So when you get a new racket, once you have decided on head size, weight, balance, should you really worry about something as trivial as the grip size? Also what do the different grip sizes mean. Well yes you should worry about the grip size. Too small a grip could lead you to gripping the racket too tightly which can lead to tennis elbow - and believe me you don't want that. Too big and you won't be able to grip it properly. So what do the grip sizes mean and which is right for you? Often you will see the grip size referred to as anything from 0 to 6. The number refers to the number of eights of an inch over 4 inches. So a grip size 1 is 4 1/8 inch, a grip size 2 is 4 1/4 inch - this being the circumference of the grip. There are a couple of ways to get the right grip size. First you can measure from the bottom lateral crease to the top of you ring finger. Secondly if you grip a racket you should be able to get your finger between the index finger and your palm (see photo above). So don't just go for any grip size - it really is important.

Here is one of the biggest questions in tennis - should I play my backhands with one or two hands on the racket? Well if one of the best players ever to play the game, Roger Federer, has a one handed backhand then it has to be one handed - right? But if one of the best players ever to play the game, Novak Djokovic, plays with two hands then it has to be a two handed backhand - right? The fact is that there are pros and cons to both. For young children just starting out I would always recommend the double-hander. For adults it may be slightly different. Good points for a single-hander are that it give you greater reach and you are more able to do both topspin and slice one handed. However it lacks the strength and control that you have with a double-hander. So the choice is yours. If you are just starting the game try both and you will soon find the one that suits you best.