Forehands with an eastern grip have become the most popular grip in tennis, and most professionals use this grip. The benefits and disadvantages of the eastern forehand hand grip have been explained, and we know how to hold a racket.
It has been called a handshake grip by some people. Forehand grips, called eastern forehand grips, were previously used by most professionals. Roger Federer used this grip in the past, which tells us about their physical strength and excessive energy expenditure.
After 1930, please go through some years. As early as 1970, Bjorn Borg produced some of this grip’s functionality and talked about its flexibility and aggression. After Bjorn Borg described this grip more efficiently and won 9 to 11 rounds in grand slams, the eastern forehand grip spread around the globe.
There is no longer as much popularity for the eastern forehand grip as there used to be. Among all tennis skills, this old grip was used by the majority of players. After you have learned this technique in practice, you will see a dramatic change in your tennis game.
In this guide, we will explain the eastern forehand grip, how to hold a tennis racket, its advantages and disadvantages, and how pros use it.
How To Hold An Eastern Forehand Grip:
It is a natural way for many beginners in tennis to hold an eastern forehand grip. For example, if you were new to tennis and wanted to learn the eastern forehand grip but have no idea what it is or how to use it, you keep calm and learn the whole process.
These bevel positions are a good way to familiarize yourself with this type of grip.
Right Hand:
First, place your index finger’s brass knuckles at the third bevel position and snugly around the racket’s handle.Left Hand:
The brass knuckles of your index finger on your left hand should be placed on the seventh bevel position and around the hand on the racket handle if you are left-handed.This is a great way for beginners or professionals to learn how to use the eastern forehand grip. As far as I can tell, the eastern forehand grip is also comfortable for beginners’ rackets. From the start, this grip was also taught by instructors.
Developing a Strong Eastern Forehand Grip
Hit high and deep balls:
Hit high and deep balls with more power and spin by adopting a slightly more open stance. This allows you to get your body in a more vertical position, which puts more of your weight on your forearms and shoulders.
Drills and Practice Techniques for Grip Reinforcement:
Do it slowly and controlled with the eastern forehand grip by hitting the ball. Totally focus on the firm grip round swing You should focus on the racket position that’s used in the eastern forehand grip.
Stand at the baseline and lightly tap the tennis ball on the ground while using the eastern forehand grip. This exercise improves grip power and flexibility.
Take a resistance band and fix it to a stationary object, and practice against the resistance. This exercise strengthens your grip and increases your hitting style.
Alternate between the eastern forehand grip and your previous grip while hitting balls with a partner or against a wall. Using this exercise may help you develop better muscle memory and grip transition adaptation.
more compact swing:
If you want to improve your shot’s accuracy, try using a more compact swing. This will allow you more control when hitting high and deep balls.
Greater emphasis should be placed on the use of the wrist:
Greater emphasis should be placed on the use of the wrist: the Eastern forehand grip is reportedly weaker than other grips, but it permits greater wrist action. Take advantage of this by learning to hit high and deep by generating power and spin through wrist action.
If you want to get better at hitting long, high shots, it’s recommended that you practice with the Eastern grip. Work on your swing’s mechanics and form to build muscle memory and get better at hitting these shots.
Which Players Use an Eastern Forehand Grip?
Many professional players used this grip when talking about Eastern grips, and others used different grips. As soon as they started playing, many players won grand slams and succeeded in their games.
In this article, we talk about Roger Federer, whose grip is recognized among all players through winning many grand slams. Roger Federer states that the eastern grip gives them more comfort, flexibility, and aggression.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, one of the most famous tennis players, suggested the eastern grip in the upper parts of tennis games and competitive matches. Meanwhile, the player used a Western forehand at the beginning of the game, resulting in many difficulties.
This list of the most popular pro players who used the eastern forehand grip and used advanced tennis rackets
- Roger Federer
- Pete Sampras
- Potro
- Grigor Dimitrov
- Angelique Kerber
- Petra Kvitova
Should I Use an Eastern Forehand Grip?
You can choose your grip based on your preference. I like the Eastern grip a lot for the fantastic playing style. You must choose a grip that feels natural to you, which is the main factor to consider when choosing a grip. Online and physical coaching are available about this grip and how it is hard to use.
