How many tennis grips are there?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 24, 2026
There are 4 main ways to grip the tennis racket, they are, continental, eastern, semi-western and western grips. Each grip has it's own pros and cons. Your grip of choice has a rather large influence on how you play the game. Watch the videos below to learn how to hold each grip.
What are the 8 grips in tennis?
Different Types of Grips
- Forehand.
- Slice forehand.
- One-handed backhand.
- Two-handed backhand.
- Slice backhand.
- Serve.
- Volleys.
- Overheads.
What are the different types of grips in tennis?
4 Types of Tennis Grips
- The Continental grip. For the Continental grip, also known as the “Chopper” grip, the palm side of your index knuckle should line up with bevel #2 for right-handers, and bevel #8 for left-handers. ...
- The Eastern grip. ...
- The Semi-Western grip. ...
- The Western grip.
What are the 3 different types of grips in tennis?
In tennis, a grip is a way of holding the racquet in order to hit shots during a match. The three most commonly used conventional grips are: the Continental (or "Chopper"), the Eastern and the Semi-Western. Most players change grips during a match depending on what shot they are hitting.
How many types of grips are there in table tennis?
Although the International Table Tennis Federation has no restrictions on how you should handle your racket, two styles of grips have emerged over the years as the most optimal for playing. They are the Shakehand Grip and the Penhold Grip.
33 related questions foundWhat are the 4 grips in table tennis?
The International Table Tennis Federation's (ITTF) Laws of Table Tennis do not prescribe the manner in which one must grip the racket.
- Penhold grip.
- Shakehand grip.
- Unusual grips.
What are the two main types of grip?
Each type of grip uses different muscles within the forearm to perform certain tasks. The three types of grip are Crush, Pinch and Support.
What is the most common tennis grip?
Semi Western Grip
The semi-western is the most common tennis forehand grip you'll find in tennis today, and it is used by many of the top players. The benefit of this grip is that it allows for a great deal of wrist motion, whilst also allowing the player to hit through the ball.
Which grip does Federer use?
Federer uses a slightly modified eastern grip, it lies somewhere between the traditional eastern forehand grip and the standard semi-western grip. This grip means Federer can hit through the ball and take the ball on the up; allowing him to step inside the court and dictate play against his opponents.
What grip does Barty use?
The semi-western grip is probably the most popular on tour, and some of the very best are currently using it such as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Ashleigh Barty.
Why is it called Eastern grip?
Eastern was named for the Eastern USA. A grip used on the lawn courts there. Western was named Western USA. A grip used on the higher bouncing concrete courts of the Western USA.
What is the Eastern grip?
The Eastern grip was a natural progression when players wanted to hit more aggressive shots. This allowed them to add a more topspin onto the ball to get a higher margin for error than what the Continental grip could offer.
How does Nadal hold his racket?
Like many of today's modern tennis pros, Nadal uses the semi-western grip to hit his forehand. Contrary to popular belief, he does not use a full western grip.
What grip did Pete Sampras use?
Sampras' grip was a conventional eastern/semi western depending on his choice of shot, he often changed his grip to hit his shots, unlike an Edberg who used the same grip for all shots (who does that now?).
How does Federer hit his backhand?
Roger uses the standard backhand grip which is basically an eastern backhand grip. He switches it slightly for when he slices the ball. This grip allows Federer to hit his backhand with both power and top spin. As you can see in the top knuckle (the index finger) is practically in line with the frame of the racket.
Does Roger Federer hit flat?
Back in the early 2000s, Federer struck his forehand flatter (with less topspin) and through a straighter or flatter racket path. This means that he hit the forehand along a flatter trajectory compared to today, resulting in a flatter shot as a result.
What is a hammer grip?
The hammer grip refers to a specific hand position on a specific part of the tennis racket handle. Players of any level can use the grip, whether introducing it to their game or perfecting it through competition. The hold adds handling ability and precision to both small and big moves.
What muscles are used in grip?
During grip work the muscles used are the flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profondus and the flexor policus longus, which all originate in up between the elbow and the upper portions of the forearm bones (ulna and radius) and insert down into the thumb or fingers (phalanges), so as you can see they add ...
What is handshake grip?
The "shakehand" grip is the typical European type grip where the head of the racket faces up, and your hand looks like it's ready to shake a person's hand.
Why are the Chinese so good at Ping-Pong?
—Chinese players train for at least 7 hours a day. Top players work with specialized practice partners and sometimes even play against two at a time—something you won't see on most teams. —Chinese teams have extensive strategic analysis about competition around the world and are pioneers in new table techniques.
What is the difference between shakehand and penhold grip?
Shakehand rackets have a longer handle and a shorter blade because the way it is held requires a longer grip and a circular blade. The penhold racket has a shorter handle and a longer blade because it allows the wrist to move freely, and the egg-like shape makes it better for penhold players.
Which is better Penhold vs shakehand?
The best way to hold a ping pong paddle is by using either the shakehand or penhold grip. The shakehand grip feels more comfortable for most players and results in a balanced backhand and forehand, however the penhold grip offers better wrist flexibility.
What is Djokovic forehand grip?
When it comes to his forehand, Novak Djokovic's semi-western grip allows him to execute the four basic shots very well - the drives, the topspin shots, the angling shots, and the volleys. Not only is his racquet-swing very compact now, but it also packs a greater punch.
What is backhand grip?
The backhand grip, also known as the thumb grip, is similar to the forehand grip except the complete bottom of the thumb is in contact with the 3rd bevel and the index finger is lowered down to a position below the thumb.