SELECTING THE RIGHT TENNIS RACKET FOR YOUR SKILL LEVEL
Before you can select the best tennis racket for your level of play, it’s important to understand two elements of racket construction: head size and weight.
TENNIS RACKET HEAD SIZES:
OVERSIZE: 105” or larger
MIDPLUS: 98” to 104”
MIDSIZE: 85” to 97”
TENNIS RACKET WEIGHTS:
LIGHTWEIGHT FRAME: 255 – 275g
MEDIUM FRAME: 275 – 310g
HEAVY WEIGHT FRAME: 310g or heavier
BEGINNER TENNIS PLAYERS
Players first learning the game of tennis should start with a light racket featuring a larger head size, often called an “oversize” racket. This will help them make contact with the ball consistently while learning to rally without wearing out their arm as their muscles get used to the game.
When choosing a tennis racket for a beginner, here are a few things to look for:
- Oversize head size
- Lighter frame
- More power
INTERMEDIATE TENNIS PLAYERS
Intermediate players can start to reduce their head size and add a little more weight to their racket as their tennis muscles develop and they learn to generate more pace on their own. Doing these two things will allow them to keep their new-found power under control.
When selecting a racket for intermediate tennis players, keep the following in mind:
- Oversize or Midplus head size
- Medium weight frame
- Less power generated from the racket, more control
ADVANCED TENNIS PLAYERS
Advanced players should be using “mid-size” rackets that allow them to play with control, feel and precision. These three benefits will provide a more connected-to-the-ball feel, allowing players to play more confidently as they go for their shots.
When selecting a racket for advanced tennis players, keep the following in mind:
- Midplus to Midsize head size
- Medium to heavy weight frame
- Rackets optimized for control and feel
CHOOSING A RACKET FOR YOUR SWING STYLE
Players who play with shortened or flat swings typically prefer their rackets to generate power.
Players who play with more modern, vertical swings typically want their rackets to generate more control and feel.
TENNIS RACKET CONSTRUCTION
When choosing a racket, there are three elements which affect power and control: head size, weight, and string pattern.
- Larger Head size = More Power; Smaller Head size = More Control
- Lighter Racket = More Power; Heavier Racket = More Control
- Open String bed = More Power; Denser String bed = More Control
STRINGING RACKETS
Beginners to Intermediate players, seniors, or those suffering from tennis elbow, should play with multifilament string while Advanced players can have a go at polyester string.
Players should typically string multifilament (synthetic gut) from 53 to 55 lbs to start, and then adjust from there. Higher tension = more control, while lower tension = more power.
If stringing as a hybrid (half poly/half multi), string the polyester 2 lbs below the multifilament. Typically, you should avoid string polyester above 54 lbs as it is already a very stiff material.
RACKET GRIP SIZES
Racket grip sizes are measured 0 through 5, or in the US, 4(0) – 4 5/8. Most adult women find success with a 4 ¼ (grip size 2) while men typically gravitate towards 4 3/8 (grip size 3).