Can increasing grip size save you from tennis elbow?

I just came across this tennis.com article:
http://tennisworld.typepad.com/the_pro_shop/2010/04/friday-mailbag-sending-out-an-sos.html

Scroll to the very last question about the guy who got tennis elbow after switching his racket. The suggested remedies are, go back to old racket, use gut with low tension and upsize the grip.

The answer implies that if you play with larger grip then you are less likely to get tennis elbow. Is that a sound advice?

-Josh
 

SystemicAnomaly

Bionic Poster
They are talking about elbow problems in that question but do not identify it as TE per se. I believe that using a grip size that is too small or squeezing the handle too tightly will often result in GE (golfer's elbow).
 

mikeler

Moderator
They are talking about elbow problems in that question but do not identify it as TE per se. I believe that using a grip size that is too small or squeezing the handle too tightly will often result in GE (golfer's elbow).


My hand measures exactly 4-1/4 and I have GE. It is more comfortable for me to use 4-3/8 grips.
 
From the Tennis Warehouse Learning Center:

"A too-small grip requires more muscle strength to keep the racquet from twisting in your hand. Prolonged use of a grip that's too small can contribute to tennis elbow problems. A grip that's too large inhibits wrist snap on serves, makes changing grips more difficult and also requires more muscle strength. Prolonged use of a grip that's too big can also contribute to tennis elbow problems."
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/Gripsize.html

If you follow the link, you can also find the correct way to determine grip size.
 

jpr

New User
years ago i had TE/GE problems. i increased my grip from 4 1/2 to 5 1/8 and the problem went away. i stuck with the large grip size.

never had another problem with TE, but GE has returned after starting doing pullups.
 

10ACE

Professional
I just came across this tennis.com article:
http://tennisworld.typepad.com/the_pro_shop/2010/04/friday-mailbag-sending-out-an-sos.html

Scroll to the very last question about the guy who got tennis elbow after switching his racket. The suggested remedies are, go back to old racket, use gut with low tension and upsize the grip.

The answer implies that if you play with larger grip then you are less likely to get tennis elbow. Is that a sound advice?

-Josh

I play with a 5, I went down to a 4 to see what all the fuss was about with a smaller grip size. My wrist starting to hurt, I mean really hurt.

I went back to the 5- no longer have a problem with the wrist.

I am sure it can relate to the elbow as well
 

Jane_Keating

New User
I just came across this tennis.com article:
http://tennisworld.typepad.com/the_pro_shop/2010/04/friday-mailbag-sending-out-an-sos.html

The answer implies that if you play with larger grip then you are less likely to get tennis elbow. Is that a sound advice?

-Josh

A lot of tennis players have a propensity to select a smaller grip due to the fact that it gives them a more secure feeling. However it can be a precarious practice, because the smaller the grip the tighter you must squeeze the grip to maintain racquet control at impact. The tighter you squeeze the handle, the more force is applied to the hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow which can lead to exhaustion and in due course will cause tendonitis. A general rule of thumb is you must use as large grip as you can comfortably use. Larger grips have more surface area than smaller grips letting you to grip the handle more comfortably. Anyway, I bumped into a site which offers decent info about tennis (tennisbully.com) you might like to check it out. I find the site pretty interesting and informative. Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any question about my opinion. :)
 

Tennis_Monk

Hall of Fame
I use a large grip size--i can almost fit two fingers in the grap, if i wrap my palm around the handle.

I also use Power V grip and that keeps my racquet from slipping in my hand.

I never had Tennis Elbow.
 

Standupnfall

Semi-Pro
I picked up a used Dunlop Black Max last week in a grip 2 sizes to small and gave it a gentle hit just for kicks. The next morning my wrist was wrecked. Took 2 day of icing to get the cramping feeling to go away from just 5 min of rallying.
 

jimanuel12

Semi-Pro
I just came across this tennis.com article:
http://tennisworld.typepad.com/the_pro_shop/2010/04/friday-mailbag-sending-out-an-sos.html

Scroll to the very last question about the guy who got tennis elbow after switching his racket. The suggested remedies are, go back to old racket, use gut with low tension and upsize the grip.

The answer implies that if you play with larger grip then you are less likely to get tennis elbow. Is that a sound advice?

