Grip Size for Nadal and Federer

[PackardDell]

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]

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]

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

[leonidas1982]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

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]

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

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by leonidas1982

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]

Originally Posted by dennis1188

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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by Fedace

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

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

[slice bh compliment]

Originally Posted by Fedace

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

I'm about the same height as Sampras, with similar ape-like build, one-handed BH and eastern FH. And the same size grip, 4 and 3/4.

According to that grip size measurement technique, I ought to be using a 5 and 1/4. Yeah, that's a little much. A 4 and 7/8 would fit me best, I think. I do like the whip I get from the 'smaller' (4 and 3/4) grip I use, but I find what BP said is true if I demo a size 4. Feels like a pencil, not stable enough on BHs and volleys.

I've shaken hands with Guga. He's about 3 inches taller than me and our hands are about the same size. He used a reeeally small grip, like a quarter or a 3/8 or something. Then you've got a bear like Boris Becker, with a fairly small paw for a big man, hence the small grip.
And regular-sized guys like Mac and Pat Cash look like they use a big grip like a 4 and 5/8 or so.

To each his own, of course. But to generalize...I believe the guys who come in a lot prefer a larger grip. The guys who use a one hander use a bigger grip, but if they go small (e.g. Guga), they use a more extreme BH grip. Don't know how Becker did it with that skinny li'l thang.

Overall, though, it looks like the trend is toward larger guys with smaller grips.

[Maestro Nalbandian]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

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.

I was about to ask a related question but don't want to start another thread. Is leather grip the best way to increase grip size? I got a new 4 1/4 racquet (Yonex) but I normally use either 4 3/8 or 4 1/2. Whats the best way to make it thicker?

[slice bh compliment]

Originally Posted by Maestro Nalbandian

I was about to ask a related question but don't want to start another thread. Is leather grip the best way to increase grip size? I got a new 4 1/4 racquet (Yonex) but I normally use either 4 3/8 or 4 1/2. Whats the best way to make it thicker?

Leather doesn't really add any size. I use it for the firmness and a little more weight in the handle.

The best way to make your grip larger (besides a new frame or a custom handle) is a heat-shrink sleeve. They come in half-size or full size (1/8 of an inch in circumference).

You will need two 1/8 inch sleeves to get to a size 4. That will obscure some of the bevels, but not too badly.

Balsa wood is another option, but it requires more effort and precision than the sleeves.

[Blade0324]

I really like the smaller grips myself. By measurement I should be using about 1/2 to 5/8 but use 1/4 with 2 overgrips. I will agree that a larger grip feels more stable on volleys and I have actually gone to using a 1/2 grip racquet for doubles except when I serve. I can generate much more pace and spin on my groundies and serves with the smaller grip. Just my preference through.

[cuPlay]

Playing for over thirty years and I went to a smaller grip a decade ago. To give you an idea, college grip was 4 5/8 with gauze overwrap, 14 oz rackets with gut over 60+ lbs. Now playing with a 4 1/4 grip, 12 oz. racket with 52-53 lbs. synth. Despite years feeding a million balls and hitting with both retired tour players and a ton of juniors here in ATL, I have no shoulder, elbow or wrist problems. I think the rackets today make it easier to plow through the ball, shaping the shots. I know I hold the racket looser than I did with the bigger grip, which actually allows me more touch on volleys and more pace on serve. Like the great JohnnyMac has said, I have more pop on serve than when I was younger... (now if my knees will just hold up for another 30 years)...

[wmrhawk]

Originally Posted by cuPlay

Playing for over thirty years and I went to a smaller grip a decade ago. To give you an idea, college grip was 4 5/8 with gauze overwrap, 14 oz rackets with gut over 60+ lbs. Now playing with a 4 1/4 grip, 12 oz. racket with 52-53 lbs. synth. Despite years feeding a million balls and hitting with both retired tour players and a ton of juniors here in ATL, I have no shoulder, elbow or wrist problems. I think the rackets today make it easier to plow through the ball, shaping the shots. I know I hold the racket looser than I did with the bigger grip, which actually allows me more touch on volleys and more pace on serve. Like the great JohnnyMac has said, I have more pop on serve than when I was younger... (now if my knees will just hold up for another 30 years)...

Excellent commentary. is true with me as well. so far the body is holding up. can't remember if my Borg or Vilas racquets were 4 5/8 or 4 1/2, but my k95s are 4 1/4 plus overgrip.

[miniRafa386]

Originally Posted by AlpineCadet

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.

yes, along with the pronation and wrist snapping, you can reach those balls that are farther away with more reach and accuracy.

anyone remember the shot federer hit against agassi in dubai 05? dirtiest shot ever.

[AlpineCadet]

Originally Posted by miniRafa386

yes, along with the pronation and wrist snapping, you can reach those balls that are farther away with more reach and accuracy.

anyone remember the shot federer hit against agassi in dubai 05? dirtiest shot ever.

Thanks, I'm glad you agree with it

[tennis_hand]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

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.

i agree.

on the forehand, one size smaller doesn't seem to cause much trouble. but for volley and 1HBH, a bigger size is better.

for Fed and Nadal, we don't know their real reason. but blindly copying them with a smaller grip than you are comfortable with is not very smart.

[miniRafa386]

bp said it, and ill say it again:

small grip: more variety with wrist, meaning more spin, more angle, more control, more feel. less stability, less power, harder to volley, harder to flatten out groundies. idk about serves, but i found that a smaller grip helps with spin and kickers, but harder to hit flat.

large grip: more power, more stability, easier to hit volleys, easier to flatten out groundies and flat serves. less variety with wrist, less spin, less control, less feel, harder to hit spin and kick serves.