Shops sell plenty of accessories, but few of them are really necessary. Protective glasses deserve more thought than most players give them, though.
Which accessories do you really need?
An overgrip and a frame protector. The overgrip keeps the handle dry and your grip secure, and the frame protector guards the racket frame. Everything else depends on your needs and taste.
What is an overgrip and how often should you change it?
An overgrip is a thin tape that you wrap around the racket handle. It absorbs sweat, gives you a better grip and makes the handle slightly thicker.
- Change the overgrip when it gets slippery or wears through. If you play often, that can be every couple of matches.
- If the handle is too thin for your hand, wrap two overgrips on top of each other.
- Wrap the overgrip from the bottom up, overlapping each turn slightly with the one before, and secure the end with tape.
What is a frame protector for?
A frame protector stops the racket frame getting scratched or cracked when the racket touches the ground or the glass. It’s an adhesive tape that goes along the top of the frame. It adds a couple of grams and shifts the balance slightly towards the head.
Do you need protective glasses for padel?
They’re worth considering. The risk of eye injury in padel is real, because players are close together and the ball is fast. In a study from Jönköping County in Sweden, padel caused 20% of sports-related eye injuries over five years, and by 2021 it had become the most common cause. In an Italian survey, 10% of respondents had suffered an eye injury playing padel, and the ball was usually the cause.
- Protective sports glasses are made of polycarbonate and can withstand a hit from the ball. Ordinary glasses can’t, and they may break on impact.
- Protective glasses make particular sense if you play a lot at the net or already have one weaker eye.
- At the net, keep your racket in front of your face. That’s the simplest protection.
If the ball hits your eye and your vision is blurred, or you see flashes, floating spots or a shadow, see an eye doctor the same day.
What should you know about the wrist strap?
The wrist strap is part of the racket, and the rules say you must use it. Under the 2026 rules, the strap must be non-elastic and no longer than 35 cm. If the strap is worn or torn, replace it. If the racket slips out of your hand during a point or the strap breaks, you lose the point.
Does an elbow strap help?
It gives some players relief, but the evidence for its benefit is limited, and the strap doesn’t treat the cause of the pain. An elbow strap, also called an epicondylitis strap, is fastened around the top of the forearm. If your elbow hurts, read our guide to sports injuries.
What is a ball pressuriser?
A ball pressuriser is a canister you put opened balls into. It keeps them under higher pressure, so they lose their bounce more slowly. It’s useful if you don’t play often and tend to have a half-used tube left over.
What else is useful?
- sweatbands on your wrists and head, so sweat doesn’t run into your eyes or onto your hands;
- a cap and sunglasses on outdoor courts when the sun is low;
- a towel for changeovers.