It’s great for high-level games. A dream for everyone. Pros and cons exist. You can start playing with the Eastern grip if you want to learn how to play. Semi-western grips are available as you improve.
continental.Vs Eastern grip in tennis? Which one is better for a forehand/backhand
The grip in tennis is how a player grasps the racket’s handle. There are primarily two varieties of grips: the continental grip and the eastern grip.
Best For backhand:
Best For Forehand:
Forehand Grip vs. Semi-Western:
Most intermediate or professional players use this grip and consider it more basic, thus the Western forehand grip. There is no doubt that it is famous among all levels of tennis players. It takes more strength to play the Western grip in a contest of Eastern forehand grips. A game of bouncing would be ideal with this.
Adapting a semi-western grip. Grip types vary. Less effort means more topspin.
Change grips to deal with high-bouncing balls. It is easier on the wrists to use semi-western grips. For all these reasons, newcomers and professionals prefer the semi-western grip.
Advantages of an Eastern Grip:
There are three advantages to using an eastern forehand grip: less bounce, flat shots, and powerful shots. This grip is the perfect choice for players with an aggressive playing style and professional players. Here we discuss the benefits of the Eastern Forehand Grip.
- Use: According to our discussion up top, the eastern grip comes naturally to most players. Hence, we also describe this grip as easy to use and learn. This technique is most commonly used among beginners to raise their skill level. Advanced grips are usually learned after basic grips are mastered.
- Wrist Protection: In my opinion, this is the best way for beginners to do high-quality shots with eastern grips. Players can easily play heavy shots with this grip technique because it protects their wrists from serious injuries. Because of this, the ball is directed effortlessly with exact accuracy. The grip gives more spin shots than other grips.
- Flexible: Because of the location between the western and continental grip, the eastern grip is very easy to form. The grip produces more flexibility, allowing players to be more aggressive and helps to play more powerful shots during the game on the court. The same technique can also be used during volleys. In the contest, you will surely win the game. Your opponent will lose quickly if he can’t keep up.
- Large Sweet Spot:You can hit the ball higher using the eastern grip, and your opponent will have difficulty beating you. Alternatively, if you hit the ball at a low bounce, your opponent will need more power to return it at a low bounce. Eastern grips are generally used to add more power and spin to repeatedly shots with large sweet spots.
Disadvantages of an Eastern Grip:
- Eastern forehand grips are very difficult to create topspin with. This is because the force of the palm hand does not apply to the racket, which is why it creates difficulty. If you can create your spin, this will be of significant use. You will need to pick another grip to generate spin in another approach.
- As a result of the spin, net clearance decreases. Extreme grips make loops drop faster. Missed long shots result from low net clearance.
- Clay courts are less conducive to hitting high-bouncing balls due to the racket’s surface being open at the grip area.
- Eastern grips require precise footwork. Your feet can be moved quickly to catch high-rise shots. Bad footwork will likely result in a loss.
- The Eastern grip doesn’t generate as much spin as other grips, so the ball tends to be hit with less topspin and sidespin, making it less effective to use it against spin-heavy players. To improve spin with the Eastern grip, players can focus on learning to generate spin through proper swing technique and footwork.
- Good for flat shots:
- Good for players with smaller hands.
- Better control:
- Good for players with a one-handed backhand
- Flexible
- Large Sweet Spot
- Reduced power:
- Limited shot selection:
- Increased risk of injury:
- Lack of spin:.
Verdict:
The eastern forehand grip is simple to learn, and you can also learn other types of grips within no time. It takes a lot of time for them to practice. You can surely jump your game to the next level with the right technique of eastern grip. Players used this grip on starting the match, whether they were beginners or professionals.
Your grip choice will, however, entirely depend on your performance, strategies, and style of play.
Practice Makes a Man Perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Remember that a well-designed tennis grip can transform your skills from beginner to advanced. Flexibility, power, and aggression are the hallmarks of this grip. This article discusses some questions concerning the Western grip, which will help you learn and consider this grip.
Is Eastern forehand grip well?
To hit shots with power and flatness, beginners should use the eastern forehand grip. It’s natural for beginners to play, such as hitting flatter, groundstroke shots, and being aggressive.
What is an Eastern forehand grip?
The index finger’s knuckle should be positioned at the top of the bevel and around the racket handle to form an eastern grip. You can easily learn tennis with this grip, which is good for beginners.
Can you serve with an Eastern grip?
Using the eastern grip gives little control. Serves should be mastered with the eastern forehand grip.