Tennis Equipment 101: Choosing the Right Racket

Choosing the correct racket to play tennis can be a difficult choice. Rackets, like computers, are constantly being updated with new technology and features. With the vast selection of rackets available, choosing a racket that you feel comfortable with and compliments your style of play can be a difficult task. Many players purchase rackets based on the pro player that plays with it or the cosmetics. Too often the racket their favorite player plays with or the racket with the coolest paintjob, is not the appropriate racket for them.

While the equipment doesn't make the player, a player's equipment can be very important. Too often players choose equipment unsuited for their style of play, which may hinder them from progressing in skill or limit their full potential. This guide will help tennis players of all levels, gain a better understanding of the anatomy of a racket and the importance of finding a racket that best suits a player's play style, rather than a player adapting to a racket.

The standard adult adult tennis racket is 27 inches. There are also "stretch" or "plus" rackets that range from 27.2 in. to 28 in. The International Tennis Federation limits a racket's length to 29 in. Extra length rackets were created to provide players with more reach. In addition, the extra length also provided extra power and control, most notably with the serve. Extra length rackets are often preferred by players with two handed backhands or play a serve and volley style game. One thing to keep in mind in regards to racket length,is that the extra length can make a racket more cumbersome to swing and less maneuverable.

Rackets head sizes are categorized in 3 categories: midsize (93 sq. in or less), midplus (95 sq in. to 106 sq in.), and oversize (107 sq in. or more). Larger head sizes create more power, while smaller head sizes provide more control. Smaller head sizes are more maneuverable when swinging compared to larger head size. Head sizes are mainly a preferential choice, but it is important to know what each size has to offer. Andre Agassi played with an 107 sq in. oversized frame throughout his career while Pete Sampras played with an 85 sq in. midsized frame. The current trend in tennis are 100 sq in. midplus rackets.

The three most important specifications of a tennis racket are: weight, balance point, and swing weight. The specifications listed on the racket are specifications for the racket unstrung. Stringing a racket will increase its weight and swing weight and also raise the the balance point 3-4 points, making it a little more head heavy. A player should play with the heaviest racket they can swing, without sacrificing swing speed. While the appropriate swing speed for each person varies, a racket too heavy or too light for a player's swing speed can be detrimental to technique and improvement.

The weight printed on the racket itself, is the static weight of the racket. That is how much the racket weighs when not being swung. The balance point of a racket is the static measure of weight distribution in a racquet. This spec is measured from the butt cap of the racket and is referred to as "points" head light or head heavy. Each point is 1/8 inch. A head heavy balance means the weight is distributed closer to the head of the racket to provide extra stability and power, which is sacrificed with lighter weight rackets. Mass equals power and stability, the heavier a racket the more inherent power and stability it will have with the sacrifice of maneuverability. Heavier rackets will have head light balances to improve maneuverability.

Swing weight is a measurement of the weight of a racket being swung. Swing weight is dependent on several factors, including racket weight, length, balance, head size. Like static weight, higher swing weights will provide more power and stability at the sacrifice of maneuverability. With lower swing weights, stability and power are sacrificed in favor of maneuverability. Finding a player's ideal swing weight depends on the length of a player's stroke and their swing speed. Fast swinging players with long, loopy strokes will find higher swing weights to suit their style best. Slower swinging players with short, compact strokes will find comfort with a lower swing weight.

The next thing to consider is grip size. Grips are come in 5 sizes starting at 4 1/8" or L1 and increasing in 1/8" increments up to 4 5/8" or L5. The most common grip size is 4 3/8" or L3. A grip too small can cause the racket to twist in your hand on contact and a grip that is too large and prevent you from being able to rotate or snap your wrist properly. One easy method to find the appropriate grip size, is to grab the handle of a racket and place your index finger (on the hand not holding the racket) in between your fingers and palm on the hand holding the racket. If your thumb fits snuggly between your fingers and palm, you have found the correct grip size.

The last two things to consider about a racket are it's string pattern and stiffness. String patterns refer to the amount of main strings used when stringing a racket. There are dense patterns (18 mains) and open patterns (16 mains). More mains means more control, while less mains allows for more ball bite and access to spin. Players with flatter strokes will benefit from a denser pattern, while players who's game involves more spin will prefer open patterns. String pattern should not be your deciding factor in a racket, but it is something to think about.

Racket stiffness should not be too big of a concern when choosing a racket, unless a player has health problems. Stiffer rackets will be less forgiving, but also create more power. Flexible rackets are more forgiving, but require the player to create their own power. Players with shoulder, elbow, or wrist injuries should look for rackets with lower stiffness ratings.

With the information I've provide, start to demo rackets for a 1-2 month period. Try rackets of all different specifications, so that you can see what you do and don't like. Even though a particular racket may not be suited for your style of play, it will help identify a quality or characteristic that you may or may not prefer.

Once you have narrowed down your selection to 3-4 rackets, demo those rackets again for an additional 1-2 weeks. Like any anything new, there is a "honeymoon period" with rackets because they are excited to try something new. Too often a player will try a racket once, and then purchase it due to one good outing. With a new racket, players tend to concentrate more, because they are trying something new and want to test its limits. One thing to remember is demo rackets rarely are strung with the string you play with or at the tension you may prefer. String can effect the way a racket performs as well.

As a player progresses in skill and technique, they will also become more in tune with specific qualities that best suits their style of play. The racket they may have began with, may no longer suit their needs.