Aug 16, 20238 min read

The Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Right Tennis Racquet

Choosing the right racquet, whether you are buying your first racquet or upgrading, may seem like a daunting task. To help simplify the decision, we've created this comprehensive primer which covers racquet types, key characteristics and how they affect on court performance. Specifically, this guide informs you about the most important racquet considerations - head size, length, weight and balance, stiffness, swing weight, string pattern, and grip size.

We recommend taking notes as you read through this article to simplify the process of narrowing down your racquet options to a few models and brands.

Racquet Types

Tennis racquets on the market can be divided into four primary categories: power, tweener, modern and traditional player's racquets. A summary table is presented below and is followed by further details.

Power Racquets

Designed for players with shorter, slower swings who want more power
Oversize to super-oversize heads: 107 to 135 in² / 690 to 871 cm²
Lightweight: 8.0 to 9.5 oz / 227 to 270g
Balanced head heavy (or evenly balanced) to retain weight in the hitting zone
Standard to longer: 27 to 29 in / 68 to 74 cm
Very stiff: > 68 RA

Tweener Racquets

Tweeners have become the most popular type of racquet
Power mixed with control. Power levels range from low-medium to medium-high power, making them most appealing to intermediate and advanced players
Tend to be very spin-friendly thanks to a light and fast feel combined with a healthy midplus head size: 98 to 106 in² / 632 to 684 cm²
Often light to medium weight: 9.5 - 11.0 oz / 270 to 312 g
Balanced, anywhere from slightly head light to slightly head heavy

Modern Player's Racquets

Designed for the heavy topspin playing style of the modern game
Perfect for attacking the ball at an aggressive angle for maximum spin
Power level is similar to a tweener racquet
Head sizes range from 98 to 100 in² / 632 to 645 cm²
Lighter and faster than traditional player's racquets at midplus head sizes. Strung weight typically between: 11.0 to 12.0 oz / 312 to 340 g
Balanced, anywhere from slightly head light to slightly head heavy

Traditional Player's Racquets

Used by professionals, high-level club and college team players
Result is a low-power racquet, designed for players who provide their own power and prefer a racquet that offers control
Smaller heads: 85 to 98 in² / 548 to 632 cm²
Typically heavier in weight: 11.5 to > 12.0 oz / 326 to 340+ g
Thinner, more flexible beams that are balanced head light to retain manoeuvrability
Typically of standard length, but there are a few extended length options

Key Considerations

Head size

Power is directly related to head size; a larger head will provide more power than a smaller head, all other things being equal. A larger head also offers a larger hitting area and sweet spot, which results in more forgiveness on off-center hits.

Today’s racquets are offered in head sizes ranging from 93 to 135 in² / 600 to 871 cm², with the most common being 97 to 100 in² / 626 to 645 cm². Racquets around 100 in² / 645 cm² offer a solid blend of power and control for many players.

Generally, a smaller racquet head appeals to more accomplished players seeking more control, while a larger racquet appeals to beginning and intermediate players seeking more power and a larger sweet spot.

Weight and Balance

These two characteristics influence most how a racquet feels when you pick it up and when you swing it.

Weight

Light Racquets: 9.0 to 11.0 oz / 269 to 312 g

Lighter racquets are more manoeuvrable
Helps you position the racquet easier and swing faster to generate lots of spin
Extra spin helps generate better angles, get lobs and passing shots to quickly dip inside the lines, and manoeuvre the racquet easily during quick exchanges at the net

Heavy Racquets: 11.0 to > 12.0 oz / 312 to > 340 g

More powerful, more stable and transmit less shock
Extra weight helps when the string bed collides with the ball
Result is a stable feel and the sense that the racquet is plowing through the ball
Baseline players with long fast strokes find good depth and pace from heavier racquets
Added stability at the net and on service returns
Not for everyone - your arm may get tired early due to the extra weight

You can always add weight - by installing tungsten tapes - to a racquet if it’s too light; however, reducing racquet weight is almost impossible.

Balance

Head Light

More of its mass is located toward the handle end of the racquet
Most traditional player racquets are head light to help keep them manoeuvrable, even though they are the heaviest type of racquet

Even Balanced

Medium weight racquets come in at an even balance or close to it
Mass is distributed evenly throughout the racquet to achieve a blend of stability and manoeuvrability, without making the racquet too heavy or too light

Head Heavy

Lightweight power racquets tend to be head heavy to retain stability, despite the racquet having a light overall weight

Length

The standard length for an adult tennis racquet is 27 in / 68 cm, but racquets are available in lengths ranging from 26.5 to 29 inches / 67 to 74 cm, with 29 inches being the legal maximum for tournament play. A longer racquet provides more reach on groundstrokes, added leverage on serves and slightly more power overall than standard length racquets; all other things being equal. The added length of longer racquets results in a higher swing weight, which means a little more effort is required to manoeuvre the racquet. Many power racquets are lighter to keep them manoeuvrable even at longer lengths.

Frame Stiffness

Frame stiffness is given a RA score: 55 (very flexible) to 72 (very stiff)

Flexible frame: < 64
Medium stiffness: 64 to 67
Stiff frame: > 68

The amount a frame deflects during ball contact directly affects its power potential. A stiffer racquet bends less, thus depleting less energy from the ball. A flexible racquet bends more, resulting in more energy loss.

