Origins

TOURNA’s history began in 1972 with the development of its first grip product. According to the company, the original innovation was designed to help players achieve better control and confidence from their rackets. The product emerged during a period of rapid growth in tennis popularity within the United States.[1]

The company’s early development is closely linked to Unique Sports Products, which evolved from a small operation into a manufacturer and supplier of sports accessories. TOURNA eventually became the company’s primary consumer-facing brand.

One of TOURNA’s most recognizable innovations was its blue overgrip, engineered to absorb perspiration and maintain usable traction when players’ hands become wet. This characteristic made the product particularly relevant for tennis played in warm and humid environments, conditions familiar to many players in tropical regions.[1]

There is a minor discrepancy in the company’s historical materials regarding the exact introduction year of the flagship grip: while general corporate history identifies 1972 as the beginning of the TOURNA story, current product category pages describe the flagship Tourna Grip as having been invented in 1977. Broader brand history consistently places TOURNA’s origins in the 1970s.[1][3]

Development of the brand

As racket sports evolved, TOURNA expanded beyond its original grip concept. The company developed products covering various grip characteristics, racket customization, stringing, ball storage, court maintenance, and training.

Its grip portfolio eventually included:

• Tourna Grip — the original dry-feeling, moisture-absorbing overgrip.
• Tourna Tuff — a more durable version retaining the company’s characteristic sweat-absorption properties.
• Tourna Tac — a tackier grip aimed at players seeking additional traction.
• Mega Tac — an especially tacky grip designed for maximum grip and durability.[1]

The company states that all three major grip families are used at the professional tour level.[1]

The Tourna Grip is the product most strongly associated with the TOURNA name.

Unlike many traditional tacky overgrips, the original Tourna Grip was designed around sweat absorption and a relatively dry feel. The grip becomes tackier as moisture reaches its surface, making it particularly suited to players who experience sweaty hands or play in humid climates.[1]

The product’s distinctive light-blue color has become a significant part of TOURNA’s visual identity. The company describes this color as trademarked and has retained it across subsequent products such as Tourna Tuff.[1]

The grip is marketed to both professional and recreational players and is specifically associated with conditions where perspiration might cause a racket to rotate or slip.

Although historically identified with racket grips, TOURNA’s present portfolio is considerably broader.

Racket grips

Grips remain the core of the brand. TOURNA offers several types of overgrips and replacement grips differentiated by sweat absorption, tackiness, durability, cushioning, thickness, and dry versus wet feel. The company also sells grip-enhancement products such as rosin and tack rags.[1]

Tennis strings

TOURNA produces tennis strings under the Big Hitter and Tourna Silver families. The catalog includes strings in various gauges and constructions catering to different preferences for power, control, spin, and durability.[1]

Racket customization and accessories

The racket accessory portfolio includes lead/tuning tape, vibration dampeners, grip replacement tools, stringing supplies, tension measurement devices, stencil ink, and protective tape. The registered TOURNA trademark covers a broad range of these racket-related products.[1][2]

Tennis balls

TOURNA sells multiple categories of tennis balls, including youth balls, pressureless balls, foam practice balls, training balls, and related storage and transportation equipment.[1]

Ball carts and storage

A significant portion of the business involves equipment for coaches, clubs, and training facilities. TOURNA sells ball baskets, hoppers, carts, tubes, and related gear. The Ballport line, for example, facilitates the transport and collection of large quantities of tennis balls for instructors and players.[1]

Court equipment

TOURNA manufactures equipment for tennis court maintenance and operation, including nets, singles sticks, net straps, squeegees, benches, clay-court supplies, teaching carts, and scoring equipment. Tennis nets are offered in various constructions using heavy-duty netting, polyester or vinyl headbands, fiberglass side sticks, and steel cables.[1]

Pickleball

In recent years, TOURNA has expanded significantly into pickleball. The current range includes pickleball grips, balls, and accessories, reflecting a strategy to apply grip and accessory expertise beyond traditional tennis.[1]

