Pros grip size?

Rolv

New User
Are they going bigger then use deadly people?!
As sn example Zverev before serving. The grip seems big, and he is quite big, so probaly big hands. But stil, the grip seems to be large.
 
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Shaolin

Talk Tennis Guru
Lots of threads on this. Grip sizes 2 and 3 are pretty standard on tour now. Zverev you can tell uses a way bigger grip than usual.
 

pgh10-4

New User
Did the small grip = more spin trend have any truth to it? Or was it just to copy off Nadal who reportedly uses a small grip (and overgrip on a bare handle)? I have used L3 and L4 rackets plus my sister-in-law uses L2's. Granted, I don't have a direct comparison between models but I don't feel like my forehand stroke changed much between sizes. The main difference for me was that I have to choke up slightly higher (with my index finger) with a smaller size. I guess it's easier to rotate from a continental to a western grip with a smaller size? The larger grips were a little more convenient for 2-handed backhands bc my index finger isn't as far up on the grip but that's really it. Not to mention the difference in brands - my Dunlop L4 doesn't seem far off from a Head L3.
 

ChrisJR3264

Hall of Fame
Did the small grip = more spin trend have any truth to it? Or was it just to copy off Nadal who reportedly uses a small grip (and overgrip on a bare handle)? I have used L3 and L4 rackets plus my sister-in-law uses L2's. Granted, I don't have a direct comparison between models but I don't feel like my forehand stroke changed much between sizes. The main difference for me was that I have to choke up slightly higher (with my index finger) with a smaller size. I guess it's easier to rotate from a continental to a western grip with a smaller size? The larger grips were a little more convenient for 2-handed backhands bc my index finger isn't as far up on the grip but that's really it. Not to mention the difference in brands - my Dunlop L4 doesn't seem far off from a Head L3.
No. Honestly you will generate spin based off form.
Grip size you need to find a comfort zone to which you feel you can comfortably hold the racket and it feels stable. Too small for you = slippage and twisting. Probably the same if too big.
 

Shaolin

Talk Tennis Guru
Do you have data to substantiate this? I tried it once, didn't see any material difference either than it was harder to get the right feel of the grip when transitioning from 2 hander to western FH.

Most of the tour and college players are using L2 and 3. It’s easier to hold the grip loose and pronate than with a larger grip.

Kuerten was one of the first using a smaller grip, long before Nadal. He was 6’3 or taller and used a 3/8 with no replacement grip and only 2 overgrips, so effectively an L1.
 

Purestriker

Legend
Most of the tour and college players are using L2 and 3. It’s easier to hold the grip loose and pronate than with a larger grip.

Kuerten was one of the first using a smaller grip, long before Nadal. He was 6’3 or taller and used a 3/8 with no replacement grip and only 2 overgrips, so effectively an L1.
I can see it on the serve but not on the groundies.
 

Shaolin

Talk Tennis Guru
Here you go. For you guys that have been living in a cave about grip sizes. This is going way back to 2009.



Edit: Here is a list of grip sizes of pros, it is very old though, 2005 but mostly size 3 & 4s. Current pros have gone even smaller.

