Grip Size for Nadal and Federer

tennis23 · Jun 6, 2007

Hi,

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the fact that both Nadal and Roger use smaller grip sizes a major contributing factor in their success? I know I personally use a 4 5/8 with and overwrap (POG OS) and really am seriously thinking of going to a smaller size raquet (95) and grip size 4 3/8 to see I experience any difference.

I am curious what Nadal and Federer actually use? I heard they were smaller.
Thanks
Brian

Rulo · Jun 6, 2007

Rafael Nadal:
Grip: Babolat Syntec Grip
Overgrip: Babolat VS Original Overgrip (White)
Grip Size: 4 1/4 - L2

Roger Federer:
Grip: Wilson Leather Grip
Overgrip: Wilson Pro Overgrip (White)
Grip Size: 4 3/8 - L3

tennisfa · Jun 6, 2007

for Federer, he uses several layers of over grip. it depends on his opponent and what he feels like on that day.

jasoncho92 · Jun 6, 2007

Im pretty sure he only uses one. But he started overlapping them more

BreakPoint · Jun 6, 2007

jasoncho92 said:
Im pretty sure he only uses one. But he started overlapping them more

How do you know? Do you have a source? Thanks

tennis23 · Jun 6, 2007

Grip Size

I have been playing with a 4 5/8 POG for so long with a Prince Overwrap, that I am not sure I could change. However, I am thinking that there could be some benefit to going down.

Any comments on why the smaller size is preferred by these 2 top folks?

Regards,
Brian

alan-n · Jun 6, 2007

Babalot grip sizes feel 1 size larger than what they are rated at, even Tennis warehouse sales page confirms this.

chiru · Jun 6, 2007

BreakPoint said:
How do you know? Do you have a source? Thanks

I saw a clip once of him wrapping an overgrip at a tournament when he was playing with the tour 90 pj. He only wrapped one over the leather and i doubt he's changed much since then (i think he had already started his dominance by that point). I donno if i can find that clip tho, it was on youtube tho...

Keifers · Jun 6, 2007

I picked up an old racquet of mine recently and was shocked at how much bigger the grip was compared to my current sticks -- by one size, easily. For me, the smaller grip certainly makes switching between Eastern and Continental and SW grips easier.

Mr. Sean · Jun 6, 2007

I play with a 4 and 1/4 when im supposed to be a 3/8. In my opinion it helps on the serve by allowing the wrist to pronate easier. Its good for the groundstrokes if you have proper mechanics. From what I hear it gives you more topspin.

BreakPoint · Jun 6, 2007

But a smaller grip also makes it harder to volley well with, and for me, harder to hit a great one-handed backhand with. I also find smaller grips to feel less stable in my hand, and I haven't found smaller grips to help my serves at all.

ericsson · Jun 6, 2007

BreakPoint said:
But a smaller grip also makes it harder to volley well with, and for me, harder to hit a great one-handed backhand with. I also find smaller grips to feel less stable in my hand, and I haven't found smaller grips to help my serves at all.

agree here + the fact it gives me nasty blisters but thats more a personal thing i guess...

TalkingTennis91 · Jun 12, 2007

BreakPoint said:
But a smaller grip also makes it harder to volley well with, and for me, harder to hit a great one-handed backhand with. I also find smaller grips to feel less stable in my hand, and I haven't found smaller grips to help my serves at all.

Dude, Breakpoint said it perfectly.

tennisinoc · Jun 12, 2007

tennis23 said:
I have been playing with a 4 5/8 POG for so long with a Prince Overwrap, that I am not sure I could change. However, I am thinking that there could be some benefit to going down.

Any comments on why the smaller size is preferred by these 2 top folks?

Regards,
Brian

Why are you trying to change it if it works for you? If you are planning on changing your grip style and stroke, then might as well try it smaller. If not, I wouldn't recommend it.

JayxTheKoolest · Jun 12, 2007

BreakPoint said:
But a smaller grip also makes it harder to volley well with, and for me, harder to hit a great one-handed backhand with. I also find smaller grips to feel less stable in my hand, and I haven't found smaller grips to help my serves at all.

