Choosing the Right Grip for Your Service Return
by: Dave Winship @ On The Line

Most people accept that the serve is the most important shot in tennis. The logic behind that assertion demands that the second most important shot must be the return of serve.

It's almost certainly the least practiced aspect of the game! Some players find the only opportunity they have to practice their returns is during a match! In any event, whether you practice them or not, you always have to do some tweaking during the first few games of a match while you learn the pace, spin and placements of your opponent's serves.

One aspect of this tweaking is your court position. Another aspect is the type and length of your stroke. And another is the grip. I know that sounds like you make it up as you go along. Well, yes, in some respects that's exactly what you do. As far as the grip is concerned, you need to settle on a "default" grip for the match. This default grip is the one you use before you see where the serve is actually going. It's your best guess as determined by your observations of what's been coming at you so far.

Some players never vary their default grip. Well, that's okay. It's one less complication, I guess. So what are the options? Well, some players favor their stronger groundstroke wing (e.g. a player with a big forehand will wait with a forehand grip) and others have more success favoring their weaker wing. These players are forced to make a fairly big grip-change when the serve is directed to the "wrong" wing and they're in trouble if they haven't got time to change! Consequently, many players favor an "inbetween" or "central" grip (often referred to as the continental grip). These players support the racket lightly with the non-dominant hand and, if they have time, they use this non-dominant hand to effect a relatively small grip-change once they pick up the direction of the serve. If they don't have time for a change, they firm up the wrist and block the ball back with a short swing. Because it's possible to use this grip to block serves back without any grip-change (very similar to volleying technique), that's exactly what some players settle for. It's obviously very efficient, but you have to weigh that benefit against the limitations and predictability that arise from what is essentially a compromise on every return.

Personally, I prefer to go for either a full forehand grip or a full backhand grip as my default, so I don't have to change my grip every time. I'm also prepared to change my default, depending on circumstances. I just don't see the point of sticking with my preferred forehand grip if most of the serves are going to my backhand.

As a coach, it would be nice to be prescriptive about all this, but it simply isn't possible. I guess it's just different strokes for different folks. Whatever you decide to use as your default grip, you may have to change it if the direction of the serve is not what you expected, so avoid holding the racket too tightly. A loose grip is essential for that crucial grip-change (if it's required).

Although it's not possible to tell you which grip you should use, that doesn't mean it's not important! In fact, it's crucial. A minor adjustment in the angle of your racket face can make a major difference. You should sacrifice your backswing rather than attempt to return serve with an inappropriate grip. I'd say shortening your backswing on your service returns is a good idea anyway, especially if you're trading it for a grip adjustment.

Prepare for matches by making yourself aware of the issues, experiment and practice!

Regards.

Dave Winship