Whether you use a one handed backhand or a two handed backhand the Eastern Backhand grip is becoming even more popular today. Many top pros are using this grip as a weapon in today’s power game.To get this grip the racquet handle is held by the bottom hand with the thumb turned under the bottom of the handle. The so-called “V” made by the thumb and the index finger is on the bevel between the back of the handle and the top of the handle. At first this grip seems to give the one hander a lot of support on backhand groundstrokes, but with continued use and instruction it can give plenty of topspin too. The racquet string plane is closed during most of the swing and only near impact does the racquet face get square enough to hit the ball straight. This grip creates a need for topspin because more lift is needed on the ball to clear the net, so a low to high swing is a natural.On the two hander this same grip gives the same advantage of topspin because it allows for contact to be further in front, making it easier to swing from low to high. Young people just starting in tennis will love this grip solely for the additional support the hands give the behind the racquet at impact. The advanced players use it mostly for the amount of topspin they can generate with this grip. So the Eastern Backhand grip is best suited for players wishing for more topspin on their bachkhands.That’s the good news, the bad news is that this grip makes it difficult to get under really low balls. That is why we see this grip a lot in clay court players or a slow playing surface that makes the balls bounce up high. So this grip is best suited for baseliners who like medium to high bouncing balls and love to punish it back with plenty of topspin. If you wish more information or clarification on this or any other grip feel free to email or call me.Doug Hofer, USPTA December 15, 2003
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