Mastering the Basics

Learn how to perfect your grip and ready position for consistent play — whether you’re on clay, hard, or grass courts.

Welcome to the ultimate guide for a crucial part of your tennis game —the ‘tennis grip and ready position’, the very foundation of every shot. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your technique, mastering your grip and ready position is the key to unlocking consistent performance.

While the principles remain the same on any surface, a few subtle adjustments can make all the difference, especially when you step onto a grass court.

Grips 101: The Handshake and The Frying Pan

The way you hold your racquet determines the spin, power, and angle of your shots. For beginners, focus on two fundamental grips:

• The Continental Grip: Think of it as a universal grip for essential shots. Hold the racquet as if you’re shaking hands with it, with your thumb and index finger forming a “V” shape on top of the handle. This grip is essential for serves, volleys, and slices because it allows for a fluid, flat motion.
• The Eastern Forehand: This is a fantastic grip for your forehand, offering an outstanding balance of topspin and power. To find it, rotate your hand one position to the right from the Continental grip (for a right-handed player). It’s often called the “frying pan” grip because it feels like you’re holding a frying pan in front of you — comfortable and intuitive for powerful groundstrokes.

The Ready Position: Your Launchpad

The “ready position” is more than just standing still; it’s a dynamic, athletic stance that prepares you for anything. It’s your base of operations for every shot except the serve.

• Stance: Stand with your feet a little wider than shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and your weight on the balls of your feet.
• Racquet: Hold your racquet out in front, supported by your non-dominant hand on the throat. Keep it slightly forward and high, ready to move in any direction.
• Split Step: This is the magic move. As your opponent makes contact with the ball, perform a small hop or “split step.” You’ll land in an athletic, balanced position, allowing you to react quickly and push off to the ball. Learn more in our guide on Tennis Footwork.

Remember, the ready position isn’t a break — it’s a stance of constant readiness and focus. Consistency over power is the beginner’s mantra!

A Grass Court Game: How Grip and Stance Change

While the core principles are universal, grass courts require subtle yet essential adjustments to both your grip and your ready position.

The Lower, Faster Bounce: The ball skids and stays much lower than on hard or clay courts. This means you need to get lower!

• Tip for Grips: Because the ball is so low, grips that promote flatter, more penetrating shots — like the Eastern Forehand and Continental — are more effective. The Continental grip is especially valuable for low-bouncing volleys and slices. Extreme topspin grips (like the Western) can actually be a disadvantage on grass.
• Tip for Ready Position: To handle low bounce, get lower—bend your knees and stay on the balls of your feet. A lower centre of gravity helps you get under the ball and handle tricky skids.

Quicker Points: Points on grass are often shorter and faster. The ball reaches you sooner, so there’s less time to adjust.

• Early Preparation: Racquet preparation must be faster. As soon as your opponent starts their swing, get into your ready position and take the racquet back.
• Footwork: Forget sliding! On grass, focus on short, quick, precise steps. This keeps you balanced and reduces slips from unpredictable bounces.

Climate & Court Conditions: Does it Matter?

Yes — climate significantly impacts how a tennis ball behaves, and that affects your technique. For more in-depth guidance, check out resources from professional coaches like The Tennis Foundation.

• Heat & Humidity: Dense air makes the ball feel heavier and slower, leading to longer rallies. Your grip can get sweaty, so use grip tape or an overgrip to maintain control.
• Cold & Dry: In cooler weather, the ball’s internal pressure drops, resulting in a lower, less bouncy flight. The game feels faster — switch to a flatter grip to keep control.
• Altitude: Thinner air at high elevations makes the ball fly faster and bounce higher. Add more topspin or shorten your swing to keep shots inside the court. For advanced spin tips, see our Advanced Techniques Guide.

On grass, climate also affects the surface. Wet conditions slow the ball and make footing slippery, while dry grass causes even faster, skidding rallies.

Ultimately, mastering your grip and ready position is about adaptability. The fundamentals serve you well, but knowing how to tweak them for the unique feel of grass — and for different climates — is what separates a good player from a great one.