How to Change a Tennis Overgrip: Wrap Guide

A worn, slippery grip is one of the most common yet overlooked equipment issues on the tennis court. The handle of the racket is your only point of contact with the frame; it is the conduit through which you transmit energy, feel, and control. When your overgrip loses its tackiness, absorbs excessive moisture, or becomes saturated with dried sweat salts, the racket will naturally begin to twist in your hand during off-center hits.

To compensate for a slippery handle, players often squeeze the racket much harder than necessary. This constant tension in the forearm muscles fatigues the arm quickly, leading to late hits, blisters, and serious overuse injuries like wrist tendonitis and lateral epicondylitis (commonly known as tennis elbow).

Changing an overgrip is a basic, essential DIY maintenance skill that every tennis player should master. It takes less than two minutes and costs under $2, but it instantly restores the secure, connected feel of a brand-new racket. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the differences between overgrip materials, explain how handedness dictates wrapping direction, and provide a step-by-step tutorial to help you wrap your racket handle like a professional tour technician.

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1. Replacement Grips vs. Overgrips: What's the Difference?

Before you begin wrapping, it is important to distinguish between the two types of grips used on a tennis racket:

• The Base Replacement Grip: This is the thick, padded grip that is wrapped directly onto the bare wooden or plastic octagonal handle (pallet) of the racket. It is typically 1.5mm to 2.0mm thick and features an adhesive backing to hold it firmly in place. It provides the primary cushioning and defines the handle's bevels.
• The Overgrip: This is a thin, stretchy tape (usually 0.4mm to 0.6mm thick) that is wrapped over the base replacement grip. It has no adhesive backing (except for a small starting tab) and is designed to be replaced frequently. Its primary purpose is to manage sweat, provide tackiness, and protect the expensive base grip from wearing out.

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2. Technical Comparison: Overgrip Material Types

Overgrips are engineered with different chemical coatings and textures to suit different player preferences and playing conditions. The table below breaks down the technical specifications of the four primary overgrip categories:

Grip Type	Average Thickness	Average Weight	Key Materials	Durability Rating	Target Play Conditions
Tacky / Polyurethane (e.g., Wilson Pro, Yonex Super Grap)	0.55 mm – 0.60 mm	~1.5 – 1.8 grams	Polyurethane (PU) felt with sticky resin coating	7/10	Mild weather, players seeking a secure, non-slip feel in normal hands.
Dry / Absorbent (e.g., Tourna Grip)	0.44 mm – 0.50 mm	~1.2 – 1.4 grams	Micro-expanded cellulose fibers	4/10	Hot, humid weather, clay courts, and players with heavily sweating hands.
Textured / Tread (e.g., Babolat Pro Tour)	0.50 mm – 0.55 mm	~1.4 – 1.6 grams	PU with embossed ridges or perforations	8/10	All-weather players who prefer physical ridges to reference handle bevels.
Ultra-Thin (e.g., Babolat VS Grip)	0.40 mm – 0.44 mm	~0.9 – 1.1 grams	Thin polyurethane film	5/10	Players who want to preserve the sharp feel of the octagonal bevels.

According to the United States Racquet Stringers Association (USRSA):

"The thickness of an overgrip has a measurable effect on handle size. Adding a standard 0.55mm overgrip will increase the grip size by roughly half a size (about 1/16 of an inch). Players who are on the boundary between grip sizes should opt for an ultra-thin overgrip (0.40mm) to prevent rounding off the bevels and inflating the handle thickness."

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3. The Handedness Rule: Wrapping Direction

Before unrolling your grip, you must determine which direction to wrap. This is determined by whether you play right-handed or left-handed.

When you hold a tennis handle, your fingers wrap around the octagonal bevels at an angle. To prevent your fingers from catching the seams of the overgrip and peeling them backward during play, the grip must be wrapped in the same direction that your fingers wrap.