Actually, I've found that smaller grips hurt both my serves and volleys. I also agree that the stability of the larger grip size on groundstrokes is important.

I discovered this after trying to go down from a 4 1/2 (with leather grip) to a 4 1/4 (with leather grip and two overgrips). It just did not work.

Teh_pwnerer · Jun 12, 2007

BreakPoint said:
But a smaller grip also makes it harder to volley well with, and for me, harder to hit a great one-handed backhand with. I also find smaller grips to feel less stable in my hand, and I haven't found smaller grips to help my serves at all.

Exactly smaller less stable, i think that 4 1/2 is like in between of all of them maybe 3/8 but im pretty comfortable with a 1/2 rite now, as for fed and nad, nadal definetly uses 1/4 for the ammount of spin he generates as for fed i bet its 3/8

JayxTheKoolest · Jun 12, 2007

Teh_pwnerer said:
Exactly smaller less stable, i think that 4 1/2 is like in between of all of them maybe 3/8 but im pretty comfortable with a 1/2 rite now, as for fed and nad, nadal definetly uses 1/4 for the ammount of spin he generates as for fed i bet its 3/8

The grips go from 0-6, so the sizes 3-4 are the middle (3/8 and 1/2).

AlpineCadet · Jun 12, 2007

I'll make this quick.

Grip sizing for a person mostly depends on personal preference. I am 4 5/8ths according to Wilson's hand-sizing chart, but I don't use that big of a grip. Again, personal comfort should matter most. Just remember this: a bigger grip size will provide better stability, which translates into more power, while a smaller grip size will allow a broader range of motion for your wrist, which translates into faster racket snap/motion. Keep in mind that if you go one size too small, you'll have a problem with a 'fluttering' non-stable wrist. I'm not sure how going one size too big will effect your game, since I've never personally experienced it.

AlpineCadet · Jun 12, 2007

There is no magic grip size since we all have different hand sizes.

califsurferboy33 · Jun 12, 2007

my pure drive has a 3/8ths grip, and i use a tourna grip (anyone know how think this is? well i then switched to a overgrip that was .07mm and all of a sudden it seemed that i was hitting the ball with more power. i don't know if i was just getting more spin or i was actaully hitting the ball with more power. i then switched back to the tourna grip and i was hitting the ball regular again. who knows

JayxTheKoolest · Jun 12, 2007

AlpineCadet said:
There is no magic grip size since we all have different hand sizes.

Yes, absolutely true. We all have different hands and preferences.

bluetrain4 · Jun 12, 2007

These days, standard sizing is moot. Go with what's comfortable, even if it is smaller than what traditionally has been considered normal.

Bigger grips made sense for classic eastern forehands. But with the whippy motions to day, smaller grips make that easier for a lot of people. Problem is a smaller grip can be good for one stroke and not so good for another, which someone else suggsted.

I can play fine with 4 and 3/8 or 4 and 1/2, both with an overgrip, but prefer the smaller size. Plus, it's easier to bulk up a smaller grip should your preference change than decrease the size of a larger grip.

tennis_hand · Jun 12, 2007

Fed probably has a small hand. His 4 3/8 and 1 overgrip still leaves him some gap between ring finger and the palm. and he is 1.85m tall. Imagine such a tall guy use a 4 3/8. it is his hand size.

smaller grip makes u want to use wrist a lot. and that is bad.

grizzly4life · Jun 12, 2007

tennis_hand said:
Fed probably has a small hand. His 4 3/8 and 1 overgrip still leaves him some gap between ring finger and the palm. and he is 1.85m tall. Imagine such a tall guy use a 4 3/8. it is his hand size.

smaller grip makes u want to use wrist a lot. and that is bad.

does federer have a space there? i didn't think so.

FWIW (not much), i've moved to smaller grip and i really like it, and i have big hands..... get much, much more spin and control. large grip is good for rallying straight ahead and deep, but anything else and i find it's not so great..... and i like the smaller grip moving the frame back towards a more balanced weighting (as building up my grip made it way too HL..... i like buying them smaller and building them up, although you could buy them bigger grip brand new and i suppose you won't have the HL problem)

tennis_hand · Jun 13, 2007

check his photos. there is some space. u'll have big trouble playing in atp, if u can cross ur ring finger.