Gaudio, Gaston (ARG) 4
Nadal, Rafael (ESP) 2
Agassi, Andre (USA) 5.5
Moya, Carlos (ESP) 3
Canas, Guillermo (ARG) 3
Robredo, Tommy (ESP) 3
Davydenko, Nikolay (RUS) 3
Stepanek, Radek (CZE) 3
Johansson, Thomas (SWE) 3
Ancic, Mario (CRO) 2
Gonzalez, Fernando (CHI) 3
Massu, Nicolas (CHI) 3
Ferrer, David (ESP) 2
Grosjean, Sebastien (FRA) 3
Kiefer, Nicolas (GER) 3
Volandri, Filippo (ITA) 3
Spadea, Vincent (USA) 3
Rochus, Olivier (BEL) 3
Srichaphan, Paradorn (THA) 4
Melzer, Jurgen (AUT) 4
Malisse, Xavier (BEL) 3
Andreev, Igor (RUS) 3
Soderling, Robin (SWE) 4
Mirnyi, Max (BLR) 4
Beck, Karol (SVK) 3
Rusedski, Greg (GBR)
Saulnier, Cyril (FRA) 3
Llodra, Michael (FRA) 2
Horna, Luis (PER) 3
Carlsen, Kenneth (DEN) 3
Martin, Alberto (ESP) 3
Schuettler, Rainer (GER) 3
Karlovic, Ivo (CRO) 10
Acasuso, Jose (ARG) 4
Ginepri, Robby (USA) 3
Ventura, Santiago (ESP) 3
Monaco, Juan (ARG) 3
Mathieu, Paul-Henri (FRA) 4
Koubek, Stefan (AUT) 3
Wessels, Peter (NED) 4
Mantilla, Felix (ESP) 3
Garcia-Lopez Guillermo (ESP) 4
Sanguinetti, Davide (ITA) 3
Sargsian, Sargis (ARM) 4
Schalken, Sjeng (NED) 5
Kuerten, Gustavo (BRA) 3
Haehnel, Jerome (FRA) 4
Arthurs, Wayne (AUS) 3
Tipsarevic, Janko (SCG) 4
Burgsmuller, Lars (GER) 3
Wawrinka, Stanislas (SUI) 3
Benneteau, Julien (FRA) 3
Sluiter, Raemon (NED) 3
Vliegen, Kristof (BEL) 3
Bjorkman, Jonas (SWE) 4
Behrend, Tomas (GER) 3
Saretta, Flavio (BRA) 3
Sanchez, David (ESP) 3
Mahut, Nicolas (FRA) 4
Nieminen, Jarkko (FIN) 3
Luczak, Peter (AUS) 4
Serra, Florent (FRA) 3
Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) 5
Djokovic, Novak (SCG) 3
Tursunov, Dmitry (RUS) 4
Patience, Olivier (FRA) 3
Blake, James (USA) 4
Bryan, Mike (USA) 4
Bryan, Bob (USA) 5
Clément, Arnaud (FRA) 4
Federer, Roger (SWI) 3
 

Purestriker

Legend
Here you go. For you guys that have been living in a cave about grip sizes. This is going way back to 2009.



Edit: Here is a list of grip sizes of pros, it is very old though, 2005 but mostly size 3 & 4s. Current pros have gone even smaller.

Gaudio, Gaston (ARG) 4
Nadal, Rafael (ESP) 2
Agassi, Andre (USA) 5.5
Moya, Carlos (ESP) 3
Canas, Guillermo (ARG) 3
Robredo, Tommy (ESP) 3
Davydenko, Nikolay (RUS) 3
Stepanek, Radek (CZE) 3
Johansson, Thomas (SWE) 3
Ancic, Mario (CRO) 2
Gonzalez, Fernando (CHI) 3
Massu, Nicolas (CHI) 3
Ferrer, David (ESP) 2
Grosjean, Sebastien (FRA) 3
Kiefer, Nicolas (GER) 3
Volandri, Filippo (ITA) 3
Spadea, Vincent (USA) 3
Rochus, Olivier (BEL) 3
Srichaphan, Paradorn (THA) 4
Melzer, Jurgen (AUT) 4
Malisse, Xavier (BEL) 3
Andreev, Igor (RUS) 3
Soderling, Robin (SWE) 4
Mirnyi, Max (BLR) 4
Beck, Karol (SVK) 3
Rusedski, Greg (GBR)
Saulnier, Cyril (FRA) 3
Llodra, Michael (FRA) 2
Horna, Luis (PER) 3
Carlsen, Kenneth (DEN) 3
Martin, Alberto (ESP) 3
Schuettler, Rainer (GER) 3
Karlovic, Ivo (CRO) 10
Acasuso, Jose (ARG) 4
Ginepri, Robby (USA) 3
Ventura, Santiago (ESP) 3
Monaco, Juan (ARG) 3
Mathieu, Paul-Henri (FRA) 4
Koubek, Stefan (AUT) 3
Wessels, Peter (NED) 4
Mantilla, Felix (ESP) 3
Garcia-Lopez Guillermo (ESP) 4
Sanguinetti, Davide (ITA) 3
Sargsian, Sargis (ARM) 4
Schalken, Sjeng (NED) 5
Kuerten, Gustavo (BRA) 3
Haehnel, Jerome (FRA) 4
Arthurs, Wayne (AUS) 3
Tipsarevic, Janko (SCG) 4
Burgsmuller, Lars (GER) 3
Wawrinka, Stanislas (SUI) 3
Benneteau, Julien (FRA) 3
Sluiter, Raemon (NED) 3
Vliegen, Kristof (BEL) 3
Bjorkman, Jonas (SWE) 4
Behrend, Tomas (GER) 3
Saretta, Flavio (BRA) 3
Sanchez, David (ESP) 3
Mahut, Nicolas (FRA) 4
Nieminen, Jarkko (FIN) 3
Luczak, Peter (AUS) 4
Serra, Florent (FRA) 3
Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) 5
Djokovic, Novak (SCG) 3
Tursunov, Dmitry (RUS) 4
Patience, Olivier (FRA) 3
Blake, James (USA) 4
Bryan, Mike (USA) 4
Bryan, Bob (USA) 5
Clément, Arnaud (FRA) 4
Federer, Roger (SWI) 3
I don't think a 3 and or a 4 is a small grip size. Compared to the wood rackets (the articles reference), sure but lets not act like they are using 0 or 1's.
 

