When working with a player it is very important to educate them on how to handle the racket properly. The consequences can affect the players´ health and performance. The Western grip imposes a posture that makes it very difficult to transfer energy from the ground to the ball. The player needs lots of compensation movements to keep the body balanced. He will over-rotate to the outside on the forearm and his elbow.
Karen Khachanov for example needs to make several adjustments with his body to compensate for his grip. From the analysis of his picture, there is no fluidity, easiness, and effortlessness. Just the opposite, a lot of effort, unbalanced positions. The same for players such as Jack Sock, Kyle Edmund, and all of them who opt for this particular grip. Although it may seem that it works perfectly for them, it might limit their results.
The tension generated by these compensations on impact with the ball on daily practice, especially with competitors, can cause serious injuries. Comparing to an ideal model, the player will be losing a lot of potential. The ball remains too close to the body and almost aligned with the player’s gravity center, which shortens the leverages.
