Tennis Racket Buying Guide

For the novice or intermediate tennis player, the tennis racket market can be quite overwhelming. With the titanium allows, graphite, bigger racket heads, heavier weights, the average player attempting to buy a racket with out the proper guide can easily spend money on a racket that is not best suited for their game. Having the correct information about the variety of tennis rackets can greatly help you find the right racket for you tennis playing needs while still adhering to a budget.

Lightweight rackets are traditionally the rackets most novices reach for. Lightweight rackets do serve a great purpose on the courts, and are considered power rackets, meaning that during the swing, the lighter racket garners more speed, making the impact with the ball more forceful; they are also designed with a bigger racket head, creating more power as well. Light rackets are best for individuals who do not hit the ball very hard. They will help boost the speed of your shots. The downfall is that ball control is slightly diminished with these. If you hit the ball out of the court regularly, lack much control over the ball, or hit flat, a lightweight racket is not the best choice. If you are trying to get more power in your stroke and are consistently getting your shots in the court and keeping the ball in play, a lightweight racket ranging from 8 to 11 ounces is an ideal weight window for your tennis needs. Racket head size ranges from 96 to 110 square inches for the lightweight racket division.

The player that generates his or her own power and is looking for more control during rallies and net play are best suited for a heavier racket with a smaller racket head, called a midsize head: 85-95 square inches. Midsize rackets weigh between 11 ounces to past 14 ounces; also, you can add additional weight. The smaller head limits rebound force from the racket and the heavier weight lessons the force of impact between the strings and the ball. For a heavy hitter, a racket around 13-14 ounces is ideal. A racket from 11-12 ounces is ideal for a person who requires slight control while still retaining some power generation in the racket.

Just because your favorite player uses a certain brand or type of racket does not mean that you need to as well. Professional player’s rackets are customized past the point of being similar to what you can buy in a store. They are custom strung, weighted and balanced. Looking to the professionals for a racket is not the key for finding a racket. The key is figuring out what type of player you are: a hard hitter, a controlled player or somewhere in between there. Choose your racket according to your playing style, not what your favorite athlete’s style is. Go to a tennis shop or your tennis coach to demo several rackets before making your final choice.


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