If your tennis racket handle isn’t as absorbent or tacky as it used to be, or if it’s gotten dirty or slippery, all you need to do is replace the grip. It’s a simple process you can do in just a couple of minutes. Alternatively, if the handle twists in your hand while you’re playing, it might be a bit too small for you. Adding an overgrip is the perfect solution, makes the handle more comfortable, and is easy to do. We’ll walk you through both options so you can get back on the court in no time!
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Replacing the Grip
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Remove the existing grip on your racket. If your grip has a rubber collar or band at the top, slide it up the handle so it’s out of the way. [1] X Research source Peel off the finishing tape that secures the grip to the top of the handle. Grab the top of the grip and unwind it down to the bottom of the handle. [2] X Research source
- If your racket still has the factory grip on it, it may be stapled to the bottom of the racket. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to carefully pry up the staple, then remove and discard it along with the old grip.
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Peel the backing off of the new grip. Take your new grip out of the packaging. Set aside the small piece of finishing tape. Unroll the grip and remove the backing to expose the sticky side. [3] X Research source
- Measure your tennis grip size before buying a new grip to ensure you get the right one.
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Stick the grip to the bottom of the handle. Position the tapered end of the grip so it’s flush with the butt cap of the racket. Wrap the grip completely around the butt cap. [4] X Research source
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Wind the grip around the handle so it overlaps slightly. Hold the racket upside down. Overlap the spirals by about 1 ⁄ 16 inch (0.16 cm) as you wind the grip around the handle from the bottom to the top. [5] X Research source If you’re right-handed, wind the tape to the right. If you’re left-handed, wind the tape to the left. [6] X Research source
- Maintain the same amount of tension with each wrap. The more tension you apply, the thinner the grip will be. The less tension you apply, the more cushioned the grip will be.
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Trim off any excess grip. When you reach the top of the handle, stop wrapping the grip. Use a pen or marker to draw a line on the grip where you want to cut it (at about a 45-degree angle) so it lines up with the top of the handle. Simply snip off any remaining grip and discard it. [7] X Research source
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Tape the top of the grip to the top of the handle. Take the finishing tape you set aside earlier and peel the backing off of it. Then, wrap the tape around the top of the handle to secure the grip to it. [8] X Research source
- If you have a rubber collar, slide it back down the handle so it rests over the finishing tape. [9] X Research source
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Adding an Overgrip
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Remove the backing from the overgrip. If your racket has a rubber band or collar at the top of the handle, move that up and out of the way before adding the overgrip. Take the overgrip out of the package, set aside the finishing tape, unroll the grip, and peel off the adhesive backing to expose the sticky side of the grip. [10] X Research source
- Choose a dry overgrip if you live in a humid climate or tend to sweat a lot. [11] X Research source
- Choose a tacky overgrip if you like a cushioned, sticky grip for your racket. [12] X Research source
- Choose an all-around overgrip for the best of both worlds. [13] X Research source
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Attach the overgrip to the butt cap. Stick the tapered end of the overgrip on the butt cap of the handle. Wrap it around the butt cap once so it’s flush with the bottom of the handle. [14] X Research source
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Wind the grip up the handle in overlapping spirals. Hold the racket upside down and wrap the grip to the right if you’re right-handed, or to the left if you’re left-handed. [15] X Research source Overlap the overgrip by 1 ⁄ 16 inch (0.16 cm) each time and keep the same amount of tension on the grip as you wrap it from the bottom of the handle to the top. [16] X Research source
- Applying less tension will lead to a more cushioned overgrip. Applying more tension will lead to a thinner overgrip.
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Cut off the excess overgrip. If you get to the top of the handle and have overgrip left, use scissors to cut it at about a 45-degree angle so it wraps neatly around the top of the handle. [17] X Research source
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Secure the overgrip with finishing tape. Grab the small piece of finishing tape that came with your overgrip. Remove the backing then wrap it over the top of the overgrip to secure it to the top of the handle. [18] X Research source Cover the finishing tape with the rubber collar or band, if you have one.Advertisement
Expert Q&A
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QuestionShould I restring my racket or get a new one?Peter Fryer is a Tennis Instructor based in Derry, Northern Ireland. He works as both a tennis writer and a coach. He completed his professional tennis teaching qualification shortly after finishing university and has been teaching the sport for over 13 years. Peter began the Love Tennis Blog in 2010, and is a contributing writer for the BBC and a variety of other national media outlets.Sure! As a general rule, restring your racket as many times per year as you play per week. This should prevent your strings from going dead and will ensure your racket always offers good performance.
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Tips
- Use the number of hours that you play tennis each week to determine the number of times to replace your tennis grip each year. For example, if you play tennis for 8 hours per week, replace the grip 8 times per year. [19] X Research sourceThanks
- Orient your grip or overgrip so that the brand name or logo faces up when you're holding your racket upwards by the handle.Thanks
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Things You’ll Need
Video
References
- ↑ http://www.tennisindustrymag.com/articles/2006/09/handling_your_players.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AV3drdQzZg&t?t=28
- ↑ https://tennisracketpro.com/the-best-way-to-regrip-a-tennis-racquet/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AV3drdQzZg?t=93
- ↑ https://lessonsoftennis.com/how-to-replace-your-tennis-grip/
- ↑ http://www.tennisindustrymag.com/articles/2006/09/handling_your_players.html
- ↑ https://www.towpathtennisblog.com/2013/03/how-to-regrip-your-tennis-racquet.html
- ↑ https://www.towpathtennisblog.com/2013/03/how-to-regrip-your-tennis-racquet.html
- ↑ http://www.tennisindustrymag.com/articles/2006/09/handling_your_players.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43YyPzlbm74?t=15
- ↑ https://mytennishq.com/how-do-tennis-overgrips-work/
- ↑ https://mytennishq.com/how-do-tennis-overgrips-work/
- ↑ https://mytennishq.com/how-do-tennis-overgrips-work/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43YyPzlbm74?t=60
- ↑ http://www.tennisindustrymag.com/articles/2006/09/handling_your_players.html
- ↑ https://lessonsoftennis.com/how-to-replace-your-tennis-grip/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43YyPzlbm74?t=121
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43YyPzlbm74?t=173
- ↑ https://racquet-lab.weebly.com/tennis-grip.html
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