PackardDell · Jul 3, 2007

I use L4 + overgrip.

PackardDell · Jul 3, 2007

i got this pic from
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/Gripsize/Gripsize.html

are these inches or centimeters?

BobFL · Jul 3, 2007

PackardDell said:
are these inches or centimeters?

Are you serious?

Inches, of course.

PS can you imagine grip size with 4.5 cm circumference?

PackardDell · Jul 4, 2007

according to that pic my hand is about 12.5 cm

that is about 4.9 inch

Is that L3 ? L4? or L5?

http://www.onlineconversion.com/length_common.htm (a useful conv applet)

PackardDell · Jul 4, 2007

btw: 12.0 cm is about 4.7 inch (12.0 cm is a second measurement, a bit more accurate is this one i think)

BreakPoint · Jul 4, 2007

PackardDell said:
btw: 12.0 cm is about 4.7 inch (12.0 cm is a second measurement, a bit more accurate is this one i think)

Looks like you're an L5 ( 4 5/8 )

PackardDell · Jul 5, 2007

ok thanks for that

At the moment I use a Head L4 + overgrip. That is a right choice i see

AlpineCadet · Jul 5, 2007

The only way you can tell what's right for you is to ACTUALLY try out the grip sizes over a long period of time. You can decide right here and now what grip size you'd prefer, but in the end, what works best for you will always take experimentation and practice time. Just because a specific pro uses a specific grip size, doesn't mean you'll automatically play better if you copy him/her.

dennis1188 · Jul 6, 2007

I currently use a 4 1/4 for serve games (serve/volley).
I switch to my 4 3/8 for return games (better return of service and 1 hd/bkhd).

welcome2petrkordaland · Jul 6, 2007

AlpineCadet said:
I'll make this quick.

Grip sizing for a person mostly depends on personal preference. I am 4 5/8ths according to Wilson's hand-sizing chart, but I don't use that big of a grip. Again, personal comfort should matter most. Just remember this: a bigger grip size will provide better stability, which translates into more power, while a smaller grip size will allow a broader range of motion for your wrist, which translates into faster racket snap/motion. Keep in mind that if you go one size too small, you'll have a problem with a 'fluttering' non-stable wrist. I'm not sure how going one size too big will effect your game, since I've never personally experienced it.

Okay, i like what Alpine says. i think many comments on this thread fail to mention the importance of HOW MUCH WRIST is used in your strokes. i happen you use, although not technically ideal i realize, a lot of wrist on both my fh and bh and i've found that smaller grips 1/4 works the best and allows much CONTROL. so it's all about how wristy your shots are. i'd add that one-handed bh are suited for smaller grips whereas a 2 hander can get away get a bigger grip since they use 2 hands, naturally

a guy · Jul 6, 2007

I'm a 4 3/8 man myself.

BreakPoint · Jul 6, 2007

welcome2petrkordaland said:
i'd add that one-handed bh are suited for smaller grips whereas a 2 hander can get away get a bigger grip since they use 2 hands, naturally

I'd say it's the other way around. Larger grips are much better for 1HBH's because since you only have one hand on the grip, you need to to have more grip to get your thumb behind, which is really for the most part, the only part of your hand behind the shot. You can get away with smaller grips with 2HBH's because you have two hands on the grip to keep a smaller grip from twisting in your hands.

I'm guessing you hit a 2HBH?

TennisFrkJC92 · Jul 6, 2007

Can you get a smaller size and if you want to bulk it up, use 2 overgrips? Would that affect your gameplay regarding feel, shock, maneuverability, slippage, etc...?

welcome2petrkordaland · Jul 7, 2007

BreakPoint said:
I'd say it's the other way around. Larger grips are much better for 1HBH's because since you only have one hand on the grip, you need to to have more grip to get your thumb behind, which is really for the most part, the only part of your hand behind the shot. You can get away with smaller grips with 2HBH's because you have two hands on the grip to keep a smaller grip from twisting in your hands.