• Right-Handed Players: Wrap clockwise. Hold the racket head pointing away from you. Rotate the racket to the left (counter-clockwise) with your non-dominant hand while pulling the overgrip to the right (clockwise) with your dominant hand.
• Left-Handed Players: Wrap counter-clockwise. Hold the racket head pointing away from you. Rotate the racket to the right (clockwise) while pulling the overgrip to the left (counter-clockwise).

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4. Step-by-Step Overgrip Wrapping Tutorial

Materials Needed:

• A fresh overgrip
• Sharp scissors
• Finishing tape (included in the overgrip package)
• A clean cloth

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Step 1: Remove the Old Grip and Prep the Base

1. Peel back the rubber collar at the top of the handle and remove the old adhesive finishing tape.
2. Unwind the old overgrip. Take note of how it was wrapped so you can replicate the overlap.
3. Inspect the base replacement grip underneath. If the base grip is torn, sticky, or compressed completely flat, it should be replaced before applying a new overgrip.
4. Wipe the handle down with a clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove any sweat salts or dirt.

Step 2: Prepare the New Overgrip

1. Unroll the overgrip.
2. Critical Step: Locate and peel off the clear plastic protective film from the outer surface. If you leave this film on, the grip will feel like slippery plastic.
3. Locate the tapered end of the grip. Most overgrips have a small adhesive starting tab on this tapered end to anchor it.

Step 3: Anchor the Grip at the Butt Cap

1. Position the racket butt cap pointing upward. Place the sticky tab of the tapered end onto the bottom edge of the butt cap.
2. Hold the tab firmly in place with your thumb.
3. Wrap one complete loop around the base of the butt cap, maintaining firm tension. This first loop must overlap the starting tab completely to lock the grip in place.

Step 4: Wind Upward Symmetrically

1. Pull the overgrip with firm, consistent tension. Stretching the polyurethane is crucial: it prevents the material from bunching up and keeps the grip flat against the handle.
2. Begin winding upward toward the throat of the racket.
3. The 1/8-inch Rule: Overlap each previous row by exactly 1/8 of an inch (approx. 3mm).
   • If you overlap too much: The handle will feel too thick, and you will run out of grip before reaching the top of the handle.
   • If you overlap too little: You will leave gaps that expose the base grip, which will feel uneven in your hand.

Step 5: Cut and Secure the Top

1. Once you reach the top of the handle (where the handle meets the racket throat), hold the grip tight with your thumb.
2. Use your scissors to make a diagonal cut along the line of the throat. This creates a flat collar.
3. Wrap the final tapered piece around the handle.
4. Take the finishing tape and wrap it tightly around the top collar, securing the end of the overgrip to the neck of the racket. Slide the rubber collar down over the finishing tape for a clean, professional look.

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5. Common Wrapping Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced players can make mistakes when wrapping their grips. Watch out for these four common errors:

• Not Pulling Tight Enough: If you do not maintain tension, the overgrip will slip and slide during play, creating ridges and causing painful blisters.
• Rounding Off the Bevels: If you overlap the grip by more than half its width, you will create a thick, round handle. This destroys your ability to feel the octagonal bevels, making it difficult to find your grip alignments (such as switching from Eastern forehand to Continental serve) without looking at the racket.
• Forgetting to Peel the Plastic Film: A classic mistake. Always peel the clear film off before starting!
• Leaving the Grip on Too Long: Overgrips are designed to be temporary. Once they lose their tackiness or absorb sweat, replace them. A good rule of thumb is to change your overgrip every 4 to 6 playing hours.

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6. Conclusion

Mastering the art of wrapping an overgrip is a simple, cost-effective way to keep your tennis equipment in peak condition. A fresh, clean overgrip keeps your hand relaxed, prevents the racket from twisting, and absorbs unwanted vibration. Keep a multi-pack of overgrips in your tennis bag, check your grip before every match, and wrap with confidence.

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