Choosing the best tennis racket for you isn’t as simple as it may seem. Grip size is an important consideration. The days of going to the store and picking up the cheapest or most available rackets are long gone as players are faced with a myriad of tennis racket choices. Additionally, picking the right or wrong racket can have a significant impact on your performance as a tennis player.
What we’ll do in this article series is narrow down the essential elements of racket selection so you can be sure to choose the best tennis racket for you.
We’ll start with grip size.
How to decide which tennis racket grip size is right for you?
Although there are no hard and fast rules, the generally accepted standard in grip selection is a crude measurement, but serves as a good guide for tennis racket grip selection.
Try this:
Visit your tennis shop and hold the racket in your dominant hand. Next slide your non-dominant hand’s index finger between your dominant hand’s finger tips and palm. If your index finger does not fit between your finger tips and palm, then the grip is too small. If it fits, but there is plenty of room on either side of you index finger, then the grip is too big. Ideally, the theory holds that the best grip size for you is one in which the non-dominant hand’s index finger slides and fits snuggly between your dominant hand finger tips and palm.
If you choose a racket grip size that is too small, you may find that the racket turns or slips in your hand at ball contact because of less stability. Conversely, if you grip is too big, you may lose some of your ability to easily maneuver the racket. Additionally, a racket grip that is too big or too small may contribute to tennis related injuries like wrist or elbow injuries.
Although there are general guidelines about choosing the best tennis racket grip size for you, the ideal size is somewhat dependent on the player’s preference as well. For example, Rafael Nadal’s tennis racket grip size is very small (4 1/4) for someone his size. It is widely held that the most common grip size sold for men is likely a 4 3/8. Rafael Nadal’s use of intense wrist snap and topspin lends meshes well with his use of a small tennis racket grip. His incredible strength allows him to get away with this without a significant added risk of injury.
In conclusion, with the aid of your tennis professional and your local tennis shop, you should take time to carefully measure for the best racket grip size for you. You tennis professional can also provide guidance about how your style, strength, and experience level may be important factors for you when choosing the best tennis racket and grip size for you.