Is semi-western really the best grip for forehand?

[Apun94]

These days, almost everybody in the pros uses a semiwestern/western grip on their forehands. Is this really the best grip? IMO, two players with the best forehand these days are Federer and Del Potro. They generally use the eastern grip. In the past also Players like Sampras and Agassi (becuz of which he quickly climbed the ladder in his early days) also used the eastern grip. What to you guys think? Is the semiwestern grip still the best??

 

[Bender]

There is no such thing as an inherently 'best grip', but rather an 'best (meaning optimal) grip for the player'.

It just so happens most people find SW to be the optimal grip for them.

If you find any other grip gives you the best results, by all means, don't limit your potential by forcing a SW on yourself.

 

[winstonplum]

There is no best grip. Federer uses a more old-school eastern, for one.

 

[BevelDevil]

I though Agassi used a Strong Eastern, which is significantly different from conventional Eastern.

Also, federer's eastern is unconventional-- he's basically holding the racket with his bottom 2 or 3 fingers and sliding his index in an extreme trigger fashion. Doing this makes the grip play more like a strong eastern. He also uses a very small grip, which makes his grip look more eastern than it really is.

 

[Milan]

The United States has a history of late as not educating their citizens too well. Same goes for USTA. I guess keeping people ignorant helps idiots stay in power.

Anyhow, there's no such thing as Eastern Grip, Semi Western Grip, & Western Grip. There are some 6-7 grips one can use on a forehand. Federer, for example, has his top part of the hand on number 3 bevel, and the bottom part between bevel's 4&5. Sampras was completely on bevel 3. Their forehands were very different, but most people around here say they both use Eastern Grip.

The swing also effects a lot as well. People develop different swings, preparations, and finishes which can do different things, irregardless of the grip. This also must be discussed as one, as opposed to being so general stating " Is the Semi Western Grip the Best ? "

Lastly, it may be better for Tomas Berdych, but not for John McEnroe. Your physical characteristics play a part in this...
Nadal, Djokovic, & even Roddick are all on the extreme side of the Western Grip...

Let me know and I will email you an article going into detail regarding forehand grips, and the many grips, preparations, and finishes associated...

 

[Netspirit]

These days, almost everybody in the pros uses a semiwestern/western grip on their forehands. Is this really the best grip? IMO, two players with the best forehand these days are Federer and Del Potro. They generally use the eastern grip. In the past also Players like Sampras and Agassi (becuz of which he quickly climbed the ladder in his early days) also used the eastern grip. What to you guys think? Is the semiwestern grip still the best??

Federer uses the Eastern grip because he is old-school. He is the most significant transitional figure between the classic S&V and modern baseline tennis.

Del Potro is using Eastern because he's extremely tall.

Other players are mostly using the Semi-Western because its natural contact point is somewhere between the waist and shoulder-high, where the modern topspun ball usually hovers.

 

[850beast]

Bollettieri says agassi uses a semi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PF1kfJSia4&feature=player_detailpage#t=272s

 

[MarinaHighTennis]

Bollettieri says agassi uses a semi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PF1kfJSia4&feature=player_detailpage#t=272s

Thats because he does

 

[LeeD]

Of course, NO one grip is best for everyone, and for all bounces/courts.
Stick a western on Dr.Ivo, and he'd look ridiculous.
Force Barasetachi/Rochus onto a conti baseline grip, and see their rankings drop down off the charts.
And some players need more spin for consistency.
Some players need ball speed to hit their winners.
Every player is at least slightly different from every other.
Should we all play with size 10.5 high cut shoes?

 

[850beast]

Thats because he does

I just said that because OP said agassi uses a eastern.

 

[Mighty Matteo]

Federer actually uses an eastern- semi western hybrid grip. It is slightly in between. it is very unique.

 

[above bored]

These days, almost everybody in the pros uses a semiwestern/western grip on their forehands. Is this really the best grip? IMO, two players with the best forehand these days are Federer and Del Potro. They generally use the eastern grip. In the past also Players like Sampras and Agassi (becuz of which he quickly climbed the ladder in his early days) also used the eastern grip. What to you guys think? Is the semiwestern grip still the best??

There's a popular misconception that Federer uses an eastern grip, but he too uses a semi-western grip. His is just not under the racket as much as some others. Same applies to Del Potro and Agassi. They use milder variations of the semi-western grip.