Tennis overgrip has a significant impact on your overall performance. We are well aware that many tennis players may not even be aware that they need to replace their tennis grip until they have a problem with their game. It takes time for everyone to learn new things, and one of the first things you should learn is when to change your grip, even if they are the best tennis overgrips.
Let’s start with the fundamentals and work our way up from there. First and foremost, we must establish two points. In terms of their intended use and application, there are two primary kinds of grips. There are two types of grips:
- base grip
- Overgrip
The base grip is the grip that is included with the racquet when it is purchased. It is wrapped around the racquet’s handle and is ready to be used immediately.
Overgrips, on the other hand, are not present in the purchase of the racquet. It is the player’s responsibility to put them once they have been bought. Overgrips are often composed of a soft cloth-like material.
Overgrips preserve the essential grip while also providing additional grip, cushioning, and perspiration absorption capabilities.
What is the duration of the overgrip?
Overgrips are usually good for anything from 3 to 40 hours of play. The overgrip may need to be replaced in as short as three to twenty-four hours if your hands sweat a lot throughout the game. However, depending on the quality, the overgrip may last longer if you don’t sweat.
An overgrip will last anywhere from one to ten sessions, depending on the severity of the grip.
A typical tennis player will alter their overgrips every three to six sessions (or about once a week). However, in certain instances, particularly with lower-quality overgrips, replace them after as few as 1.5 hours of play.
- According to the manufacturer, players who often play, at least a couple of times per week, should replace their overgrips approximately one to two times each week.
- The overgrips of players who play less often should be changed one to two times each month.
If you do not alter your tennis overgrip, what will happen?
As both the base grip and the overgrip begin to wear out over time, they will start to lose their ability to offer comfort and shock absorption and will no longer be able to function at all.
Your arm, shoulder muscles, as well as your wrist and fingers, will be strained as a result.
Because of the loss of their cushioned grips, they will not offer adequate amounts of shock absorption. Your hand and shoulder will bear the majority of the impact as a result of this situation. This may lead your arm and shoulder to not only wear out more quickly but may also result in injury.
Worn-out grips will almost certainly result in additional blisters as well. Maintaining fresh grips while playing is essential to avoid this situation from occurring.
In addition, the racquet is more prone to sliding out of your hand, particularly if you sweat a lot while playing. (One slip and your racquet breaks!)
As you can see, not altering your tennis overgrip can have a detrimental effect on your game and cause you to lose control. You will have less control over the racquet, you will wear out more quickly, and you will be more likely to harm or injure yourself and possibly damage the racquet as a result.
How Do You Know When You Should Change Your overgrip?
Even the best tennis overgrips wear out when the time comes. However, to make the best decision possible, you must first understand what to search for. So let’s take a look at the telltale symptoms of a bad grip that has to be fixed.
Keep an eye out for indications of wear and tear
The more you use your tennis grip, the more likely it may begin to exhibit symptoms of wear and tear. Whenever your grip begins to tear apart or fray, it should be replaced as soon as possible.
Take note of any discolorations
After some time, the overgrip will begin to accumulate dirt and perspiration, and it will start to become black, indicating that it is time to replace the grip.
You should replace your grips if they are losing their tackiness and become more slippery with time. This is a strong indication that they need to be replaced with new ones.
Padding wears out
Another excellent indicator that replacing a grip is if the padding begins to wear away over time. However, grips lose their cushioning overtime at a very modest rate. Since the loss occurs gradually and regularly, you may not feel any difference in the cushioning over time.
Changing The Tennis Overgrip Less Frequently: What to Do?
One intriguing method of extending the life of the overgrip is to turn it over when it begins to show symptoms of wear or deterioration. Simply pull it off, turn it over, and re-wrap it so that the interior is now facing the outside.
No, cleaning your overgrip will not make it any better. Overgrips will wear out more quickly if they are wet. This is why individuals who sweat a lot would go through a more significant number of overgrips than others.