Alexandra Ramirez
That was our top criteria for selecting the best tennis grip.
If you are court ready, then the Gamma Ultra Cushion Tennis Grip scored high marks in all categories and is our top pick for meeting on the court.
1. Gamma
Best Overall Tennis Grip
5/5 Product Rating
You get one grip per package, and it is available in black. Customers love this grip because it’s easy to use and feels comfortable when wearing it. It is made from durable materials that are resistant to sweat and are going to last for years to come. This is a wonderful addition to your tennis bag, and for a small price, it gives you added comfort that you’re sure to be grateful for.
Your grip on the racquet is incredibly important, and this piece of equipment is gong to help make your grip more comfortable and secure. When you’re ready to take your game to the next level then purchasing this grip is just a smart choice.
– Jonathan Maxwell
2. Head
Best Tennis Grip for Sweat Absorption
4.8/5 Product Rating
Tennis players swear by this grip because it has a comfortable feel while still giving them a strong hold on the racquet. There’s nothing worse then having a nice racquet that you can’t get a good grip on, and that’s why this grip is designed to give you that extra bit of maneuverability that you crave. It’s easy to apply and remove this grip, so you can easily replace it when the time comes.
The grip is also inexpensive, so you can buy numerous grips should you need to replace them often. All in all, it’s smart to have an extra grip in your arsenal for when you feel like things are starting to get a little shaky with your racquet, and owning this model from Head is a smart idea.
– Jonathan Maxwell
3. Tourna
Best Tape Style Tennis Grip
4.6/5 Product Rating
This brand is known for their precision manufacturing, and that is never going to change, so you can be guaranteed that you’re getting a high quality product that is going to stand the test of time. This grip outperforms all other grips on the market, and that’s why it’s a top rated product that tennis players swear by.
Adding this grip to your tennis bag proves that you are in the know, and that you’re serious about your tennis game. When you’re ready to take things to a whole new level, then adding this grip by Tourna is the smart choice. They have a number of different styles to choose from, so you’re sure to find something that is perfect for your racquet, and your style.
– Jonathan Maxwell
Tennis Grip Buying Guide
What is a Tennis Grip?
There’s nothing worse than being out on the court with a racquet that has a grip that is the wrong size or is too worn down. It can seriously mess up your game, and your concentration. We’re going to highlight in this buyer’s guide everything that you need to know about purchasing a replacement grip, so that you can find something that’s just right for you.
Choosing a Grip Size
One of the things that people often overlook when buying a racquet grip is the size. The challenge is that there is actually no definitive size when it comes to finding the right grip. There are two general rules that you should follow when finding something that is right for you. First, you need to understand the negative effects of choosing the wrong grip. Before, the idea was to find the largest grip possible that was still comfortable for you. This was because most conventional grips used to be quite large. Today, the trend is to use the smallest grip possible. The problem with both of these situations is that it doesn’t suit the individual.
When you use a grip that is too large, it’s difficult to hold onto, and you compromise your stability. This means that the racquet will twist in the player’s hand. You’re then, unfortunately, getting less effective contact with the ball, and this will result in a loss of power and control. You’re also getting additional shock that is being transferred to your arm. This may seem to indicate that you should use the smallest grip possible, but this unfortunately means that you’re going to squeeze tighter in an effort to hold the frame steady. When you squeeze too tightly you are tiring out your muscles and also putting the muscles and tendons into excessive strain. When you combine this strain with the force of the ball, you’re putting yourself in a position for getting tennis elbow.
Comfort is Key
You want to be able to grip the racquet comfortably without squeezing too tightly, and you want to make sure there is no twisting in your grasp. When it comes to adult grips, the sizing starts at 4 inches, and this is the circumference around the grip. Sizes are then available in 1/8 increments up from there, and can go as high as 4 5/8 inches. There are basically two methods that you can use to find your grip size.
