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CHOOSING THE GRIP SIZE FOR A TENNIS RACKET
The size of the racket grip is its diameter or thickness as it is sometimes called. Choosing the right grip size for your tennis racket is essential to optimise your performance in the game.
Indeed, a grip size that is too big will take away from the flexibility of the wrist. This will not only hinder your progress, but even worse, it can lead to elbow and wrist injuries in the long run.
A grip size that is too small can also cause muscle problems (risk of tennis elbow).
HOW TO CHOOSE THE GRIP SIZE OF YOUR TENNIS RACKET?
There is a well-known method of taking the racket you are playing with by the end of the handle in the open position. This will create a gap between your ring finger and the palm of your hand.
If your ring finger touches the palm of your hand then the handle size is too small. Conversely, if you place more than a pinky finger in this space then the grip size is too large. To define the right grip size, this space should be between 5mm and 1cm, which is the width of the edge of your little finger.
If you are between two grip sizes, we advise you to take the smaller one. It is indeed easier to thicken a grip size with an overgrip whereas the opposite is difficult to achieve. A lifter will prefer smaller grip sizes to facilitate easier wrist movement and the use of closed grips. A player with a flat stroke will find it easier to cope with large grips.
Only Head rackets have a grip shell that can be modified. This allows for a larger or smaller grip size.
THE DIFFERENT GRIP SIZES IN TENNIS
We regularly get this kind of request “What is my 4 1/4” grip size?
These are American sizes that you will find on the “cap” of the handle. In general, it is located on the left side in the direction of the reading and on the right side for the French measurement.
Here is a conversion chart to help you.
| US | Europe | Diametre |
|---|---|---|
| 4 inches | 0 | 100 - 102 mm |
| 4 1/8 inches | 1 | 103 - 105 mm |
| 4 1/4 inches | 2 | 106 - 108 mm |
| 4 3/8 inches | 3 | 109 - 111 mm |
| 4 1/2 inches | 4 | 112 - 114 mm |
| 4 5/8 inches | 5 | 115 - 117 mm |
| 4 3/4 inches | 6 | 118 - 120 mm |
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMONLY USED GRIP SIZES?
In general, the grip size used for :
- men: size 2 and 3 in most cases, up to 4 or 5
- women: size 1 and 2
- teenagers: size 1 to 2
- children under 11 years old: grip 0
If you are in doubt between two grip sizes, choose the smaller one! If you add an overgrip, you will increase the size.
Moreover, if the size is still too small, you will always have the possibility to increase the size of the grip, whereas the opposite is more difficult.
OUR TENNIS GUIDES