-Josh

i started a thread some time ago about everyone seems to be going to a smaller grip size these days.
when i started to play tennis i used a 4 5/8", i changed to a 4 3/8" hyper hammer racket last year and got a bad bad case of tennis elbow.
the hammer was too light and too stiff, but i had forgotten about the smaller grip size until just now.
according to "guts and glory tennis" using a smaller grip size will increase your chances of getting TE.
my hand measures exactly 4 1/2 but i use a 4 5/8 and my TE problems have not returned but i also changed to a flexable racket too.
i feel like some other posters here, a too small grip size makes you grip the handle too hard and therefore increasing your chances of getting the dreaded TE.
my 2 cents worth.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
bottom line is.....INCORRECT grip size can lead to TE, but if in doubt, bigger is a better way to lean IMO. Too small is worse than too big. But there is no reason for not getting measured for the CORRECT gripsize and learn to play with a relaxed grip.
 

jimanuel12

Semi-Pro
bottom line is.....INCORRECT grip size can lead to TE, but if in doubt, bigger is a better way to lean IMO. Too small is worse than too big. But there is no reason for not getting measured for the CORRECT gripsize and learn to play with a relaxed grip.

i am with you, the 4 1/2" seems a little too small for me, althougth it seems to be the correct size.
the 4 5/8" seems very comfortable for me, my fingers are long so i guess that makes the difference.
yes, when in doubt, go to the larger size, not down.
 

ponterril

New User
In days of old, Laver used to modify his grip size frequently. When playing on clay he would make it smaller feeling he could move his wrist more and get more spin. When on grass, he made the grips larger to stabilize his grip more and hit flatter. IMO using the wrist more could irritate a tender elbow.
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
Yes I believe that larger grips are better for both GE snd TE particularly if you have a more traditional linear game and/ or you serve and volley a lot, if you volley a lot in particular larger grips give you more wrist stability. For this reason I am very disappointed when racquet companies delete their grip 5 ‘s. I use a grip 5 plus an over grip. If I buy a grip 4 then it’s two over grips which I don’t think is ideal.
As far as modern game styles and loose wrist techniques, well like I would like to see the data on what’s happening injury wise, Anecdotally there seems to be quite a fair bit of wrist injuries happening. I think a lot of district players try to over emphasise topspin when it’s probably not needed. Either you have a fast arm and lots of angularity or you don’t,
 

Jono123

Professional
Yes it will , in part. It basically means you're gripping the racket too tight.

You could also try :
  1. A band
  2. Multi strings
  3. A heavier frame.
 

aussie

Professional
Yes I believe that larger grips are better for both GE snd TE particularly if you have a more traditional linear game and/ or you serve and volley a lot, if you volley a lot in particular larger grips give you more wrist stability. For this reason I am very disappointed when racquet companies delete their grip 5 ‘s. I use a grip 5 plus an over grip. If I buy a grip 4 then it’s two over grips which I don’t think is ideal.
As far as modern game styles and loose wrist techniques, well like I would like to see the data on what’s happening injury wise, Anecdotally there seems to be quite a fair bit of wrist injuries happening. I think a lot of district players try to over emphasise topspin when it’s probably not needed. Either you have a fast arm and lots of angularity or you don’t,
Gotta agree with you (once again) @Crocodile. I've always been a grip 5 player with one overgrip and bemoan the lack of grip 5 and now grip 4 racquets.

The only saving grace is that I use only Prince racquets and their grip sizes have definitely increased through the years. I recently picked up a Phantom 100X in grip 2 (on sale for ridiculous price so took the chance on the grip) and incredibly with an overgrip it is the same size as the old grip 4 racquets without an overgrip so is very playable.

Also as the years have passed and the grip sizes have reduced I've adapted especially as I moved from eastern forehands and linear stroke paths to semi western with more of an ATP path, loose wrist and windshield wiper follow through.
 

AutoXer

Rookie
I went up a size to test and just ordered a matching racquet after an hour of hitting with the L4 vs my usual L3. I have trigger finger, wrist issues, ulnar nerve damage, elbow problems, and shoulder issues. None of this was caused by tennis but tennis doesn't help. Instantly I could feel my grip looser than normal and my hand\arm felt better than normal after a one hour lesson with the bigger handle.

I've also started testing JumboMax grips on my golf clubs to see which one I like the best. So far the Straight Tech in Medium feels great. I can hold the club with so much less pressure with the huge grip. I probably "fit" the extra small but the medium feels better after 20 or so swings.
 

AutoXer

Rookie
update: After around 10 hours on court over several sessions my hand, wrist, forearm and elbow pain is considerably lower. The more relaxed grip with the oversize handle appears to be working quite well for me. I've also swapped to the JumboMax STR8 Tech XS grip on my 7 iron and had a couple sessions with it at the range and again lots less pain everywhere. Probably will move down a size to the JumboMax TourSeries Standard Jumbo though.
 
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