Other sports products

The TOURNA/Unique Sports portfolio extends beyond racket sports. Hot Glove is a specialized brand for baseball and softball glove break-in and maintenance, offering products for glove treatment, bat wraps, grip enhancement, and field use.[1]

TOURNA emphasizes domestic manufacturing as part of its corporate identity. According to official company information, more than 60% of its products are made in the United States. Maintaining domestic production allows the company to support US manufacturing while retaining control over product quality.[1]

This approach is notable given that sporting goods are frequently manufactured through global supply chains.

TOURNA operates under Unique Sports Products, Inc. The company describes itself as a second-generation family business with a philosophy emphasizing product innovation, quality, fair pricing, and customer service.[1]

The TOURNA trademark is registered in the United States to Unique Sports Products, Inc., covering racket grips, strings, tennis balls, accessories, nets, and training equipment.[2]

TOURNA’s identity is connected to performance under difficult playing conditions, particularly sweat and humidity. The original blue Tourna Grip approached the grip problem differently from highly tacky conventional products by emphasizing moisture management. This created a distinctive association between TOURNA and players requiring dependable racket control in hot or humid weather.[1]

The company’s broader mission involves developing products that improve athletic performance while making sports easier and more comfortable to play.[1]

TOURNA products have a significant presence among competitive players. The company states that its major grip products are used on the professional tour, and international distribution makes the brand available globally.[1]

The brand’s professional association is strongest around the original Tourna Grip, whose combination of sweat absorption and distinctive blue appearance makes it recognizable on tennis courts worldwide.

Although originating in the United States, TOURNA products are distributed internationally. The company maintains preferred retailers and distributors domestically and lists international arrangements, including a Canadian distributor.[1]

Independent regional distributors sell TOURNA products across Europe and other markets. The UK distributor, for example, describes itself as the official UK importer since 1996 and lists products for tennis, pickleball, badminton, and padel.[3]

TOURNA occupies a distinct position in the sporting goods market. Rather than manufacturing rackets, shoes, or apparel, its identity is built around specialized performance accessories.

Its strongest category remains racket grips, where the original Tourna Grip is widely recognized. From this foundation, the company expanded horizontally into equipment surrounding the racket-sport experience, including strings, customization products, balls, carts, nets, and court equipment. This specialization has established a brand identity centered on small equipment innovations with noticeable effects on play.

• 1972 — Company history begins with original grip innovation during US tennis growth.[1]
• 1970s — Original blue Tourna Grip becomes the brand’s foundation.
• Following decades — Expansion into strings, accessories, balls, training equipment, and court equipment.
• 1990s — Development of international distribution network; UK distributor begins importing TOURNA in 1996.[3]
• 2000s–2010s — Portfolio broadens substantially with multiple grip technologies and accessories.
• 2010 — TOURNA word mark registered in the US by Unique Sports Products, Inc.[2]
• 2020s — Continued expansion into pickleball alongside established tennis portfolio; emphasis on US manufacturing and family-business heritage.[1]
• 2026 — Official catalog encompasses hundreds of products across grips, strings, balls, court equipment, accessories, pickleball, and other categories.[1]

The most recognizable element of TOURNA is arguably the light-blue Tourna Grip itself rather than its logo. For many tennis players, the blue overgrip serves as visual shorthand for a player prioritizing sweat management and secure handling. Its long history, distinctive appearance, and professional use have given the product an identity extending beyond its function as replaceable racket tape.

• Tennis
• Pickleball
• Tennis racket
• Tennis strings
• Overgrip
• Racket sports
• Sports equipment

1. About Us – Tourna Sports
2. TOURNA Trademark of Unique Sports Products, Inc. – Registration Number 3844542 – Serial Number 77922903 :: Justia Trademarks
3. Original Tourna Grip Racket Tape | Tourna