What is Eastern grip in Tennis? Definition and Meaning

What is the definition of The Eastern Grip in tennis?

The Eastern Grip in tennis is a popular grip type that has evolved as a natural progression from the Continental Grip, which was widely used before the 1920s. This grip allows players to transition from the Continental Grip without making drastic changes in how they hold their tennis racket. The Eastern Grip is known for its versatility, power, and ability to generate topspin while still being relatively easy to use.

Since Bjorn Borg initiated the topspin revolution in the 1970s, the Eastern Grip has gained an increasing amount of popularity on the professional tennis tour. This grip type is primarily used for flatter groundstrokes, and the correct execution involves the player’s index knuckle and heel pad resting on bevel #3 of the racket handle. As tennis has evolved over the years, several variations of grips have emerged, and the Eastern Grip remains one of the most widely used among tennis players.

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Key Takeaways

The Eastern Grip is a versatile, powerful tennis grip that allows for generating topspin and ease of use
Originating as a natural evolution from the Continental Grip, the Eastern Grip gained popularity in the 1970s
Primarily used for flatter groundstrokes, the grip requires proper execution with the index knuckle and heel pad resting on bevel #3

Understanding Eastern Grip

The Eastern grip is a type of grip in tennis that gained popularity after the 1920s as a natural evolution from the traditional continental grip. This grip is a relatively conservative choice, allowing players to transition from the continental grip without dramatically changing their grip on the racquet.

To achieve the Eastern forehand grip, a player must position their index knuckle and the base of their palm on the third bevel of the racquet handle. This grip offers better control and generates more topspin than the continental grip, making it suitable for aggressive shots. Some famous players known for using the Eastern grip include Roger Federer.

One of the key advantages of using the Eastern grip is its proximity to the continental grip. Players using the Eastern grip can quickly switch to the continental grip for volleys, serves, and overheads, making it a versatile choice. On the other hand, players who opt for more extreme grips, like the semi-western or western grip, may not find it as easy to transition between grips.

The Eastern grip allows for flatter shots, making it an ideal choice for aggressive, attacking players. While it doesn’t generate as much topspin as the Western grip, it offers a good balance between power, control, and spin. This makes it a popular choice among professional tennis players on tour.

In summary, the Eastern grip in tennis is a versatile grip that offers players a good balance between control, power, and spin. Its adaptability and ease of transition to other grips make it an appealing choice for players at various skill levels.

Historical Development of Eastern Grip

The Eastern grip in tennis is a result of the sport’s continuous evolution. Before the 1920s, most tennis players utilized the Continental grip, which was suitable for the wooden racquets strung with natural gut strings and fast, low-bouncing grass courts of the time. The Eastern grip emerged as a natural progression from the Continental grip during the 1920s, offering players improved comfort while holding the racquet and the ability to generate more spin.

The introduction of the Eastern grip coincided with several changes in tennis, including advances in racquet and string technology, as well as a shift towards slower surfaces such as clay and hard courts. These changes and the desire for more topspin led to the further development of more extreme grips, such as the Semi-western and Western grips.

One notable figure in the promotion of the Eastern grip was Bjorn Borg, who started the topspin revolution in the 1970s. The Eastern grip gave players more access to topspin while maintaining some of the traditional techniques from the Continental grip. As a result, the Eastern grip quickly gained popularity among professional and casual players alike.

The Eastern grip has remained popular throughout the years, due to its balanced combination of power, control, and topspin. Although more extreme grips have emerged, the Eastern grip maintains a strong presence on the professional tour and among players of all levels.

Advantages of Using Eastern Grip

Increased Control

The Eastern grip in tennis provides enhanced control for players. This grip allows them to strike the ball more efficiently and with better precision than other grips. As a result, it helps players hit accurate shots while minimizing the chances of committing errors. The increased control also gives them an advantage when executing strategic shots during the game.

Versatility

Another advantage of the Eastern grip is its versatility. This grip enables tennis players to effectively hit a variety of shots, including topspin groundstrokes, flat shots, and slices. Its proximity to the continental grip also allows for quick transitions from forehand to volleys and vice versa, which can be particularly useful when transitioning from the baseline to the net after hitting an approach shot.

Adaptability to Different Game Styles

Lastly, the Eastern grip is adaptable to various playing styles and court conditions. Due to its balanced features, players can easily switch between aggressive and defensive game strategies without compromising on shot quality or efficiency. This adaptability offers an invaluable advantage when facing opponents with diverse playing styles or adjusting to changing court conditions during a match.

Disadvantages of Eastern Grip

Difficulty in Low Shots

The Eastern grip presents some challenges when it comes to handling low shots. The open nature of the grip makes it difficult for players to generate sufficient topspin, especially when the ball is close to the ground. This can result in a limited range of motion and reduced control when dealing with low balls, ultimately affecting the player’s ability to maintain consistency during aggressive rallies.

Potential for Wrist Injuries

Another drawback of the Eastern grip is the increased risk of wrist injuries. Due to the grip’s orientation and the way players need to maneuver their wrists during contact with the ball, it can place additional stress on the wrist joint and surrounding muscles. This added strain over time may lead to an increased likelihood of experiencing wrist-related discomfort and injuries. It is essential for players to be aware of proper technique and consider using other grip styles if they experience persistent wrist pain or discomfort.

