Using a tennis racquet with a grip that's too small forces you to grip the handle tighter, which can lead to several issues. Prolonged use of a racquet with an undersized grip can contribute to or exacerbate tennis elbow.
Here's a breakdown of the potential consequences:
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Increased Muscle Strain: A grip that is too small necessitates greater muscle engagement in your hand, wrist, and forearm to prevent the racquet from twisting, particularly during off-center hits.
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Risk of Tennis Elbow: The increased muscle tension and strain contribute to the development or worsening of tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). Tennis Tip: How To Find Your Racquet Grip Size www.ussportscamps.com › tips › tennis-tip-how-to-find-your-racquet-grip-...
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Reduced Racquet Control: A tight grip can limit wrist flexibility and overall control of the racquet head, hindering your ability to generate spin, change direction effectively, and execute delicate shots.
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Fatigue: The constant muscle tension tires your arm faster, impacting your performance as a match or practice session progresses.
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Possible Blisters and Calluses: An overly tight grip can lead to the formation of blisters and calluses due to increased friction between your hand and the racquet handle.
What to Do:
If you suspect your grip is too small, there are a couple of things you can do:
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Measure Your Grip Size: Use a ruler or grip size measuring tool to accurately determine your correct grip size. Many online resources can guide you through this process.
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Increase Grip Size: You can easily increase grip size by adding an overgrip. One or two overgrips can often make a grip that's slightly too small fit comfortably. A replacement grip can also increase the size.
Ultimately, using the correct grip size promotes comfort, prevents injuries, and improves performance.
