Choosing the right grip size as a tennis beginner is an important and ultimately significant choice. The correct grip size will not only allow a starting tennis player to get the most from her racket right away, but also will help reduce her chances of injury in the long run.
A Standard Grip Size for Beginners
Racket manufacturers generally make each racket in seven grip sizes, zero through six. These sizes correspond to the diameter of the racket handle and are abbreviations for the actual measurements. Some racket manufacturers actually use the diameter of the racket handle in their classification. These companies label grip sizes with 4 0/8, 4 1/8, 4 1/4, 4 3/8, 4 1/2, 4 5/8, 4 3/4. These grip sizes correspond to the numbers other companies use, zero through six. For example, two rackets, one with grip S1 and the other with grip S3, also could be called grip size 4 1/8 and 4 3/8. Generally, an S3 grip is appropriate for most players and is a safe first choice for a beginner. The S3 grip is right in the middle of the grip sizes and generally will fit most adult players' hands well.
How to Tailor Your Grip Size to You
In many cases, while an S3 grip is a good starting point, there are better, more personalized grip size options. Petite players, players under 15 years old and those with small hands could benefit from a smaller grip. Taller players and those with big hands could benefit from a larger grip. To see if a tennis racket has the right grip size for you, simply hold the racket comfortably. If the tips of your fingers are touching the heel pad of your hand, the grip is too small. If the tips of your fingers are more than a half inch from your heel pad, the grip is too big. The ideal grip size will allow you to hold the racket with your dominant hand and slide a finger from your non-dominant hand between your fingertips and your heel pad. You also can measure your hand with a tape measure to get an even more precise measurement. Measure the distance between the second lateral crease on your palm and the tip of your ring finger. This measurement, in inches, should correspond directly to the diameter of tennis grip you need.
Other Grip Size Considerations
Sometimes a beginner will choose a grip size based on what style of play he plans to emulate. If a beginner likes the idea of being aggressive and approaching the net like John McEnroe or Pete Sampras, a larger grip size than is traditionally recommended would be appropriate. Large grip sizes provide more leverage and less likelihood of twisting in the hand, complementing an aggressive volleying style. If a beginner is planning on copying his game after someone like Rafael Nadal and using baseline ground strokes as his primary method of play, a smaller grip size than is traditionally recommended would be appropriate. Smaller grips allow for slightly more whip and acceleration of the racket head, promoting an increase in power and spin on ground strokes.
Dangers of an Improper Grip Size
If at all possible, beginners should measure their hand before selecting a racket grip size, as improper grip sizes can lead to injury. Most players who use a grip size smaller than the recommended end up squeezing the racket much more tightly in their hand in order to keep control of it. Over time, this can lead to tennis elbow, tendinitis and other repetitive motion injuries. Players who use a grip size larger than the recommended often strain their arms while hitting because too large of grip sizes lock the wrist and prevent the arm from naturally whipping.
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