Hello Friends and Tennis Minds,
Here is an example of what I call the Next Gen Continental grip.
It’s a semi-western to western forehand and you can turn the racquet over to hit with the same side of the strings on the one-handed or two-handed backhand.
Here is an example from my own practice:
https://youtu.be/k3y4BgrA_z0
I have been using this style for the last few years, and I am really enjoying having no grip shift.
Here is Jack Sock demonstrating the same universal grip structure:
https://youtu.be/Moj_ZmSV2OU
I believe this “new continental” is becoming more popular on tour and will continue to grow in popularity for the same reason the traditional continental was so popular for many years: simplicity and efficiency.
No grip change is an advantage in the modern high speed game, especially off the return of serve.
Here’s another more radical thought: Could this Next Gen Continental become the go-to universal grip for volleys and net play in the future? Could it be the next evolution in the volley technique, which has basically remained the same for a century or more?
It would offer the potential next evolution in net game technique and tactics and would allow both topspin and regular volleys to be mixed together in new patterns.
This net game style is currently used in Japanese Soft Tennis, so it’s not unprecedented.
Share your thoughts!
