Tennis grips are the way you hold the racket handle, and the grip you choose for each shot directly controls the angle of the racket face, the amount of topspin you can generate, the power you can produce, and how easily you can transition to the next shot. There are four main grip types used across all shots: the Continental, the Eastern, the Semi-Western, and the Western. Each one sits at a different position on the eight-sided racket handle, measured by numbered bevels from 1 to 8. This article explains every grip for every shot type, what the bevels and L-sizes on your racket actually mean, which grip each top professional uses, and which grips work best for beginners starting out in North York and the Greater Toronto Area.
What Are the 4 Types of Grips in Tennis?
The 4 types of grips in tennis are the Continental grip, the Eastern grip, the Semi-Western grip, and the Western grip. Each one places the hand at a different position on the racket handle, which changes the angle of the strings at contact and determines whether the shot comes out flat, with moderate topspin, or with heavy topspin.
The Continental grip sits at bevel 2 for right-handed players. The Eastern forehand grip sits at bevel 3. The Semi-Western grip sits at bevel 4. The Western grip sits at bevel 5. As the hand moves further underneath the handle from bevel 2 to bevel 5, the racket face closes more at contact, which naturally produces more topspin and requires the ball to be struck at a higher contact point. According to Wikipedia’s grip reference, as of 2023 the Semi-Western grip is the most popular forehand grip on both the ATP and WTA tours.
What Does L1, L2, L3, and L4 Mean on a Tennis Racket?
L1, L2, L3, and L4 on a tennis racket refer to the grip size, specifically the circumference of the racket handle. L1 means the handle circumference is 4 1/8 inches. L2 is 4 1/4 inches. L3 is 4 3/8 inches. L4 is 4 1/2 inches. L5 is 4 5/8 inches. The larger the number, the wider the handle.
These L-numbers are the European sizing system. In North America, the same sizes are expressed in inches rather than L-numbers, but they refer to exactly the same measurements. According to Mantis Sport and LTA guidelines, L2 (4 1/4 inches) is the most common grip size for women and L3 (4 3/8 inches) is the most common for men. If you are between two sizes, always choose the smaller one. You can add an overgrip to build up to the next size, but you cannot reduce a grip that is already too large. One overgrip adds approximately one-sixteenth of an inch, which is about half a grip size.
Rafael Nadal uses grip size L1. Roger Federer uses L3. Jannik Sinner uses L2. Serena Williams uses L5. This shows there is no single correct grip size; it depends entirely on hand size and playing style.
What Is the Continental Grip and When Do You Use It?
The Continental grip is the grip where the heel pad and index knuckle sit on bevel 2 (bevel 7 for left-handed players). To find it, hold the racket with the edge of the frame pointing at the ground and shake hands with the handle. A V shape forms between the thumb and index finger running along the top of the handle.
The Continental grip is used for serves, volleys, overhead smashes, slice backhands, and defensive scrambling. It is the one grip every tennis player must learn because it is the default for all net play and all shots where the racket needs to cut under or across the ball. According to Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute, the Continental grip is used for more shot types than any other grip in the game. Without it, your volley game collapses entirely.
The Continental grip is almost never used for forehand groundstrokes in modern tennis. As racket technology evolved and court surfaces slowed through the late 20th century, higher-bouncing balls made the Continental forehand impractical because the open racket face struggles to handle balls above waist height. John McEnroe is one of the last top professionals who used a Continental forehand, winning Wimbledon with it in 1981 and 1983 because the low bounce of grass suited its flat, aggressive ball flight.
What Is the Eastern Grip and Which Shot Is It Best For?
The Eastern forehand grip places the heel pad and index knuckle on bevel 3 for right-handed players. The easiest way to find it is to lay the racket flat on a table with strings facing up, then pick it up naturally. Your hand will land on the Eastern grip automatically. It is sometimes called the shake hands grip because it feels exactly like gripping someone’s hand.
The Eastern forehand grip is best for flat, fast groundstrokes and is ideal for beginners. It produces a naturally controlled, moderately flat ball, sits at a comfortable contact point around waist height, and transitions easily to the Continental grip for volleys without a large grip shift. According to Tennis Nation, the Eastern forehand grip is the best starting point for beginners because it is the easiest to learn and produces a reliably flat, controlled shot while the player is still developing their swing mechanics.
A 2024 study published in PMC evaluating grip styles and force production in 100 volunteers found that players using an Eastern grip were able to generate more force compared to those using a Continental or Semi-Western grip, regardless of the ball contact point. As a practical application, the researchers noted that tennis players who want to maximize power production may consider the Eastern forehand grip.
