Effects of Grip Style and Contact Point on Force Production in a Tennis Forehand Groundstroke

Modern tennis forehand grip style and ball contact points have evolved to enhance power and topspin. Different grip styles and ball contacts are recommended; however, little data are available to support one over another. Through a quantitative experimental study, we sought to determine which grip style and ball contact point produced the greatest forces at static contact. The continental, eastern, and semi-western forehand groundstroke grips of 100 volunteers were evaluated. Participants stood in three defined positions and applied maximum force against a dynamometer with each grip style. The associations of force produced at contact with the grip style, age, sex, tennis experience, and handedness were evaluated using univariate and multivariate linear mixed-effects regression models separately for early, mid, and late contact, including a random effect for each participant. Force production was significantly greater with eastern grip at early, mid, and late contact than with the other two grips (p < 0.001). Force was greater at early contact with semi-western grip than with continental. Force was also significantly greater for men at early, mid, and late contact (p < 0.001). Participants using an eastern grip were able to generate more force compared to those using a continental or semi-western grip, regardless of the ball contact point. Tennis players currently using other forehand grip styles who want to maximize power production may consider transitioning to an eastern forehand grip. The results of this study may improve tennis instruction and training for beginning and novice players who lack force generation.