When you get out on the court, you need to make sure that you have all the essential tennis equipment. Apart from your tennis racket, tennis balls, and breathable clothing, you will also need certain accessories that will step up your game and improve your comfort while playing. One of these accessories is the overgrip.
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What Are Overgrips?
Grip tapes or tennis overgrips are simple wraps that go around your racket handle. You can use them to enhance traction, absorb perspiration, and prevent blisters. They’re made of thin, high-stretch felt, and are available in a variety of vibrant colours. These accessories help players of all levels keep their racquet stable in their hands while also reducing wear on the main grip that came with their racquet.
Many pro players switch them out every time they pick up their racquet to ensure they have the most solid grip possible. Even if you can’t afford to change yours as regularly, you can still get the benefits of switching it from time to time.
Why Do You Need an Overgrip?
Source: alltennisgear.com
Increase Traction
Overgrips are used primarily to provide traction and prevent the racquet from sliding or twisting in the hands of players. Your racquet’s grip loses tackiness as it ages, becoming slipperier and less effective. But thanks to the tennis overgrips on the market, you’re able to replace it as soon as it wears out for a low price.
These racquet grips improve traction in two ways:
- Texture: Some of them feature a particular texture or ridged surface.
- Tack: Others are characterised by a sticky feel that prevents your hand from slipping.
Absorb Sweat
When you start sweating, it’s often difficult to keep a solid hold on your racquet, as you’ve probably experienced. Overgrips help you manage perspiration.
Players that play indoors or in hotter temperatures choose grips with better sweat absorption. Keep in mind, though, that you don’t have to apply the same one every time. You may want to carry a couple of alternative grips in your bag if you play in a range of circumstances.
Prevent Blisters and Injuries
These grips can help you avoid blisters. If you’re a novice player who has only recently begun learning how to play tennis, you’re more prone to blisters since your hands haven’t yet accustomed to the friction you’ll experience when playing.
In the grand scheme of things, blisters aren’t such major injuries. Multiple blisters or one on the wrong portion of your hand, on the other hand, is excruciatingly painful and, in the worst-case scenario, induces you to change your swing, potentially resulting in elbow and shoulder problems.
Get a Mental Boost
Tennis is not only a physical sport but also a mental one. Emotions, anxiety, and uncertainty can all seep in and send you into a tailspin. Taking a minute during a changeover to replace your overgrip is one way to give yourself a mental lift. This might make you feel like you’re starting again and give you the mental push you need to get things back on track.
When Do You Need to Replace Your Overgrip?
Source: tenniscompanion.org
These accessories are affordable, so it’s worth replacing them frequently to guarantee a secure grip on your racquet. On the other hand, how often you replace your grip is a matter of personal taste.
Here are a few things to consider when determining how long your overgrip will last:
- The state of the weather: An overgrip’s efficiency can quickly deteriorate in hot or humid conditions.
- How much you sweat: If you swear a lot, you will need to change your grip more often.
- The court surface: Clay courts tend to make racquet overgrips deteriorate faster. Even if the grip doesn’t touch the ground, you’ll be handling tennis balls that have, and the grip will be affected.
- How you store your racquet: If you don’t store your racquets in a bag, dirt and debris can cling to them, decreasing their lifespan.
- Racquet abuse: If you drop or throw your racquet, your grip will take a battering as well, resulting in the need for replacement.
Under normal circumstances, most players will notice that their racquet overgrip begins to lose its tackiness after three or four times of playing tennis. At this point, it becomes more difficult to maintain a good grip. This is a good indication that you should change the grip.
I recommend changing your overgrip at least when your racquet is restrung. If you don’t string your racquet regularly, though, you may need to replace your grip more frequently.
You’ve probably waited too long if your grip begins to shred or tear, and you should replace it as soon as possible. Finally, how often you change your overgrip will be determined by how significant the sticky and sweat-absorbing features are.
Bottom Line
Source: perfect-tennis.com
Tennis is a fun and beneficial sport for people of all ages. It gives you a chance to socialise with friends and family, and it helps you shed some extra kilos. However, playing tennis also requires having the right equipment and accessories, much like football or basketball. Tennis overgrips are among the most important accessories to step up your game. They provide comfort and protection, and they prolong the life of your racquet’s grip.