Roger Federer built his 20 Grand Slam titles primarily around a grip between the Eastern and Semi-Western, sitting right on the edge of bevel 3. Carlos Alcaraz uses a similar position. Stefanos Tsitsipas also uses an Eastern or modified Eastern grip. The Eastern backhand grip for one-handed backhands places the index knuckle on bevel 1, which is the most common grip for players like Stan Wawrinka who use a one-handed backhand.
What Is the Semi-Western Grip and Why Is It So Popular?
The Semi-Western grip places the heel pad and index knuckle on bevel 4 for right-handed players. To find it from the Eastern grip, rotate the hand one-eighth of the way further underneath the handle. The Semi-Western grip is popular because it produces an excellent balance of topspin, power, and control, handles high-bouncing balls well, and suits the baseline-dominant style that defines most of modern professional and recreational tennis.
The Semi-Western grip is the most popular forehand grip on the ATP and WTA tours, according to Wikipedia’s tennis grip reference. Rafael Nadal uses a near-Western grip between bevel 4 and bevel 5. Novak Djokovic uses a similar extreme Semi-Western position. Carlos Alcaraz uses a Semi-Western grip on his forehand, according to biomechanics analysis published by Tennisresor. Andy Murray and Jannik Sinner also use Semi-Western or modified Semi-Western grips.
For beginners in North York, the Semi-Western grip is a natural progression from the Eastern after the first few months of lessons. It adds topspin without requiring a major mechanical change to the swing, and it handles the variety of ball heights encountered in recreational play far better than flatter grips.
Reaching a consistent topspin forehand is one of the most rewarding milestones in learning the game, and it is exactly what the structured progression in Hillcrest’s adult group lessons is built around, from grip fundamentals in week one through to topspin development in the middle sessions of the 8-week program.
What Is the Western Grip in Tennis?
The Western grip places the heel pad and index knuckle on bevel 5 for right-handed players. To find it, hold the racket face pointing at the ground and make a fist-pump motion downward, then grip the handle from below. The hand ends up almost completely underneath the handle.
The Western grip generates maximum topspin of any forehand grip, which is why it is used primarily on slow clay courts where the high bounce rewards extreme spin. Its weaknesses are significant: low balls are very difficult to handle, the racket face naturally wants to close too much on fast incoming balls, and the grip shift required to reach the Continental for volleys is large and difficult to execute quickly. According to Long Island Tennis Magazine, even elite coaches generally advise against the full Western grip (bevel 5) and the extreme Western (bevel 6) for developing players, as neither has proven consistently viable at the highest level. The extreme Western has never produced a world No. 1 player.
Iga Swiatek uses a full Western grip and has dominated the WTA tour, but she is considered an exception. Swiatek’s elite footwork and exceptional racket speed allow her to overcome the grip’s limitations with low balls in a way recreational players cannot replicate.
Which Grip for Which Shot in Tennis?
The correct grip for each shot in tennis depends on the shot type, the contact point, and the spin required. The Continental grip is used for every net shot, every serve, and every defensive scramble. The Eastern or Semi-Western grip is used for forehand groundstrokes. The Eastern backhand or Two-Handed backhand grip is used for backhand groundstrokes. No single grip covers everything, and changing grips between shots is a normal, essential part of the game at every level.
The most important grip change for beginners to learn is the shift from the Eastern forehand to the Continental when moving to the net for a volley. This shift is only one bevel, which makes it the fastest and most manageable grip change in the game. Many beginners avoid learning the Continental volley grip and instead try to volley with their forehand grip. The result is a racket face that is too closed at contact, which drives volleys into the net consistently.
Players across the Bayview Village, Willowdale, and Henry Farm areas who attend structured junior or adult programs learn this grip change in their first few weeks on court, because coaching it early prevents the bad habit of trying to volley with a forehand grip from ever developing.
What Grip Do Most Pros Use in Tennis?
Most pros use the Semi-Western grip on the forehand. The Semi-Western is the most popular forehand grip across both the ATP and WTA tours, according to Wikipedia’s tennis grip reference and multiple coaching sources. It has been the dominant forehand grip in professional tennis since the 1990s when baseline topspin play became the primary style of the modern game.
For serves, nearly all professionals use the Continental grip. For volleys and overheads, the Continental is also universal. For the backhand, as of 2023, fewer than 10% of the world’s tennis players use a one-handed backhand, according to Wikipedia’s tennis grip reference. The two-handed backhand has become standard at all levels because it offers greater stability, easier handling of high balls, and requires less upper body strength than the one-hander.
