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Overgrip or replacement grip: which one you need
The two kinds of grip, how often to change each, and why they wear twice as fast in the Caribbean.
Two different things get called a 'grip' and people mix them up. One goes underneath, one goes on top.
Replacement grip
The one that comes from the factory, wrapped directly onto the wooden or plastic handle. It is thicker, cushioned, and it defines the shape and size of the handle. It is changed rarely: once or twice a year for a normal player.
Overgrip
The thin tape wrapped over the replacement grip. It absorbs sweat and it is the one you change often. Each overgrip adds roughly 1/16 of an inch to handle size.
How often
| Recreational | Competitive | In humid climate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overgrip | Every 3 or 4 sessions | Every 1 or 2 sessions | Every long session |
| Replacement grip | 1 or 2 times a year | 3 or 4 times a year | Before it goes hard |
Why it matters more than it seems
A slippery grip forces you to squeeze the handle harder so the racquet does not move. That constant clench over two hours of match play is one of the most common causes of tennis elbow.
So changing a two-dollar overgrip is injury prevention, not a luxury. See how to prevent tennis elbow.
How to know it is time
- It looks shiny or worn where your palm sits.
- It feels slippery even with dry hands.
- You notice yourself squeezing harder than usual.
- It has peeled loose at the top end.