Tennis is a complicated sport that involves various factors which enable players to shape their gameplay. Many of you may not be aware, but tennis grips play a central role when it comes to developing stroking techniques. Think about it, how are players able to spin the tennis ball in different directions? It’s because they’re able to position their racquets in certain ways and we have grips to thank for that! You may not be able to understand it just yet and that’s why we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll be discussing all the necessary things associated with tennis grips. This includes the cost of tennis grips, followed by their main purpose, the materials used to make them, and the benefits attached to them.
So, how much do tennis grips cost, and will I be able to afford them as a beginner? These are the questions that usually come to mind when we think about the topic. Much to our excitement, tennis grips are relatively economical and commonly available. The average cost of a tennis base grip is about $8 and can vary from $5 up to $15 depending upon the quality. Overgrips are more commonly replaced and thus, are comparatively cheaper than the former. An average overgrip costs a measly $1.3 and has a price range of $1 to 4$.
| Tennis Grip Type | Average Price ($) | Average Price Range ($) |
| Replacement Grip | 8 | 5-15 |
| Overgrip | 1.3 | 1-4 |
It is also important to understand the impact of grip on your body. Therefore we suggest reading Top 15 Tips to Avoid Tennis Elbow – Must Read.
What Are Tennis Grips?
Tennis racquet grips are typically referred to as overgrips. We can also consider them to be a fundamental part of a tennis racquet.
Overgrips mainly consist of a fabric that is wrapped around the lower part of the racquet. Its main purpose is to absorb the moisture released from a player’s hand during a match. Overgrips keep the hands dry and prevent the racquet from slipping out of the player’s hand.
As a beginner, the first thing you’d like to learn is how to properly hold a tennis racquet. An interesting fact about holding positions is that the way you hold your racquet can also determine the spin that will be added as you smash the ball to the other side of the court.
Now, to be able to maintain that holding position, you’d ideally want your hand to be completely stuck to the racquet. In this crucial moment, the overgrip will enhance the friction between your hand and the racquet and you’ll be able to strike one down and win a point!
Quite surprisingly so, the fabric is also integrated with a sticky sensation. To tell you the truth, it feels a bit weird to get your hands sticky while playing out there. However, it’s this very same feature that can make or break the game for you. The stickiness tightens your hold on the racquet. As a result, you’re able to react faster to any incoming stroke from the opponent.
Are Overgrips Necessary For Beginners?
Pro Tip: It’s Always Better to Be Safe Than Sorry!
The answer is, YES! Overgrips are mandatory for players of all experiences. It’s not only a matter of giving you a competitive edge. Rather, overgrips are made out of a special type of tape that forms a protective layer around the racquet.
If you’ve ever noticed, tennis racquets are made out of refined wood which has a rough surface on the outside. When applied pressure, the stiffness of the wood can graze your hands that can slowly peel off the upper layer of your skin (thumb in particular).
The ruptured area becomes extremely sensitive and can cause an injury if not bandaged properly. At the same time, the continuous use of racquets in their raw form can potentially mold out sharp splinters that can put you out of the action for months!
The overgrips are a protective layer that directly affects your performance both on and off the court. By applying a good quality racquet overgrip, you’ll not only be saving yourself from a needless injury but will be to make your gameplay more diverse by adding the magic of spin to it.
What Are The Types Of Grips That Exist?
So far, we’ve only discussed overgrips; a layer of thin tape wrapped around the racquet. The reason is that overgrips are more commonly used and are needed to be replaced.
If you’ve read this far ahead, there’s a good chance that you’ve already gone through our tennis grip price table at the beginning which mentions another type of grip. You’ve read that right, there’s another type of grip which, although sounds boring, but is very useful to us!
Replacement Grips
The Replacement Grip, also known as Base Grip, is the first layer of covering that is directly attached to the handle. Unlike overgrips, replacement grips offer a special kind of cushioning to make it easier for players to apply pressure.
If you’ve ever picked up a tennis racquet, you’ll notice that the grip is soft and can slightly be squished if you apply your strength to it. The soft and fuzzy texture, in fact, comes from the replacement grip that is tied strongly to the original wooden racquet surface.
Replacement Grips originally used to be made out of leather but in recent times, the trend has shifted to the use of synthetic material.