Techniques for Holding Eastern Grip

The Eastern Grip is a popular grip in tennis that offers versatility and a balanced approach for hitting various types of shots. This grip is characterized by the placement of the index knuckle on the third bevel of the racket’s handle, allowing for a more natural wrist snap, and makes it easier to generate power and topspin. In this section, we’ll discuss the step-by-step guide to holding the Eastern Grip correctly.

Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the bevels on the racket handle: Tennis rackets have eight bevels (flat sides) on their handles. Start by holding the racket in your non-dominant hand with the strings facing upwards and locate the third bevel.
Position your index knuckle: Place your index knuckle (the base of your index finger) on the third bevel. Ensure that this knuckle sits comfortably and securely on the flat surface.
Align the rest of your hand: Spread your fingers naturally around the racket handle, with the fleshy part of your palm touching the wider surface of the handle, opposing your index knuckle. Keep your fingers slightly spread apart for better control.
Position your thumb: Your thumb should be placed on the backside of the handle to provide support and stability. The thumb should rest comfortably against the handle, without any excessive stretching or tension.
Grip the racket firmly: Hold the racket using a firm yet relaxed grip. A tight grip can lead to tension in the arm and shoulder, while a loose grip might cause the racket to slip during a swing. Find the right balance to ensure smooth and effective shots.

By following these steps, you can master the Eastern Grip and improve your tennis performance. Remember to practice regularly to get accustomed to this grip and make it a natural part of your gameplay.

Application of Eastern Grip

Serving

The Eastern grip can be utilized while serving in tennis. Players may find it advantageous for hitting flat serves with accuracy and pace. The grip allows for a smooth and natural racquet head movement during the serve, enabling players to generate power without sacrificing control.

However, the Eastern grip may not be the best choice for serves with heavy topspin or slice. For these types of serves, players typically opt for a Continental grip, as it offers better access to different spins and angles.

Ground Strokes

The Eastern grip is widely known for its use in ground strokes, particularly the forehand. It offers a balanced mix of power, control, and topspin, making it a versatile option on the court. The grip’s optimal contact point is waist-high and out in front of the body, which allows for flatter shots and faster transitions to volleys.

Forehand: The Eastern forehand grip is popular among attacking players, such as Roger Federer, due to its versatility. It provides more topspin than the traditional Continental grip which helps to keep the ball in play, yet it does not sacrifice the ability to hit flatter shots when needed.
Backhand: Although less common, the Eastern grip can also be used for one-handed backhand strokes. This grip gives the player good control of the racquet and the ability to hit aggressive shots. However, players using this grip might find it challenging to generate as much topspin on the backhand side compared to other grips, such as the Eastern backhand grip.

Eastern Grip vs Other Grips

Comparison with Western Grip

The Eastern grip in tennis is characterized by placing the heel pad and index knuckle of the palm on the third bevel of the racquet. This grip allows players to hit flatter shots and transition faster to volleys. It was once a popular choice among recreational and professional players, but has decreased in popularity in recent years.

On the other hand, the Western grip involves placing the heel pad and index knuckle on the fifth bevel of the racquet. This grip allows players to hit shots with more topspin, providing a larger margin of error. The Western grip is more commonly used in modern tennis and is particularly effective on clay courts.

Eastern Grip:

Flatter shots
Quicker transitions to volleys

Western Grip:

More topspin
Bigger margin of error

Comparison with Continental Grip

The Continental grip in tennis is achieved by placing the heel pad and index knuckle on the second bevel of the racquet. This grip is versatile and is primarily used for slices, volleys, serves, and overheads. It is difficult to add topspin to shots using the Continental grip, making it less suitable for baseline play.

The Eastern grip, as mentioned earlier, is better for hitting flatter shots and transitioning to volleys faster. While it lacks the topspin capabilities of the Western grip, the Eastern grip offers more power and control on certain types of shots than the Continental grip.

Eastern Grip:

Effective for flatter shots
Faster transitions to volleys
More power and control on specific shots

Continental Grip:

Versatile for various shots
Suitable for serves, volleys, slices, and overheads
Less suitable for baseline play

Notable Players Using Eastern Grip

The Eastern forehand grip in tennis offers players more access to topspin compared to the traditional continental grip. This grip has gained popularity since Bjorn Borg started the topspin revolution in the 1970s. Several notable players have used or continue to use the Eastern grip on their forehand.

Roger Federer is one such player who employs a versatile approach when it comes to grip selection. It is believed that he uses the Eastern grip for flatter shots and semi-western grip for more spin or when the ball is around his shoulder or below his knees. This adaptability contributes to Federer’s success on the court.

Another notable player is Grigor Dimitrov. Despite not using a full Eastern grip, Dimitrov employs a similar extreme eastern grip with high topspin balls. This grip allows him to generate potent cross-court shots, which proves advantageous during competitive matches.

Although the Eastern grip is not as prevalent among professional players as it once was, it remains an important grip technique within the sport. Players like Federer and Dimitrov demonstrate how successful this particular grip can be when used skillfully and strategically on the tennis court.