why small grips for fed/nadal?

[whatsgood4u]

I just read that fed and nadal both use very small grips for there size. Some thing like 4 1/4. Why? is there an advantage that I'm not seeing or do they just have very small hands?

[Teh_pwnerer]

uuh i think smaller grips give more spin, i head nadal uses 4 1/4. not sure about fed tho

[Mad iX]

Personal preference I'm guessing.
I'm 6' 3" and I can easily use a 4 1/4 grip. I usually use a 4 3/8. My hitting partner with slightly smaller hands uses 4 5/8.
I don't think it affects spin or anything much.

Something to note is that I grew up playing badminton and squash, using racquets that might be grip size 3 1/2 or 3 3/4 at the most.

[LarougeNY]

Using smaller grips (over the size you're fit to use) give more spin b/c the racket twists more. Using a bigger grip (one that you're fit to use) has more stability because it doesn't twist.

[jmsx521]

Originally Posted by LarougeNY

Using smaller grips (over the size you're fit to use) give more spin b/c the racket twists more. Using a bigger grip (one that you're fit to use) has more stability because it doesn't twist.

I agree too. It’s a bit like putting higher swing-weight on the racket, since you reduce the size and mass at the handle. That will give you easier rotation too. The downfall is the smaller the grip, the more unstable the racket will be.

[Nick b]

fedz has 4 3/8 look at thing made by greg raven

[KingOfTennis]

maybe their hands are small? Anyway if it is that must mean something else is small 2

[Lambsscroll]

If you slightly overlap the over grip the 4 3/8 is more like 4 1/2. Thus Nadal's 4 1/4 is close to 4 3/8. I just measured my 4 3/8 grip which has a new wilson over grip on it and measures 4 1/2. After playing with it for awhile it will flatten out to 4 7/16.

[Ripper]

Originally Posted by KingOfTennis

maybe their hands are small? Anyway if it is that must mean something else is small 2

You're joking, but it's true; a person's overall height is not, necessarily, directly proportional to the size of her/his body parts.

[Azzurri]

Originally Posted by Ripper

You're joking, but it's true; a person's overall height is not, necessarily, directly proportional to the size of her/his body parts.

That's true...if it weren't I would be closer to 6'5" rather than 5'9"

[fastdunn]

Michael Stich at 6'4" used to use 4 1/4 grip, I think.

He effortless generated swing speed in serving but
his volleys tended to be touch too whippy sometimes.

[Ripper]

Originally Posted by Lambsscroll

If you slightly overlap the over grip the 4 3/8 is more like 4 1/2. Thus Nadal's 4 1/4 is close to 4 3/8. I just measured my 4 3/8 grip which has a new wilson over grip on it and measures 4 1/2. After playing with it for awhile it will flatten out to 4 7/16.

A handle diameter/size is just a reference base size, as, on top of the bare handle, everyone puts her/his own personal recipe of stuff; favourite replacement grip and favourite overgrip (though some people just use one or the other, while other people use multiple layers of these or other things). Replacement grips and overgrips come in all kinds of thicknesses. So, handle sizes don't mean much, really. Again, picky player's (like me) start out with a reference bare handle diameter on top of which we each do our own personal thing, in order to end up with our beloved final diameter and feel. Everyone is different. Nadal could have small hands. Or he just likes small handles. Or he uses multiple layers of grips. Truth is we only know he SUPPOSEDLY uses 4 1/4 handles.

Edit: Or he could have layers of lead tape over the bare handle, on top of which he could be using some thick leather grip PLUS multiple layers of overgrips. These are just example of things that could be going on, but the fact is we don't know what's going on

[rnitz]

I think there has been a trend over the last few years (decades?) to smaller grip sizes. A year or two ago I checked the grip sizes for the top eight mens players and was surprised that all of them were 4 1/2 and below (with several at 4 1/4). Gone are the days of Sampras' large grip.

From what I heard, the reasons were twofold: with the transition to western grips, it's easier to use with a smaller grip size (different angle in your hand, more wrist/spin). Secondly, players found it easier/faster to switch grips between shots - I've heard Federer has used a variable forehand grip depending on the type of forehand he wants to hit on a particular shot.

[J-man]

Originally Posted by Teh_pwnerer

uuh i think smaller grips give more spin, i head nadal uses 4 1/4. not sure about fed tho

Danm I use that!!

[kingdaddy41788]

Federer has 4 3/8 grip. Which is pretty average (not small). Nadal uses a 4 1/4 because it gives him more spin & control. A grip size that is too small for you can give you tennis elbow, and a bigger grip will twist out of your hand and give you less control.