Choosing the right tennis racket

I have been playing tennis for almost 3 decades and have tested dozens of tennis rackets during those years. I started with wooden rackets that had to be put in a frame so they wouldn’t warp when you weren’t using them. With technology has come lighter and more powerful rackets that allow even the most beginner players to play tennis. Choosing a tennis racket can be a daunting task as there are all kinds of features to consider: head size, grip size, string tension, power, control and playing ability. Beginning tennis players are advised to use an oversized head and a string tension that is more “tight” than “loose”. With a tighter string tension you will get more control and with wide body rackets you should have enough power to get the ball over the net. More advanced players can reduce string tension and still have enough control to keep the ball in play. Personally, I like a racket with tighter strings because I hit the ball big and create my own power. I use topspin to maneuver the ball down the court and therefore have a lot of control when I need it.

Beginners often walk into a store and buy the first racket they put their hands on. Keep in mind that the size of the grip is very important in deciding which racket to choose. You will see grips that measure 4 3/8″, 4 3/4″, 4 1/4″, etc. – feel the differences between the grip sizes. If it is too small, it will be difficult to get the necessary turns and a grip that is too big you will find it difficult to control the racket in your hand. Ask a store associate to help you adjust to the proper grip size. Most rackets come in all sorts of sizes and you can always overgrip a grip smaller to “thicken” a bit.

head size – the larger the head, the more forgiving it will be and that is why novice players should look at oversized rackets for the best combination of power and control. The thicker the frame, the more power you get too. For beginners, it’s always been a good balance between a lack of control and too much power. Intermediate players who can hit with spin and control can gain the added power of a mid-size frame (similar to what Roger Federer wears). If you have good groundstrokes, adding a little more power could be a good thing. Just remember that keeping the ball in play is the key to winning, unless you’re talented enough to hit clean game winners from the baseline. Pros use rackets that weigh a little more than the average weekend warrior simply because they can use the extra weight to put more power into their shots. Stick with as much control as you can get when you first start playing.

Best brands – I have always used Head tennis rackets, but certainly names like Wilson, Babolat, Yonex, Prince, Fischer, Vokl and Dunlop are solid names to consider. Pros like Serena Williams used a Wilson and Andre Agassi used a Head. They all make racket heads in various sizes and you can customize any racket with the tension you prefer. Expect to spend at least $50 for a real beginner racket and upwards of $100 to $150 for an intermediate to advanced racket. Demo programs are a great way to get familiar with almost any racket. Your local pro shop should be able to set you up with a demo and get you playing almost immediately. Try at least 2-3 rackets with different string tensions to see which one suits your game best.

Tennis is a game you can play your whole life (my dad still plays in his 80s) and it’s great exercise. Buy a racket and start playing better.