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What is a Western forehand grip?

Author

William Rodriguez

Published Jan 19, 2026

The western forehand grip, which is sometimes called a full-western grip, is an extreme tennis grip that naturally generates massive amounts of topspin. It works great for baseline players and allows them to hit more powerful shots while still being able to keep the ball in the court.

What are 3 types of forehand grips?

There are 4 primary types of forehand tennis grips: Continental Forehand, Eastern Forehand, Western Forehand, and Semi-Western Forehand.

What is a Western grip?

The western grip is when you put the heel of your hand, and the palm side of your index finger knuckle, on the fifth bevel.

What does a western tennis grip look like?

Holding a Western Grip

You may have noticed that your grip forms roughly the shape of an octagon, just like a stop sign with eight sides, as pictured in the diagram below. We can easily find the western grip by placing the palm side of your index finger's knuckle against the fifth bevel of the racquet handle.

Who uses Western forehand grip?

Khachanov is among only a few current players — Kyle Edmund and Jack Sock among them — who use the Western grip, placing their palm under the racket, creating even greater topspin shots hit with immense power.

21 related questions found

What grip do you use for forehand?

The semi-wester grip falls neatly between the eastern and western and has become the most common forehand tennis grip in modern tennis because it allows for excellent topspin and quick grip changes.

Is a Western forehand grip good?

The western forehand grip, which is sometimes called a full-western grip, is an extreme tennis grip that naturally generates massive amounts of topspin. It works great for baseline players and allows them to hit more powerful shots while still being able to keep the ball in the court.

What is an Eastern forehand grip?

Holding an Eastern Grip

Simply place the palm side of your index finger's knuckle against the third bevel of the tennis racquet if you're right-handed, or if you're left-handed, against the seventh bevel, and then firmly wrap your fingers around the handle.

Who uses Eastern forehand grip?

Professional Players Who Use the Eastern Forehand Grip

Take Roger Federer, for example; he is one of the world's most celebrated tennis players, not only due to his training but because he got a good hold of the Eastern Forehand Grip while training.

Does Nadal use a western grip?

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.

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 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 semi-Western grip?

The semi-western forehand grip, will send the ball over the net at a higher trajectory, meaning the chances of the ball hitting the net and you losing the point are reduced. The top spin on the ball, brings it back down and ensures that it still lands inside the court, despite comfortably clearing the net.

What forehand grip does Stefanos Tsitsipas use?

This grip allows for easy grip changes if the player uses the Western grip for his forehand. The only thing a player needs to do then is to switch the face of the racket, while still maintaining the same grip. Roger Federer and Stefanos Tsitsipas both use the Eastern Backhand grip or a slight variation of it.

What is the most common forehand 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.

What forehand grip does Serena Williams use?

Serena uses an Eastern forehand grip, rather than a Continental grip when she serves for power. This brings the strings into more direct, perpendicular contact with ball.

Where is the Eastern forehand grip?

If you look at the racket butt cap, you'll see that the grip forms an octagonal shape with eight sides or “bevels”. To find the Eastern grip, simply place the palm-side knuckle of your index finger on the third bevel (or on the seventh bevel if you're left handed).

What grip does Federer use on 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.

What is the most popular grip in tennis?

The Continental Grip gives the athlete an explosive, versatile shot that puts less stress on your arm. When volleying, it provides an open racquet face for underspin and control. It is, in fact, the most commonly used grip in tennis.

Why do tennis players spin their rackets?

If you're going to anticipate a serve to one side of your body or the other, you usually start with the grip to that side. Spinning your racquet until your opponent tosses the ball hides which side you're cheating towards.

Should I change my forehand grip?

It is recommended to use grips 3 and 4 in order to have a full unrestricted forehand. However, there are exceptions. If a swing is effective and it has a natural progression, it is not recommended to change the grip, especially since with age, it is very difficult to add changes to a player's technique.

Is semi Western the best grip?

The semi-western grip is one of three primary tennis grips used to hold a tennis racquet when hitting a forehand. While there is no perfect grip, the semi-western grip has become one of the most popular forehand grips in tennis.

Why do tennis players use white grips?

The answer is absorbency. Tournagrips absorb sweat better than just about any other overgrip on the market. That is why it has such a strong following. Until recently, with the introduction of the “white grips” (Wilson's Pro Overgrip, Yonex's Grap, etc.), players who used overwraps used Tournagrip.