Shaolin

Talk Tennis Guru
I don't think a 3 and or a 4 is a small grip size. Compared to the wood rackets (the articles reference), sure but lets not act like they are using 0 or 1's.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: No one said most are using 0s and 1s.

Also, 3 &4s ARE small compared to the old days when tons of plays used 5/8 or bigger and the ''one finger gap'' measure was the rule.
 

lidoazndiabloboi

Hall of Fame
Did the small grip = more spin trend have any truth to it? Or was it just to copy off Nadal who reportedly uses a small grip (and overgrip on a bare handle)? I have used L3 and L4 rackets plus my sister-in-law uses L2's. Granted, I don't have a direct comparison between models but I don't feel like my forehand stroke changed much between sizes. The main difference for me was that I have to choke up slightly higher (with my index finger) with a smaller size. I guess it's easier to rotate from a continental to a western grip with a smaller size? The larger grips were a little more convenient for 2-handed backhands bc my index finger isn't as far up on the grip but that's really it. Not to mention the difference in brands - my Dunlop L4 doesn't seem far off from a Head L3.
Rafa is using L2 with one overgrip, not on the bare handle. It was speculated that Rafa would use 2 overgrips, but from all the rackets i've seen, it's only been 1 overgrip.
 

HeavyHitter

Rookie
Dimitrov said in a recent interview that he uses a custom grip bigger than a L5. Not all "new" players use small grips. Alcaraz and Rune both use L4.
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
Are they going bigger then use deadly people?!
As sn example Zverev before serving. The grip seems big, and he is quite big, so probaly big hands. But stil, the grip seems to be large.
The problem is that overgrips aren't reported so an L3 is what is reported even if 2 overgrips are used. And to make it worse, they still think an over grip adds 1/16" when in reality in most cases it adds nearly a whole nother gripsize. So L3 with 2 over grips is closer to an L5. Also nadal tapes his fingers and no one adds that to the grip size...and he uses a custom size that is in between standard sizes and its larger than is reported. If you take into account the custom size and taped fingers the effective size is much bigger.

Priority one has a vid where nate goes through the racquets he has done and all of them have over grips but he just says the stock size without the overgrip....
 

what_army

Professional
The problem is that overgrips aren't reported so an L3 is what is reported even if 2 overgrips are used. And to make it worse, they still think an over grip adds 1/16" when in reality in most cases it adds nearly a whole nother gripsize. So L3 with 2 over grips is closer to an L5. Also nadal tapes his fingers and no one adds that to the grip size...and he uses a custom size that is in between standard sizes and its larger than is reported. If you take into account the custom size and taped fingers the effective size is much bigger.

Priority one has a vid where nate goes through the racquets he has done and all of them have over grips but he just says the stock size without the overgrip....
Does taping fingers increase gripsize the same way wearing a watch increases the swingweight? Smh
 
Because small grips are better for spin.

Rafa is using L2 with one overgrip, not on the bare handle. It was speculated that Rafa would use 2 overgrips, but from all the rackets i've seen, it's only been 1 overgrip.
Remember that all that finger tape that Rafa uses basically adds to the grip size by effectively reducing the distance between the thumb & fingers. Additionally his pinky is almost off of the end of the butt cap. Lastly as a sample of one he's certainly a massive outlier statistically.
 

Curtennis

Hall of Fame
Most of the tour and college players are using L2 and 3. It’s easier to hold the grip loose and pronate than with a larger grip.

Kuerten was one of the first using a smaller grip, long before Nadal. He was 6’3 or taller and used a 3/8 with no replacement grip and only 2 overgrips, so effectively an L1.
How does smaller make it easier to grip loose? An L4 fits in my hand without any need to flex or squeeze. An L1 is like a pencil and requires me to have more tension to not let go of it. I’d be worried it would slip away if it was too small and I’d have to grip harder!
 
