How to Choose a Tennis Racket

To begin breaking down the vast selection of tennis rackets on the market, we'll divide them into four primary categories: power, versatile, spin and control rackets. We'll dive into each of these categories below to help you choose the right tennis racket for your game.

This is the term used by racket manufacturers for power-oriented tennis rackets.

In most cases, these racket models feature oversize to super-oversize heads (670-870 cm²), are lightweight (230-270 grammes), longer (68,5-73,5 cm) stiffer and are balanced head heavy (or evenly balanced) to retain enough weight in the hitting zone.

Designed for players with shorter, slower swings from beginner to intermediate who want more power from the racket.

Versatile rackets (sometimes called "all around" rackets) have become the most popular type of frame Tennis Warehouse Europe offers.

A versatile racket borrows some of the lightness and power of the power rackets and mixes it with some characteristics of control rackets. These rackets are often light to medium weight (270-310 grammes), balanced anywhere from slightly head light to slightly head heavy and have midplus heads (630-670 cm²).

The power level typically ranges from low-medium to medium-high power, making them most appealing to intermediate through advanced players. They tend to be spin-friendly thanks to possessing a light and fast feel combined with a healthy midplus headsize.

The move to a heavy topspin playing style at the top of the game has created very spin-friendly rackets.

These frames are lighter and faster than control rackets and offer midplus headsizes. Spin-friendly rackets are perfect for attacking the ball at an aggressive angle for maximum spin. The power level is similar (if not identical) to versatile rackets, and the unstrung weight typically falls between 290-320 grammes. Headsizes of spin-friendly rackets are often right around 630-645 cm².

This category denotes rackets that would be used by professionals, high-level club and college team players.

These rackets for control are typically heavier in weight (315-340+ grams), have smaller heads (550-630 cm²), thinner, more flexible beams and are balanced head light to retain maneuverability. The result is a low-power racket, designed for players who provide their own power and prefer a racket that offers control. Most player's rackets are standard length but there are a few extended length options.

Power is directly related to head size; a larger head will provide more power than a smaller head, all other things being equal. A larger head also offers a larger hitting area and sweetspot, which results in more forgiveness on off-center hits.

Today’s rackets are offered in head sizes ranging from 600 to 870 cm², with the most common being 625-645. Rackets at, or close to, 645 cm² offer a solid blend of power and control for many players.

Generally speaking:

• a smaller head appeals to more accomplished players seeking more control
• a larger head appeals to beginning and intermediate players seeking more power and a larger sweetspot

The standard length for an adult tennis racket is 68.5 centimetres, but rackets are available in lengths ranging from 67.5 to 73 centimetres, which is the legal maximum for tournament play. A longer racket provides more reach on groundstrokes, added leverage on serves and slightly more power overall than standard length rackets; all other things being equal. The added length of longer rackets results in a higher swingweight, which means a little more effort is required to maneuver the racket. Many power rackets are lighter to stay maneuverable even at longer lengths.

These two characteristics most influence how a tennis racket feels when you pick it up and when you swing it on the tennis court.

Weight:

A heavy racket is more powerful, more stable and transmits less shock than a lighter racket (all other things being equal). The extra weight of a heavy racket helps it win the battle at contact when the stringbed collides with the ball. The result is a stable feel and the sense the racket is plowing through the ball. We often refer to rackets with these favourable qualities as having "good plow through" in our product descriptions and reviews. From the baseline players with long fast strokes will find good depth and pace from heavier rackets. At net and on service returns the added stability is a nice benefit.

Conversely, a lighter racket is more maneuverable, and thus, a player is able to position the racket easier and generate lots of spin (thanks to the easier access to a faster swing). On court players can whip the ball with spin to help generate better angles, get lobs and passing shots to quickly dip inside the lines and maneuver the racket easily during quick exchanges at net.

Keep in mind, you can always add weight to a racket by customizing it if it’s too light. Reducing racket weight, however, is almost impossible.

Balance:

A racket can be one of three things when it comes to balance: head light, head heavy or even balanced.