I'm guessing you hit a 2HBH?

break point, i actually use a one hander with an extreme western grip where my thumb is in the "thumbs up" position perpendicular to where i'm trying to hit the ball (and not tucked down making a fist), if you know what i'm saying. and i use a tremendous amount of wrist through contact, which i know is not ideal. i'm surprised idon't have wrist probs, esp. using polys. overall, i don't know about 2 handers; i'm just kind of generalizing about my bh stroke and how i've noticed larger grip sizes of friends who have 2 handers. with a lot of wrist use in a 1 hander, a smaller grip allows me to have more control.

BreakPoint · Jul 7, 2007

welcome2petrkordaland said:
break point, i actually use a one hander with an extreme western grip where my thumb is in the "thumbs up" position perpendicular to where i'm trying to hit the ball (and not tucked down making a fist), if you know what i'm saying. and i use a tremendous amount of wrist through contact, which i know is not ideal. i'm surprised idon't have wrist probs, esp. using polys. overall, i don't know about 2 handers; i'm just kind of generalizing about my bh stroke and how i've noticed larger grip sizes of friends who have 2 handers. with a lot of wrist use in a 1 hander, a smaller grip allows me to have more control.

OK, well, whatever works for you. I was referring more to the conventional eastern backhand grip, which I use. For that grip, you want a larger grip because you need to have your thumb behind the shots.

PackardDell · Jul 7, 2007

some useful info I found on a website

Grip Sizing

The grip sizes of tennis racquets have two units of measure -- European and American. The European sizing ranges from L1 to L6 in increments of one unit (L1, L2, L3, etc.). The equivalent American sizes range from 4-1/8" to 4-3/4" in increments of 1/8 inch. The American sizes represent the circumference of the handle, which can be measured with any flexible tape measure. Handle sizes on beginner junior racquets can also go below the range listed in the conversion table below:

L1 = 4-1/8 inches
L2 = 4-1/4 inches
L3 = 4-3/8 inches
L4 = 4-1/2 inches
L5 = 4-5/8 inches
L6 = 4-3/4 inches

TREX · Jul 9, 2007

Guys Fed has a normal gap on his racquet. He must have

smaller hands for his height. That or somebody is wrong about grip size.

All this talk about Wrist in strokes is hooey. There are 2 strokes that require or benefit from wrist pronation. The serve and overhead. Holding the grip loosely and with a continental to eastern backhand grip allows this with little regard to grip size.

Film of Aggasi shows that the wrist does not roll on his groundstroks. Topspin is generated with a low to high motion and the longer the racquet stays on the path toward the ball the more likely a clean stroke.

if you cant slide your forefinger of your off hand (Or almost do it) into the gap on your gripped racquet you are probably playing with a grip too small.

quest01 · Jul 9, 2007

Ive heard that using a smaller grip size may increase the chance of tennis elbow.

leonidas1982 · Nov 29, 2007

BreakPoint said:
But a smaller grip also makes it harder to volley well with, and for me, harder to hit a great one-handed backhand with. I also find smaller grips to feel less stable in my hand, and I haven't found smaller grips to help my serves at all.

what is your grip size?

Fedace · Nov 29, 2007

I use 4 7/8 grip size, bigger that better

BreakPoint · Nov 30, 2007

leonidas1982 said:
what is your grip size?

Now, 4 1/2 with leather grips plus a thick overgrip. I used to use a 4 5/8 as a kid but just bare leather grips.

tzinc · Nov 30, 2007

dennis1188 said:
I currently use a 4 1/4 for serve games (serve/volley).
I switch to my 4 3/8 for return games (better return of service and 1 hd/bkhd).

Cool. Is everything other then grip size the same with the racquets? What racquets and string set ups do you use?

2shots · Nov 30, 2007

Question

Does grip size not relate to the size of you hand? Surely the experience of using for example a 4 3/8 grip, will feel different for someone with large hands in comparison to someone with small hands

SempreSami · Nov 30, 2007

I find the size 4 grip on my [K]90 to feel a lot more comfortable than that on my old racquet. Might be the leather grip, I dunno.

Jackie T. Stephens · Nov 30, 2007

Fedace said:
I use 4 7/8 grip size, bigger that better

What??? I couldn't have even gripped something like that.

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