How to Pick Tennis Racquets

Ask yourself about what level of tennis you play. If you rarely play, or if you are still learning the game, consider yourself a beginner. If you are a member of a tennis club or play at least once a week, you are likely at the intermediate level. Playing competitively puts you in the advanced category.

Watch other people play tennis. You'll notice that most tennis players can be divided into two categories--power players and finesse players. Power players usually have strong, sweeping swings. They rarely have trouble getting the ball far enough, but they do sometimes lack precision. Finesse players have quick, accurate strokes that could often use some extra power. When you can tell the difference between the two types, start paying attention to your own tennis game to see which area needs more improvement.

Purchase a racquet with the right size head. Begin by comparing the head size to other racquets. If you are a beginner or intermediate player, a racquet with a large head is probably the one for you. Not only do these racquets provide more power, but they are more forgiving when a player hits a bad stroke. Less advanced players will also prefer a head that is somewhat "teardrop" shaped, because these racquets have a bigger sweet spot than typical oval ones do. Players looking to fine tune their technique sometimes choose smaller or more oval-shaped racquet heads.

Swing several different racquets to find out what balance and weight you feel most comfortable with. On a racquet that is evenly balanced, the handle and head weigh the same thing. A racquet with a head that weighs more than the handle is described as "head-heavy," and a racquet that carries more weight in the handle is said to be "head light." As a general rule, beginner players prefer head-heavy racquets for their power, while advanced players like head-light racquets because they are easier to move and adjust quickly.

Hit a few strokes with racquets of different flexibility. As with most other aspects of a tennis racquet, the level of flex in a racquet offers a choice between power and control. Since stiff racquets absorb less of the ball's impact, they are better suited for players looking for more power. However, stiff racquets are also more likely to cause injury to the arm, so if you are prone to injury and have plenty of power in your swing already, go with a flexible racquet.

Test the racquet's length. Long racquets provide an extra two inches that allow the player to have better reach, more leverage and more power. They are suitable for players of any level.

Look at the strings. One final thing to consider is the racquet's string pattern. A open pattern (having larger squares) helps put spin on the ball, but it also causes the strings to wear out more quickly. If you are looking to preserve your strings, go with a closed string pattern.