What Is Federer’s Grip?
Federer’s forehand grip is a modified Eastern, sitting right on the edge between bevel 3 and bevel 4, which many coaches describe as a composite or modified Eastern grip. His heel pad sits on bevel 4 while his index knuckle sits on bevel 3, according to TennisCraft’s illustrated grip analysis. This position gives him a naturally flatter ball flight than a Semi-Western player while still allowing moderate topspin when he needs it. His serve and volley use the Continental grip, as with all top professionals. Federer plays with a grip size of L3 (4 3/8 inches).
Federer’s grip choice reflects his playing style: an all-court game that attacks flat and low through the court, particularly on faster surfaces like grass and indoor hard courts, rather than relying on the heavy topspin looping that characterizes players like Nadal with more extreme grips.
Why Rafael Nadal Uses L1 Grip Instead of L2
No, Nadal does not use L2. Nadal uses grip size L1, which is 4 1/8 inches, making it one of the smallest grip sizes used by any top professional male player. The small grip size gives Nadal more wrist freedom and racket head speed, which is essential for generating the extreme topspin he produces with his forehand. Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek both use L1. Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem both use L2 for their racket handles in various accounts, but most consistent reporting places Nadal’s grip at L1. His forehand grip style is a near-Western position between bevel 4 and bevel 5, according to Long Island Tennis Magazine’s analysis of the ATP top players.
What Grip Does Novak Djokovic Use?
Djokovic uses an extreme Semi-Western forehand grip, sitting between bevel 4 and bevel 5, which is sometimes called a near-Western grip. His backhand uses a two-handed grip with the dominant hand in a Continental position and the non-dominant hand in a Semi-Western forehand position. Djokovic uses a grip size of L4 or L4.5 according to various technical analyses, which is on the larger end of professional grip sizes and reflects his preference for stability and control over wrist-generated topspin. His setup prioritizes absorbing pace and redirecting it precisely, which is why his return of serve is widely considered the best in the history of the game.
What Grip Does Jannik Sinner Use?
Jannik Sinner uses a Semi-Western forehand grip, similar to Djokovic, and a two-handed backhand. His grip size is L2 (4 1/4 inches), which is smaller than Djokovic’s and reflects a preference for more wrist involvement in generating racket head speed. Sinner’s game is built around early contact, taking the ball on the rise, and hitting with pace and precision from the baseline. His forehand and backhand biomechanics are frequently compared to Djokovic’s because of the similar emphasis on a full body turn through the ball and a locked-wrist contact zone, as analyzed by tennis biomechanics writer Hugh Clarke.
What Grip Does Serena Williams Use?
Serena Williams uses an Eastern to modified Eastern forehand grip, similar to Federer, and a grip size of L5, the largest commonly used on tour, according to multiple tennis sources. Her powerful serve also uses the Continental grip. Her L5 grip size gives her exceptional stability at contact, which complements her aggressive, flat-to-moderate-topspin playing style built around power from the baseline rather than heavy spin. Serena won 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 72 WTA singles titles across her career.
What Grip Did John McEnroe Use?
John McEnroe used a Continental grip on his forehand, which was rare even during his era in the 1980s and is virtually unseen in modern professional tennis. His Continental forehand produced a flat, low-skidding ball that was particularly effective on the grass courts at Wimbledon, where the low bounce suited the grip’s flat contact perfectly. McEnroe won 3 Wimbledon singles titles and 4 US Open titles using this grip, combined with one of the most precise serves and best volleys in tennis history. His game style would be extremely difficult to replicate on the slower, higher-bouncing courts that now dominate the professional circuit.
What Does a 3.5 in Tennis Mean?
A 3.5 in tennis refers to the NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program) skill level of 3.5, which describes an intermediate player who can sustain rallies with moderate consistency, hit forehands and backhands with some directional control, serve reliably enough to start points, and play recreational doubles at a competitive level. The NTRP scale runs from 1.0 (complete beginner) to 7.0 (world-class professional). A 3.5 player has moved past the beginner phase and can play a full set without the rally breaking down on every third shot. Most adults who take structured lessons and practise two to three times per week can reach a 3.5 level within one to two years.
For adults in the Newtonbrook, Don Mills, and Bayview Village areas working toward this level, the 8-week adult group lesson program at Hillcrest is structured to take beginners from grip fundamentals all the way through to the tactical awareness and consistency needed to play genuine 3.0 to 3.5 tennis by the end of the program.
