Tennis Racket Tips

Consider your skill level, racket size and weight, your swing speed, and whether you want better control or more power. You also need to determine what grip size and strings you want to use.

  1. Try Out the Racket

    • Play with a racket before purchasing it so you see how comfortable it is and how well you hit it. If you play tennis regularly, you know whether you want a more control or more power in your game. If you're unsure, a professional can make recommendations after watching you play.

    Rackets Sizes

    • Tennis rackets come in various head sizes and lengths. A standard tennis racket is 27 inches, but they can be as large as 29 inches. Head sizes range from 85 to 100 square inches (midsize) or 105 to 130 square inches (oversize).

    Racket Recommendations

    • Longer, oversize rackets are known as game-improvement rackets, which generate power for beginners or players with slow swings through longer reach and a bigger sweet spot. However, a player may lose some control.

      More advanced players use rackets with greater control because they generate their own power. Control rackets have smaller heads and are 27 inches long.

      Mid-power rackets may be slightly longer than the standard 27-inch racket and have head sizes between 95 and 105 square inches. These are excellent rackets for club players who want some control without sacrificing power.

    Junior Rackets

    • Junior players use rackets that range from 19 to 27 inches and have oversize heads. The age and skill level determines racket size. Children between 3 and 6 years old should use 21-inch rackets. Ages 6 through 8 should use 23-inch rackets, and between 8 and 12-year-olds should play with 25- or 27-inch rackets.

    Weight and Grips

    • Gripping the racket enables you to feel its weight. The racket's weight should provide some power, but be light enough to control.

      A racket with the wrong size grip will be hard to use. To determine the right grip size, measure the distance from the tip of your ring finger to the bottom of you palm's lower crease. You can also hold a grip and see if the index finger of your other hand can fit in the space between your curled fingers and your thumb. If you are between grip sizes, you can increase a smaller one with grip tape.

    Strings

    • A professional familiar with your play can guide you in the type of stings and tension that is best. Beginners usually opt for a string tension that is in the middle of what is recommended for the racket. Higher tension stringing provides more control, a lower tension provides more power.