One of the most frustrating things every tennis player has to deal with at some point is your racquet slipping your hands. An inexpensive way to guarantee that you always have a solid and constant grasp is to add an overgrip, often known as grip tape.
It is a simple wrap that you can apply to your racquet handle to improve traction, absorb sweat, and lessen blistering. They can help players of all skill levels keep their racquets firmly in their hands while preventing wear on the main grip that came with their racquets. However, not all tennis overgrips are created equal. They’re available in a range of hues, textures, and thicknesses, and some are more effective than others in increasing traction or soaking up perspiration.
The Importance of Utilizing Tennis Overgrips
All in all, improve the feel of your racquet and increase your game performance with first-rate overgrips for a tennis racquet. Using overgrips will provide a better feeling of control of the racket due to it having increased grip capacity.
A tennis racquet is moving around in your hand if it isn't firmly in place. This friction can cause blisters which are unpleasant and take a long time to cure. By adopting an overgrip you can avoid painful blisters and have more control over the racquet with less movement.
Tennis players perspire a lot. Your hands will always get wet, to put it mildly, whether the sweat starts there or not. Therefore, many overgrips are made to help absorb perspiration, much like wick-away t-shirts.
Some people want their hands to feel tacky, whether or not sweaty hands are a contributing cause. A racquet that feels a touch sticky in your palm is not something to be concerned about when tossing it across the net. Some overgrips are engineered to become increasingly sticky as perspiration builds up.
Overgrips vs. Replacement Grips
As previously stated, overgrips for a tennis racquet are less durable, thinner wraps that are put over a replacement grip and need to be changed more regularly. On the other hand, a new grip provides players with a comfortable surface to hold their racquets—it is a thick, durable cover that is linked to the handle.
Since changing a tennis overgrip is quick and simple, many players will do so when the game is about to end. It also makes it simple to adjust the handle size of your racquet. However, you may find yourself in between sizes when choosing the appropriate size. If that's the case, we suggest ordering the smaller size so you can quickly gain a grasp if needed.
Replacement
You've undoubtedly already noticed that when you start to perspire, it can be challenging to maintain a firm grip on your racquet. Certain overgrips lose their effectiveness more quickly in hot weather because they are less sweat-resistant than others.
An overgrip for a tennis racquet with better absorption of perspiration is often used by players who play in warmer areas or inside. But keep in mind that you don't have to use the same overgrip every time. If you play in a variety of situations, you may want to carry a few different grips in your backpack.
On the other hand, if you're a novice player who has only recently started learning how to play tennis, your hands may not be accustomed to the friction they experience as you play, which could make you more susceptible to blisters. Soft overgrips can help you effectively avoid this.
In terms of injuries, a blister might not appear to be harmful. However, having multiple blisters or one on the wrong part of your hand can be extremely painful and, in the worst scenario, compel you to change how you swing, which could lead to damage to your elbows and shoulders.
Since overgrips are reasonably priced, it makes sense to replace them often to ensure you have a firm grip on your racquet. Still, how often you change your grip is entirely up to you.
Additional Considerations:
To wrap a racquet handle entirely, one overgrip is sufficient. To get the perfect fit, some players, however, would thicken their handles by adding more overgrips. When using several overgrips, keep in mind that the racquet's eight sides or bevels help you maintain solid traction and keep the racquet from twisting in your palm. As you add more overgrips, the handle will become flatter and lose its edges, making it more difficult to smash without the racquet turning. In this regard, you should only give the handle of your racquet two overgrips.
Finding the perfect grip will need some trial and error. You'll also find that there are situations where employing different overgrips is advantageous. For example, you might use a sweat-absorbing grip in hot, muggy weather, or a tackier grip in cooler or drier conditions.
Overgrips come in thicknesses ranging from 0.4 to 2.6 mm, with thicker ones often featuring a ribbed insert to help with improved control. Most alternatives measure between 0.4 and 0.6 mm. If your grip is thinner, the size of your handle won't change much, but it won't be able to hold as much sweat.
