How to Put Grip Tape on a Tennis Racquet
- 1). Select the appropriate grip tape to suit your needs. Some grip tapes have a felt-like feel designed to absorb sweat while other tapes have a tacky feel for a secure grip. Most grip tapes have a protective cellophane on one side.
- 2). Remove a portion of the cellophane from the tapered end of the grip tape. You will start installing the tape with this end. Do not remove all of the cellophane because grip tape will stick to itself.
- 3). Remove the small piece of paper that covers an adhesive spot on the back side of the grip tape at the tapered end. Most overgrips contain an adhesive spot to help the tape adhere it to the handle and keep it in place while as you start to wrap the racquet handle.
- 4). Hold the racquet in your left hand (if you are right-handed) so the handle points toward the ceiling. Keep the head of the racket close to your body for support. Starting with the tapered end, press the adhesive spot flush with the butt cap of the racquet.
- 5). Hold the grip tape in your right hand. Rotate the racquet handle clockwise with your left hand, keeping the grip tape taut. Start wrapping around the handle in a diagonal manner, keeping a slight overlap, about one eighth of an inch, with each turn of the handle. Continue to remove the cellophane as you wrap.
- 6). Stop wrapping when you get to the top of the original grip. Notice that this end of the grip tape is not tapered. For a professional finish, make a diagonal cut with a pair of scissors so that when you finish wrapping, you will have a straight edge at the top of the original grip.
- 7). Secure the wrap with either the provided tape or a piece of electrical tape.