Pro Grip Sizes

zorg

Professional
On average, how many grip sizes less than their "real" grip size do pros use? By real grip size, I mean the classic test of fitting your finger in the gap between your ring finger and palm. Most pros are over 6 feet, so I would assume their true grip size would be like 4 1/2 for most of them. But I notice that most use a smaller grip size. Federer's real grip is probably 4 1/2, but I notice that the grip he uses is very small for him, his fingers are almost touching his palm, so I was just curious at how many grip sizes they go down.
 

carlos djackal

Professional
correct me if I'm wrong, but when I visited Fed's website long ago he said that his gripsize was 4-3/8, that maybe the reason why the grip size he uses is small for him, and for Rafa I thought he said it during this year's Australian Open that he's been using 4-1/4 or Number 2 grip size during an after the match interview with Jim Courier, he even mentioned that it(grip size) really is small........
 
it is right that many pros play with a smaller grip size than the "correct" measured size. i also got this information of tennis journalist hangin around a lot of time with the pros. he also stated that some are using an overgrip instead of the base grip to have more feeling.

the measuring of the grip size with the space for the index finger between the grip, or measuring the palm is very right for all beginners and further playing levels.

decreasing the grip size will help getting more snap in your wrist which is good for topspin and service - but ONLY if you are able to hit the ball in the center. off-center hits will bring you pain in the wrist very soon...
 

zorg

Professional
Yeah sometimes I feel that that is why Federer hits some of his shanks. I can almost feel racket twisting because it was off center. I also had another thought. Pros generally don't switch gear because they are so used to what they have been playing with. Could this be a similar thing? They use a grip size as they are 17-18 years old, and even though they grow after, they still keep it cause they are used to it.
 

Pioneer

Professional
Another reason is because a smaller grip size gives you a more secure feel.

Mario Ancic uses L2 and he's near 2m. I'm also 2m and I'm supposed to be using 5 1/8.
 

zorg

Professional
Pioneer, just out of curiosity, what is your hand size from your palm to the tip of your middle finger? I am 5' 10" but have small hands...about 7 1/8" from bottom of palm to tip of middle finger. I am hovering between a 4 1/4 and a 4 3/8, and still don't know what to go with.

Also, I found some interesting pictures of Federer that to me looks like his fingers almost touch his palm. This must be like 2 -3 sizes smaller than his "true" size:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...XIBQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0


http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...t:429,r:0,s:157&tx=156&ty=41&biw=1302&bih=725

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:207&biw=1302&bih=725
 
I would recommend going with the smaller size if you are not quite size 3.

That way, you can easily fit an overgrip and the grip should fit perfectly then.

Or, just use a more padded grip.

Pioneer, just out of curiosity, what is your hand size from your palm to the tip of your middle finger? I am 5' 10" but have small hands...about 7 1/8" from bottom of palm to tip of middle finger. I am hovering between a 4 1/4 and a 4 3/8, and still don't know what to go with.

Also, I found some interesting pictures of Federer that to me looks like his fingers almost touch his palm. This must be like 2 -3 sizes smaller than his "true" size:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...XIBQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0


http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...t:429,r:0,s:157&tx=156&ty=41&biw=1302&bih=725

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:207&biw=1302&bih=725
 
W

Winky

Guest
about 7 1/8" from bottom of palm to tip of middle finger. I am hovering between a 4 1/4 and a 4 3/8, and still don't know what to go with.

Wow that's wild. I have small hands too-- 7" from my wrist crease to tip of middle finger, and I like 4 1/2 with an overgrip. Everything else feels tiny.
 

zorg

Professional
Hmm that is strange...How much wrist do you use in your game?

Oh, and would you people agree that a 4 1/4 grip, if your hand is slightly over 7 inches from palm to tip of middle finger, is about the same as a 4 3/8 is for the average pro with large hands (who is like 6' 1" and probably has 8" hands)?
 
Last edited:

StanW

Rookie
If your hovering between the 4 1/4 and the 4 3/8, slap on 1-2 overgrips. It did the job for me.
 

Pioneer

Professional
8.5 inches. I'm 6'5" I think in feet


Pioneer, just out of curiosity, what is your hand size from your palm to the tip of your middle finger? I am 5' 10" but have small hands...about 7 1/8" from bottom of palm to tip of middle finger. I am hovering between a 4 1/4 and a 4 3/8, and still don't know what to go with.

Also, I found some interesting pictures of Federer that to me looks like his fingers almost touch his palm. This must be like 2 -3 sizes smaller than his "true" size:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...XIBQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0


http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...t:429,r:0,s:157&tx=156&ty=41&biw=1302&bih=725

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:207&biw=1302&bih=725
 

Tennis100

Rookie
Go with the smaller one because even if you want a bigger grip you can just overgrip it until it is big enough for you.
 
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