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How To Buy A Tennis Racquet New high-tech materials, larger heads and longer racquets have changed the way the game of tennis is played. It is essential that you choose the type and size racquet that best fits your game. Matching your racquet to your ability level: Understanding racquet technology Understanding string technology Matching your racquet to your ability level It is vital that the tennis equipment you use fits your skill level. You should buy a racquet that suits your size, swing and ability level. If you are just starting to play tennis you should look for a basic, versatile racquet An oversized, pre-strung racquet will provide the most versatility and has the largest sweet spot Size ranges between 107 square inches and 125 square inches A pre-strung racquet generally fits all types of players. These are strung by the manufacturer in the middle of the range of strength. If you belong to a club or recreational team or play at least once a week A lighter, smaller racquet if you're a power player A larger racquet if you're a finesse player in need of some extra power Play 2-3 times a week or compete in a competitive league High-tech composite racquets provide superior power with lighter weight The type of tennis racquet you should purchase depends on the type of player you are. Use the guidelines below to determine your playing style. If you have a long, loopy swing and aggressively hit the ball you are a power player who could benefit from more of a control racquet. If you have a slow-to-moderate swing speed and a short, compact stroke you are a finesse player who could use a power racquet to help you hit the ball harder. Heavy hitters are able to supply most of the power yourself Look for a smaller racquet that provides for better control of your swing The head size and length should be smaller in order to improve the control of your shots Will want a racquet that is stiffer and longer with a larger head size to increase the sweet spot More than half of all tennis players fall into this category If you have a long, slow stroke, or fast, compact swing, then you need a combination racquet You need to find a balance between the longer, stiffer, more powerful racquets and the shorter versions that will give you additional control Understanding racquet technology Before you choose a tennis racquet, it is important to understand the many factors that control a racquet's performance, and how each of them can impact your game. The bigger your racquet's head, the more powerful your shot. On the other side, the smaller the head size the more control you have. If you're in the middle, there are mid-sized versions that offer you a little of both. Oversize Measures between 107 square inches and 125 square inches. Super oversize racquets come as large as 135 square inches. Larger sweet spot means more power More consistency from fewer mishits Midsize Range from 100 square inches to 106 square inches Slightly larger sweet spot Better control without giving up too much power Traditional For the stronger player who provides most of the power in a shot The head size is smaller than 100 square inches Much better control, but sacrifices power Easier for smaller players to handle The length of your racquet, the distance from the bottom of the handle to the top of the head, depends on how big you are and what type of game you play. Long More than half of racquets made today are "long racquets" Measure between 28.5-29 inches Provides greater leverage on a swing, and therefore more power Easier to cover more area on the court Traditional The standard 27.5-28 inch racquet is for you if you prefer a more traditional look and feel A combination of both power and control Easier to handle if you are a smaller player The weight of a racquet affects both power and control. With today's racquets getting lighter, manufacturers have placed most of the weight, or mass, in the head to increase the power. Heavy Generally weigh more than 11 ounces Supplies more power Helps maintain control Mid-Weight Measures between 9.8-10.9 Offer a combination of control and power Very versatile to fit most types of players Super Light Weighs between 9-9.4 ounces Superior shot control Easier for smaller players to handle Any time a racquet "flexes" it is wasting energy. Both of these factors only really impact advanced players. All manufacturers have different ways of determining and indicating their stiffness and flexibility ratings. Stiffness The stiffer the racquet, the more energy is returned to the ball Better control of return shots Dampens vibration and stress on the elbow More power since less energy is wasted Flexibility Preferred by some players with higher and faster swing speeds Offers less power and therefore greater control Makes it easier to finesse shots The shape of the racquet head depends on your preference in the look of the racquet and your skill level. Oval The sweet spot resides in the bottom half of this standard-shaped head that is preferred by traditionalists Excellent feel of the racquet Tear Drop The tear drop shape allows more of the racquet to act as the sweet spot A sweet spot is the area on the racquet that allows for a solid hit and return. The larger the racquet, the bigger the sweet spot. The tear drop-shaped racquet allows almost the entire face to become the sweet spot New materials have strengthened racquet frames to add more consistency A properly fitted grip will improve your control over the tennis racquet, enhancing your performance A grip that is too small will allow the racquet to twist in your hand and can eventually lead to Tennis Elbow A grip that is too large will decrease wrist snap on serves and prolonged use can also cause Tennis Elbow How to choose the right size grip: Place the end of a ruler at the horizontal crease where the bottom of your palm meets your wrist. Lay the rest of the ruler in the palm of your open racquet hand. Measure from the bottom of your palm to the tip of your ring finger This is your ideal grip size If you are between sizes, go with the smaller size and add an overgrip or heat-shrink sleeve for the perfect fit Most overgrips will increase the size by 1/16 inch and heat-shrink sleeves will increase grip by 1/8 inch How to choose the right string for your racquet Once you have the type of frame that best fits your playing style and swing, you will need to determine the type of stringing that suits your game. Most manufacturers offer pre-strung racquets in their less-expensive models. Pre-strung racquets are geared towards recreational players Very versatile for a beginning level player Primarily for intermediate to advanced players These allow you to choose a racquet type and size and then tailor the string to your game It allows the more advanced player to customize string and tension according to your playing style Understanding string technology Natural gut Provides the best, most consistent feel Best suited for more advanced players because of improved performance and feel on shots Will need to be changed frequently; not very durable Synthetic Better suited for recreational players Offers a good balance of durability and playability Very little difference in performance for the average tennis player String gauge This is basically the thickness of the string and the big difference is in durability and playability Thicker strings (15 gauge) last longer, while thinner strings (16 and 17 gauge) offer better feel but are less durable String tension All racquet frames come with manufacturer's recommendations on string tension and it is best to stay within those limits For more power, the racquet should be strung at the low end of the range, since lower tension equals more power Higher string tensions offer less power but provide for better control As a general rule, higher tensions are recommended for experienced players only |