of Using the Forehand Grips
- The Semi-Western and Western grips require more power and technique, which can be difficult for beginners to learn.
- Using a grip other than the Continental can lead to incorrect technique and poor performance.
Disadvantages of Using the Backhand Grip
The One-Handed Backhand grip is not as powerful as the Two-Handed Backhand grip. It can be difficult to generate power and spin with this grip, which can lead to inaccurate shots.
Conclusion
The grip that most pros use is a combination of the Continental, Semi-Western and Western grips for their forehands, and the One-Handed Backhand grip for their backhands. This combination allows them to generate power and spin for their shots. However, it is important to find the right grip for your individual game and style.