With the big looping forehands in use today by the top players and many juniors it seems as if the continental grip is discounted as a relic of the past. True, it is no longer the grip of choice by professionals since the serve and volley game has almost disappeared while slower surfaces are dominated by heavy topspin western grip ground stroke players.
Where does this leave the lonely continental grip player? They are not necessarily lost. A doubles player can play a whole match with one grip if the grip is continental. Moderate topspin, easy slice and lobs, and natural under-spin volleys and drop shots are just a few of the benefits. Fast exchanges are handled easily when grip changes aren't needed. Lack of power is not an issue in most league or amateur doubles matches since guile and control carry equal weight.
Singles players used to playing against loopy forehands are often so befuddled by the flat and under-spin variations from continental grip players that it has an effect of wrecking their timing. It sometimes pays to be that lone dinosaur out there with a bag of tricks not regularly seen in the past two decades. Also, most players that have played continental can still work up the topspin when needed.
As a teacher, I can tell you that I generally use this grip on all shots to reduce spin and speed generation when working drills with students.
How to get a continental grip. If you know how to drive a nail, you know how to get a continental grip. Visualize using the edge of the racket as a hammer. This is also known as the serve grip.
To sum this up, if you have always used this grip, staying with it is not much of a handicap unless you are going on the tour. For the rest of us, it adds another dimension to what has become a one dimensional approach to tennis, the heavy topspin format.
If you want to become an all court player, learn to use the continental.