- This is the easiest method, and it involves using a racquet that you already own. Hold the racquet as you would while serving, then you look at the space between the tips of your fingers, as well as your palm. Take your index finger on the other hand, and then try to fit it in the gap so that it just nearly touches your palm and your fingers. If it barely touches then this is the appropriate size. Should there be significant overlap then you know that the grip is to small.
- If you don’t have a racquet nearby then you can use a measuring device, whether that is measuring tape or a simple ruler. Measure the distance from the second main crease in your palm to the tip of your ring finger. This is going to correspond with the correct size of grip. You can experience a bit more error with this method, because not everyone has a proportionate hand. It’s possible for those with long fingers to measure an inappropriate size.
These are really just generalized rules, so consider it as a reference point. Really what it’s going to come down to is what feels right for you. Some very tall tennis players still choose to go with a very small grip, because they simply like the feel of it. Just keep in mind that it’s easier to make a grip feel larger than it does to make it feel smaller. When you want to increase the size of a grip, you need to add an overgrip or have a heat-shrink sleeve placed on the replacement grip.
Grip Size Listing
Always keep in mind that manufacturers are going to have different ways of listing grip size on the racquets. The most traditional method is listing circumference measurement in inches. Due to the fact that grips are not circular in shape, the term circumference is used loosely. Outside the USA, they ignore the use of inches, and instead they use sizes ranging from 0-5. Each number will represent 1/8 inch increments starting at 4 inches and moving up.
Grip Mold
Keep in mind that each manufacturer is going to use a different mold for their grips. This means that each brand is going to have a slightly different shape. For example, a Head grip has a very rectangular shape, and the Prince frames have a round shape. You’re still going to see that a 4 3/8 grip from each brand is going to measure the same around the grip no matter what brand it is, but the feel is going to be quite different. Players agree that Head grips feel a bit smaller, and Babolat feels larger.
Replacing a Grip
When you purchase an overgrip, it’s going to go right over your existing grip, and these are very easy to put on. You simply begin at the bottom, pull the grip firm, and then you’re going to twist the grip around the handle, making your way to the top. Once you run out of grip, you use the tape included to secure the top to the handle.
Replacement grips require a bit more work, but you’re using the same concept. You take off the existing grip and remove the staple that you find there. Turn your racquet upside down, unroll a bit of it, and remove the tape backing. Now you want to take the tapered end of the tape and attach this to the butt cap. You can staple it there, but this is not entirely necessary.
If you’re a right handed player you want to pull the tape to the right while the racquet head is down, and go left if you’re left handed. Pull the grip taut and then wrap it slowly around the handling. You need to aim to overlap slightly over the previous layer. After you reach the top of the handle, you need to trim the grip with scissors. Draw a line along the top of the grip where you want the top highest part to be. Then begin to unravel a little and cut the grip along the line that you drew. Now, start to wrap the grip back up and then secure the top with the rubber collar.
Choosing a Grip
When you purchase a new replacement grip, there are three things that you want to look out for.
- Tacky Grips: The purpose of a tacky grip is to keep your hands comfortable and dry in hot climates. You’re going to see that different grips do this in different ways. Some grips are super tacky, and that means that when you sweat the grip is going to get more sticky. This keeps things stable at all times. You can additionally purchase rosin bags and lotions that help to add to this stickiness.
- Absorption Grips: This kind of grip will absorb the moisture, and helps to whisk away the sweat from your palms. This kind of grip is less sticky and easier for those who change their grips often. Overgrips also help to absorb this moisture.
- Cushioning: These grips are built for comfort, and they give you a soft feel, as well as a more classic and firm grasp. The best kind of cushioned grip is the leather grip, but keep in mind that these are more expensive.
Conclusion
Owning the right tennis grip is all about knowing your game. You need to get a feel for what works best for you and what you hope to achieve from your grip. The top rated grips are versatile enough to work for most players, and you can be sure that when you purchase one of these you’re getting a product that is going to last for a while, and deliver the results on the court that you seek.
