Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Choosing the right racket
• Part 2 of 2: Understanding racket specifications
• Tips
• Warnings

Whether you just like to hit a ball or dream of becoming a tennis champion, your tennis racket will make a big difference to your game. All tennis rackets are made differently, and they all have their advantages and disadvantages. If you are thinking about playing tennis often, at any level, the right racket is an investment worth investigating.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Choosing the right racket

1. Measure your hand for the correct grip size. Grips for adults range from 0 to 5. To determine your grip size, measure from the centerline in your palm to the top of your middle finger - this length in mm corresponds to the circumference of the tennis racket.
   • Another good rule of thumb is to hold the racket in your dominant hand, the way you hold it when you start playing. Slide the index finger of the other hand between the tips of your fingers and the base of your palm on the racquet. If there is not enough room for your index finger, then the racket grip is too small.
   • If there is a lot of extra space, the racket grip is too big.
   • If you're in between sizes, choose the smaller one as you can always increase the circumference by one grip extender (a thin plastic casing).
2. Choose a normal racket with a length of 68.5 cm, unless you want the added power of a longbody tennis racket. The traditional length of a racket is between 68 and 69 cm, but you can also find longer, so-called long body rackets. The longer the racket, the more leverage there is on a swing, and therefore more power on a hit.
   • The downside, however, is that longer rackets are a bit less maneuverable and difficult to aim.
   • Beginners should start with a normal 68.5 cm racket.
3. Know the three main styles in tennis rackets. Depending on your needs, skill level and playing style, you will need a certain racket to reach your full potential. The three most common styles are:
   • Power / game improving rackets: Characterized by a large blade, longer handle and light weight, these are especially for beginners and intermediate players, or anyone who wants more power in the shot.
   • All-round rackets: This well-balanced racquet is designed for all skill levels and offers a good balance of power, control and handling.
   • Control / players rackets: These rackets have small blades designed for maximum control and a professional design. The player adds his own strength to the shot. They can be long or short and are usually heavier than other racquets.
4. If you are a beginner, buy a large racket with a high balance point. When you start playing tennis, you want a forgiving racket that gives room for a lot of power without swinging too much. Choose a grip that suits you and focus on a racket with the following specifications:
   • Sheet format: 678 - 742 cm².
   • Length: 68.5 cm
   • Weight: Lightweight, 240 -279 grams
   • Balance: Top balance, 35 to 37 cm.
5. If you are tall or athletic or already have a powerful shot, choose a less powerful racket. Even some beginners find the big, top-balanced rackets too much, especially if they are athletic and powerful by nature. The best way to adjust it is to reduce the size of the blade you purchase, leaving the other specifications unchanged. A light racket with top balance can still be attractive for control reasons when you are just starting out.
6. Know the differences in racket material when you buy one. Most rackets are made from graphite as this is lightweight and powerful making it perfect for any beginner. Other rackets that are suitable for beginners are made from aluminium or titaniumas these provide good strength and comfort when you hit. Born or Kevlar rackets are the lightest on the market, but they are also quite stiff and therefore less forgiving on mistakes.
   • Beginners should limit themselves to aluminum or graphite, but the choice of material is also less important if the racket feels comfortable in your hands and if it fits your budget.
   • Aluminum is the cheapest racket, and they are usually heavy. However, they are also sturdy and reliable.
   • Boron, kevlar and carbon fiber rackets are often much more expensive than their graphite counterparts.
7. Test a few rackets before buying one. Make a few strokes and serve in the shop a few times and feel how the racket feels in your hand. Try to test out a wide variety of racquets when you are just starting out - from long and large power racquets to some on the smaller side. For best results, ask a few friends to test their rackets the next time you're on the tennis court and actually hit a few balls to see what suits you best. Everyone has a different swing and style, which is why there are so many different types of rackets on the market.

Part 2 of 2: Understanding racket specifications

1. Know that a larger size blade will increase the power to the ball. The bigger the blade, the more power you put on the ball (when everything else - racket length, swing, etc. - stays the same). This is one of the most important choices you'll make when choosing a racquet, as more power usually results in less control. Do you generally use too much force on the ball, or do you want a little more power without adjusting your swing? Look at the head size of your current racket and adjust accordingly.
   • Oversized and oversized blades are usually 678 - 742cm², but they can grow up to 775 - 840cm2 on power rackets.
   • Smaller control rackets usually have a head size of 625 cm² or less.
   • Beginners should aim for something closer to 645 cm2 or above.
   EXPERT TIP

   Choose top balance rackets for added strength and stability. Top balance rackets are best for basic play and beginners and are commonly found with power rackets. They are a bit heavier towards the top, which makes them a little less maneuverable. Average and more experienced players usually prefer a racket with handle weight or all-round balance.

   • If you play near the net a lot, try a handle weight racket for its increased maneuverability.
   • If you are not sure what to have, or if you play varied, take an all-round balance racket, which distributes its weight evenly.
2. Think about your string pattern. The racket itself isn't the only thing that affects your game. The way the strings are stretched, either in an open or closed (compacttension, will affect your power, control, and spin:
   • Open stringing offers more spin, which means you can hit the ball harder with stop spin. However, these strings are more prone to breakage.
   • Closed / compact covering provides more control when aiming a shot, and is better for beginners.
3. Use flexible rackets for more power but less control. A racket's flexibility has a value of 0-100, with 100 being the stiffest option available. Most rackets fall between 45-75 on the scale:
   • Lower numbers indicate more control and spin, less power and a more comfortable feel.
   • Higher numbers indicate more power, but also more vibration in the racket. Some beginners actually feel like they are gaining more control because the lack of bend gives them a more natural feel.
4. Check the width of the tree, the triangle under the blade, to estimate the potential for strength. A larger boom width means that you have more power on the racket. This makes sense because larger rackets require wider trees, but even control rackets have variable boom widths that affect how hard you can hit the ball.
   • For beginners, a good starting width is between 23 and 27 mm.

Tips

• Dampers can be used to absorb vibration and reduce shock to the wrist and elbow.
• You can always make your grip bigger, but it's hard to make it smaller. If you are in between sizes, choose a size smaller than what you think you need.
• You can opt for natural gut strings (instead of synthetic) if you need something more forgiving for the elbow and shoulder.
• Many rackets are rated / recommended on the basis of swing types, so it is important that you assess your swing before choosing. It is believed that beginners and those with little physical speed and strength have a slower, shorter swing profile, and therefore need a racket with more power (in fact recoil). While more experienced, stronger players are one long, fast swing, and therefore a check racket (one that is actually more dead, has less trampoline effect).

Warnings

• Choosing the wrong racket can increase the chances of common tennis-related conditions such as tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and ulnar collateral ligament strain.