What a great post by our fellow tennis player, Will, a former US college player and co-founder of thetennisbros.com about how to choose a tennis racquet.

We all want to get the absolute most out of our tennis games, and while much of that is going to come from hard work, talent, and mental effort, your tennis gear can undoubtedly make a small difference. In a game where an entire match can swing on the result of a single point, the small difference of having the right racket can really swing things in your favor! So, to make sure you have peace of mind that you’re playing with the right racket for your game, here are 4 handy tips to help you choose the perfect stick.

There is No Best Racket

People often ask what’s the best racket out there, but there is no answer to this question. Novak Djokovic might be the best player in the world, but if the average person tried to play with his racket it’s likely they’d think it was almost impossible to use. What is really important is finding the best racket for you and this is a very personal thing. No two players have the same game, and therefore no two people are going to have exactly the same requirements for a tennis racket.

This means the first thing you have to ask yourself is, what is it that you specifically want from your racket? Do you value power, control, spin, maneuverability, comfort, feel or something else? When you know the answer to this question, then you can’t start to narrow your search.

Heavier isn’t Always Better

When you see the pros on TV it’s interesting to know what kind of rackets they play with (many of them have customized specifications that don’t match what you buy at the shops).
If you look up the pro’s actual specifications, you will often find they use really heavy rackets, and you think, well, if it’s good for them, then it’s got to be good for me. This isn’t the case though, because the extra weight is only useful if you can wield it effectively.

Likewise, you might think a super light racket is ideal because you can swing really fast, but then you don’t have the weight to convert swing speed into power. You’ve got to find the weight that works for you and allows you to comfortably swing with plenty of speed while giving you the stability to create power.

This is the number one reason why you should demo your rackets before you buy them! The more time you spend with your racket the more you will be able to feel if you have the right weight.

Brand Names Aren’t Everything

The big brands make some great rackets, but so do the lesser-known racket manufacturers. Don’t talk yourself out of a great racket just because you are not familiar with the brand name.

Yes, it is nice to rock up with the same racket as Roger Federer and look like a tennis GOAT, but at the end of the day, picking the right racket is all about finding the right stick to help you play great tennis.

Sometimes the best racket for you isn’t going to be from the most well-known brands and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Your Racket is Highly Customizable

Choosing the right racket is very important, but even when you commit to a racket, there’s a lot you can do to change the way it plays. Your strings play a massive part in how your racket performs, and by making little changes to your setup you can have your racket playing exactly how you want it.

So, if you find a racket that feels almost perfect, but is just missing a little something, see if you can add the extra je ne sais quois by optimizing your strings.

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Amazon Top Picks for Tennis Racquets