Tennis Grips Quick Reference: Which Grip for Every Shot
| Shot Type | Recommended Grip | Bevel (Right-Handed) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forehand (beginner) | Eastern Forehand | Bevel 3 | Easy to learn, flat control, smooth volley transition |
| Forehand (intermediate/advanced) | Semi-Western Forehand | Bevel 4 | Best balance of topspin, power, and control |
| Forehand (heavy topspin/clay) | Western Forehand | Bevel 5 | Maximum topspin, handles high balls |
| One-Handed Backhand | Eastern Backhand | Bevel 1 | Flat to moderate topspin, reach and angles |
| Two-Handed Backhand | Continental (dominant) + Eastern/Semi-Western (non-dominant) | Bevel 2 + Bevel 3/4 | Stability, handles high balls, less upper body strength needed |
| Serve | Continental | Bevel 2 | Natural forearm rotation, enables slice/kick/flat variations |
| Forehand Volley | Continental | Bevel 2 | Punch action, no time for grip change at net |
| Backhand Volley | Continental | Bevel 2 | Same grip as forehand volley, no change needed |
| Overhead Smash | Continental | Bevel 2 | Mirrors serve mechanics |
| Slice Backhand | Continental or Eastern Backhand | Bevel 1–2 | Cuts under the ball for backspin |
Sources: Tennis Nation Ultimate Grip Guide, Wikipedia Grip (tennis) article, Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute tennis grips reference, PMC 2024 grip force production study, Tennis Companion grip guide.
What Is the Best Grip for Beginners in Tennis?
The best grip for beginners in tennis is the Eastern forehand for groundstrokes and the Continental for volleys and serves. These two grips cover the vast majority of shots a beginner will face, and the grip shift between them is only one bevel, making it manageable to learn relatively quickly.
According to Tennis Nation, the Eastern forehand is the best starting point because it is the easiest to form, produces a naturally flat and controlled ball, and transitions smoothly to the Continental without requiring a large hand movement. About 70% of all shots hit in a tennis match are forehands, according to beginner coaching resources, which means getting this grip right from the start has more impact on a beginner’s game than any other technical decision.
Beginners across the Don Mills, Cummer, and Lansing areas who start with the Eastern grip and build up to the Semi-Western over their first six months of lessons follow the natural progression that coaches at certified programs use. Trying to learn the Western grip first is a common mistake that creates timing and contact-point problems that take months to correct.
The coaching team at Hillcrest Tennis Camp works through grip fundamentals from the very first session in both the junior and adult programs. For families looking to get children started with the right grip habits from age four upward, the junior summer camp provides certified instruction with a 4:1 to 6:1 student-to-coach ratio that gives every player enough individual attention to learn and reinforce correct grip technique.
What Grip Size Do Most Pros Use?
Most male pros use grip sizes between L2 and L4, with L2 and L3 being the most common. Most female pros use L1 or L2. According to Fourtylove’s grip size guide, the most well-known player with an unusually small grip is Rafael Nadal at L1. Federer uses L3. John Isner uses L5, one of the largest grips on tour. Iga Swiatek uses L1. Serena Williams uses L5.
The trend in professional tennis over the past two decades has been toward slightly smaller grip sizes, according to Tennis Infinity. Smaller grips allow greater wrist involvement in the swing, which generates more racket head speed and therefore more topspin. This shift mirrors the broader evolution of the professional game toward heavier topspin and higher-bouncing shots as the dominant baseline strategy.
For recreational players, grip size most directly affects comfort and injury prevention. A grip that is too small forces the player to squeeze harder to prevent the racket from twisting on off-centre hits, which over time can contribute to tennis elbow. A grip that is too large restricts wrist mobility and makes grip changes between shots slower. When in doubt, go smaller and add an overgrip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the 4 Types of Tennis Grips and Which Should Beginners Start With?
The 4 types of tennis grips are the Continental (bevel 2), Eastern (bevel 3), Semi-Western (bevel 4), and Western (bevel 5). Beginners in North York should start with the Eastern forehand grip for groundstrokes and the Continental for serves and volleys. The Eastern forehand is the easiest to learn and produces a naturally flat, controlled ball while the player develops their swing. Most players at Hillcrest Tennis Camp on Cresthaven Drive near Bayview Avenue and Sheppard Avenue East begin with these two grips and progress to the Semi-Western forehand as their topspin develops over the first few months.
