Do Bigger Grips Lead to Wrist Pain. Help!

R

RoddickistheMan

Professional
I have basically been demoing racquets lately. The racquet grip size I used to use was 4 and 3/8. I recently started demoing racquets with the four and a half inch grip size . I liked how stable the racquet felt in my hands and liked how the racquet did not slip on mishits. Volleys were more stable and I was invicible at net. However right when I started using 4 and 1/2 I started getting pain in my wrist like right where the joint is. I used wilsons grip finder and Im right between 4 and 3/8s and 1.2. I thought maybe my wrist will get used to it. After I play I get the pain but for the past month it has been going down but its still there. The thing I dont like about 4 and 3.8s is that on mishits the racquet slips also my volleys are less stable. I switched the technique and I still get the pain. I dont have a wristy shot. What should I do. Is the benefits of better play worth the pain?
________
Ford-Vairogs Specifications
 
Last edited:
Jonny S&V

Jonny S&V

Hall of Fame
RoddickistheMan said:
I have basically been demoing racquets lately. The racquet grip size I used to use was 4 and 3/8. I recently started demoing racquets with the four and a half inch grip size . I liked how stable the racquet felt in my hands and liked how the racquet did not slip on mishits. Volleys were more stable and I was invicible at net. However right when I started using 4 and 1/2 I started getting pain in my wrist like right where the joint is. I used wilsons grip finder and Im right between 4 and 3/8s and 1.2. I thought maybe my wrist will get used to it. After I play I get the pain but for the past month it has been going down but its still there. The thing I dont like about 4 and 3.8s is that on mishits the racquet slips also my volleys are less stable. I switched the technique and I still get the pain. I dont have a wristy shot. What should I do. Is the benefits of better play worth the pain?
Click to expand...

I would switch to a 4 3/8, but put a very padded grip on there, or 2 over grips. This should alleviate the wrist pain and increase the grip size.
 
B

Bodacious DVT

Semi-Pro
choosing the wrong size grip can lead to wrist problems and tennis elbow. TW's home page has a link to measuring grip sizes (learning center). check that out.

a kid on my team developed wrist problems last year. we checked his grip size- something like 5 1/2 with an overgrip. found out he was actually a 4 1/4.
 
P

paulfreda

Hall of Fame
I play with grip size ranging from 5.25 to 5.75.
I like the increase in surface area that allows me to hold it lighter.
I hate small grips that cause the frame to slip or not feel solid.

An added benefit of a large grip is it adds weight to the frame while keeping it headlight. I get more power, and a more solid feel, especially on volleys. Headlight retains depth control.

Try it without all the myth created fears that get in the way. You might like it.
 
Andres

Andres

G.O.A.T.
True that, paulfreda. Do you think your hawaiian grip has something to do with it?

I have huge hands, so I can't play with anything below 5.5'' . My gripsize right now is around 6.15''
 
origmarm

origmarm

Hall of Fame
Andres Guazzelli said:
True that, paulfreda. Do you think your hawaiian grip has something to do with it?

I have huge hands, so I can't play with anything below 5.5'' . My gripsize right now is around 6.15''
Click to expand...

Mate you must have HUGE hands! I play with a 4 5/8 (5) and thats perfect, I couldn't possibly play with a 6"+...
How do you build up the grips out of interest? I've never seen a stock bigger than a 5
 
Andres

Andres

G.O.A.T.
Leather grip + another base grip (or two, depends) + overgrip + overgrip
And depending on the weight, I may change the leather grip for a synthetic basegrip...

But the basic combo is always: 2 base grips + 2 overgrips. Another basegrip may be added, making it 3&2, but not always.

Right now, I have leather grip + basegrip + lots of stripes of electric tape + 2 overgrips.
 
origmarm

origmarm

Hall of Fame
Andres Guazzelli said:
Leather grip + another base grip (or two, depends) + overgrip + overgrip
And depending on the weight, I may change the leather grip for a synthetic basegrip...

But the basic combo is always: 2 base grips + 2 overgrips. Another basegrip may be added, making it 3&2, but not always.

Right now, I have leather grip + basegrip + lots of stripes of electric tape + 2 overgrips.
Click to expand...

Wow thats got to drive you insane gripping them up.

Also I know you lead your sticks up a lot, presumably you have to watch out for the balance hence the leather or not and 2&2 or 3&2 thing.

Have you tried those heat sleeve things at any point?
 
Andres

Andres

G.O.A.T.
origmarm said:
Wow thats got to drive you insane gripping them up.

Also I know you lead your sticks up a lot, presumably you have to watch out for the balance hence the leather or not and 2&2 or 3&2 thing.

Have you tried those heat sleeve things at any point?
Click to expand...
I don't have problems with balance, since I never lead up the hoop, so I always add the weight in the handle. I like my racquets around 18/23 pts HL.

Right now, the balance of the PS 6.1 is coming out to 10.63 inches or 23pts headlight.

That's how I love the racquets, very high static weight, and very low swingweight. The ProStaff is around 15.4 oz, but the SW is about 332

And yeah, I tried the sleeves before, but they were too expensive in comparison.
 
K

kevhen

Hall of Fame
5 1/2 is almost gorilla sized. I play with a 4 5/8 and with overgrip it's almost 4 3/4 and I have big hands.
 
A

alm

New User
Andres Guazzelli said:
I don't have problems with balance, since I never lead up the hoop, so I always add the weight in the handle. I like my racquets around 18/23 pts HL.

