If your forehand feels right one day and awkward the next, your hand may be landing on a different part of the racket handle. Those flat sides, called bevels, help you find a grip consistently and control the racket face through contact.
Learning where the bevels are can make it easier to switch between a forehand, serve, volley, and backhand without guessing. It also helps explain why adding a thick grip or an overgrip can change the way a racket feels—even when the frame itself has not changed.
What Are the Bevels on a Tennis Racket?
A tennis racket handle is not perfectly round. Its eight flat sides are the bevels. They create the familiar octagonal shape you can feel beneath the grip. Each bevel gives your fingers and palm a reference point for placing your hand.
Bevels are usually numbered from 1 to 8. In a common right-handed reference, bevel 1 is the top flat when the racket is held upright with the strings facing you; the numbers continue around the handle. Some charts show the racket from the butt cap or use a different viewing angle, so left and right can look reversed. Use the top bevel as your starting point, and check the chart’s viewpoint before copying its directions.
The numbers are a map, not a rulebook. What matters most is learning where your hand sits and being able to return to that position on purpose.
How Bevels Affect Your Grip
Moving your hand around the handle changes the angle of the racket face. That affects how you can swing, where you make contact, and how much spin or control you can produce. For a right-handed player using the common numbering, these are useful starting points:
| Grip | Common bevel position | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Continental | Bevel 2 | Serves, volleys, slices, and overheads |
| Eastern forehand | Bevel 3 | A flatter, more direct forehand |
| Semi-western forehand | Bevel 4 | A modern topspin forehand |
| Western forehand | Bevel 5 | A very spin-heavy forehand, often with high contact |
These positions can vary a little between grip charts and players. For left-handed players, the forehand positions are mirrored. Two-handed backhands vary by player, too: each hand has its own grip, and the upper hand often does much of the work at contact.
Finding a Bevel Without Looking
- Hold the racket upright. Keep the strings facing forward and identify the top flat on the handle.
- Feel the edges. Run a finger around the handle to notice where each flat side meets the next.
- Set one grip at a time. Place your hand on the bevel you want, then check the racket face before hitting.
- Practice the change. Move from your forehand grip to a continental grip for a volley or serve, then return to your forehand grip.
- Repeat with your eyes off the handle. Use the bevels as a touch guide instead of turning the racket over to inspect your hand.
For example, a player who uses a semi-western forehand may need to rotate the hand toward a continental grip to serve. Feeling the handle turn under the fingers can make that switch faster than trying to remember a visual position during a point.
Grip Products That Help You Feel the Bevels
A grip product will not correct your hand position by itself, but some are easier than others to read through your fingers. A thinner or less cushioned wrap tends to preserve the handle’s shape; a thicker, softer wrap can make the edges feel less distinct. Here are five common options to consider. Product feel is personal, so treat them as starting points rather than guaranteed fixes.
| Product | Type and feel | Potential benefit | Possible drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Pro Overgrip | Thin, soft overgrip | A popular choice for adding tack without a large change in handle shape. | May feel slicker as it wears or gets dirty; replace it when it loses its grip. |
| Tourna Grip Original | Dry-feeling overgrip | Useful for players whose hands sweat and who prefer a non-tacky surface. | It can wear or change color quickly, and its dry feel is not for everyone. |
| Yonex Super Grap | Tacky overgrip | Offers a secure, cushioned feel for players who want a little more comfort. | The extra softness may make bevel edges feel less sharp to some players. |
| Head Hydrosorb Pro | Replacement grip | A replacement option to consider when the base grip is worn and you want a cushioned feel. | Replacing a base grip takes more effort than changing an overgrip; added thickness may affect sizing. |
| Gamma Supreme Overgrip | Tacky overgrip | A tacky option for players who want their hand to feel secure on the handle. | Players who prefer a dry or very thin feel may find it too soft or sticky. |
If you are trying to make bevels easier to feel, start by changing one thing at a time. A new overgrip can affect the handle’s thickness, so check your grip position again after applying it. Avoid wrapping extra layers simply to make the handle more comfortable without considering how the larger shape affects your hand.
Common Bevel and Grip Mistakes
- Mixing up the viewing angle: A bevel number can appear on the opposite side when a chart is viewed from the other end of the racket. Confirm the chart’s orientation.
- Forcing a grip because a chart says so: Use grip positions as a guide, then adjust with a coach if your hand, stroke, or comfort calls for it.
- Changing grips too late: Practice moving between grips during drills so the adjustment feels natural before a match.
- Ignoring a changed handle: A replacement grip or several overgrip layers can alter the feel and size of the handle. Recheck where your hand sits afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bevels does a tennis racket have?
Most tennis racket handles have eight bevels, forming an octagonal shape. The flat sides help you locate and repeat grip positions.
Which bevel is the continental grip?
In a common right-handed numbering system, the continental grip is on bevel 2. Charts can differ in how they show the handle, so confirm the viewing direction before using the number.
Do bevels change the size of a racket grip?
The bevels are part of the handle’s shape, not a separate size setting. However, adding an overgrip or replacement grip can make the handle feel thicker and soften the edges.
Are grip bevels the same for left-handed players?
The handle still has eight bevels, but right-handed grip positions are mirrored for a left-handed player. A left-handed player should use a chart made for their handedness or reverse the right-handed positions.
Final Thoughts
Bevels are simple reference points that make racket grips easier to understand and repeat. Learn to find the top flat, feel the edges, and practice moving between your main grips. Once your hand can recognize the handle without looking, grip changes become less of a guess—and more of a reliable part of your game.