Does taping fingers increase gripsize the same way wearing a watch increases the swingweight? Smh
Hell of a straw man there bud; you forgot to reference a sweat soaked wristband too - back to the thread.:sneaky:
(Try taping all of your fingers up like Nadal, next time you visit the bathroom - assuming that you're biologically male - prepare to be pleasantly surprised at your apparently enhanced 'manhood.')
 
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Some pros never go up in grip size as they grew up. That's the main reason 2 and 3 are common in the tour.
2 isn't really common at all.
With Tournagrip dying out on tour & being largely replaced by thicker, more conventional overgrips, effective grip size has also increased slightly.
 

Shaolin

Talk Tennis Guru
How does smaller make it easier to grip loose? An L4 fits in my hand without any need to flex or squeeze. An L1 is like a pencil and requires me to have more tension to not let go of it. I’d be worried it would slip away if it was too small and I’d have to grip harder!

Easy. Because there is little to no gap and your hand goes all the way around the grip.
 
Once your fingers touch the base of your thumb you're gripping your hand as well as the grip & consequently you'll actually lose some inherent grip 'strength'.
This is much more important on volleys - might actually explain why Carlos looks more 'stable' on the net than Sinner.:sneaky:
 

Shaolin

Talk Tennis Guru
Once your fingers touch the base of your thumb you're gripping your hand as well as the grip & consequently you'll actually lose some inherent grip 'strength'.
This is much more important on volleys - might actually explain why Carlos looks more 'stable' on the net than Sinner.:sneaky:

I use an L2 (plus overgrip) despite it technically being way too small, going by the traditional method I ''should'' be larger than a 5/8...no issues with stability on groundstrokes in any way. I do agree that volleys are slightly more stable with a larger grip.
 

Arak

Legend
I do believe that the grip sizes have been going up again in recent years, both on the men’s and women’s side. Many players still do look like they are using small grips, but it’s not as universal as it was commonly thought. The racket manufacturers are of course quite happy to offer less size options as it costs them less so this is another factor.
 

mental midget

Hall of Fame
Alcaraz uses L4 plus over grip - and his spin levels are exceptional. Pronation isn’t adversely affected by grip size. It’s largely personal preference.
depends on lots of things. for sw or w grip, a larger grip does start to limit the wristiness of the shot (depending on how big your hand is of course). for eastern it's less of an issue with the hand squarer to the racket face. try mimicking a western forehand with a pencil, then a can of tennis balls and you can see how it works.

grip sizes in the woody days were definitely larger on average than today, with lots of players hitting with wristy swings.
 

Arak

Legend
depends on lots of things. for sw or w grip, a larger grip does start to limit the wristiness of the shot (depending on how big your hand is of course). for eastern it's less of an issue with the hand squarer to the racket face. try mimicking a western forehand with a pencil, then a can of tennis balls and you can see how it works.

grip sizes in the woody days were definitely larger on average than today, with lots of players hitting with wristy swings.
Alcaraz also has long nails. That could be a factor :)
 

Knife

Professional
Here you go. For you guys that have been living in a cave about grip sizes. This is going way back to 2009.



Edit: Here is a list of grip sizes of pros, it is very old though, 2005 but mostly size 3 & 4s. Current pros have gone even smaller.

