How to Choose the Right Tennis Racket

With so many tennis rackets on the market, choosing the right one can be intimidating. Should you purchase an ultra-light racket? Is your game better suited to a heavier model? And what about all those high-tech features that manufacturers love to talk about? It's simple to say that a suitable tennis racket will compliment your playing style and help as you strive to improve your game.

How to choose grip size

Grip sizes range from L0 to L5, the sizes increase respectively from smallest to largest. The most common men's grip size is L4, L5 can be used by men with larger hands, while L3 is most common among women's players and is suitable for men with smaller hands. 

 

  • 100 - 102 mm = size 0 (kids, women with particularly small hands)
  • 103 - 105 mm = size 1 (kids, women with small hands)
  • 106 - 108 mm = size 2 (women, men with smaller hands)
  • 109 - 111 mm = size 3 (men, women with slightly larger hands)
  • 112 - 114 mm = size 4 (average men's size)
  • 115 - 117 mm = size 5 (men with larger hands)

Children

Kid’s tennis rackets come in different sizes for kids up to 13-14 years old. Rackets differ in many parameters such as length or head size. A proper selection of kid’s racket is essential, because the right racket can ease tough beginnings.


When choosing, you should focus on two main things - child’s height and experience. The better the skill, the longer the racket can be.


A racket sizing chart

Racket Size Player's Height Racket Length
17'' 80 cm 43 cm
19'' 100 cm 48 cm
21'' 110 cm 53,5 cm
23'' 120 cm 58 cm
25'' 130 cm 63,5 cm
26'' 140 cm 66 cm

 

The table is a general guide only and states approximate values. 

Beginners

Beginners are not only those players who have just began playing tennis, but also those who play infrequently. They may have difficulties with stroke technique, hitting the ball and may be uncertain in general. They play only couple of times a year.

 

Ideal racket properties

  • the racket weight is max. 260 g for better manoeuvrability
  • larger head measuring 660 cm2 for easier hits
  • frame stiffness RA70 and more
  • balance more than 345 mm allows stronger strokes

Intermediates

Intermediates are frequent players who managed the stroke technique and have stronger stroke. Beginner’s rackets feel insufficient.

 

Ideal properties

  • racket weight 260 g – 300 g
  • smaller head size for more precise and faster stroker – 600 cm2 and less
  • frame stiffness RA60 – RA70 (stiffer frames transmit more impact shock, which should be prevented with more frequent playing)
  • frame balance 345 – 330 mm allows for more technical play

 

Professionals

Professionals have already mastered their technique. They are trained players who expect the racquet to have certain properties and have high demands.

 

Ideal properties:

  • racket weight for more force and better swing is 300 g and more
  • small head is precise and very fast – 645 cm2 and smaller
  • frame stiffness RA50 – RA60 – very flexible frame with additional dampening system
  • balance 330 mm and less provides maximum manoeuvrability

 

Choosing Tennis Shoes

Before choosing tennis shoes, you should ask yourself on which surface will you mostly play. Tennis shoes come with various outsoles and each of them is suitable for different surface.


Clay court shoes
This type of shoes has a herringbone outsole pattern, which has a proper grip on clay surface and allows sliding with traction.

 


All-court shoes
All-court shoes have a herringbone pattern and a special profile which improves traction on hard surface. It is a most common type of tennis shoes.