He’s 6’6. Probably use a custom grip size.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.
Why so little L4s on tour? Especially with so many tall guys
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.Because small grips are better for spin.
No. Honestly you will generate spin based off form.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.
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.
I can see it on the serve but not on the groundies.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.
Dimitrov uses an L4 grip, one of the rare “big” guys that uses that sizeWhy so little L4s on tour? Especially with so many tall guys
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.Here you go. For you guys that have been living in a cave about grip sizes. This is going way back to 2009.
![]()
The Incredible Shrinking Grip | Tennis.com
www.tennis.com
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.
I believe Dimitrov uses L5 now with the cushion grip. He actually went up in sizeDimitrov uses an L4 grip, one of the rare “big” guys that uses that size
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.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.
The old days as in wood rackets?![]()
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.
NoThe old days as in wood rackets?
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.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.
Does taping fingers increase gripsize the same way wearing a watch increases the swingweight? SmhThe 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....
Because small grips are better for spin.
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.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.
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!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.
Hell of a straw man there bud; you forgot to reference a sweat soaked wristband too - back to the thread.Does taping fingers increase gripsize the same way wearing a watch increases the swingweight? Smh
2 isn't really common at all.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.
Even if it said “L2” on the racket - some of these pros get custom pallets. Believe Foe and Federer had custom pallets.2 isn't really common at all.
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.
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!
Sinner who will be No.1 on monday currently uses a l2, that was the worst time to say that statementA guy that plays with an L2 will never be #1 in the World.
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.![]()
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.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.
Alcaraz also has long nails. That could be a factordepends 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.
Dr. Ivo gripsize 10Here you go. For you guys that have been living in a cave about grip sizes. This is going way back to 2009.
![]()
The Incredible Shrinking Grip | Tennis.com
www.tennis.com
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
Understood. So if the goal is little to no gap then it doesn’t sound like they’re going overly small the way I was thinking.Easy. Because there is little to no gap and your hand goes all the way around the grip.
It does because the position of the hand is just like it was holding a racquet with larger grip.Does taping fingers increase gripsize the same way wearing a watch increases the swingweight? Smh
are those stock sizes or do they include overgrips? Are they measured circumferences?Here you go. For you guys that have been living in a cave about grip sizes. This is going way back to 2009.
![]()
The Incredible Shrinking Grip | Tennis.com
www.tennis.com
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?
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.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.
Just remember these are pros. Mirroring their grip size doesn’t always work.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.
NoBecause small grips are better for spin.