Gaudio, Gaston (ARG) 4
Nadal, Rafael (ESP) 2
Agassi, Andre (USA) 5.5
Moya, Carlos (ESP) 3
Canas, Guillermo (ARG) 3
Robredo, Tommy (ESP) 3
Davydenko, Nikolay (RUS) 3
Stepanek, Radek (CZE) 3
Johansson, Thomas (SWE) 3
Ancic, Mario (CRO) 2
Gonzalez, Fernando (CHI) 3
Massu, Nicolas (CHI) 3
Ferrer, David (ESP) 2
Grosjean, Sebastien (FRA) 3
Kiefer, Nicolas (GER) 3
Volandri, Filippo (ITA) 3
Spadea, Vincent (USA) 3
Rochus, Olivier (BEL) 3
Srichaphan, Paradorn (THA) 4
Melzer, Jurgen (AUT) 4
Malisse, Xavier (BEL) 3
Andreev, Igor (RUS) 3
Soderling, Robin (SWE) 4
Mirnyi, Max (BLR) 4
Beck, Karol (SVK) 3
Rusedski, Greg (GBR)
Saulnier, Cyril (FRA) 3
Llodra, Michael (FRA) 2
Horna, Luis (PER) 3
Carlsen, Kenneth (DEN) 3
Martin, Alberto (ESP) 3
Schuettler, Rainer (GER) 3
Karlovic, Ivo (CRO) 10
Acasuso, Jose (ARG) 4
Ginepri, Robby (USA) 3
Ventura, Santiago (ESP) 3
Monaco, Juan (ARG) 3
Mathieu, Paul-Henri (FRA) 4
Koubek, Stefan (AUT) 3
Wessels, Peter (NED) 4
Mantilla, Felix (ESP) 3
Garcia-Lopez Guillermo (ESP) 4
Sanguinetti, Davide (ITA) 3
Sargsian, Sargis (ARM) 4
Schalken, Sjeng (NED) 5
Kuerten, Gustavo (BRA) 3
Haehnel, Jerome (FRA) 4
Arthurs, Wayne (AUS) 3
Tipsarevic, Janko (SCG) 4
Burgsmuller, Lars (GER) 3
Wawrinka, Stanislas (SUI) 3
Benneteau, Julien (FRA) 3
Sluiter, Raemon (NED) 3
Vliegen, Kristof (BEL) 3
Bjorkman, Jonas (SWE) 4
Behrend, Tomas (GER) 3
Saretta, Flavio (BRA) 3
Sanchez, David (ESP) 3
Mahut, Nicolas (FRA) 4
Nieminen, Jarkko (FIN) 3
Luczak, Peter (AUS) 4
Serra, Florent (FRA) 3
Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) 5
Djokovic, Novak (SCG) 3
Tursunov, Dmitry (RUS) 4
Patience, Olivier (FRA) 3
Blake, James (USA) 4
Bryan, Mike (USA) 4
Bryan, Bob (USA) 5
Clément, Arnaud (FRA) 4
Federer, Roger (SWI) 3
Dr. Ivo gripsize 10 o_O, that's like holding a brick... :laughing:
 
What if, like me, you have little to no gap with a 4 1/2 & an overgrip and you play most of the year on clay type courts & hit with a lot of topspin off of both sides?
 

junior74

Bionic Poster
If you have a one-hander and like to volley, you can't go down in size, it gets wobbly.

---
As pointed out before; Tsonga used L5 just to impress the ladies. Bless him.

I am a shy guy, so I downplay myself with L4 and 7 layers of overgrip.
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
Does taping fingers increase gripsize the same way wearing a watch increases the swingweight? Smh
It does because the position of the hand is just like it was holding a racquet with larger grip.

If you put that tape on the handle would the grip size be larger?
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
Here you go. For you guys that have been living in a cave about grip sizes. This is going way back to 2009.



Edit: Here is a list of grip sizes of pros, it is very old though, 2005 but mostly size 3 & 4s. Current pros have gone even smaller.

