How to Increase Your Tennis Grip Size

f you're wondering how to increase the size of your grip, we’ll show you a few different ways you can customize the size and feel of your grip, all of which are reversible.

By Tennis Warehouse Staff

3 min read

Tennis Grip Sizes Explained

First, let’s take a look at what grip sizes are available and how they’re classified in the US and Europe. Most tennis racquets are available in grip sizes bewteen 4 1/8" and 4 5/8" in circumference (Note: Larger grip sizes are becoming less common, and many racquets only are available up to the 4 1/2 grip size). European grip sizing is different than the US and is the source of some confusion. The chart below correlates US and European grip sizes.

US Grip Size (inches)	Europe
4	0
4 1/8	1
4 1/4	2
4 3/8	3
4 1/2	4
4 5/8	5

How to Add a Heat Shrink Sleeve

The quickest and easiest option to increase your grip size is to use an overgirp. Applying a single overgrip should increase your grip size by about 1/16 of an inch. Some players will use two overgrips. The more permanent option, although still reversible, is to add a heat shrink sleeve to the handle.

Tools You'll Need

If you prefer the feel of a synthetic or leather replacement grip, you can also increase your handle by a full size by installing a heat-shrink sleeve. Available from Tennis Warehouse, these sleeves are easy to use and retain the handle’s bevels. To install a heat shink sleeve you will need:

Needle-nose pliers and/or a narrow screwdriver to remove existing staple
Razor knife to trim heat-shrink sleeve
Scissors to trim grip and finishing tape
Heat gun

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sliding on the heat shrink sleeve — After removing your base grip, slide on the heat shrink sleeve.

1. Remove grip and staple, being careful not to tear the grip if reusing. Clean any tape debris from the handle.

2. Slide the heat shrink sleeve over the butt cap and up the handle, overlapping the handle end by about 3/8 inch. You can either leave the excess at the bottom and trim with a razor knife after heating or trim to 1/2 inch of the butt end with scissors before heating. This second option will leave a small ring around the butt cap, which some players prefer so they can identify which racquets have built-up handles. If you choose to trim the excess, follow the instructions below. We don’t recommend trimming the heat-shrink sleeve at the top of the handle. It’s very easy to scratch the painted shaft.

Using a heat gun to secure the heat shrink sleve. — Use a heat gun to melt the sleeve onto the handle.

Heat shrink sleeve attached, but not trimmed. — The heat shrink sleeve is applied but not trimmed.

3. Hold the sleeve firmly in place at top and begin heating from the bottom, keeping the heat gun 3-4 inches away. Rotate the racquet while slowly moving the heat gun up the handle. Don’t keep the heat gun aimed at one spot too long or get too close to the heat-shrink sleeve or you will melt the sleeve. Continue heating until the sleeve has shrunken completely around the handle. Allow to cool before trimming the excess at bottom.

Trimming the excess shrink sleeve. — Use a razor to trim the excess off the end.

The excess is trimmed off for a clean finish.

4. To trim the overlapped sleeve, place the racquet on a stable surface. Gently apply pressure to the razor knife within 1/8 inch of the butt end. Turn the racquet as you hold the razor knife steady until the sleeve is completely trimmed.

5. Regrip your racquet.

If you want to remove your heat shrink sleeve, gently slice it lengthwise and peel off handle.

Changes in Weight and Balance

Grips

Additional weight: 4-8 grams
Change in Balance: Negligible

Full grip size shrink sleeve

Additional weight: 14-16 grams
Change in Balance: 1/4 to 1/2 inch (2-4 points), depending on racquet weight and length

Two full size shrink sleeves

It is possible to install 2 heat-shrink sleeves but this adds a substantial amount of weight to the handle, increasing overall racquet weight. Maneuverability will be reduced slightly but not as much as if this amount of weight were added to the racquet hoop.

Additional weight: 28-32 grams
Change in Balance: 1/2 to 1 inch (4-8 points), depending on racquet weight and length

How to Build Up a Butt Cap

If you hold your racquet at the very end of the handle and find your hand slipping off too often, you might want to build up just the butt cap. There are a few ways to do this.

1. Wrap 1-inch athletic tape around until you achieve the proper build-up.

2. Install part of a heat-shrink sleeve and trim as needed.