In tennis, a player’s grip directly affects how he or she strikes the ball and in turn, the speed, spin, depth, or direction the ball will travel. Among the grips, the Eastern grip is an ideal balance, providing an accessible way for the player to hit flat, penetrating shots, and still reliably control placement and timing.
The Eastern grip has traditionally been the grip of choice among all-court players for many years, and will appeal to players whose style is based more on versatility as opposed to extreme spin.
In this article, we define what the Eastern grip is and how to use it, discuss a few pros and cons, and provide reasoning as to why the Eastern grip is one of the best grips to use for recreational and competitive players alike.
The Eastern grip is a way of holding a tennis racket where the base knuckle of the index finger and heel pad rest on the third bevel, positioning the racket face nearly vertical at contact. Players who use this grip appreciate the balanced mix of power and control that it offers, which is ideal for flat or moderately topspun shots.
Understanding Tennis Grips & Handle Basics
Source: tennishub.in
A tennis racket’s handle has eight bevels, which are basically eight sides of distinct planes that help determine grip position. The bevels are numbered clockwise on the right-handed grip and counterclockwise on the left-handed grip. The index knuckle and heel pad of the grip position align with physical bevels that determine how the racket’s face contacts the ball.
Different grips also change the orientation of the racket face when contacting the ball. The Continental tennis grip keeps the face more neutral or slightly open, while an Eastern grip brings the face into more of a vertical position, and a Western grip will tilt the racket forward sharply.
The three grips can describe a range of action that varies from flat hitting to heavy topspin action. Understanding this concept can help explain why the Eastern grip is such a middle ground of control and spin.
What Do Players Choose to Use the Eastern Grip?
With the Eastern grip, the player’s hand is anchored so that the base knuckle of the index finger and heel pad are resting on the third bevel for right-handed players. This placement allows the racket face to be more-or-less parallel to the court at impact, which allows the player to make better contact with the ball and allows for a more effective swing path.
On the forehand, the Eastern grip allows the natural extension of the arm and racket through to the ball, while transferring power consistently and without requiring significant wrist rotation (aka torque). It offers a reliable, classic feel of being flat through the drive while generating medium topspin.
On the backhand side, the Eastern backhand grip, which places the grip on the first bevel, gives the player a stable face angle that allows for two choices – slice or drive through with a traditional one-hand backhand.
How to Find & Hold the Eastern Grip
To find the Eastern forehand grip, place the racket on the ground, and make sure the strings face straight up. Lift the racket as if you were shaking hands with it so that your index knuckle sits on the third bevel of the racket handle.
The grip should feel solid but relaxed, and allow some spacing between your fingers and palm. Do not wrap your hand too far under the handle or back on the handle, as a grip like that will not only change the face angle of the racket, but it will also inhibit control. It should feel relaxed enough to let your wrist have some motion, but obviously not too tight on the handle.
When you are consistent at this position of the grip, it will help to promote clean and predictable contact through your hitting zone.
Advantages of the Eastern Grip
The Eastern grip provides a flexible combination of control, pace, and adaptability. Players can hit flat shots with consistent directional control, but still produce an appropriate moderate amount of topspin when necessary.
Since this style of holding the racket aligns the wrist in a neutral position, it lessens strain and promotes repeatable mechanics. The grip translates very easily from forehand to volley, making it useful for all-court players who often move toward the net.
The neutral racket angle works well on multiple surfaces as well, maintaining depth and accuracy without needing to overcompensate for the pace and spin of the court surface whether it be fast hard courts or slow clay courts.
Disadvantages & Limitations
Although the Eastern grip is flexible, it has its limitations in today’s tennis game. Compared with the Semi-Western and Western grips, the Eastern grip has less topspin, which could be a disadvantage if you face an opponent who can produce heavy, deep high-bouncing topspin.
A player who uses an Eastern grip must change their timing and contact point when they receive shots with particularly heavy, looping topspin.
Finally, Eastern grips can have a narrow margin for error on high forehands, because the flatter ball increases risk of hitting long. The modern trend towards baseline play has led many players to choose extreme grips for more spin and margin for error in reliability, making the Eastern grip less prevalent for professionals whose aim is to rally with heavy topspin.
Drills & Practice Tips
To develop comfort with the Eastern grip, begin with shadow swings where you will focus on having a relaxed, repeatable motion through contact.
Try to develop the habit of hitting the ball in front of your body, following through slightly upward for depth and consistency.
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Repetition with your drills is essential to improving your muscle memory and hand positioning over time, especially when you are under pressure.
Eastern Grip in Professional Tennis
Over time, a number of all-court players have counted on the Eastern grip to achieve balanced control and versatility in their shotmaking.
Roger Federer uses a modified Eastern grip for his forehand that permits him to flatten some shots for winners while generating enough topspin for margin.
Pete Sampras fashioned his attacking baseline and serve-and-volley style of game off the same forehand grip foundation, hitting the ball early to put his opponents under immediate pressure.
In the past, many legends including Björn Borg and Stefan Edberg played off the same Eastern grip variations that suited their own styles of play.
Even though the modern game is becoming reliant on heavier spin, diminishing anything around it, there are still a number of players at the top of the game who use Eastern principles to generate penetrating groundstrokes with perfect directional control.
Interested in Taking Tennis Lessons in Mountlake Terrace?
The Eastern grip remains one of tennis’s most balanced and timeless techniques. It allows players to combine flat power, control, and versatility without overreliance on extreme spin or wrist manipulation.
Though less dominant in modern baseline play, it continues to serve as an ideal foundation for learning sound stroke mechanics and transitioning between shot types.
Whether used as a primary grip or a tactical option, mastering the Eastern grip helps players develop a complete, adaptable game that thrives across styles, surfaces, and skill levels.
Learn to hit with different grips at Basha Tennis in Mountlake Terrace. We have adult tennis classes and lessons for youth players.
If you’re interested in learning more about tennis, check out our tennis blog or our tennis glossary.
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