Gaudio, Gaston (ARG) 4
Nadal, Rafael (ESP) 2
Agassi, Andre (USA) 5.5
Moya, Carlos (ESP) 3
Canas, Guillermo (ARG) 3
Robredo, Tommy (ESP) 3
Davydenko, Nikolay (RUS) 3
Stepanek, Radek (CZE) 3
Johansson, Thomas (SWE) 3
Ancic, Mario (CRO) 2
Gonzalez, Fernando (CHI) 3
Massu, Nicolas (CHI) 3
Ferrer, David (ESP) 2
Grosjean, Sebastien (FRA) 3
Kiefer, Nicolas (GER) 3
Volandri, Filippo (ITA) 3
Spadea, Vincent (USA) 3
Rochus, Olivier (BEL) 3
Srichaphan, Paradorn (THA) 4
Melzer, Jurgen (AUT) 4
Malisse, Xavier (BEL) 3
Andreev, Igor (RUS) 3
Soderling, Robin (SWE) 4
Mirnyi, Max (BLR) 4
Beck, Karol (SVK) 3
Rusedski, Greg (GBR)
Saulnier, Cyril (FRA) 3
Llodra, Michael (FRA) 2
Horna, Luis (PER) 3
Carlsen, Kenneth (DEN) 3
Martin, Alberto (ESP) 3
Schuettler, Rainer (GER) 3
Karlovic, Ivo (CRO) 10
Acasuso, Jose (ARG) 4
Ginepri, Robby (USA) 3
Ventura, Santiago (ESP) 3
Monaco, Juan (ARG) 3
Mathieu, Paul-Henri (FRA) 4
Koubek, Stefan (AUT) 3
Wessels, Peter (NED) 4
Mantilla, Felix (ESP) 3
Garcia-Lopez Guillermo (ESP) 4
Sanguinetti, Davide (ITA) 3
Sargsian, Sargis (ARM) 4
Schalken, Sjeng (NED) 5
Kuerten, Gustavo (BRA) 3
Haehnel, Jerome (FRA) 4
Arthurs, Wayne (AUS) 3
Tipsarevic, Janko (SCG) 4
Burgsmuller, Lars (GER) 3
Wawrinka, Stanislas (SUI) 3
Benneteau, Julien (FRA) 3
Sluiter, Raemon (NED) 3
Vliegen, Kristof (BEL) 3
Bjorkman, Jonas (SWE) 4
Behrend, Tomas (GER) 3
Saretta, Flavio (BRA) 3
Sanchez, David (ESP) 3
Mahut, Nicolas (FRA) 4
Nieminen, Jarkko (FIN) 3
Luczak, Peter (AUS) 4
Serra, Florent (FRA) 3
Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) 5
Djokovic, Novak (SCG) 3
Tursunov, Dmitry (RUS) 4
Patience, Olivier (FRA) 3
Blake, James (USA) 4
Bryan, Mike (USA) 4
Bryan, Bob (USA) 5
Clément, Arnaud (FRA) 4
Federer, Roger (SWI) 3
are those stock sizes or do they include overgrips? Are they measured circumferences?
 

Shaolin

Talk Tennis Guru
are those stock sizes or do they include overgrips? Are they measured circumferences?

I’m not sure…the list is from another grip thread on here. If I had to guess I’d say without the overgrip factored in.
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
I’m not sure…the list is from another grip thread on here. If I had to guess I’d say without the overgrip factored in.
I think you are right. And so its safe to add one whole grip size to those numbers since overgrips usually add one whole grip size.
 

vscope

New User
For me grip size also depends on the balance of a racket. More headlight (31cm) needs bigger grip since you have to guide (push) the racket through the stroke. more head heavy setups (33cm) can use smaller grips, since the racket naturally pivots around the ball by itself.(throw)

so many pros with headlight setups use bigger grips and head heavy smaller ones.

same goes for grip.
western, continental needs in general little bigger grip size.
semi western can go smaller.
and tennis pros are mostly tall, so big hands in comparison to average players.
 
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smalahove

Hall of Fame
Afaik, there are two opposing heuristics that affect the correct choice of grip size:
  1. a larger grip size makes it easier to control shots where stability is crucial: volleys, half-volleys, taking the ball extremely early at the baseline. A small grip requires more grip pressure to control a volley f.inst.
  2. a smaller grip size makes it easier to accelerate the wrist. This is is not only wrist pronation, but just as importantly wrist flexion and radial deviation (see pic). This is the reason why golf grips are much smaller than you would assume, if you've never held a golf club.
images
 

GN-001

Semi-Pro
I see close ups of pros and most don’t have any gap between finger and palm. That whole 1 finger gap rule is so outdated, just got to find a grip you’re comfortable with. If you look at guys like medvedev, Humbert, sinner they have no gap.

I’ve always felt more comfortable with a small grip with little to no gap as I can stay loose and just throw the racquet at the ball and also find it easier to control the racquet on touch shots.

As a short guy I feel like I need a size 0 but even size 1 is impossible to get where I am. A leather grip with over grip on a size 2 feels way too big. I just use 2 overgrips now although it isn’t as comfortable.
 

ChrisJR3264

Hall of Fame
I see close ups of pros and most don’t have any gap between finger and palm. That whole 1 finger gap rule is so outdated, just got to find a grip you’re comfortable with. If you look at guys like medvedev, Humbert, sinner they have no gap.

I’ve always felt more comfortable with a small grip with little to no gap as I can stay loose and just throw the racquet at the ball and also find it easier to control the racquet on touch shots.

As a short guy I feel like I need a size 0 but even size 1 is impossible to get where I am. A leather grip with over grip on a size 2 feels way too big. I just use 2 overgrips now although it isn’t as comfortable.
Just remember these are pros. Mirroring their grip size doesn’t always work.

Grip size and shape are subjective I agree. But don’t go smaller to get more spin. You can generally achieve spin by technique even with a L4.
 
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