Gyro Spinner for Tennis Wrist Strength?

Tennis Technology and Training

A recent Wall Street Journal article recommended usage of a gyro hand spinner to increase wrist strength for tennis. It was in response to a question from a reader who was seeking tips to hit a one handed backhand better. The article claimed that the primary difference between a one and two handed backhand and essentially comes down to wrist strength. I think there is a lot more to it than that.

I have dabbled with a gyro hand spinner borrowed from a work associate who almost always has one in hand. It seems to be more of a “knack” than a strength thing for me. Perhaps I never uses it long enough for fatigue to set in. My friend has exceptional grip strength, so that is one indication that the device probably works for that purpose.

In the not too distant past, I developed a tear in one of my tendons on my racquet hand wrist. The physical therapist recommended wrist strengthen thing exercises as a part of the rehab. I have performed those exercises ever since. There is an embedded video at the end of this post that is consistent with the recommended rehab from that injury. I think a hand gyro would have been excruciating when I was injured.

Wrist strength is certainly important for hitting both the forehand and backhand in tennis. I was taught the classic two handed backhand of Chris Evert in my junior playing days. However, I have always used a one handed slice under certain circumstances, mostly necessitated by poor footwork. In early 2020, I embarked on a conscious effort to develop a one handed backhand drive.

My one handed topspin backhand had instant power. Unfortunately, the ball also flies off my racquet in random directions, not all of which are toward the court. Additionally, I would sometimes yell “Shapovalov!” each time I struck the ball with a one handed backhand drive attempt. From that experience, I am doubtful that wrist strength is really the key to effectively hitting the one handed backhand. To me it is more of a matter of adjusting the contact point, racquet head trajectory, and timing.

Perhaps I am undervaluing strength since, I already it from years of playing tennis and the diligent rehab following my injury. Certainly strong wrists are required for tennis in general. A hand gyro is one way to develop the wrists and grip strength. However, there are a lot of other effective methods including simply playing tennis.