For most players, the forehand is the main weapon. Power on this side does not come from swinging harder with the arm; it comes from rotating the body, letting the racquet lag behind, and hitting the ball in the right place with enough topspin to keep it in.
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Choose a grip that suits topspin
The eastern and semi-western grips are the most common today. An eastern grip is easier for flat drives and low balls; a semi-western grip makes heavy topspin and high balls easier to handle. Very extreme western grips can struggle with low, skidding balls. If you are unsure, a semi-western grip is a good middle ground for modern baseline play.
Turn early, then rotate
As soon as you see the ball coming to your forehand, turn your shoulders and hips together (the “unit turn”), with the non-hitting arm stretched across in front of you. This coil stores energy. On the forward swing, the hips start the rotation, followed by the shoulders, the arm and finally the racquet. Players who only swing the arm lose most of their potential power.
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Lag and a relaxed arm
Keep your grip loose. When the body starts rotating, a relaxed arm lets the racquet head trail behind the hand. This “lag” then releases through contact, creating racquet-head speed without effort. Tense arms and a tight grip block it.
Low to high for topspin
Topspin is what lets you swing hard and still keep the ball in the court. Drop the racquet below the ball and swing up and forward, brushing the back of the ball. Finish over the opposite shoulder, or with a “windshield wiper” finish on faster balls. Practice rallying from the baseline aiming several feet above the net: with good topspin, the ball will dip into the court deep.
Contact in front
Meet the ball in front of your front hip, with a stable head and your eyes on the contact point. Contact that is late, beside or behind you, costs power and control. Good footwork is what makes this possible; see our guide to tennis footwork.
The inside-out forehand
Running around your backhand to hit an inside-out forehand, from the backhand corner to your opponent’s backhand, is a classic way to take control of a rally. It requires quick feet and good balance. Use it on balls in the middle and left of the court, and keep the inside-in forehand (down the line) for when your opponent leaves that side open. Our article on crosscourt and down-the-line shots explains when to change direction.
Practice ideas
shadow swings focusing on the unit turn and relaxed arm;
crosscourt rallies aiming at a target deep in the court;
drills where the coach feeds to your backhand side and you run around it.
