Eastern grip VS Continental: What Are They?
Known as the “universal grip”—used for serves, volleys, overheads, slices, and defensive shots
- Eastern Grip
You place the base knuckle of your index finger on the 3rd bevel of the racket handle (for a right-hander).
Feels like shaking hands with the racket.
Traditionally used for forehands, some serves, and even volleys by beginners.
- Continental Grip
You place the base knuckle of your index finger on the 2nd bevel.
Feels like holding a hammer or axe.
Key Differences
| Feature | Eastern Grip | Continental Grip |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Forehand groundstrokes | Serve, volley, overhead, slice, defensive shots |
| Spin | Easier topspin generation (but less than semi-western) | Easier slice, flat shots; hard for heavy topspin |
| Power | Natural, good for flat drives | Requires more technique; power comes from pronation and swing |
| Comfort for Beginners | Very comfortable and natural | Feels awkward at first, especially for forehands |
| Versatility | Limited (mainly forehand) | Extremely versatile, can handle all strokes |
| Modern Usage | Rare among pros for forehands (more semi-western today) | Still the standard for serves & volleys |
PROS AND CONS of Eastern Grip
Pros
- Simple transition to semi-western.
- Good for flat, driving shots.
- Comfortable, natural wrist position.
- Easy for beginners to learn.
Cons
- Rarely used at the pro level today
- Less spin than modern grips
- Not great for handling high-bouncing balls (common on modern hard/clay courts)
PROS AND CONS of Continental Grip
Pros
- Good for low balls and defensive situations.
- Best for learning proper serve mechanics (pronation).
- Essential for net play and doubles.
- Extremely versatile (one grip for serve, volley, slice, overhead)
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for beginners.
- Weak against high, heavy topspin shots.
- Very awkward for forehands in today’s game.
Who Should Use Which?
- Beginners:
Start with Eastern grip for forehands—it’s simple and natural.
Learn Continental grip right away for serves and volleys. - Intermediates/Advanced:
Move toward Semi-Western or Western for heavy topspin forehands.
Keep Continental for serve, volley, slice, and specialty shots. - Serve & Volley players / Doubles specialists:
Rely heavily on Continental grip. - Baseline players in modern tennis:
Rarely use Eastern except as a stepping stone.
Final Review & Recommendation
- The Eastern grip is beginner-friendly and great for developing a clean forehand, but it’s less effective in today’s topspin-heavy game.
- The Continental grip is harder to master but absolutely essential for any serious player, especially for the serve, volley, slice, and overhead.
Best practice: Learn both. Use Eastern/Semi-Western for forehands, and always use Continental for serves and net play.
READ ALSO: Is this grip continental, eastern or in between?
FAQs
Which grip is better for beginners?
Eastern grip is easier for beginners, especially for learning the forehand.
Continental grip feels awkward at first but is essential for serves and volleys.
Which grip generates more topspin?
The Eastern grip produces more topspin on forehands compared to Continental. However, for heavy topspin, most players transition to Semi-Western.
Why do pros still use Continental grip?
Even though it’s outdated for forehands, the Continental grip is unmatched for serves, volleys, slices, and overheads. Almost every pro still uses it for these strokes.
Can you play forehands with the Continental grip?
Yes, but it’s not effective in modern tennis. The ball tends to fly flat with little spin, making it harder to handle high-bouncing shots.
Which grip is more versatile?
Eastern grip is good only for forehands.
Continental grip is versatile—it can be used for almost all strokes, though not ideal for topspin forehands.
Which grip should I use for serving?
Always use the Continental grip for serving. It allows for pronation, spin variety (flat, slice, kick), and power.
Is the Eastern grip outdated?
Not completely—it’s still useful for players who like flatter, classic forehands. But most modern players use Semi-Western for topspin.
READ ALSO: Western grip pickleball
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