I’m a big guy, 6’ 2” 235. I play with a 3/8” grip with 2 over grips. But I have to tell you, I’ve used my wife’s Extreme MP with an 1/8” grip, no over grip, and it feels awesome. It feels so maneuverable and quick when I use it. However, if I really dig in and crush the ball, it’s totally unstable, and twists in my hand. I can keep it under control if I keep a death grip on it, but otherwise…
Spin is created by your technique and can be accomplished regardless of the grip size. Grip size choice is a matter of comfort and more based on what feels good to the individual.
I agree technique creates spin but the level of spin can be increased by training your release of the wrist- cracking a whip. A smaller grip size can make the action easier but it has its limitations where you lose control/ wrist injuries. Grip size, head size, string type and tension…..all depends what you want and how you make it work.🤓
@@lennarderceg8152 Fair enough, but the "level of spin" can be just as effectively adjusted by "training your release" with a larger grip. As you concluded ..."all depends what you want and how you make it work". Best wishes.
One of your two testers uses a continental forehand?!? If I care enough about grip size to watch this video, I'm not using such a non-optimal grip to begin with. Use any technique that makes you happy, but this is like giving kick serve tips to someone that uses a waiter's serve. Just does not make sense.
Smaller grip will definitely give you faster and more precise serves with the same technique. On groundstrokes, more freedom on forehands you have better control. The only downside is on my one-handed backhand where I do feel that the larger grip does it better. Also it will hurt at the beginning but you get used to it. Note: I use 4 1/4 and 4 3/8 on vcore 98, no difference in spin but more choices and angles with the smaller grip size
I feel a bigger grip produces a flatter ball, where a reduction in grip gives me better release and I can choose flat or ripped spin at the last moment. It’s good in rallies when you want to mix it up. My shot choice has increased. 🤓
Been using a 1/8th grip for a very long time. However I put a leather grip and an over-grip so it's probably just under a size 2 grip. I think there's a range that is comfortable because you can go too big and also too small where it affects how hard you have to grip the handle. Too small and you have to really grip it hard and you have to deal with fingers overlapping. Too big and you also have to grip it very hard because you can't wrap your entire hand around the handle. But everything in between is where you have a good grip and then that's where your technique starts to dictate what feels right. The general rule seems to be that the smaller the grip, the more the racquet face is an extension of your wrist. Keeping in mind that the wrist should be loose as well as the entire arm and that you should be gripping the handle no tighter than holding an egg, with proper technique most people can work within two adjacent sizes without much trouble. Speaking of grips, no one seems to talk about how tackiness of the grip assists the player to maintain a loose grip. When the tackiness wears down the player is forced to squeeze tighter because the tackiness isn't doing its job anymore. I tend to replace my over grip when I can easily slide my fingers over it.
@alemagjoh I use a white Wilson Pro Overgrip and keep a relatively loose grip. The wrist is independent. The wrist is loose during the backswing and restrained through contact depending on much angle I want to put on the ball.
I have fairly large hands and have played with grips ranging from 1/4 - 5/8 and prefer "players rackets" 98 and under, headlight, around 12oz. I've never served better than with a 1/4" grip because it allows me to effortlessly snap my wrist. However because my strokes are not the most consistent, if I'm not in a good rhythm hitting out in front, my groundstrokes fall apart. On the other hand, larger grips feel way more stable and help me feel where my grip is. I've settled on 4 1/2 for now as I can get enough spin and like the more locked in feeling. I'm focusing on improving my technique, my weight transfer, using my legs more, to get more pace and spin rather than using a small grip to "cheat" my way into a loose wrist. In short, there's pros and cons to both and I can see why someone might prefer using a smaller grip or a larger grip. It's important to experiment but also hard to make changes to equipment and stay consistent.
A relaxed grip is way more important for the wrist following through after contact. I am sure grip size matters some for how tight your grip is. If you are holding a death grip, your wrist will not follow through in a relaxed manner which will impact spin. The question becomes what is the optimal grip size for your hand that allows you to hold the racquet in the most relaxed way without losing stability?