• A head-light racket will have more of its mass located toward the handle end of the racket. Most control rackets are head light to help keep them feeling maneuverable even though they are the heaviest type of racket.
• Lightweight power rackets tend to be head heavy. With plenty of mass located toward the head of the racket, some stability is retained despite the racket having a light overall weight.
• We are then left with the medium weight rackets, which come in at an even balance or close to it. When the mass is distributed evenly throughout the racket a blend of stability and maneuverability can be achieved without making the racket too heavy or too light.

We measure frame stiffness and give each frame a score (RA). You will see the RA in the spec tables on our racket description pages. Here's a general breakdown of how to decode the measurements:

Flexible frame = 63 and below

Medium stiffness = 64 to 67

Stiff frame = 68 and above

The amount a frame deflects during ball contact directly affects its power potential. A stiffer racket bends less, thus depleting less energy from the ball. A flexible racket bends more, resulting in more energy loss. A common myth among players is that a flexible racket, that bends back more, returns more power to the ball due to a catapult-effect. The ball remains on the strings for 3-5 milliseconds, much shorter than it takes a frame to recover. Consequently, a racket frame doesn’t "return" energy to the ball, it absorbs energy - either more or less, depending on stiffness. Stiffer rackets don’t deflect as much on impact, resulting in less power drain than a flexible racket.

Frame stiffness doesn’t only affect power. Control and comfort are at stake. Generally speaking, a racket that offers more power provides less control. However, this is largely dependent on player type, ability and the type of string installed in the racket.

An advanced player may prefer the feel and control of a flexible racket because he or she has a long, fast swing and provides his or her own power.

A beginning or intermediate player, though, may prefer a stiffer racket for a better blend of control and power for his or her stroke style.

Many advanced players also like a stiffer and more powerful frame when combined with a stiffer and control-oriented string. The result allows the advanced player to hit with lots of power and spin. The combination of a powerful racket with a stiff and spin-friendly string has come to define the modern power game at the elite level. However, a stiff racket combined with a stiff string can result in comfort issues for amateur players.

To a certain point, stiffer rackets are generally less comfortable than more flexible rackets. A very stiff frame will transmit more impact shock to the wrist, elbow and shoulder than a medium stiff frame. Comfort is difficult to measure - each player has a different perception of what feels comfortable. However, players with arm and/or shoulder problems should look at frames with an RA of 66 or less.

Swingweight is a measurement of how heavy a racket feels when you swing it.

Rackets with higher swingweights are harder to swing, but they offer more comfort, power and stability at impact.

Rackets with lower swingweights are easier to swing, but they offer less stability and comfort, especially when playing aganst higher levels of pace.

Advanced players prefer higher swingweights because it helps them redirect the pace of big hitting opponents. It also enables them to hit with high levels of power. Beginner and intermediate players prefer a lower swingweight because it gives them easier acceleration, which not only helps them position the racket effectively, but it also makes it easier for them to generate the higher stroke speed required for effective pace and spin.

Low swingweight = 305 and below (Maneuverable, suitable for beginners)

Medium swingweight = 310 to 325 (Moderate maneuverability and stability, suitable for all ability levels, but ideal for intermediates)

High swingweight = 325 and above (Very stable, suitable for advanced players)

Often overlooked by many recreational players, the string pattern of a racket influences many aspects of its overall performance and feel. String patterns are often described as open or closed.

An open string pattern will deflect more on impact than a denser pattern, providing greater ball rebound and a higher launch angle. Strung at the same tension (in similar rackets) an open string pattern should feel livelier. In other words, a player will find easier access to depth and pace. Open string patterns also allow the main strings to deflect more and with certain string types the main strings will snap back into position providing more spin. The price one may pay for this, though, is reduced string durability. The increase in string movement results in more abrasion which can cause faster string breakage.

A closed string pattern won’t deflect as much upon ball impact, resulting in less rebound energy. Many players find the response of a closed pattern to offer a more controlled feel. While the stringbed doesn't allow for as much string movement for spin generation, the added control of the closed pattern allows players to swing quickly and therefore the ability to get the ball spinning quickly. More closely spaced strings can last longer and that allows the player to utilise softer, thinner and more feel oriented strings without sacrificing too much durability.

How to measure your grip size

Basic string and racket facts

Racket and string terms