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 choice based on individual criteria. No two players have the same game, and so 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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Head to Your Local Pro Shop
We do list a few beginner racquets below, but for anyone thinking about taking the game seriously, you’ll want to head to your local pro shop, which will offer you the latest racquets, customized and expert advice from a pro, as well as recommendations on grip, grip size measurements, strings (types & tension) and a host of other tennis equipment expert advice, all contributing to your game. A relationship with a local pro goes a long way, over a long time, towards your game and may just be the difference between a W or a L. All that said, the most important advantage you’ll get from your local pro shop is demos to try out – and there is no better way to choose a tennis racquet than by testing it yourself, whether it be match play, hitting with a pro, hitting against a wall or even using a trainer/rebounder in your local space.
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Amazon Top Picks for Tennis Racquets
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Professional Tennis Registry (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 272 Pages - 04/01/2013 (Publication Date) - Triumph Books (Publisher)
- Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 Adult Recreational Tennis Racket - Grip Size 3 - 4 3/8", Black/White/Green
- Power frame for players with short, compact swings
- Hammer Technology creates a larger sweet spot for more power and forgiveness
- Perimeter Weighting System improves torsional stability
- Head-heavy balance increases stability and momentum in a lighter frame
- Used Book in Good Condition
- United States Professional Tennis Registry (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 264 Pages - 04/01/1998 (Publication Date) - Triumph Books (Publisher)
- 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 5/8in, Length: 27in, String Pattern: 16/19.
- Package Includes: you will get 12 pieces of 27 inch tennis rackets with overgrips and 6 balls, along with 12 pieces of carry bags, enough quantity to meet your practical and replacement needs, you can share these tennis rackets with your friends and family
- Lightweight and Comfortable: these tennis racquets are lightweight yet sturdy, each racket weighs only 0.57 lb, easy to hold and swing, you will not feel tired after a long time of use; The lighter racquet is easy to hold and swing, providing you with a good playing experience, which is more likely to inspire beginners a strong interest and confidence with playing tennis
- Reliable Material: the tennis racquet is made of quality and reliable material, high intensity and durability, and the overgrip wrapping is strong, soft and shockproof, less racket vibration protects your hands from injury; Each racket is 27 inches long to bring out the better in you during practice or matches; The extra large net racket allows for more accurate hitting and is made of quality aluminum alloy, which is strong and sturdy and not easy to break
- Considerate Design: with oversized tennis surface, it is easier to catch the ball and more powerful to hit the ball, the shock absorption and non slip grip will make these tennis racquets more comfortable to use
- Tennis Rackets Size: measuring about 27 inches, 105 sq. inches in head size, weights about 9.2 oz, the racket allows you to grasp the rhythm of offense and defense at any time, so whether you are a beginner or an experienced one, it is suitable for you, providing you with a good playing experience
- Wilson Clash 100 V3 Unstrung Adult Performance Tennis Racket - Grip Size 2 - 4 1/4"
- Racket comes Unstrung
- Hit Stabilizer: Improves off-center stability by increasing racket inertia at 3 o' clock & 9 o'clock on the racket hoop without changing balance or adding weight, increasing racket forgiveness.
- SI3D: Optimizes three-dimensional frame bending for targeted power, spin and control.
- Click-and-Go: Bumper and grommet system that enhances durability and application through a superior fit.
- Wilson Clash 100 Pro V3 Unstrung Adult Performance Tennis Racket - Grip Size 4 - 4 1/2"
- Racket comes Unstrung
- Hit Stabilizer: Improves off-center stability by increasing racket inertia at 3 o' clock & 9 o'clock on the racket hoop without changing balance or adding weight, increasing racket forgiveness.
- SI3D: Optimizes three-dimensional frame bending for targeted power, spin and control.
- Click-and-Go: Bumper and grommet system that enhances durability and application through a superior fit.
- 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.
- MIDPLUS PERFORMANCE: The HEAD Radical MP graphite tennis racket is an ideal choice for a wide range of more serious players. Experienced players looking for a swift yet stable racquet with controllable power will love the Radical MP.
- 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: 300 g / 10.6 oz, Head Size : 98in, Grip Size: 4 1/4in, Length: 27in, String Pattern: 16/19.
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