“A common myth among players is that a flexible racquet, that bends back more, returns more power to the ball due to a catapult-effect.” - Tennis Warehouse

The tennis ball remains on the strings for 3 to 5 milliseconds, much shorter than it takes for the frame to recover. Consequently, a racquet frame doesn’t "return" energy to the ball, it rather absorbs energy - either more or less, depending on its stiffness. Stiffer racquets don’t deflect as much on impact, resulting in less power drain than a flexible racquet.

Frame stiffness doesn’t only affect power. Control and comfort are at stake. Generally speaking, a racquet that offers more power provides less control. However, this is largely dependent on player type, ability and the type of string installed in the racquet.

An advanced player may prefer the feel and control of a flexible racquet because they have a long, fast swing and provides their own power. A beginning or intermediate player, though, may prefer a stiffer racquet for a better blend of control and power for their stroke style. Many advanced players also like a stiffer and more powerful frame when combined with a stiffer and control-oriented string. The result allows the advanced player to hit with lots of power and spin. The combination of a powerful racquet with a stiff and spin-friendly string has come to define the modern power game at the elite level. However, a stiff racquet combined with a stiff string can result in comfort issues for amateur players.

Generally, stiffer racquets are less comfortable than more flexible racquets. A very stiff frame will transmit more impact shock to the wrist, elbow and shoulder than a medium stiff frame. Comfort is subjective - players with arm and/or shoulder problems should look at frames with an RA of 66 or less.

Swing Weight

Swing weight is a measure of how heavy a racquet feels when you swing it. Swing weight is typically measured using the Babolat Racquet Diagnostic Centre (RDC) machine (units: kg/cm²).

Racquets with higher swing weights are harder to swing, but they offer more comfort, power and stability on impact. Advanced players prefer higher swing weights because it helps them redirect the pace of big hitting opponents. It also enables them to hit with high levels of power.

Racquets with lower swing weights are easier to swing, but they offer less stability and comfort, especially when playing against higher levels of pace. Beginner and intermediate players prefer a lower swing weight because it gives them easier acceleration, which not only helps position the racquet effectively, but also makes it easier for them to generate the higher stroke speed required for effective pace and spin.

Low swing weight: < 305 (manoeuvrable, suitable for beginners)
Medium swing weight: 310 to 325 (moderate manoeuvrability and stability, suitable for all ability levels, but ideal for intermediates)
High swing weight: > 325 (very stable, suitable for advanced players)

String Pattern

Often overlooked by many recreational players, the string pattern of a racquet influences many aspects of its overall performance and feel. String patterns are often described as open or closed.

An open string pattern will deflect more on impact than a denser pattern, providing greater ball rebound and a higher launch angle. Strung at the same tension, an open string pattern should feel livelier. In other words, a player will find easier access to depth and pace.

Open string patterns also allow the main strings to deflect more, and with certain string types the main strings will snap back into position providing more spin. The sacrifice is reduced string durability. The increase in string movement results in more abrasion, which can cause faster string breakage.

A closed string pattern won’t deflect as much upon ball impact, resulting in less rebound energy. Many players find the response of a closed pattern offers a more controlled feel. While the string bed doesn't allow for as much string movement for spin generation, the added control of the closed pattern allows players to swing quickly and therefore the ability to get the ball spinning quickly. More closely spaced strings can last longer and that allows the player to utilize softer, thinner and more feel-oriented strings without sacrificing too much durability.

Grip Size

Here are some quick and easy methods for determining your tennis racquet grip size (Ruler Test) and whether the grip on your existing racquet is right for you (Index Finger Test).

Tennis racquet grip sizes range from 4-1/8 up to 4-5/8.

Ruler Test

Measure the distance from the head line crease in your palm (line #2 in the figure below) to the tip of your ring finger (in inches typically > 4 in / > 10.2 cm). A measurement of 4-3/8 inches would indicate a racquet grip size of 3/8 (or 0.95 cm) - the 4 inches is understood.

Index Finger Test

Using the continental grip - similar to shaking hands with your racquet - you should be able to slide the index finger from the other hand between the ring finger and the palm.

If the gap is too tight, you can add layers of overgrip to build up the circumference.

If the gap is too big, you may be able to change the grip circumference by removing the existing grip and replacing it with a thinner grip. Otherwise, you may be out of luck and should consider acquiring a racquet with the appropriate grip size.

Finding The Perfect Racquet

Now that you have a better idea of what you are looking for, it's time to check out the best tennis racquet options to match your game!

The RacquetFinder.com website by TennisWarehouse is an excellent resource that allows you to input some or all of the criteria we discussed in this article and narrow down your search of the racquets. If you are interested in a particular racquet and want additional information, we recommend checking out RacketLogger.com.

If you are still unsure of what suits you best, try using TennisRacket.Me . This website helps narrow down your search by analysing your personal attributes, experience, skill level and swing style - instead of specific racquet characteristics.

If all else fails, we are more than happy to work with you to identify your next racquet.

Before buying a racquet, we recommend making use of any racquet demo programmes available at most tennis shops.

Conclusion

Once you have chosen your racquet, you will need to select the appropriate set of strings. To help with this next step, check out our article The Complete Guide on How to Select the Optimal Tennis String.

WRITTEN BY