A racquet comes with a factory grip which is often a cheap basic grade that doesn’t absorb sweat as well as specialist grips on the market. Players also tend to stick with a grip for a period well beyond its performance.
So, what are the indicators that you need to change that grip?
One of the first signs is the racquet slipping in your hands when playing a shot. This of course quickly becomes a safety issue if a powerful shot is played the risk of the racket coming out of your hand is a dangerous possibility.
A slippery grip will also reduce the touch, feel and control a player has with the racquet when striking the ball.
The dye and traces of the rubber are on your hand after the match, this is a definite sign the grip needs to be replaced.
Another key indicator is the smell. An old sweaty grip can hold quite a potent stench, and nobody wants to play against a player who plays with a stinky grip!
Players can also use the colour of the grip as it increasingly gets dirtier and further from its original colour it is a visual indicator of when it needs to be replaced.
Some examples are shown below.
If you want to learn how to put on your own grip please click here for more details. |