Tennis Racquet Buying Tips
There was a time, not so long ago, when there wasn’t much variation when it came
to tennis racquets. As far as sporting equipment goes, you couldn’t get much more
simple and basic than the old-fashioned wooden racquets that were around up until
about 30 years ago. They were heavy, easy to nick up and even easier to break if
you had a John McEnroe-like temper.
Those days are long gone. Wooden racquets have been replaced by those made with
lighter and more durable materials, and there’s an amazing amount of technology
that has defined the evolution of the tennis racquet. With all the choices out
there though, a beginner can easily be overwhelmed by the selection (and at
times, the prices) of racquets available.
As a new player, it’s important to learn about the features of a tennis racquet
BEFORE you buy one. Each of these components plays a role in dictating how a
racquet will perform and will help you decide what kind is right for you:
Strings—buying online likely means you’re getting a pre-strung racquet.
For beginners or casual players, a factory-strung racquet is completely fine
since the pressure is set to a pretty standard level and the chances of a string
popping are relatively small.
Advanced players usually opt to buy racquets that are un-strung, which they then
take to their local pro shop to be strung to the specifications they desire.
Vibration dampeners are those little foam, rubber or plastic pieces you see at
the bottom of a head and they do exactly what their name suggests: lessen the
string vibration on every shot. Are they essential? No. But they certainly don’t
hurt. Many pre-strung racquets come with dampeners already in place but if not,
you can pick one up cheaply.
Head Size—refers to the stringed surface of a racquet and comes in three
sizes. The larger the head is, the bigger the “sweet spot”, which is the area
that will give you the most solid hit. Oversize heads range between 107 and 125
square inches and provide the biggest sweet spot and thus, more power. Midsize
racquets have heads between 100 and 106 square inches and offer a bit more
control without sacrificing a lot of power. Traditional heads are less than 100
square inches and provide the most possible control, making them ideal for
smaller players.
As you shop, you’ll also notice that racquets come in two distinct shapes as
well—oval and tear drop. Which shape is better is really a matter of preference.
Traditional players tend to lean towards the oval shape, where the sweet spot
resides in the bottom half of the head. But tear drops allow nearly the entire
face of the head to be a sweet spot and thus, are the best choice for beginners
who need time to get a feel for hitting a tennis ball.
Length—most modern racquets fall into the “long” category, which is
between 28.5 and 29 inches from the bottom of the handle to the top of the head.
These racquets give a player better leverage on their swing and naturally make it
easier to cover more area on the court. “Traditional” length racquets aren’t that
much smaller, between 27.5 and 28 inches, but new and smaller players will
probably be more comfortable with them.
Weight—the majority of any tennis racquet’s weight is in the head, and it
affects both power and control. Heavier racquets can weigh 11 ounces or more and
will give a player the most power. Mid-weight models top out at a little under
11 ounces and are the most versatile. Super-light racquets, between 9 and 9.5
ounces, give a player the most feel for shot control. If you’re a beginner,
start with a mid-weight racquet first and see how it works for you.
Grip size—a racquet’s grip may just be the most important component of
all. A good-fitting grip is essential to control of the racquet overall. A
poor-fitting grip will not only affect your control, it could also lead to an
injury. “Tennis elbow” can result from grips that are either too large or too
small, so it’s essential to get the right fit.
Here’s how to measure yourself at home to determine which grip size is right for
you:
--Open your hand with your fingers extended, but close together;
--Place a ruler in the middle of your palm and line it up with the bottom-most
lateral crease;
--Measure from that spot to the tip of your ring finger and you’ll have your
grip size.
Average female grip sizes are between 4 1/8” and 4 3/8”, while the average man’s
grip will be between 4 1/2” and 4 3/4”. If you find yourself between sizes, go
smaller and pick up an overgrip or heat-shrink sleeve that goes over the handle
to make up the difference. Overgrips will generally increase the grip size by
1/16th of an inch, heat-shrink sleeves by about 1/8th of an inch.
Finally, a word about prices. As with anything else, it’s not a good idea to
spend hundreds of dollars on your first tennis racquet. If you don’t fall in love
with the game, you’re stuck with an expensive piece of equipment that you never
use. There are plenty of budget-conscious racquets for new players from leading
manufacturers such as Prince, Wilson, Head and more that will suffice. If you
continue playing, eventually you can upgrade your racquet to something a bit more
expensive. But don’t be fooled into thinking that a better racquet will
automatically make you a better player.
Consult friends and family members who play for their tips on racquets or ask
your local tennis pro for help too. And as always, make sure you read any online
product reviews available for racquets that you’re considering.
Find the perfect tennis racquet from top brands in tennis like Yonex, Babolat, Dunlop & more!
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