Right now, the balance of the PS 6.1 is coming out to 10.63 inches or 23pts headlight.

That's how I love the racquets, very high static weight, and very low swingweight. The ProStaff is around 15.4 oz, but the SW is about 332
Click to expand...
Your grip size is 6.15" and your frame weighs 15.4oz? You must be some kind of animal, Andres! Exactly how big are you?
 
sapient007

sapient007

Semi-Pro
on the topic of grips, i find that when i use my POG OS with 4 1/2 grip with 4 overgrip, i tend to slip my pinky below the bottom of the racquet sometimes cutting the pinky. I've alleviated the cut by starting my wraps below the base and it seems to work somewhat. however i've recently started playing with a Mfil 300 also 4 1/2 with only one overgrip and I don't seem to do that with the smaller grip. my question is is it the grip size, pallet shape or the weight difference of the racquets that's causing me to unconsciously lower my grip position?
 
origmarm

origmarm

Hall of Fame
Andres Guazzelli said:
I don't have problems with balance, since I never lead up the hoop, so I always add the weight in the handle. I like my racquets around 18/23 pts HL.

Right now, the balance of the PS 6.1 is coming out to 10.63 inches or 23pts headlight.

That's how I love the racquets, very high static weight, and very low swingweight. The ProStaff is around 15.4 oz, but the SW is about 332

And yeah, I tried the sleeves before, but they were too expensive in comparison.
Click to expand...

Ah ok that makes sense. 23pts is a lot. I thought I was a lot with 12/14 depending on the racquet. Mine run about 12-13 oz (I never weighed them but should be very close to 13 in theory) and I thought that was high also. All of my weight is either in the handle or taped just above the grip. I guess I must have put about 30g in total in lead on there

Anyhow to return to the grips I was thinking about getting one of those sleeves as I am slightly bigger than a 4 5/8, currently I have two overgrips but it just feels a bit rubbery so I was wondering. I reckon a sleeve + leather grip + 1 overgrip should do the trick and keep it firmish also
 
Andres

Andres

G.O.A.T.
bball.jpg


This is a Prestige Classic. It's 93''

mano.jpg


The girl is a normal sized girl (5'4''), who has a normal sized hand.

1180928303_f.jpg


This is a good reference, I think. It's a 2.25 lts Coke bottle

lagarra.jpg
 
Loco4Tennis

Loco4Tennis

Hall of Fame
RoddickistheMan said:
I have basically been demoing racquets lately. The racquet grip size I used to use was 4 and 3/8. I recently started demoing racquets with the four and a half inch grip size . I liked how stable the racquet felt in my hands and liked how the racquet did not slip on mishits. Volleys were more stable and I was invicible at net. However right when I started using 4 and 1/2 I started getting pain in my wrist like right where the joint is. I used wilsons grip finder and Im right between 4 and 3/8s and 1.2. I thought maybe my wrist will get used to it. After I play I get the pain but for the past month it has been going down but its still there. The thing I dont like about 4 and 3.8s is that on mishits the racquet slips also my volleys are less stable. I switched the technique and I still get the pain. I dont have a wristy shot. What should I do. Is the benefits of better play worth the pain?
Click to expand...

the best way to know what grip you have is to measure it once you get the racquet, lost of people keep mentioning how all brands of racquets have different sizes for their grips, so to make sure you have the right one, measure the grip once you get it and build up from there,
i would ask to demo smaller grip sizes and then i would measure then before and after the overgrips to get to my grip desired size, take 3 or 4 overgrips with you and measuring tape and build it up before you use the demo racquets, otherwise like you said your gonna feel the pain even after 1 session of a different size racquet. i know from experience that the smaller grip size will make you thumb muscle hurt.
 
P

paulfreda

Hall of Fame
Large grip

Andres Guazzelli said:
True that, paulfreda. Do you think your hawaiian grip has something to do with it?
Click to expand...
No. I do not play with the Hawaiian very much, just for training and for fun when hitting with the machine or a wall. I play in between SW and W.

I just feel in more control with a larger grip. And I can hold it much more loosely and still retain control.
 
U

Undrayon

New User
lol Andres Guazzelli I know how you feel man. I'm exactly 5'9 but wear a size 16 shoe. I was 5'7 in 6th grade and we all thought I'd be huge, but nah, turns out I just have really big feet : )
 
koopa_troopa

koopa_troopa

Rookie
How accurate is TW grip selection guide? I've seen many other websites use this as well. For my first two years of tennis I used a 4 3/8 grip, and to me without problem. However my fingers would curl all the way around and touch my palm. I thought that this may lead to tennis elbow if I continued using this small size. I tried out 4 1/2 size and did not have any problems initially. However after a few months of using this racquet (RDX 500 - supposed to be arm friendly too), my elbow is starting to hurt. I'm now thinking about going back to a 4 3/8 size. Does anyone else find that TW guide does not work for them?
 
Andres

Andres

G.O.A.T.
Undrayon said:
lol Andres Guazzelli I know how you feel man. I'm exactly 5'9 but wear a size 16 shoe. I was 5'7 in 6th grade and we all thought I'd be huge, but nah, turns out I just have really big feet : )
Click to expand...
Size 16 duuuude!!! I'm a size 14, and that's already hard to get down here in Argentina.

I feel your paaaain !!!!
 
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