Source:

http://www.nickbollettieri.com/tips/index.cfm?tipID=8

Single Handed Grips

	Single Handed Grips Players use four basic single-handed grips: Continental, Eastern, Semi-western and Full Western. Each of these grips has advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the player needs to use a grip that provides a blend of consistency, control and power for his or her style of play.
	Continental Continental Grip - Base Knuckle: 2 - Heel Pad: 1-2 The continental grip was once the universal grip used to hit forehands, backhands, speciality shots, volleys and the serve. It originated on the soft, low bouncing clay courts of Europe. Although it has been superseded in today’s game, it serves as the foundation grip for the volley, serve and overhead for most players. Forehand As tennis has evolved, the continental forehand grip has become the least favorite grip. I generally don’t recommend it as a forehand grip because it requires an exceptionally strong forearm and impeccable timing. Backhand This grip is used less often today to hit the power backahand. Though effective for producing a slice backhand, the continental grip does not provide the strength or stability in the racquet head to handle powerful groundstrokes from an opponent. It is difficult to produce topspin, and I recommend it only to players who are learning to slice. Volley The continental grip is my preferred grip for teaching the volley to advanced players. The continental grip does not require a grip change, and it offers the most support to the wrist when hitting forehand and backhand volleys. In today’s game, it is the preferred grip for most top professionals. This grip allows the net player to excute the serve, overhead and forehand and backhand volleys without changing grips.
	Eastern Eastern Grip - Base Knuckle: 3 - Heel Pad: 2-3 The eastern grip originated on the medium-bouncing courts in the eastern United States. It is the classic forehand grip. The eastern grip offers flexibility for individual styles, comfort for beginners, and versatility for all surfaces. The eastern backhand, the classic backhand grip, offers maximum stability and allows the player to drive the ball and hit with topspin. Pete Sampras employed this grip. I recommend to most players that they adopt a strong eastern grip on topspin backhands. The advantages of the eastern grip are that it is easy for beginners to learn, it is easy to generate power, it is ideal for waist high balls, and you can hit a variety of topspin, underspin and flat drive. The disadvantage is that it is difficult to high hit very high balls.
	Semiwestern Forehand Semi-Western Grip - Base Knuckle: 4 - Heel Pad: 4 This grip offers both strength and control to the forehand. Beginners feel comfortable with it because the palm of the hand supports the racquet and provides additional racquet-head stability at contact. It is especially suited for hitting powerful topspin and loop forehands. The advantages to this grip are that shoulder high balls are easy to hit, you can hit heavy topspin and you can disguise your shots. The disadvantage is that low ball are difficult, slice is difficult and grip changes are required to hit volleys and overheads. The semiwestern backhand is the same as the semiwestern forehand in reference to the hand and the racquet, but reversed. This grip offers considerable topspin but requires strength and ability to accelerate the racquet on contact. This grip tends to cause the player to lead with the elbow during the forward swing. A more advanced player might consider this grip. Professional players use it frequently when hitting topspin lobs and angle shots. I do not recommend this grip for the majority of players.
	Western Western Grip - Base Knuckle: 5 - Heel Pad: 5 This grip originated on the high-bouncing cement courts of the western United States. The drawback of this grip is that it closes the racquet face too soon before contact. This is an excellent grip for high balls and topspin but is awkward for low balls and underspin. Players who use a great deal of topspin use this grip. Unless the player has an immensely strong wrist and impeccable timing a western grip will cause problems. I do not recommend it for most players. The advantages of the western grip is that it is great for high balls and can attack high ball. You can also generate immense racquet head speed. The disadvantages is that it is very difficult to lift low ball and you cannot hit slice or drop shots without a grip change.