A Guide to Tennis Racquets

What's the difference between tennis racquets? At first glance, they all look alike, apart from the brand names. It can be tempting just to grab the Head or Wilson tennis racquets used by the world's top players. In reality, choosing a tennis racquet is all about your game, because modern, high-tech racquets can have a big impact on your power and shot placement.

Choosing a Head Size

Head size is the measurement of a tennis racquet's hitting area. Most tennis racquets are identified and labeled according to head size, which is commonly measured in square inches. Most tennis racquets come in one of three sizes: mid-size, mid-plus and oversize. A mid-size tennis racquet has a hitting area of 85 to 95 square inches, a mid-plus had 95 to 105 square inches and an oversize usually has a head greater than 115 square inches.

Bigger heads give a tennis racquet more power and spin but reduce maneuverability and stability. Racquets with smaller heads are lighter and give you more control at the expense of power.

The area inside of the head (where the strings are) is called the strung surface. All tennis racquets have a sweet spot where the strings deliver the most power for the least amount of effort. This is a tennis player's favorite area of a racquet, and it's larger on racquets with bigger heads.

Beginners usually start with tennis racquets with larger heads because they have larger sweet spots, and it's easier to hit the ball. Experienced players prefer the control of tennis racquets with smaller heads.

Frame Construction

The frame of a tennis racquet determines its weight and swing speed. Heavier tennis racquet frames generate more power and less vibration, but they can be harder for beginners to use. Advanced players generally want stiffer frames that increase swing power. Generally, the thicker your tennis racquet's frame, the stiffer it will be.

Graphite is a commonly used material for frames. Graphite is lightweight and strong, delivering power and allowing the player to get a feel for the ball. For extra firmness, Graphite is often mixed with thermoplastic and fiberglass resins. Graphite-based tennis racquets are great for beginners as well as advanced players, because stiffer racquets cause vibrations that tire the arms and shoulders.

When a tennis racquet is made of resin and graphite, it is called 100% graphite, but if other materials are used, it is called a composite. The quality of a composite frame depends on the amount of graphite in the mix. Advanced players often find composite racquets because they're too flexible for their needs.

Boron and Kevlar are also used to build tennis racquet frames. These materials may look like graphite, but they are lighter and stiffer, which increases vibration, especially if the ball hits any area other than the sweet spot. Tennis racquets made from these materials are best for advanced players.

Inexpensive tennis racquets are made with aluminum or titanium, which provide a good amount of power but a lot of vibration. The added flexibility will make it hard for advanced players to place their shots.

Flexibility describes a racquet's resistance to bending when it hits the ball. A stiffer tennis racquet bends less, so it transfers more power to the ball. A more flexible racquet gives a player more control by absorbing just enough of the ball's energy to let you redirect it, resulting in more accurate shot placement.

Beginners should consider a tennis racquet's head size, not flexibility. Advanced players who want power and control should look for stiffer racquets, keeping in mind that the stiffer a racquet is, the more arm discomfort it can cause. If you have a short swing, choose a stiffer tennis racquet for greater power.

String Patterns and Tension

The vast majority of strings are made from nylon or polyester synthetics. Synthetic strings are preferred for their durability, consistency and low cost. The pattern of a tennis racquet's strings is linked to its head size. A tighter pattern delivers more control, while a more open pattern offers more power and spin.

The lower the tension of your strings, the more power your racquet will have. The higher the string tension, the more control you will have. Most tennis racquets are sold with their strings at a medium tension, which you can have adjusted to your liking later on.

The string pattern of a racquet is measured by the number of vertical and horizontal strings. Open string patterns have fewer strings, with 16 x 19 being a common pattern. This gives you more control because the ball embeds itself in the strings, but it also shortens string life. Closed patterns have more strings and provide greater power by forcing the ball away from the racquet.

Length and Grip

Tennis racquets come in a variety of sizes. The standard for juniors is 21 inches, while 27 or 27.5 inches is the average for stronger and taller adult players. If you are a beginner, you should start off with a standard-length racquet (27 inches) and trade up as you advance your game.

Longer tennis racquets are beneficial for shorter players; the extra length will especially help with your serve. Longer racquets provide more reach for the ball and they can give a player more power, although they can lessen your sense of control.

A proper grip can minimize the shock from a ball's contact and provides overall comfort. Smaller grips reduce racquet control, and bigger grips cut down on the spin of your serves. Tennis racquet grips range in diameter from 3 to just over 4.5 inches. A proper grip will let you touch the tip of your thumb to the top knuckle of your middle finger. Beginners should start with a smaller grip, which can be built up later with extra grip tape.