Tips on Choosing Your Tennis Racket

By Davis Pete


There are 7 steps to consider when selecting a tennis racket:

Step 1: One should select a tennis racket based on his or her level of tennis. For example: a beginner player should go for racket which is light, has an oversized head and is head heavy. An intermediate player can consider getting a racket that is flexible and slightly heavier as compared to a beginner's racket. Finally, an advanced player should go for a racket that offers more control, heavier in weight, a smaller head frame and a balanced head.

Step 2: Rackets have differing weights and balance. A racket above 300 grams is considered heavy and is usually used by better players to generate more power with a slower swing. However, as a beginner, one should try for lighter rackets around 280 grams. This is not to tire your arms out.

Point 3: Better players are better off with smaller head rackets as it allows them to swing through and hit the ball sweetly. A larger racket face may hamper the swing of the racket, making the swing look clumsy. Weight of a racket should be dependent on your ability to hold and lift the racket. No point holding a racket which is too heavy, it will only frustrate your game.

Point 4: The racket strings are equally important as it allows you to hit the ball. Knowing the tension of the string helps you focus on power or control. High tension normally results in more control while lower tension will allow more power. For a beginner, it is better to have more control. Hence, maybe tighter strings may help.

Point 5: A grip size that is too big is not comfortable as your will find that you cannot hold on to the racket properly. Similarly for grips which are too small for your hands.

Step 6: The length of a racket. A longer racket allows more reach to the ball but it is harder to manoeuvre. A longer racket also gives one more power. It is a matter of physics here. For a child, he should start with a shorter racket and slowly progressing to an adult size.

Step 7: Do not buy a racket just because the professional player is using it. Experiment with rackets and decide which suits you the best. There is no fix racket one should use. So relax, have fun and remember all the 7 steps to select a racket. Some may prefer a bright racket while others prefer something more conventional looking. Always choose a racket which suits you. Do not attempt the buy a racket just because the number one player in the world is using it. The rackets the Nadals, Federers are using are not suitable for recreational players. They tend to be heavier and stiffer.

In summary, choose a racket which will make you play tennis the best you can. Do not let others push you into buying something which is cool but may not suit you. Seek advice from your coach.




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