PRO Expert “Sportmaster PRO”
“Tennis has become more popular lately. There are newcomers who want to master this classic, useful and simply beautiful sport. And, of course, the main thing that both experienced athletes and amateurs cannot do without is a tennis racket.”
What we will tell you
Choosing the right racket is an important and responsible process on which the success and progress of further training depends. If done correctly, the player will be able to master all the technical elements of tennis more easily and will also feel more confident during matches.
In other words, the right racket will help you learn and play. Poor practice can leave a negative impression of training and even lead to injuries.
What types of tennis rackets are there, how to choose the right one for you, and what to look for when trying out a racket?
Types of rackets according to the level of play
There is a wide variety of tennis rackets: for beginners, for advanced players and also for professional athletes.
These types differ from each other in their material. Therefore, when choosing a racket, you should first pay attention to this.
For beginner tennis players, cheaper materials are used, such as aluminium or a graphite-aluminium composite. It is advisable to choose an aluminium racket if you are just starting out.
For the most advanced and professional players, high-tech graphite models are used.
Photo: mediaphotos/istockphoto.com
How to choose a racket for an adult.
But it’s not just the material that’s important. There are other important parameters that you should focus on when purchasing the ideal racket. These are the handle size, the weight of the racket, the balance, the size of the head (i.e. the string surface) and the stiffness of the rim.
If you are going to play tennis a couple of times a year and do not plan to play tennis full-time, you can consider the simplest and most affordable aluminum options. They are enough to enjoy the game. But if you want to work with a coach, you intend to progress in the future and participate in amateur competitions, then, of course, you should pay attention to technological graphite rackets.
If we talk about the options sold in retail stores, then the weight of a modern racket for an adult is 250 g to 340 g.
As a general rule, a lighter racket (weighing between 255 and 270 g) is suitable for both young players moving up from shorter children’s rackets to the standard adult model, and for beginner girls who need more maneuverable and comfortable rackets.
Photo: vitapix / istockphoto.com
Medium weight rackets (280-300g) are suitable for a wide range of players, both men and women. These are the most universal options that will allow a player to get started in tennis, learn to play and continue playing the sport for fun.
Heavy rackets (from 300 g) are suitable for both professional level players and good amateur players.
Depending on the size of the “head” (the surface area of the string), rackets are also of various types. The most popular ones have a head size of 98 to 100 sq. inches – these options are found in more experienced players. Rackets with larger head sizes (from 100 to 107 sq. inches) are suitable for amateur and intermediate players.
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Balance and stiffness of the rackets.
You should also pay attention to indicators such as the balance and stiffness of the racket.
Regarding balancethen there are three options:
models with balance shifted towards the head; rackets with neutral balance shifted towards the handle.
How to choose a racket based on balance? Here are the recommendations below.
If a player needs a more maneuverable racket, then it is better to choose a model with balance in the handle.
If a player needs extra power to accelerate the racket more easily, it is better to choose a head-balanced version. This will help diversify the game with powerful shots with greater momentum.
If you need a universal racket that is comfortable enough to play both on the baseline and at the net, then in this case you can consider a racket with a neutral balance.
Photo: PeopleImages / istockphoto.com
Racquet stiffnessHere things are a bit more complicated, as this characteristic is not indicated on the racket itself. It is measured by special equipment, the so-called diagnostic center. There are similar centers in specialist stores where you can measure the stiffness of your particular racket or find out the stiffness of the model you are interested in.
Knowing this parameter, you will be able to determine which style of play this or that model is best suited for. For example, if an athlete needs a powerful and stable racket or if he plays mainly on the baseline and prefers strong hits, then a stiff frame option is more suitable for him. It is more stable and generates more power.
If a player prefers an offensive style of play, i.e. serving and going to the net, he or she needs control over the ball and the exact direction of the shot. For these purposes, a good choice would be a racket with a softer rim to achieve a better feel for the ball.
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Customizing your racket
All tennis rackets you see in stores are sold with a winding base, on top of which it is recommended to roll the so-called overgrip.
The handle is the only part of the product that the player feels to the touch, so it is important to choose the right overgrip for each individual winding.
There are a wide variety of overgrips. They differ in thickness, material and degree of moisture absorption. There are more “sticky” windings and there are more “dry” or perforated ones. When choosing, you should focus on your sensations and give preference to the overgrip, which will allow you to hold the racket as comfortably as possible, feel the handle confidently, so that it does not slip off during the game and does not rub the skin of your palms.
Photo: GeorgeRudy / istockphoto.com
As for the basic grips, there is also plenty to choose from. For example? You can pay attention to the thickness of the handle if you can’t decide what thickness of racket handle you need. Let’s say two is too small and three is too big. You can then change the base grip by rolling up a thinner one or, conversely, a thicker one. This will allow you to customize your racket handle exactly to suit your needs.
In addition to the type of string and the thickness of the handle, there are other parameters with which you can customize your racket. For example, adjust it for weight or balance. But it makes sense to do this after you have bought your first racket and played with it for some time. This way you will understand what exactly it lacks and what you can customize yourself.
For example, you may find that the weight of the racquet is not enough for you or that the neutral balance is uncomfortable because you want the racquet to be more powerful. All of this can actually be adjusted later by adjusting the balance or increasing the dynamic weight. So you won’t need to go out and buy another racquet.
Try a racket before buying it
It is very helpful to try out a particular model before purchasing it. This can be done in group lessons or by asking the coach to try out several options for the rackets you are interested in.
In addition, you can choose not only those models you are thinking of buying, but also similar options that have the same characteristics in terms of head size, balance and racket weight. This will allow you to get an idea of the different models and their technical characteristics before purchasing yours.
Photo: YakobchukOlena / istockphoto.com
How to choose a racket for a child.
On the other hand, it is worth mentioning how to choose a suitable tennis racket for a child. In this case, when buying, they usually focus on their growth. There are models designed for very small players (height not exceeding one meter) and for taller teenagers (about 140 cm).
A separate type of racket is the so-called junior ones, i.e. transitional models from children to adults, designed for teenagers with a height of 145 to 155 cm. Unlike children’s rackets, they use more advanced materials, so they are more expensive.
If a young tennis player is already playing well and is taller than 150 cm, then it makes sense to choose lightweight racket models for adults.
Choosing a tennis racket is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance, if you take all these points into account. However, you should take the purchase seriously, because both your progress and your enjoyment of the game will depend on it. It is best to consult with your coach or an expert professional in a specialist shop, who will be able to show you different types of rackets and advise you on choosing the one that best suits you, based on your goals, objectives and level of play.
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