When choosing a tennis racket, one of the most important factors to consider is how to choose tennis racket grip size.
This is because if the grip size is too small or too large, it can affect your swing and make it difficult to play well.
In this guide, we will discuss how to choose the right grip size for your tennis racket.
We will also provide tips on how to adjust your grip size if you find that it is not quite right.
Let’s get started!
What is grip size?
Grip size is the measurement of the circumference of the tennis racket handle.
It is important to choose a grip size that is comfortable for you, as this will help you to have a good grip on the racket and make it easier to swing.
That’s why you also need to know the size of your hand when choosing a grip size.
How to choose a tennis racket grip size?
The grip size is measured in inches, so you need to measure your hand and see what size is it, and then check which grip size of the racket fits you the best.
It’s important to know that the grip size is measured in inches but in the tennis world the brands write their sizes in numbers with the letter L:
For deeper reading, you can read my article What does L1 L2 L3 mean on a tennis racket.
Anyway, the range of the grip sizes is from L0 to L5.
Every one of them, from 0 to 5, symbolizes a grip size
For example, L0 (or G0) is 4 inches, L1 is 4 1/8 inches, L2 is 4 1/4 inches, L3 is 4 3/8, L4 is 4 1/2, and the last one, L5 is 4 5/8 inches.
How do I know my tennis racket grip size?
Now that you know how to measure your grip size, it’s time to find out which size is right for you.
The best way to do this is to use a ruler test you probably have at home.
Close your fingers around the grip of your racket hand, then align the ruler’s edge with the bottom horizontal crease of your palm.
Then, take a measurement from the base of your ring finger to the tip – this is your grip size.
If you already using a tennis racket and you are happy with its grip size, you can look at the base of the racket handle to see which grip size it has.
What grip size to choose if I’m deciding between two sizes?
If you are between two sizes, it is generally recommended to go for the smaller size.
This is because a smaller grip size will make it easier to hit topspin, as you will have a better grip on the racket, especially for beginners.
However, if you prefer to hit flatter shots, then you may want to choose the larger grip size between the two.
What is the most common tennis grip size today?
The most popular and common grip size between women and men is the L3 (or G3) which is 4 3/8.
What happens if your tennis grip is too small?
If your grip is too small, you’ll need to exert more muscular effort to keep the racket from twisting in your hand.
This can also lead to tennis elbow problems which you really don’t want.
What happens if your tennis grip is too large?
If you have a grip that’s too large, it will be difficult to control the racket and you’ll likely find yourself spraying balls all over the court.
You may also find that your hand gets tired quickly from having to hold on so tightly.
What size grips do pros use?
Every professional tennis player is using different grip sizes based on their preferences.
For example, Rafael Nadal uses a grip size of L2 which is one of the smallest ones, Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev are using a grip size of L3, while Serena Williams is using the L5 which is the largest grip size.
In conclusion
The most important thing when you are choosing your grip size is that you feel comfortable with it and you can hold the racket well.
You also need to take into account the type of shots you want to hit and how many spins you want to generate.
Now that you know all this, go out and try different grip sizes until you find the perfect one for you!
And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments section below. I’ll be more than happy to help. 🙂
That’s it for this guide! I hope you found it helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below, and I’ll answer as soon as I can. 🙂
Thanks for reading! And until next time, happy hitting 🙂