What Does L1, L2, L3 Mean on a Tennis Racket?
L1, L2, and L3 on a tennis racket refer to grip size. L1 is 4 1/8 inches in circumference, L2 is 4 1/4 inches, and L3 is 4 3/8 inches. L4 is 4 1/2 inches and L5 is 4 5/8 inches. Most adult women use L2 and most adult men use L3, according to LTA grip guidelines. If you are between two sizes, always choose the smaller one. You can add an overgrip to increase the size by approximately half a size, but you cannot reduce a grip that is already too large.
Which Grip Does Federer Use?
Federer uses a modified Eastern forehand grip sitting between bevel 3 and bevel 4, often described as a composite grip. His index knuckle sits on bevel 3 and his heel pad on bevel 4, according to TennisCraft’s illustrated grip analysis. His grip size is L3 (4 3/8 inches). For serves, volleys, and overheads, he uses the Continental grip, as all professional players do. His flat, aggressive forehand ball flight is a direct product of his less extreme grip position compared to players like Nadal or Djokovic.
Which Grip Does Alcaraz Use?
Carlos Alcaraz uses a Semi-Western forehand grip, similar to Nadal, according to biomechanics analysis published by Tennisresor. Long Island Tennis Magazine describes Alcaraz’s grip as sitting in the same modified Eastern to Semi-Western range as Federer, between bevel 3 and 4. Both Nadal and Alcaraz use the Continental grip for serves and volleys. Alcaraz’s forehand combines Federer’s clean contact mechanics with Nadal’s topspin-generating swing path, which is why it is frequently described as the benchmark forehand of the next generation.
What Is the Correct Grip for a Tennis Serve?
The correct grip for a tennis serve is the Continental grip, with the heel pad and index knuckle on bevel 2. Nearly all professional players use the Continental for their serve because it allows the forearm to rotate naturally through the swing, which enables flat, slice, and kick serve variations without any grip change. Beginners often try to serve with their forehand grip, which limits the natural pronation of the forearm and makes it very difficult to generate spin or pace. Learning the Continental serve grip early is one of the most important technical habits a new player can develop.
What Grip Should Beginners Use for the Backhand in North York Tennis Programs?
Beginners should use the two-handed backhand grip, which combines a Continental grip on the dominant hand (bevel 2) with an Eastern or Semi-Western forehand grip on the non-dominant hand. As of 2023, fewer than 10% of tennis players worldwide use a one-handed backhand, according to Wikipedia’s tennis grip reference. The two-handed backhand offers better stability, easier handling of high balls, and requires less upper body strength, making it significantly more beginner-friendly. The coaching staff at Hillcrest Tennis Camp teaches this grip in both the junior and adult programs from the very first session.
How Do I Know If My Tennis Grip Size Is Correct?
Your tennis grip size is correct when you can hold the Eastern forehand grip and there is a small gap, roughly the width of your index finger, between your fingertips and the base of your palm. If your fingers overlap your palm, the grip is too small. If the gap is larger than one finger width, the grip is too large. The most reliable measurement method is the ruler test: hold your dominant hand flat, line a ruler up with the second horizontal crease in your palm, and measure to the tip of your ring finger. That distance in inches is your grip size. For most adult women in North York this will be around 4 1/4 inches (L2) and for most adult men around 4 3/8 inches (L3).
Final Thoughts
Every shot in tennis starts with the grip. Getting the right grip on the right shot determines whether the ball goes where you want it, how much spin you can generate, and how quickly you can transition to the next shot. The four grip types, Continental, Eastern, Semi-Western, and Western, cover every situation on the court. The Continental is the foundation for serves, volleys, and slices. The Eastern is the best starting grip for forehand beginners. The Semi-Western is where most players land as their game develops. The Western is a specialized tool for heavy topspin that most recreational players do not need.
The L-numbers on your racket handle, L1 through L5, are equally important. Using the wrong grip size forces compensation in your swing mechanics and increases injury risk over time. Most adult women in the Don Mills, Bayview Village, and Willowdale area will play best with L2. Most adult men will play best with L3. When in doubt, go smaller and add an overgrip.
Grip fundamentals are taught from session one at Hillcrest Tennis Camp on Cresthaven Drive in Hillcrest Village, where certified coaches including a former Davis Cup player work with beginners and advanced players across all programs. To find the right program for your level and get your grips right from the start, explore the full program lineup at Hillcrest’s programs and camps page, or call 647-335-7473 and email info@hillcresttenniscamp.com today.
