Nadal's Small Grip Size Helped My Game!

[itisgregory]

Nadal uses a 4-1/4" grip which is considered small for his large hand. He is one of the few players to use such a small grip. It allows him to dig into the racquet handle and really feel the racquet.

My hands are much smaller then his so I switched from a 4-1/4" to 4-1/8". Watch a difference! I am loving this new grip size.

Not everyone will benefit from using a small grip. I think this is purely an individual feel and not a general rule.

 

[dennistennis]

I have very small hands and I have always liked to have a very small grip 4 1/4 but put a 4 5/8 butt cap on there. Very nice if you ask me.

 

[S H O W S T O P P E R !]

Nadal probably has a lot of overgrips on his handle which means his original racket grip is 4 1/4 but it's probably bigger and more cushioned. Unless you built up the grip size, beware. You might get TE.

 

[nickynu]

hey great that its helping, but watch out for the potentially resulting tennis elbow m8, might not happen but any twinges and i would build it straight back up.

 

[itisgregory]

Thanks for the TE warnings.

 

[jackcrawford]

Nadal probably has a lot of overgrips on his handle which means his original racket grip is 4 1/4 but it's probably bigger and more cushioned. Unless you built up the grip size, beware. You might get TE.

No, it's a custom handle that measures 4 1/4 with one overgrip installed.

 

[robJAR]

I shaved two of my Wilson nSix-One 95's to 3 1/2" (without anything on it), built up lead tape, 1 TournaGrip so the tape won't rip off from the leather grip I put on top, 1 leather grip, and one overgrip witha 4 5/8" buttcap. The handle with everything on measures 4 1/4". Basically I reached my goal but I'm thinking of just getting generic buttcaps since I'm planning on repainting them. If my gripsize is 4 1/4", what size buttcap should I get? The same? or larger/smaller?

-robJAR

 

[itisgregory]

WOW...you are the custom job man aren't you. Good work.

 

[lawlitssoo1n]

i think it depends on the grip handles, i like using the 3/8 on head, but when i use my wilson i have 3/8 but with 2 over grips, becuase one, i like to hit hard and flat, 2 the grip is hard, cuz its leather, there is added cushion

 

[robJAR]

WOW...you are the custom job man aren't you. Good work.

Hah, I'm not sure if you're talking about me, but thanks. I like experimenting.

I just hate the fact that the Wilson pallets are still foam molds, and not upgrading to where it's just plastic and you just use plastic screws or whatever it is, like HEAD, Volkl...

-robJAR

 

[Blade0324]

I too have gone to a small grip size. I used to play 3/8 with leather and one overgrip but have recently sized them down to be 1/4 with leather and one overgrip. I has made a nice difference in my groundies and serve. Both have more pop and spin now. However I kept one at the bigger size for doubles play as the small grip makes it harder to volley hard balls.

 

[itisgregory]

Good point made about the volley. I still use the same 1/8" for ALL strokes. I can "guide and feel" the ball.

 

[quest01]

Damn you must have some real small hands if you use a 4 1/8's gripsize.

 

[Blade0324]

I could go to 1/8 as some others have and still feel really good about it. My wife uses that size and I have hit with her stick plenty and it feels really good. I'm just not sure I'd get any benefit for me personally in going smaller yet. I am 5'10" and average size hands to maybe slighty large and I love the feel of the small grip. All the guys on my team have 1/2 to 5/8 grips and anytime I grab one of their racquets it feels really awkward to me. I just can't hit well with a grip that large, it feels like a clumsy club.

 

[djokster]

and also, if you use a smaller grip size, there is a much higher potential for hand calluses bursting open and blisters...

 

[Bmr]

Grip Size...

Wow, it's funny you guys mention this. I just took a lesson last night and the coach recommended trying a smaller grip size. I think it definitely makes racquet feedback easier and helps my 2hbh a lot in the sense that I can wrist it around easier. Right now i'm using 1/2s with the Speedport Black but i'm gonna try to go down to a 1/4 for awhile to see how it plays..

 

[StevenLaurence]

Fed and others also use small grips. I use 4 1/8", take the cushion grip off and just use one overgrip, have for 35 years!

 

[william7gr]

When I tried a racquet with a smaller grip it felt like I was playing ping pong.

 

[itisgregory]

Glad it is helping.