Pro Players Not Using Grip Tape

Kristóf Liszkai · Oct 7, 2018

Hi,

I have just been wondering abour why we don't see many pro players using grip tapes on their blade. I use one and i don't feel like i've comprimised anything by using it, and it gave me the benefit of being less worried that my blade slides in my hand (never been a big issue for me) and it gives me somehow a bit more confidence to hit the ball a tad bit harder.
It could be becouse pro players have blades that have heavier heads compared to regular blades, but im not sure.

What's your opinion on this guys?

Xylit · Oct 7, 2018

Most table tennis players don't need grip tape. That's all.

langel · Oct 7, 2018

I think that you already have the answer in your own post - You are worried of sliding and You feel more confident with a grip tape. If you really need a grip tape for confidence, most probably you don't utilze looser grip. Top players feel confident enough even with the loosyest grip and don't need grip tape.

romanzdk · Oct 7, 2018

I used to use grip tape, but then I've been told by one coach I should remove it as grip tape lessen the feedback and you cant feel your blade properly. (Of course this is very subjective and depends on the blade and your level).

Airoc · Oct 7, 2018

langel said:
Top players feel confident enough even with the loosyest grip and don't need grip tape.

Also custom-made grips can be supplied. What some achieve by grip tape, others have made in the factory for them.

CoolPug7 · Oct 7, 2018

If a pro player is good then the factory would probably make a blade with a larger handle for them.

FruitLoop · Oct 7, 2018

There are quite a few pros using grip tape still. Notably Vladi. Depends how much you sweat.

chuckjordan2 · Oct 7, 2018

You need to ask the real question as to why players use grip tape. Most amateurs (ie club members) want a thicker and fatter grip as the Western countries players have bigger hands.

Why do you think Tibhar's Samsonovs Force Pro Black Edition is so popular in Europe? Hint the very large grip.

Why is it so hard for manufacturers to test out a larger grip? If the did you'd see less wrapped handles.

langel · Oct 7, 2018

FruitLoop said:
There are quite a few pros using grip tape still. Notably Vladi. Depends how much you sweat.

Do you say that grip tape helps if you sweat a lot?
My understading is just the opposite - usually most of the handles are made of a pourous wood which absorbs the wet /and is drying faster after play/. The grip tape will make the wet to go to the head, which is worse.

Brs · Oct 7, 2018

Interesting explanation of why SFPBE is so popular. Because the one I had was a lousy blade. Handle was nice though.

Maybe pro players don't use overgrips because they make fine grip adjustments during the point and it's harder to do that with tape on.

Suga D · Oct 7, 2018

romanzdk said:
I used to use grip tape, but then I've been told by one coach I should remove it as grip tape lessen the feedback and you cant feel your blade properly. (Of course this is very subjective and depends on the blade and your level).

This is one of the reasons. At least from the pros i know personally.
Grip tape dampens the feeling quite a bit since it's less responsive.
I could imagine that the Game from guys like Dima probably wouldn't suffer as much as Timo's for instance.

Archyan · Oct 7, 2018

I remember removing the grip tape from my blade, the blade got more feeling and faster

yogi_bear · Oct 7, 2018

yup, it is more of a blade feel without the tape unless you are samsonov who used grip tape on his blade before to hide that it was a cedric nunytinck blade.

Der_Echte · Oct 7, 2018

chuckjordan2 said:
You need to ask the real question as to why players use grip tape. Most amateurs (ie club members) want a thicker and fatter grip as the Western countries players have bigger hands.

Why do you think Tibhar's Samsonovs Force Pro Black Edition is so popular in Europe? Hint the very large grip.

Why is it so hard for manufacturers to test out a larger grip? If the did you'd see less wrapped handles.

If U buy Ur blades from Nate4s, then that isn't such a worry either. Those handles are just right for those wanting a beefy grip.

Airoc · Oct 7, 2018

chuckjordan2 said:
Why do you think Tibhar's Samsonovs Force Pro Black Edition is so popular in Europe? Hint the very large grip.

And also because it´s a very good blade at a very good price.

Airoc · Oct 7, 2018

yogi_bear said:
a cedric nunytinck blade.

So the "new blade that Vladi played during the EC which will be released to the market soon" will be a re-designed Nuytinck?

Like they did with the CCA, only that people "felt" there were differences between CCA and VS Unlimited other than the color?

yogi_bear · Oct 7, 2018

no, it was a cedric nuytinck blade before. the one that has a red handle with 1 black stripe. he changed over to the cca unlimited.

FruitLoop · Oct 8, 2018

Vladi has used grip tape always and not just to hide which blade it is.

Also yes grip tape is better when you sweat. The properties of the rubber grip have more friction than a wooden handle when wet.

Airoc · Oct 8, 2018

yogi_bear said:
no, it was a cedric nuytinck blade before. the one that has a red handle with 1 black stripe. he changed over to the cca unlimited.

Changed back then, because the Nuytinck has just been released whereas the CCA has been out for a while.

Anyway, something new has been promised, not yet announced, but we´ll see.

yogi_bear · Oct 8, 2018

The Nuytinck was already been used by Vladi even if it wasnt released in the market yet at that time. My only point was he did used it and covered it with grip tape.

Pro Players Not Using Grip Tape

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