How to Add Lead Tape to a Tennis Racquet

Co-authored by Peter Fryer and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: July 24, 2022

If you’re a fan of tennis, you might have noticed players applying small strips of lead tape to their racquets. While it can seem silly at first, using lead tape in the right position can actually help you customize your racquet and even give you more power in your swing. We’ve answered your questions about lead tape so you can pick the perfect spot for your needs before your next match.

Question 1 of 4:

Where do you put lead tape on a tennis racquet?

1
Add tape to 3 and 9 o’clock for more stability. Picture your racquet as the face of a clock. If you’d like more stability on off-center hits and extra pop in your swing, stick a 3 in (7.6 cm) strip of lead tape on the inside of your racquet at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock.^{[1]
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2
Put tape on 2 and 10 o’clock to move the sweet spot. If you usually hit the ball below the racquet’s sweet spot, this is the position for you. Add a strip of tape on the inside of the racquet at 2 o’clock and 10 o’clock to raise the sweet spot upwards.^{[2]
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3
Add it to 12 o’clock for more power. If your racquet is too light, add a strip of tape at the very top to make it more head heavy. This will give you a more powerful swing so you can hit the ball with extra force.^{[3]
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Question 2 of 4:

How do you put grip tape on a tennis racquet?

Wrap the tape around the grip to cover it completely. Start by placing the end of the grip tape on the very end of the handle. Wind the tape around the grip once, then keep winding, but move in a downward direction. Make sure each layer of tape overlaps the previous one just slightly. When you reach the end, cut off the excess and stick the end of the tape to the grip.^{[4]
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- You can kind of follow the grooves that are already in your handle as you wind the tape around.

Question 3 of 4:

Do tennis pros use lead tape?

Yes, most pro players use lead tape. It helps customize their racquets so they can fit them to their needs. Pros also typically use lighter racquets, and lead tape can help balance out that weight if they need it.^{[5]
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- Even someone using a customizable racquet might use lead tape simply because they underestimated how much weight they’d actually need.

Question 4 of 4:

Does a heavier tennis racquet give you more power?

Yes, and it can increase your swing weight, too. If you like your racquet but you’re finding that it’s just a bit too whippy or light, adding lead tape can help with that. Plus, if you don’t like it, you can always take it off.^{[6]
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- If you’re going for more power in your swing, put tape on your racquet in the 12 o’clock position.
- Before purchasing a tennis racket, you should know what kind of player you are. Powerful baseliner, a compact swinging net player, an all courter, or a counter puncher.
- Different rackets offer different features depending on the player. Most professionals play with heavier rackets and smaller head sizes which deliver a balance of control and power.^{[7]
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- You should try several rackets before you buy them. Most good pro shops offer the facility of testing tennis rackets for a small fee. It gives you a chance to get a feel for different sizes and weights and what kind of racket you like.^{[8]
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