Scientifically, we cannot determine the differences between the material. Instead, however, we’ve tested out both materials by physically conducting a friendly tennis match. Based on the results, we can safely assume that synthetic material offers better cushioning through its impressive compressing abilities.
On the other end, racquets covered in leather replacement grips were slightly heavier which caused variations in reaction times.
Are Replacement Grips Really That Important?
You might be wondering, why are replacement grips not talked about enough? Knowing how much value they hold, it does seem strange why replacement grips are the underdogs in this perspective.
The reason is that replacement grips are factory fitted. When you go to purchase a racquet from the local store, the shopkeeper will ask you about choosing an overgrip but never a replacement grip. Why? It’s because they’ve already been fitted from the very start. Additionally, replacement grips generally aren’t required to be changed unless it’s been specifically damaged by accident or during a match.
Overgrips
Racquet overgrips are more popular among the tennis community mainly because of how often they need to be replaced. Overgrips are exposed to the player’s hands and have a job to absorb moisture and protect the underlying replacement grip. There are two types of overgrips that are generally used by players:
1. Tacky Overgrip
The tacky overgrip can give you an extra edge in terms of extra grip at the cost of its ability to absorb moisture. Tacky overgrips are recommended to be used when weather conditions are such, that you don’t end up becoming a sweat machine!
If used in cool conditions, the tacky overgrip can allow you to increase the spin. The extra gripping power enhances the impact every time you time a stroke to perfection.
2. Absorbent Overgrip
As the name defines itself, an absorbent overgrip is the opposite of its former. The extra absorbent abilities help to keep the hands dry and maintain an adequate position throughout the match.
One drawback of using this type of grip is that it wears out relatively quickly compared to the tacky version. The lack of durability may slightly add to your cost of playing tennis but it guarantees better performance as well as the safety of spectators who are within the target in case the racquet slips out.
Why Are Overgrips More Vulnerable?
Unlike the replacement grip, an overgrip is made up of a thin taping that is wounded around the handle of a racquet. Since it is directly exposed to the player’s hand, the friction causes the taper to wear out quickly.
That being said, it is equally important to change the overgrip as soon as it begins to crack or tear. If you don’t, then there’s a chance that your replacement grip will become damaged, and changing that is not an easy job to do!
What’s The Price of Tennis Grips?
The cost of tennis grips varies. In a world where tennis is referred to as a game of luxury, the cheap cost of tennis grips comes off as a breather for many of us! Luckily, tennis grip replacement is a fairly common procedure, and the components to produce the grip are found in abundance.
Overgrips are affordable for commoners such as you and me. As a matter of fact, most companies prefer to sell overgrips in packs of four, six, ten, and twelve.
If we do the math, the cost of a single overgrip can be as low as $1. At the same time, there are fancier versions available at slightly higher rates as well so the choice of using a customized grip ultimately depends on your budget.
Replacement grips are somewhat expensive. On average, they cost at least $5 and can go up to $15. Having said that, the good news is that they rarely need a change-up. Where overgrips are recommended to be changed every 6-8 hours, replacement grips only need to be tuned twice a year at most.
Can We Change Tennis Grips At Home?
Since overgrips need to be replaced regularly, it’s more convenient to be able to change them at home. You simply have to start by unrolling the old grip. This is followed by a careful examination of the handle to find the adhesive spot of the new tape and start rolling it from the bottom. Just make sure that the tape covers all the parts of the surface underneath.
Replacement grips are a different story. Even though replacement grips can be changed at home as well, our advice would be to seek out a tennis grip replacement professional nearby instead because of the complications involved.
Since the grip lies underneath the first layer, it is tightly stuck to the wooden handle. This not only makes it difficult to remove the grip but applying the new one can also prove to be a disaster if not wrapped around properly.
Tennis Grips: Is it Worth The Hassle?
Tennis grips are more of a necessity than a luxury. So yes, they are more than worth the hassle. Without tennis grips, most players wouldn’t be able to last more than a couple of games without consequences resulting from the injury.
Tennis grips are for your own safety and consistency. We’re hoping you found this article useful enough to give you a direction in terms of what you need to find the best tennis grips. So play safe and have fun!
Need more useful tips? Please free to check out our analysis on the practicality of self stringing and the cost of tennis nets and tennis ball machines to get your practice sessions up and running.
