Tennis Equipment Maintenance Guide
Tennis gear doesn't last forever, but it lasts a lot longer when you take care of it. Most players only think about maintenance when something breaks — by then, they've been playing with degraded equipment for weeks. This guide covers what to check, when to replace, and how to get the most life out of everything in your bag.
Maintenance Schedule at a Glance
| Item | Replace / Service | Signs It's Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overgrips | Every 10-15 hours of play | Smooth, shiny, or slippery to touch. Lost tackiness. Visible wear-through to base grip | Low (~$4-5 per grip) |
| Strings | Times per year = hours per week you play | Strings move and don't snap back. Notching where strings cross. Loss of control and spin | Medium ($30-60 including labour) |
| Base grip | Every 6-12 months | Compressed flat, hard, slippery underneath the overgrip. Visible sweat stains | Low (~$8-15) |
| Tennis balls | Replace pressurised balls every 2-4 sessions | Flat bounce (drop from shoulder height — should bounce to waist). Fluffy felt. Light weight | Low-Medium ($2-4 per ball) |
| Bag interior | Clean monthly | Smell. Visible dirt or mould. Sticky residue from tape or grips | Free (soap and water) |
| Dampeners | Replace when cracked or lost (every few months) | Hardened rubber, cracks, or the dampener keeps falling out during play | Very low (~$2-3 each) |
Racket Care
Your racket is the most expensive piece of equipment you own. A well-maintained racket lasts 3-5 years of regular play; a neglected one might give you 18 months.
- Never leave it in the car. Extreme heat warps frames and kills string tension. Bring your racket inside, always. Store in a padded cover for protection.
- Wipe the frame after sweaty sessions. Sweat is corrosive over time. A quick wipe with a damp cloth after play prevents buildup in the grommets and throat area.
- Check grommets every few months. Grommets are the small plastic tubes where strings pass through the frame. Cracked grommets cause strings to fray and break prematurely. Grommet sets are cheap ($5-10) and most stringers can replace them.
- Rotate rackets if you have two. Using the same racket every session doesn't give the strings time to recover tension. Alternating extends string life by 20-30%.
Overgrip Replacement
This is the maintenance task players neglect the most — and the cheapest to fix. A fresh overgrip costs less than $5 and takes 2 minutes to apply. A worn overgrip reduces control, causes blisters, and makes your racket slippery in the heat.
How to Know It's Time
Run your thumb across the overgrip. If it's smooth, shiny, or doesn't feel tacky, replace it. If you can see the base grip colour through worn patches, you're well overdue. Most players should replace overgrips every 3-5 sessions. Heavy sweaters may need to change every session.
Buying in Bulk Saves Money
A 3-pack costs $11-15. A 12-pack costs $29.95 — less than $2.50 per grip. If you play twice a week and change overgrips every 4 sessions, a 12-pack lasts about 6 months. Keep a spare in your bag at all times.
Not sure which overgrip is right for you? See our overgrip guide and how to choose the right overgrip.
Tennis Ball Storage and Lifespan
Pressurised tennis balls lose bounce from the moment you open the can — whether you use them or not. Here's how to maximise their life:
- Store in a ball pressuriser after each session. This re-pressurises the balls between uses and can extend their playable life by 2-3x. Worth it if you play with premium balls.
- Don't store in direct sunlight. UV degrades the rubber core and felt. Keep balls in your bag, a closet, or any shaded area.
- Rotate balls in practice. Use your newest balls for match play and demote older balls to warm-up and practice. Putting used balls in a ball tube keeps them organised.
- Consider pressureless for practice. Pressureless balls don't go flat because they have no internal pressure to lose. They last months instead of weeks. See our pressureless vs pressurised comparison.
Bag Care
- Empty and air out after every session — don't let wet gear sit inside overnight
- Wipe the interior monthly with a damp cloth and mild soap
- Check zippers for grit — sand and court dust wear them down
- Don't overload the racket compartment — crushing your racket against other gear can warp frames
- Store shoes in a separate compartment or bag. A racket backpack with a dedicated shoe compartment solves this.
Seasonal Deep Clean
Check frame for hairline cracks (hold up to light)
If cracked, retire the racket — a cracked frame can shatter on impact
Check string condition and tension
If strings are notched at crossings or tension feels dead, book a restring
Replace base grip if compressed
Peel off old grip, apply new one from butt cap upward with slight overlap
Inspect bag seams and zippers
Repair or replace before they fail on the way to a match
Audit ball inventory
Bounce test all balls. Retire any that don't bounce to waist height from shoulder drop
Wash or replace sweatbands and headbands
Machine wash with sports detergent. Replace if elastic is stretched
For a full breakdown of what to pack for every session, see our bag packing checklist.
Keep your gear in top shape
Overgrips, ball pressurisers, padded covers, and storage solutions for every player.