grip too small or big? right hand pain

[Liem]

I've been playing a lot of tennis lately, at least 15-20hrs per week. I notice that my right hand right below the knuckle of my ring and pinky finger is starting to hurt. When I stretch my fingers back like doing a "E" in sign language theres even more pain there. Is this because my grip size is too big or too small? Thanks

 

[1stVolley]

While I wouldn't rule out grip size, my guess (esp. given the amount that you are playing) is that you may be gripping the racquet too tightly.

You should hold the racquet loosely until you begin your fore swing; likewise for volleys. Anyway, this is something that's easy to monitor and confirm or rule out.

 

[Liem]

good point...I get blisters on my fingers after every time I play because I have a death grip on the racquet. So I just need to loosen up some unless im volleying?

 

[asekaran]

Loosen up until you're about to hit the ball. Holding the racquet with a death grip gave me blisters also (and a little elbow trouble too)

 

[1stVolley]

Like asakaran says, loosen up until just before you go to hit. This applies 100% to volleys as well. A tight grip on a volley will prevent you from using proper mechanics on the stroke and will slow down your reaction to the ball

 

[surfsb]

I've heard the way to measure grip size is grip the racquet handle and then lay the index finger from your other hand in the gap. If there is no gap, the grip is too small. If it kinda fits, then its a good enough size. If the gap is significantly larger than your finger then its too big.

However there is no science to this. Some people have different preferences that match the way they grip the racquet. I know a guy with smaller hands than I (uses a 4 3/8ths) who loves a 4 5/8ths grip

In your case with pain in the ring and pinky, if it's a numbing and occasionally throbbing pain it could be related to nerves around the metatarsals (and maybe down to the carpels and the wrist) with the way you are gripping the racquet. Could be overdone and the muscles in the palm have tightened up from overuse or strain. Consider massaging the area, stretching wrist and fingers and maybe building grip strength.