I use a 4 1/4 with an over grip and use a lot of spin. I can do more with the smaller grip than a larger. A larger grip I have to hold tighter a smaller one i don't. A lot of times my hand is all the way down and I hold it kind of loose then flip my wrist, no wrist or arm problems, and get a lot of top spin and also more slice on my serve. I can't do that with a larger grip.
It’s personal preference! I use 4 1/2” L4 with the Dunlop Super Tac over grip, and they are thicker than most brands. I also use 4 3/8” L3 grips too. 😎😎😎
Grip size matters - I usually play with 4 1/8 pre-2020 vcore 98, one thin dry overgrip over main overgrip. Ordered a natural leather overgrip and put instead of my thin dry overgrip. Oh boy I lasted around an hour on court and my wrist was in PAIN almost after 10min of practice! Leather added a weight and more important - made a grip bigger. Painful memories, never again
I ve tested all grips and if you use semi western you Can whip the forehand more with more aggresive spin but you have more shanking ball Serves are better with smaller grip Bigger grip also gave me tennis elbow especially in hevier racket cause i had to grab with more open palm so that gives strain on the oututside forearm
I'm average height (5'9") and average hands, I use 4 1/8th with overgrip. Just gives me better feel and control on the grip. I don't know how women use the 4 1/8th or larger.
I have a grip question for you. Do you play with your actual grip size per that hold the racquet and put your finger between for space technique? If 4 3/8 is your perfect size, why are you adding an overgrip? It's making the grip not perfect or....do you go down to 4/1/4 and then add overgrip? Are people doing it to protect the actual grip or sweaty hands or what? Plus, are perfect size grips better for 1HBH vs smaller grips? Less twist and stability. And how about grip shapes like head is more rectangular vs Babolat being more rounded. Let's answer this with a new video. Sorry if it's already been done. Great video BTW.
Rafa Nadal and Pablo Carreño use a L3 grip. They say taht the racket is more manouvrable and easier to produce topspin. One more, it is easier to change the grip from a continental in backhand to a western in forehand.
On a racquet, it's a game of millimeters, so if you have a larger surface to control with the palm of your hand, that will reflect on greater control and maneuverability. And with smaller surface, when you apply force to a spinning motion, it will naturally move (rotate) faster, imparting more spin on the ball. It all depends if you are comfortable enough using it though, but it can help improve what you are trying to change/add to your game.
No. 😁 Seriously, I had a #4 and a #5 as a spare and I could play with either but I hated switching. There is an adjustment period that I found worse than having two slightly different frames with different string jobs. That's my $0.02 anyway.
Raise your wrist with a fist, as must as possible. then open your fingers. It should feel really uncomfortable. This means, since Nadal / Alcaraz style of wrist wiping spin requires free n extreme wrist movements, the closer your fingers are together, the bester your wrist movements.
@@rcyc I think if you watch his instruction it's quite clear that he is encouraging players to move towards the ball, engaging large muscle groups to generate power, using the wrist to create shape. Staying loose and relaxed is a great way to avoid injury. Using the wrist or the hand is just one component of developing sound foundational technique.
I’m a big guy, 6’ 2” 235. I play with a 3/8” grip with 2 over grips. But I have to tell you, I’ve used my wife’s Extreme MP with an 1/8” grip, no over grip, and it feels awesome. It feels so maneuverable and quick when I use it. However, if I really dig in and crush the ball, it’s totally unstable, and twists in my hand. I can keep it under control if I keep a death grip on it, but otherwise…
Yeah I’m 6’4” 170lb and the same thing happens if I go down to an L2 grip
Do you play with a super western FH? Definitely feel that, but having a 1HBH, it sucked big time.
Spin is created by your technique and can be accomplished regardless of the grip size. Grip size choice is a matter of comfort and more based on what feels good to the individual.
