Technique · Forehand
Tennis forehand grip: a guide to choosing the right one
Your tennis forehand grip sets the angle of the racquet face at contact, and with it the spin, the ideal contact height and your margin over the net. There are four main grips: continental, eastern, semi-western and western. The semi-western is the most common today because it combines topspin, power and versatility.
Key takeaways
- The landmark: a grip is identified by the bevel under the base knuckle of the index finger (bevels numbered 1 to 8, clockwise for a right-hander).
- Eastern (bevel 3): a flatter hit, ideal at waist height and for learning.
- Semi-western (bevel 4): the best balance of topspin and power, and the most common grip on tour.
- Western (bevel 5): maximum topspin on high balls, but hard work on low ones.
- Changing grip takes several weeks: do it gradually, ideally with a coach.
Why does your tennis forehand grip matter so much?
The grip is your only point of contact with the racquet. It sets the angle of the racquet face at contact and your ideal contact point: the more closed the grip, the further in front and the higher you hit, with plenty of topspin. The more open it is, the flatter the shot and the closer to the body you make contact.
- Spin: a closed grip makes topspin easier, so the ball dips and clears the net with more margin.
- Power: a more open grip sends more speed “through” the ball, at the cost of a smaller margin.
- Contact height: each grip has its comfort zone (knees, waist or shoulders).
- Injury prevention: a grip that suits your swing avoids compensating with the wrist, a common source of pain.
How do you find your grip on the handle?
A racquet handle has 8 bevels. For a right-hander holding the racquet with the face perpendicular to the ground, the top flat is bevel 1, then you count clockwise: upper right bevel 2, right flat 3, lower right bevel 4, bottom flat 5. Left-handers count anticlockwise. A grip is defined by the bevel under the index knuckle (and the heel of the hand).
The 4 forehand grips, from most open to most closed
The continental grip (bevel 2)
The grip for the serve, volley and slice. On the forehand side it is now used only for sliced shots, drop shots and extreme defence: it gives too little topspin for baseline rallies. See our guide to the continental grip and, for beginners, the hammer grip.
The eastern grip (bevel 3)
The palm sits in line with the strings, as if you were shaking hands with the racquet. It is the most intuitive grip, ideal for learning and for hitting flat on waist-high balls. It works well on fast courts but struggles with high balls.
The semi-western grip (bevel 4)
The hand turns one bevel further underneath. It is the reference grip of modern tennis: it lets you hit heavy topspin while keeping power, and copes with most ball heights. Very low balls, on grass for example, call for a deeper knee bend.
The western grip (bevel 5)
The palm is almost under the handle. It produces maximum topspin and excels on high balls, especially on clay. On the other hand, low balls and an opponent’s slice become awkward, and switching to continental to come to the net takes longer.
Forehand grips compared
| Grip | Bevel (index) | Main spin | Ideal height | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental | 2 | Slice | Low | Sliced shots, defence |
| Eastern | 3 | Flat, light topspin | Waist | Beginners, flat hitters |
| Semi-western | 4 | Topspin + power | Waist to shoulder | Most players |
| Western | 5 | Maximum topspin | Shoulder | Baseliners, clay-courters |
How do you choose the right forehand grip?
- Start from your level: as a beginner, start with an eastern grip, then move towards semi-western once the swing is stable.
- Consider your style: an aggressive player who takes the ball early suits an eastern or semi-western; a baseliner who builds points with topspin suits a semi-western or western.
- Think about your surface: clay produces higher bounces (an advantage for closed grips); on grass and fast courts, more open grips keep the edge.
- Test in real conditions: 15 minutes with each grip, on balls of varied height, noting your margin and comfort.
- Get a coach to check it: they will make sure your grip, preparation and forehand follow-through work together.
AdultsFull daysAll levelsPerformance Camp AdultA week of intensive tennis, 4 players per coach: technique, match play, physical and mental training.DISCOVER Changing grip: patience and method
Changing your grip moves your contact point: for a few weeks, balls will fly long or into the net. That is normal. Make small changes (half a bevel at a time), work first in mini-tennis, then from the baseline at a moderate pace, before taking it into matches.
- Move your contact point forward as the grip gets more closed: you hit the ball further in front.
- Keep your hand relaxed: squeezing the handle kills racquet-head speed.
- Prepare early: turn your shoulders as soon as the ball leaves your opponent’s racquet.
- Let the swing finish: the follow-through stays full whatever the grip.
To put your grip to work in the whole stroke, read our tennis forehand guide, then our article on the high-ball forehand, where grip choice makes all the difference. At camp, our coaches help you through the change on the Player Camp Adult.
A grip change is part of a wider training plan, described in our guide on improving your technique. The Mouratoglou Method does not impose an ideal grip: it picks the one that best serves the player’s game, build and goals. At the Mouratoglou Academy on the French Riviera (Biot, near Nice), that choice is made with the coach, on court.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best grip for a forehand?
There is no universal grip, but the semi-western is the most versatile: it combines topspin, power and adaptability to most ball heights. It is the grip used by a large share of professional players.
Which forehand grip should a beginner use?
The eastern grip is the most natural: the palm is in line with the strings, like a handshake. It lets you learn the swing and the contact point before moving, if needed, towards a semi-western grip.
How long does it take to get used to a new grip?
Usually several weeks of regular practice before a new grip feels natural in a match. The most effective approach is to work on it at a slow pace first, then gradually bring it into match situations.
Is the western grip bad for the wrist?
Not in itself, but it puts more load on the wrist if you make contact too late or grip too tightly. A grip that suits your level, with contact in front of the body and a relaxed hand, limits the risk.
Which forehand grip do professional players use?
Most tour players use a grip between semi-western and western, which lets them hit hard with heavy topspin on high balls. A few keep a more classic eastern grip for a flatter forehand. To find yours with a coach, the Player Camp Adult starts with a technical assessment.
