Choose the Correct Tennis Racket Size

Tennis rackets differ in size. This is valid for length, grip size and head dimensions. There are junior-sized rackets for younger players and full-size rackets for adults.

Length

In general, a longe racket gives a longer swing, resulting in a more powerful shot. Longer rackets also naturally give a better reach. However, a longer racket is harder to control accurately, especially for smaller players.

Grip Size

Choosing the correct grip size is very important to ensure the right feeling and allow for powerful shots. Too thick of a grip results in loss of power. A too thin grip size can on the other hand make it hard to hold the racket still enough, causing it to rotate in your hard, which is undesirable. The rule of thumb here is that when you are holding the racket comfortably, you should be able to touch the tip of your thumb to your middle finger knuckle.

If you are unsure of which grip size to choose, picking one on the thinner side might be a good option, as you can always increase the grip size using grip tape later if needed. Generally male players use grip size 3 (4 3/8) while female players use grip 2 (4 1/4). But there are of course deviations from this as hand sizes vary.

Head Size

The head is the area containing the strings. There are standard-sized, mid-sized and over-sized rackets in this aspect. Standard-sized are nowadays rarely used as rackets have evolved towards larger head sizes. Mid-sized are most often used by more advanced players and offer a strung surface area of about 85-100 sq. inches. Over-sized rackets are very popular with beginners and more recreational players as their larger strung surfaces of about 100-140 sq. inches offers a considerably larger sweet spot.

What Tennis Racket Weight to Choose

Tennis racket weights usually vary from around 275 grams to about 325 grams, or from about 9 ounces to about 12. Advancements in material science have made today's rackets are far lighter than the rackets of 10-20 years back. Regarding the weight, it is more about personal preference than about how advanced you are as a player. A heavier racket is usually perceived as more stable and secure when hitting the ball. On the other hand a lighter racket will always be easier to move around faster, and it will put less stress on your arm muscles, especially when playing longer games.

To some people choosing the lightest racket possible might be tempting. But consider that you should be able to feel the weight of your racket, as that will facilitate your coordination. A heavier racket will also help you put more power on your shots in many cases. However, do make sure that you can swing and move the racket easily without putting too much stress on your arm.

The Three Main Categories of Tennis Rackets

Tennis rackets are commonly divided into three main categories:

• Control-oriented rackets
• Power-oriented rackets
• Balanced rackets (being a mix of control and power)

The factors mainly affecting the properties of a racket are the frame dimensions, the frame stiffness and the string tension, and also to some extent the weight.

An example of how these factors affect the racket properties is that the wider the frame, the larger the sweet spot of the racket becomes. This decreases the need to hit the ball very accurately, as the racket is more "accepting" of hitting the ball off-center. A very general statement could be made that this means wider frames are more suitable for beginners.

Choose a Tennis Racket that Suits Your Playing Style

The overall goal when choosing your tennis racket should be to pick one that suits your playing style. A lot of people end up buying a tennis racket that is too advanced for them, which actually does not benefit them, but rather holds them back in their progress.

A common scenario is that a recreational tennis player wants to improve their playing, thus thinking that he/she should buy a quite expensive racket, helping them to play better. He/she then ends up buying a racket meant for advanced players, thus having a thin frame, designed for maximum control of the ball. But the recreational player is more often in need of a larger sweet spot, or a racket delivering power in their balls, which the advanced rackets do not do.

Do yourself a favor, and buy a racket suitable for your level of play.