I agree technique creates spin but the level of spin can be increased by training your release of the wrist- cracking a whip. A smaller grip size can make the action easier but it has its limitations where you lose control/ wrist injuries. Grip size, head size, string type and tension…..all depends what you want and how you make it work.🤓
@@lennarderceg8152 Fair enough, but the "level of spin" can be just as effectively adjusted by "training your release" with a larger grip. As you concluded ..."all depends what you want and how you make it work". Best wishes.
One of your two testers uses a continental forehand?!? If I care enough about grip size to watch this video, I'm not using such a non-optimal grip to begin with. Use any technique that makes you happy, but this is like giving kick serve tips to someone that uses a waiter's serve. Just does not make sense.
Smaller grip will definitely give you faster and more precise serves with the same technique. On groundstrokes, more freedom on forehands you have better control. The only downside is on my one-handed backhand where I do feel that the larger grip does it better. Also it will hurt at the beginning but you get used to it. Note: I use 4 1/4 and 4 3/8 on vcore 98, no difference in spin but more choices and angles with the smaller grip size
I feel a bigger grip produces a flatter ball, where a reduction in grip gives me better release and I can choose flat or ripped spin at the last moment. It’s good in rallies when you want to mix it up. My shot choice has increased.
🤓
Been using a 1/8th grip for a very long time. However I put a leather grip and an over-grip so it's probably just under a size 2 grip. I think there's a range that is comfortable because you can go too big and also too small where it affects how hard you have to grip the handle. Too small and you have to really grip it hard and you have to deal with fingers overlapping. Too big and you also have to grip it very hard because you can't wrap your entire hand around the handle. But everything in between is where you have a good grip and then that's where your technique starts to dictate what feels right. The general rule seems to be that the smaller the grip, the more the racquet face is an extension of your wrist. Keeping in mind that the wrist should be loose as well as the entire arm and that you should be gripping the handle no tighter than holding an egg, with proper technique most people can work within two adjacent sizes without much trouble.
Speaking of grips, no one seems to talk about how tackiness of the grip assists the player to maintain a loose grip. When the tackiness wears down the player is forced to squeeze tighter because the tackiness isn't doing its job anymore. I tend to replace my over grip when I can easily slide my fingers over it.
so you are using tacky overgrip and keep your wrist loose?
@alemagjoh I use a white Wilson Pro Overgrip and keep a relatively loose grip. The wrist is independent. The wrist is loose during the backswing and restrained through contact depending on much angle I want to put on the ball.
I have fairly large hands and have played with grips ranging from 1/4 - 5/8 and prefer "players rackets" 98 and under, headlight, around 12oz. I've never served better than with a 1/4" grip because it allows me to effortlessly snap my wrist. However because my strokes are not the most consistent, if I'm not in a good rhythm hitting out in front, my groundstrokes fall apart. On the other hand, larger grips feel way more stable and help me feel where my grip is. I've settled on 4 1/2 for now as I can get enough spin and like the more locked in feeling. I'm focusing on improving my technique, my weight transfer, using my legs more, to get more pace and spin rather than using a small grip to "cheat" my way into a loose wrist. In short, there's pros and cons to both and I can see why someone might prefer using a smaller grip or a larger grip. It's important to experiment but also hard to make changes to equipment and stay consistent.
A relaxed grip is way more important for the wrist following through after contact. I am sure grip size matters some for how tight your grip is. If you are holding a death grip, your wrist will not follow through in a relaxed manner which will impact spin. The question becomes what is the optimal grip size for your hand that allows you to hold the racquet in the most relaxed way without losing stability?
I’ve felt the smaller grip racquets lighter to swing with for the exact same spec for other parameters
I use a 4 1/4 with an over grip and use a lot of spin. I can do more with the smaller grip than a larger. A larger grip I have to hold tighter a smaller one i don't. A lot of times my hand is all the way down and I hold it kind of loose then flip my wrist, no wrist or arm problems, and get a lot of top spin and also more slice on my serve. I can't do that with a larger grip.
