Whether you are a newbie just starting out in tennis or an experienced player looking to replace your current racquet, selecting a new racquet can be difficult. As we all know, there are many brands in markets each with dozens of models classified into several categories. How do you know which racquet is right for you? How to buy a tennis racket? We’re here to assist you.
But let’s make things very clear. First of all, there is no such thing as “ideal tennis racquet”. There is, however, a top tennis racquet for every style of player. While choosing racquets, there are numerous aspects to consider before making a decision.
HEAD
The term “head” refers to the entire circular area of the racquet where the strings are inserted to produce the hitting surface. The larger the head, the more power it provides.
Throat
The throat is located between the bottom of the racquet’s head and the top of the handle.
Handle
The handle of the racquet is the part of the racquet that you hold while playing. Most handle sizes (measured in circumference) fall between 4 and 4 3/4 inches.
Grip
The grip is the cover that goes over the handle of your racquet. You can adjust the feel, improve traction, or slightly expand the size of the handle by adding a replacement grip or an over grip.
Beam
The beam of a tennis racquet refers to the side of the racquet, which can be thicker or thinner depending on the type of racquet.
Strings
Tennis strings are a thin piece of material that is inserted throughout the racquet’s head to give the flat trampoline-like hitting surface.
To know more about strings, check our article Best Arm Friendly Tennis StringsÂ
Which TENNIS racquet to buy?
The best approach for selecting a racket is to play with it, but there are hundreds of rackets available and you can’t possibly test them all. To have the correct rackets in your hands to try, you’ll need to focus your search a little bit, and the best way to do that is to understand racket specifications (specs). Listed below are some specifications to keep in mind while selecting a racquet.
1. Head Size
Larger heads produce more power and have a larger sweet spot, making it simpler to strike the ball accurately. Smaller head sizes provide more control, so if you are confident in your ability to smash the ball cleanly and are already a powerful player, a smaller head size may benefit you. So, what we recommend it that
- For beginners- larger head size would be great (The bouncing effect delivers additional power as the head size increases)
- For Experienced players- smaller head size can also be suitable (The smaller the head size, the greater the mobility, Control and precision).
2. Weight
Without strings, the weight of a racquet is measured in grams or ounces. Choosing a heavier or lighter racquet might also affect your performance. A tennis racquet’s weight can range from as little as 9 ounces to as much as 11 ounces or more.
- A heavier racquet is more powerful, more stable, and transmits less shock to the player.
- A lighter racquet, on the other hand, is easier to operate and will not exhaust the player’s upper body as much as a heavy one
Most experienced players choose heavier racquets weighing 310g or more, but younger and less experienced players prefer the agility of a lightweight racquet. Playing with the improper weight of racket is a proven method to injure yourself, and this can be accomplished by using a racket that is both too light and too heavy.
3. Balance
The center of mass of your racquet is the place in the middle where you can balance it on your finger without it falling. The balance point of a perfectly balanced racquet would be exactly in the middle of its length.
- Head light racquets have their center of mass relocated toward the handle. These racquets are heavier, which helps absorb and lessen stress while preserving mobility by keeping the majority of the weight in your hand.
- Head heavy racquets have their center of mass pushed toward the head. These racquets are lighter, which helps to ensure agility while enhancing power and keeping appropriate stability with increased weight at the head.
Modern player racquets tend to be balanced, or only slightly head light or head heavy. These have the most popular balance and give you the characteristics of both head-light and head-heavy racquets.
4. Grip size
It is critical to have the right grip size when playing because it has a significant impact on how your shots perform.
The proper grip size is one that allows you to precisely fit the index finger of your non-hitting hand in the gap between your fingers and your palm when holding an eastern forehand grip.
Tennis racquet grip sizes range from 4 to 4 34 inches. The size of your hands affects the best grip size you should select for the most comfortable fit and to prevent injury.
If it’s too little, you won’t have a firm hold, which can lead to damage from over-gripping, but a grip that’s too large will put extra strain on your arm muscles and be uncomfortable.
- Measuring grip size
Using a measuring tape, you can determine the proper grip size at home. Spread your dominant hand open, fingers near together. Measure the distance between the tips of your ring and middle fingers and the lowest lateral wrinkle of your palm.
Types of tennis racquets
| Power racquets |
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| Control racquets |
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| Spin racquets |
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| Tweener racquets |
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Choosing best Tennis racquet
So before buying racquets keep in mind all the components and technical aspects we have discussed earlier.
Consider your personal playing style and body form, and then match it to the racket. Determine the characteristics of the racket that will best suit you, such as head size, length, weight, balance, and stiffness. Determine your preferred grip size and then purchase a racket with that size or one grip size smaller. Consider purchasing the frame without strings and having it strung by a professional once you have purchased the frame. If possible, try out some rackets before looking for the finest source online to buy them as cheaply as possible.
There are hundreds of excellent tennis racquets on the market, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Everyone has different physical attributes and develops their own style of play over time, thus the greatest tennis racquet for you may not be the best for anyone else.