Reduce the grip size of a tennis racket

The operation consists of removing the original grip and replacing it with an overgrip. It's simple to do and everyone is capable of performing this task. You gain half a size this way.

However, we have highlighted two drawbacks:

• You will feel the edges of the handle more, and this can be painful (higher risk of getting blisters)
• Vibrations will be less absorbed in the presence of a single overgrip on the handle (the thickness of the original grip + overgrip creates a layer that helps absorb vibrations)

Planing the Handle

This operation is extremely long and delicate. It requires expertise as well as a lot of patience. You will need to remove the original grip and sand all faces of the tennis racket handle uniformly using a wood planer. We draw your attention to the fact that handles are hollow. Do it step by step and, above all, do not sand too much thickness, otherwise you risk having a hole in the handle. This operation should not be done on Head competition rackets which offer interchangeable handles.

Reducing the Handle Size of a Head Racket

There is a particularity that will allow you to reduce the handle size of your tennis racket. Indeed, Head competition rackets have an interchangeable shell that allows the handle to be reduced. The operation is less delicate than planing the handle, but requires dexterity as well as patience.

The operation requires removing the original grip, then the staples on the buttcap (wear protective glasses when removing the staples) using a flat-head screwdriver and flat pliers. Then, use the screwdriver to pry off the shells. This manipulation can be tedious; we have already encountered difficulties in removing the shells (sometimes, the shells come off piece by piece).

Once the shells are removed, place the Head TK, TKS or TKR shells + the buttcap and staple each side of the buttcap using a pneumatic stapler. Then reposition the grip and you're done.