It’s personal preference! I use 4 1/2” L4 with the Dunlop Super Tac over grip, and they are thicker than most brands. I also use 4 3/8” L3 grips too. 😎😎😎
Grip size matters - I usually play with 4 1/8 pre-2020 vcore 98, one thin dry overgrip over main overgrip. Ordered a natural leather overgrip and put instead of my thin dry overgrip. Oh boy I lasted around an hour on court and my wrist was in PAIN almost after 10min of practice! Leather added a weight and more important - made a grip bigger. Painful memories, never again
I ve tested all grips and if you use semi western you Can whip the forehand more with more aggresive spin but you have more shanking ball
Serves are better with smaller grip
Bigger grip also gave me tennis elbow especially in hevier racket cause i had to grab with more open palm so that gives strain on the oututside forearm
It’s easier to serve with smaller grip but I feel ground strokes especially one handed backhand and backhand slice suffer because lack of stability.
I'm average height (5'9") and average hands, I use 4 1/8th with overgrip. Just gives me better feel and control on the grip. I don't know how women use the 4 1/8th or larger.
Thanks for showing more of the stroke on the montages!🎉
I have a grip question for you. Do you play with your actual grip size per that hold the racquet and put your finger between for space technique? If 4 3/8 is your perfect size, why are you adding an overgrip? It's making the grip not perfect or....do you go down to 4/1/4 and then add overgrip? Are people doing it to protect the actual grip or sweaty hands or what? Plus, are perfect size grips better for 1HBH vs smaller grips? Less twist and stability. And how about grip shapes like head is more rectangular vs Babolat being more rounded. Let's answer this with a new video. Sorry if it's already been done. Great video BTW.
Rafa Nadal and Pablo Carreño use a L3 grip. They say taht the racket is more manouvrable and easier to produce topspin. One more, it is easier to change the grip from a continental in backhand to a western in forehand.
Yeah, use a dumpener, you feel a lot more the vibrations with a smaller grip.
On a racquet, it's a game of millimeters, so if you have a larger surface to control with the palm of your hand, that will reflect on greater control and maneuverability. And with smaller surface, when you apply force to a spinning motion, it will naturally move (rotate) faster, imparting more spin on the ball. It all depends if you are comfortable enough using it though, but it can help improve what you are trying to change/add to your game.
Do you think if it is a good idea to get the same racquect in 2 different grip sizes? A 3 and a 2
No. 😁
Seriously, I had a #4 and a #5 as a spare and I could play with either but I hated switching. There is an adjustment period that I found worse than having two slightly different frames with different string jobs. That's my $0.02 anyway.
Jarrod, definitely your best commentator. Rob is good also.
Great content.
Raise your wrist with a fist, as must as possible. then open your fingers. It should feel really uncomfortable. This means, since Nadal / Alcaraz style of wrist wiping spin requires free n extreme wrist movements, the closer your fingers are together, the bester your wrist movements.
Wish there was a way to do a blind test because the older guy is very biased.
Small grip gives me tennis elbow.
it would be better to compare a 1/4 with a 1/2.
Is it even the correct technique to use the wrist to create topspin?
yes!! watch Patrick Mouratoglou, he's all about using the wrist to generate spin.
@@marcgabor9690 Did he also warn us about the injuries from using the wrist instead of the bigger muscles to generate spin?
@@rcyc I think if you watch his instruction it's quite clear that he is encouraging players to move towards the ball, engaging large muscle groups to generate power, using the wrist to create shape. Staying loose and relaxed is a great way to avoid injury. Using the wrist or the hand is just one component of developing sound foundational technique.
Head tape gave it away
😂😂😂😂😂
Nadal is a 1/4 but doesn’t he have a replacement grips and *two* overgrips? So he really isn’t going smaller.