Federer over the years changed his forehand grip - Page 2

drakulie · 11-12-2009, 06:04 AM

^^^This is absoluetly nothing new. It's called and "extreme eastern", and has been around for as long as I have been playing tennis (late 70's), and most definitely before that.

CrackerJack · 11-12-2009, 07:06 AM

Definitely noticed the reduced backswing but the forward motion of the racquet head immediately thereafter is a lot more violent.
Also, watching his recent matches I've noticed that he meets the ball a little further out in front. Anyone else notice this?
And the 'slingshot' effect (as mentioned in great detail in another thread) seems to be more common now.

matchmaker · 11-12-2009, 11:17 PM

The one thing you can notice is the abbreviated backswing. I wonder who was behind that idea.

It seems the shorter backswing makes him gain time on the defensive, but maybe it is also the reason why he nets so many balls on the offensive.

BajeDuane · 11-13-2009, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drakulie

^^^This is absoluetly nothing new. It's called and "extreme eastern", and has been around for as long as I have been playing tennis (late 70's), and most definitely before that.

Well he did say that is one of the names for it, but currently in the USPTA there is no 'official' name for it, and some people call it extreme eastern and some other name that I cannot remember right now. Like when you do the test, you go through all the grips and it is not included.

Povl Carstensen · 11-13-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drakulie

^^I also hold my frame this way. Almost as if I'm holding a gun. Thsi is more magnified on the serve. However, it is not as extreme as Fed.

I do to. And in my mind it makes the grip look more easternish, because it puts the index knuckle behind the racket, and other knuckles under it, so it is actually a fusion of western and eastern. Could deserve its own name.

Povl Carstensen · 11-14-2009, 02:30 AM

The pistol grip puts the knuckels across the bevels, instead of along them. It might be called "hybrid" grip.

raging · 11-14-2009, 06:32 AM

Interesting debate on what grip Federer has on the forehand, several posters mentioned it depends on the shot and they are right! federer himself has said as much and he would know!
A lot of biomechanical studies show top players have up to 17?!! different grips(it changes on a millimetre basis) and this is, naturally enough, often not visible to the naked eye. That is why we need high speed film.
Bottom line is that Federer would know!He wouldn't begin to guess at how many small changes he makes but he can feel the change in grip and hand pressure and that affects how he hits it...and where. What he does depends on his opponent too...
He probably has had to change more towards western when playing Nadal on Roland Garros hard, dry claycourt and a bit more eastern against Djokovic(who hits a lot flatter),on hardcourt anywhere.

It is great to see even the number 1 is evolving and adapting his grips...

There is no one forehand grip.

11-12-2009, 06:04 AM	#21
drakulie G.O.A.T. Join Date: May 2004 Location: FT. Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 17,154	^^^This is absoluetly nothing new. It's called and "extreme eastern", and has been around for as long as I have been playing tennis (late 70's), and most definitely before that. __________________ "Truth is, I was not injured during Wimbledon. Here is a video of me practicing" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtxK2Y992PQ ~ R. Nadal

11-12-2009, 11:17 PM	#23
matchmaker Hall Of Fame Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3,112	The one thing you can notice is the abbreviated backswing. I wonder who was behind that idea. It seems the shorter backswing makes him gain time on the defensive, but maybe it is also the reason why he nets so many balls on the offensive. __________________ Wilson Reflex mid @ 60 / PC600 @ 55

11-14-2009, 06:32 AM	#27
raging New User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 28	Fed would know! Interesting debate on what grip Federer has on the forehand, several posters mentioned it depends on the shot and they are right! federer himself has said as much and he would know! A lot of biomechanical studies show top players have up to 17?!! different grips(it changes on a millimetre basis) and this is, naturally enough, often not visible to the naked eye. That is why we need high speed film. Bottom line is that Federer would know!He wouldn't begin to guess at how many small changes he makes but he can feel the change in grip and hand pressure and that affects how he hits it...and where. What he does depends on his opponent too... He probably has had to change more towards western when playing Nadal on Roland Garros hard, dry claycourt and a bit more eastern against Djokovic(who hits a lot flatter),on hardcourt anywhere. It is great to see even the number 1 is evolving and adapting his grips... There is no one forehand grip.

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