Bestseller No. 1
HEAD Gravity MP Tennis Racquet - 27 Inch Performance Adult Racket - 4 1/8 Grip, Unstrung
  • HEAD PEDIGREE: Born out of revolutionizing how we ski and play tennis, HEAD has constantly pushed athletic equipment into the modern era. For all levels of play, HEAD offers nothing but top tier tennis equipment.
  • MP PERFORMANCE: The HEAD Gravity MP graphite tennis racket is an ideal choice for a wide range of more serious players. The head light balance racquet is an excellent option for advanced player seeking a racket to match their aggressive play style.
  • UNPARALLELED SHOTS: The adult tennis racket boasts unmatched energy transfer and clean impact feel thanks to Graphene 360+ tech and spiralfibers throughout the racquet.
  • DURABLE GRAPHENE: Made with a durable and lightweight graphite spiralfiber technology, this is a professional level tennis racket built to last.
  • DIMENSIONS: Frame Weight: 295 g /10.4 oz, Head Size : 100in, Grip Size: 4 1/8in, Length: 27in.
SaleBestseller No. 2
Wilson Pro Staff Team V13 Adult Performance Tennis Racket - Grip Size 4 - 4 1/2"
  • Wilson Pro Staff Team V13 Adult Performance Tennis Racket - Grip Size 4 - 4 1/2"
  • Lighter and more maneuverable Pro Staff
  • String Mapping provides a denser string bed for excellent precision and feel
  • New Ergonomic End Cap yields improved comfort and playability
  • Modern design gives nod to classic Pro Staff heritage with black elastic base, exposed carbon fiber weave decal at the tip and red/yellow pinstripes along the throat
Bestseller No. 3
HEAD Graphene 360+ Speed Pro Black Tennis Racquet, 27 Inch Performance Adult Racket - 4 3/8 Grip, Unstrung
  • HEAD PEDIGREE: Born out of revolutionizing how we ski and play tennis, HEAD has constantly pushed athletic equipment into the modern era. For all levels of play, HEAD offers nothing but top tier tennis equipment.
  • TOP TIER PERFORMANCE: The HEAD Speed Pro graphite tennis racket is an ideal choice for a wide range of more serious players. A traditional player's racquet, the Pro offers pinpoint accuracy with ample power to finish off volleys.
  • UNPARALLELED SHOTS: The head light balance adult tennis racket boasts unmatched energy transfer and clean impact feel thanks to spiralfibers throughout the racquet.
  • DURABLE GRAPHENE: Made with a durable and lightweight graphite spiralfiber technology, this is a professional level tennis racket built to last.
  • DIMENSIONS: Frame Weight: 310 g /10.9 oz, Head Size : 100in, Grip Size: 4 3/8in, Length: 27in, String Pattern: 18/20.
Bestseller No. 4
HEAD Graphene 360+ Radical S Tennis Racquet, 27 Inch Performance Adult Racket - 4 1/8 Grip, Unstrung
  • HEAD PEDIGREE: Born out of revolutionizing how we ski and play tennis, HEAD has constantly pushed athletic equipment into the modern era. For all levels of play, HEAD offers nothing but top tier tennis equipment.
  • LIGHTWEIGHT PERFORMANCE: The HEAD Radical S graphite tennis racket is an ideal choice for a wide range of more serious players. The racquet has a larger head and lighter weight than the rest of the RADICAL series, offering more power — great for ambitious, all-court club players.
  • UNPARALLELED SHOTS: The head light balance adult tennis racket boasts unmatched energy transfer and clean impact feel thanks to spiralfibers throughout the racquet.
  • DURABLE GRAPHENE: Made with a durable and lightweight graphite spiralfiber technology, this is a professional level tennis racket built to last.
  • DIMENSIONS: Frame Weight: 280 g / 9.9 oz, Head Size : 102in, Grip Size: 4 1/8in, Length: 27in, String Pattern: 16/19.
Bestseller No. 5
HEAD Graphene 360+ Radical Pro Tennis Racquet, 27 Inch Performance Adult Racket - 4 3/8 Grip, Unstrung
  • HEAD PEDIGREE: Born out of revolutionizing how we ski and play tennis, HEAD has constantly pushed athletic equipment into the modern era. For all levels of play, HEAD offers nothing but top tier tennis equipment.
  • TOP TIER PERFORMANCE: The HEAD Radical Pro graphite tennis racket is an ideal choice for a wide range of more serious players. Offering excellent stability, power, and control, the racquet is perfect for players with a well rounded game.
  • UNPARALLELED SHOTS: The head light balance adult tennis racket boasts unmatched energy transfer and clean impact feel thanks to spiralfibers throughout the racquet.
  • DURABLE GRAPHENE: Made with a durable and lightweight graphite spiralfiber technology, this is a professional level tennis racket built to last.
  • DIMENSIONS: Frame Weight: 315 g / 11.1 oz, Head Size : 98in, Grip Size: 4 3/8in, Length: 27in, String Pattern: 16/19.
SaleBestseller No. 6
HEAD Gravity S Tennis Racquet - 27 Inch Performance Adult Racket - 4 3/8 Grip, Unstrung
  • HEAD PEDIGREE: Born out of revolutionizing how we ski and play tennis, HEAD has constantly pushed athletic equipment into the modern era. For all levels of play, HEAD offers nothing but top tier tennis equipment.
  • LIGHTWEIGHT PERFORMANCE: The HEAD Gravity S graphite tennis racket is an ideal choice for players looking for a lighter frame without sacrificing the massive sweet spot the Gravity line is known for. The head light balance racquet is an excellent option for advanced player seeking a racket to match their aggressive play style.
  • UNPARALLELED SHOTS: The adult tennis racket boasts unmatched energy transfer and clean impact feel thanks to Graphene 360+ tech and spiralfibers throughout the racquet.
  • DURABLE GRAPHENE: Made with a durable and lightweight graphite spiralfiber technology, this is a professional level tennis racket built to last.
  • DIMENSIONS: Frame Weight: 285 g /10. oz, Head Size : 100in, Grip Size: 4 3/8in, Length: 27in.
Bestseller No. 7
Pacific Unisex_Adult BXT Raptor - bespannt Tennis Racket, Black/White, 2: (4 1/4)
  • Head size: 102 sq. in.
  • Weight: 285g
  • String pattern: 16/19
Bestseller No. 8
GAMMA Sports RZR Bubba 117 Tennis Racquet, Tennis Racquet for Adults, 117 Sq Inch, 4 3/8
  • ADULT TENNIS RACQUET: The GAMMA RZR Bubba 117 Tennis Racquet is a smaller version of the classic 137 size with the same oversized frame. It features a lightweight, aerodynamic beam design for a balance of power and control. The racquet weighs 9.5 oz., measures 27.50" long, and arrives unstrung.
  • COMFORT & CONTROL: The 27.25-inch length and slightly smaller size offer comfort and maneuverability. At 117 squared inches, the racquet head doesn't sacrifice control yet is large enough to still achieve a powerful sweet spot that sends the ball flying.
  • DESIGNED FOR LIMITLESS DRIVE: Made to last through relentless play or practice sessions, this tennis racquet features a 405 swing weight and a 16x19 string pattern. At the net, volleys feel stable with very little off-center twisting. The fast feel and impressive pop make it easier to finish points.
  • LEVEL UP YOUR SPORT: This racquet for tennis is ideal for intermediate players or those with a shorter swing. The size and weight are forgiving and ideal for someone looking to level up from a basic recreational racquet or for a pro player who wants the RZR Bubba experience with a shorter length.
  • NEVER STOP PLAYING: Founded on a history of unique innovation, GAMMA Sports strives to support every athlete, from experienced professionals to excited beginners. Our products are made to inspire everyone to never stop playing and improving.

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