Should I Use Tennis Overgrip? | Paddle2Racket

Many beginner tennis players find their racquet becomes harder to grip with time. If you’re wondering should you use a tennis overgrip, then you’re right.

Since playing tennis requires one to swing the racquet, you need to have a good grip, or else there’s a danger of the racquet slipping. This is where using a tennis overgrip can come in handy.

Using an overgrip makes it easy to keep the base grip of the racquet in good condition. This is useful not just for experienced but also novice tennis players. In fact, it is recommended not to play tennis using just the base grip of your racquet.

There is no better feeling than using a tennis racket with a great grip. We have asked many experts on how to get the perfect grip every time, and the number one answer is to use a tennis overgrip. Here, we are going to explain just how a tennis overgrip works.

As tennis enthusiasts ourselves, we have used many tennis racquets and overgrips, and the advantage is clear. Here, we are going to share some of the reasons why it makes sense to use a tennis overgrip.

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Should I Use Tennis Overgrip?

A tennis overgrip is a simple wrap that you may use to improve traction, absorb perspiration, and prevent blisters on your racquet handle. Overgrips are also known as grip tape or grip tape. Overgrips can help all players keep the racquet stable while reducing wear on the main grip that came with the racquet.

Many players on the pro tour will switch out their overgrip whenever they use the racquet to make sure they have a solid grip every time. Even if you can’t afford to change yours as regularly, you may still get the benefits of doing so on a regular basis. Overgrips are available in several styles, some of which are better at boosting traction or absorbing sweat than others.

Benefits of Using Tennis Overgrip

The grip is one of the many elements that come together to make a tennis racket complete. You can use the grip that comes with the tennis racket when you buy it or add your own. Even if you select to use the racket’s existing grip, it will wear down with time. You should never let your grasp deteriorate entirely before taking action. You must determine whether to get a replacement grip or an overgrip as soon as it begins to show indications of wear.

While a replacement grip is often used after the prior grip has begun to wear away, an overgrip may be utilized whenever the previous grip has begun to wear away. This is because overgrips are frequently used to enhance grip size or give a certain sort of grip that the player desires. A large number of tennis players, both amateur and professional, employ overgrips on their tennis rackets.

With that in mind, let’s take a deeper look at the advantages of using a tennis racket overgrip and how to put one on.

Improves Mental Focus

Tennis is a physically demanding sport, as we all know. Athletes participating on the court must be completely focused. This is why you should invest in high-quality, well-functioning tennis equipment. You’ll need a good racquet, fresh tennis balls, and comfortable clothing and shoes, among other things. Any gear-related distraction should be avoided at all costs.

Overgrips are used by all professionals. This is because overgrips are an important element of their tennis equipment, and they always have a supply in their tennis bag. The new overgrip gives you the sensation of having just purchased a new racquet. This is a powerful mental stimulant that can help you perform better in stressful situations. Have you ever seen a pro swap racquets or even wrap a racquet?

They do it because it allows them to perform at their best without being distracted. Imagine you’re playing in worn-out, uncomfortable shoes. You’re considerably more likely to improve your attitude and start feeling better if you change your shoes mid-match to ones that feel soft and really comfy.

This will positively impact your game, and you’ll soon find yourself earning more points and maybe turning the match around in your favor. Overgrips are the same way. They’re simple to change, inexpensive, and may make a huge difference in terms of comfort and performance.

Minimizes Chances of Injury

Blisters may be avoided by using a gentle overgrip on your tennis racquet. If you’re a novice player who has only recently begun learning how to play tennis, you may be more prone to blisters since your hands haven’t yet been accustomed to the friction you’ll encounter when playing.

A blister may not appear to be a major injury in the grand scheme of things. Multiple blisters or one on the wrong portion of your hand, on the other hand, can be extremely painful and, in the worst-case scenario, induce you to change your swing, possibly causing elbow and shoulder problems.

Easy Way to Improve Your Grip

Overgrips, like vibration dampeners, are not particularly costly. A three-pack of some of them costs around $5. You can typically feel comfortable experimenting with new solutions without feeling like you’re squandering money.

You may increase the grip size without having to buy a new racket since there is additional material. Some people begin playing tennis with a racket grip size that is too small for their hand. However, because they are new, they prefer a smaller grip to a larger one in order to feel safer with the racket. They desire something a little more solid in their palm once some time has passed and their comfort level has increased.

Absorbs Moisture

Tennis is an excellent way to stay in shape. You’ll almost certainly be sweating profusely. The factory base grips that come with your racquet aren’t very excellent at absorbing moisture. This implies that when your hand sweats, the racquet is more likely to slip, particularly on serves and volleys. To avoid this, seek overgrips with improved sweat absorption capabilities.

The term “dry” is commonly used to describe these overgrips. They will absorb perspiration and keep you dry during a match, letting you play at your best. Tennis players should not be hampered by their equipment. If you’re playing in humid weather, the good news is that you can simply replace your overgrips more frequently to keep them sticky and dry.

Creates Traction

This is the most compelling argument to begin utilizing overgrips. The new overgrips give you plenty of traction. Never again will you have to fight to keep your racquet from sliding while playing a difficult match.

Wrap a fresh overgrip instead and experience the legendary tackiness and traction it delivers. You’ll feel much more confident gripping the racquet this way, and you’ll strike the ball with greater confidence. This will have a good influence on your entire game. Some overgrips are tackier than others, so if you’re seeking a sticky, firm grip, opt for ones that are described as extremely tacky.

Helps You Get the Right Size

Sometimes, even big racquets can have a terrible grip, especially for folks with large hands. In this case, it might be difficult to find a racquet with precisely the perfect grip size. This is especially true when purchasing a used or a new racquet. If you acquire a racquet with an excessively large handle, there is usually little you can do about it.

However, if you buy one with a grip that is one size too small, you may add overgrips to make it larger to accommodate your hand. Wrap one or two overgrips over your racquet, and you’ve achieved your ideal grip size. Overgrips come in various thicknesses, making them ideal for personalizing your racquet.

Changing Tennis Overgrips

Because Overgrip is so inexpensive and simple to install, you may replace it whenever you want. In general, you should replace it anytime you notice any rips or the stickiness or cushioned sensation begins to wear off. In addition, if an overgrip becomes too filthy, players want to replace it.

As a result, you’ll always be playing with a grip that feels precisely like you want it to. When you first begin using tennis overgrip, your own taste will determine the frequency with which you replace it. The good news is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. When it’s time to replace your overgrip, you’ll probably notice it immediately.

You should consider replacing it after four to six hours of play as a general rule of thumb. For the typical player, this may be once a week. Some people may leave it on for a month. It may imply a couple of times a week for more dedicated players.

The majority of tennis players will carry an additional packet in their tennis bag so that they may use it whenever they need it. We’ll also show you how to apply overgrip in the video below, and you’ll see how simple it is.

About THE AUTHOR

Michael Stevens

Michael Stevens

Since initially playing at the collegiate level, I have amassed several decades of experience playing racquetball, tennis, and pickleball. I have played thousands of matches and games, and won medals and awards in multiple tourantments. I am constantly improving my game and enjoy mentoring and coaching other players in strategy and technique. I have authored dozens of articles on the sport.

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