Djokovic and Soderling forehand?

[FedExpress117]

These guys use Western grips the totally opposite of what it should be for: power, instead of spin. I realize it's more of swing motion, but what do they do different? Is it more about how you swing your body/hips? I myself use a Western and want a forehand similar to theres. I wish I could put a video of myself playing to compare but I wanted an expert's analysis of what they do different to get almost as much power (especially Soderling) as some people who use Eastern grips..

[salsainglesa]

Sod has more of a SW, a little toward W if you like... Watching Djokovic he also doesnt use such a marked W...
He has a contact point further back than the usal players have with this grip (as if he hit with eastern), but he compensates with his deep takeback.

Djokovic has a regular contact point in front of his body as it is teached with this grip.

Dont worry about copying theforehand of any pro, concentrate on the major fundmantals. That is what will make the forehand work for you, instead of thinking robin's forehand, think, split step, shoulder turn, contact point...

this is a true western grip
http://www.advantage-tennis.com/albertob/

[86golf]

I'm not an expert, but I think a lot of folks do associate a western grip with more spin. Personally, I use a more extreme grip on my backhand and I hit that shot a lot flatter than my forehand. The swing path has more to do with spin than the grip.
The worst thing a pro has told me is to "brush up" on the ball. I think this phrase has ruined a lot of forehands, making them spinny but not deep and heavy. I'll let the "experts" chime in on all the components (step out, unit turn, load, uncoil, weight transfer etc.) required to hit a heavy and deep groundstroke with any grip, but the last thing that I think of is "brushing up".

[sir_shanks_alot]

They've hit millions of balls, workout, use a heavier frame than amateurs, are typically tall (leverage), etc...

I don't think its ONLY the swing & fitness though. Hewitt uses the same swing and doesn't have the same power. Most Yonex frames are like noodles though.

If I were you I'd increase the stiffness of your frame and/or swingweight. You'll hit a heavier ball this way w/o changing much.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcBZWa97OMM

[sir_shanks_alot]

Now Djokovic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk1eqm_vazU

Good stuff