Choosing a tennis racket based on price and a few practice swings in the store may satisfy your initial requirements, but choose the wrong grip size and your game will suffer. Playing tennis with the wrong grip also can lead to injuries of the wrist, elbow or shoulder. If you want to get the most out of your time on the court, take the time to get the right size for your new racket handle.
Grip sizes range from less than 4 inches for young players to 4 7/8 inches for adults, although younger players with large hands may justify the largest grip size. In between, grip sizes increase by 1/8-inch increments. While this small variation may seem insignificant, using the wrong size grip can lead to overuse injuries of the forearm and elbow.
Find your perfect grip size
Step 1
Use your dominant hand and locate the three main creases on that hand.
Step 2
Hold your hand flat with the palm side up, then press your fingers together and locate the middle crease on your palm.
Step 3
With a pen, mark the point on the crease that is midway between the middle and ring fingers.
Step 4
Hold the ruler against the pen mark and measure up the line between your ring and middle fingers to the height of the tip of the ring finger.
Tips and Warnings
- For women, the measurement is typically between 4 1/8 inches and 4 3/8 inches; for men it's between 4 3/8 inches and 4 5/8 inches. Young players typically measure less than 4 inches. If your grip size falls between, say 4 1/8 and 4 1/4, go with the smaller size grip. You can use an overgrip or heat-shrink sleeve to attain the perfect fit. Overgrips increase grip size by 1/16 inch, while heat-shrink sleeves increase grip size by 1/8 inch. If your grip size falls below or above the average sizes, you may require a custom-sized handle. Most tennis pro shops can customize a racket handle for around $10.
Things You'll Need
- Ruler
- Ballpoint pen
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