Your grip decides the angle of the racquet face at contact, and therefore how easy it is to hit topspin, flat drives, slices or volleys. There is no single best grip, but each shot has one or two that work well.
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Finding the bevels
A racquet handle has eight sides, called bevels. For a right-hander holding the racquet with the edge pointing down, bevel 1 is on top, and the numbers go clockwise. Grips are described by placing the base knuckle of the index finger and the heel of the hand on a specific bevel. Left-handers count the other way.
Continental grip
Index knuckle on bevel 2. Often described as holding the racquet like a hammer. It is the grip for serves, volleys, overheads, slices and drop shots, because it allows the wrist and forearm to move naturally on those shots. Beginners often avoid it on the serve, but it is essential for progressing.
Eastern forehand grip
Index knuckle on bevel 3. Like shaking hands with the racquet. Good for flat, penetrating drives and easy to switch to the continental for volleys. It is a solid choice for beginners and players on fast courts.
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Semi-western forehand grip
Index knuckle on bevel 4. The most common forehand grip in modern tennis. It makes topspin and high balls easier, while still handling lower balls reasonably well.
Western forehand grip
Index knuckle on bevel 5. Allows very heavy topspin and suits high-bouncing balls on clay, but makes low balls and quick grip changes harder. It can also put more stress on the wrist.
Backhand grips
For a one-handed backhand, the eastern backhand grip (index knuckle on bevel 1) is standard; a slightly more extreme version adds topspin. The slice uses the continental grip.
For a two-handed backhand, a common setup is a continental grip with the dominant hand and an eastern forehand grip (of the non-dominant hand) on top.
Changing grips during play
Use the non-hitting hand to hold the throat of the racquet between shots and turn the handle. Practice grip changes in shadow swings until they become automatic. At the net there is no time to change, which is why the continental is used for all volleys.
Which grip for you?
Choose based on your style and courts: semi-western for an all-round modern baseline game, eastern for flatter hitting, continental for serves and net play. Grip size also matters; see choosing a tennis racquet. For the strokes themselves, read the forehand and the backhand.
