For various reasons, some tennis players intentionally use a racket with an incorrect grip size, even at the professional level. While this work well for some people, it can interfere with the development of proper technique and can even increase the risk of tennis elbow.
Measuring Grip Size
The best way to measure your ideal grip size is to align the edge of a ruler with the middle crease of your palm and measure straight up to the tip of your ring finger. Grips sizes are typically offered in the range of 4 1/8″ to 4 5/8″ in increments of 1/8″ with the most common grip size being 4 3/8″.
If your measurement is in between grip sizes, consider choosing a racket with the lower grip size because a racket’s grip size is much easier to increase than decrease. Furthermore, if you decide to use an over grip, it will increase the grip size of the racket.
Find What’s Right For You
Once you have an rough idea of what grip size is right for you, hold a few rackets with that grip size. They should feel comfortable in your hand and you should be able to easily fit the index finger of your other hand in between the tips of your fingers holding the racket and the base of your palm without their being too much extra space.
While you may choose to experiment with different grip sizes, keep in mind that if you’re a beginner, or even an intermediate that still needs to improve technique, starting off with the proper grip size is important to your development.
Larger Grip Sizes
Larger grip sizes tend to restrict hand and wrist movement. Some people say that they also help to alleviate tennis elbow and reduce the amount of twisting on off centered hits. Because of the restriction of movement, players with conventional strokes, particularly all court players, net rushers and doubles players, will be more likely to prefer a racket with a larger grip size.
Smaller Grip Sizes
Smaller grip sizes tend to allow the hand and wrist to move a bit more freely. In contrast to the larger grip sizes, some people believe that the smaller grip sizes make it easier for the racket to twist on off centered hits and also increase the risk of developing tennis elbow. Because of the freedom of movement, players with modern and whippy strokes, especially the ones who hit a lot of spin, are more likely to use a racket with a smaller grip.
Changing Your Racket’s Grip Size
Many people find that they’re unhappy with the grip size of their racket after they’ve already played with it and can’t return it. Depending on how drastic of a change you need to make, there are several things you can do.
Grip Size is Too Big
If you typically play with an over grip on top of a regular grip, you can reduce your racket’s grip size by a full 1/8″ by removing both grips and replacing them with two over grips. If you don’t want to reduce the grip of the racket by a full 1/8″, you can try playing with just a regular grip and no over grip.
If you want the grip size of the racket to be reduced by more than 1/8″, you’ll need to find a specialty tennis shop that can either replace the grip pallet or shave the existing grip pallet down a size. If you don’t have access to such a shop, you can mail your rackets to RPNY Tennis in New York City or RacquetMaxx in Alabama. Both places have highly skilled technicians that customize and string rackets for professional players.
Grip Size is Too Small
Increasing a racket’s grip size is much easier than decreasing it. The easiest thing to do is add one or more over grips. If this is not enough, you can buy a rubber sleeve that you can apply to the bare handle of your racket by heating it and letting it shrink until it conforms to the handle. These sleeves are available at most online tennis stores.
Tags: how to choose a grip size, how to choose a tennis racket