How to choose a tennis racket?

If you want to play tennis, the first thing you should do is choose a suitable tennis racket. This can be a challenge for many players. The most important factor when choosing a racquet is its technical parameters, whether it is head size, string pattern, frame width and stiffness, overall racquet length, weight or grip size and balance. According to these parameters, we divide rackets into three basic groups, for beginners, advanced and competitive players. Another selection factor is the design of the racket and the brand.

You can choose tennis rackets either according to their technical parameters or according to the advanced level of the player (level of his game). Together we will look at the distribution according to the technical parameters of the rockets.

How to choose a racket according to head size?

The size of the head of the tennis racket determines the surface you will be able to hit and receive the ball. The size is given in cm² or in². In our e-shop, you can find the distribution of head sizes in in² units.

In general, the larger the head area, the more suitable it is for beginners. They will have a sufficient area for hitting and receiving the ball. On the contrary, the smaller head is already for experienced players who have their own style of play and thanks to the larger head, they bounce the ball at a higher speed.

How to choose a racket by weight?

We divide tennis rackets into three basic categories according to their weight. In most cases, the stated weight is without strings. Lightweight rackets are suitable for children, women or beginners. They are easier to control and the player can react to the game with them skillfully. The disadvantage is that you have to spend more energy to hit the ball hard and the shot may not be completely accurate.

Medium-heavy rackets will be ideal for both recreational and sports play. They have something for everyone - they are not that complicated to control and you can launch a stronger blow with them without much effort. If you also hit the sweet spot, the flight path of the ball will be quite accurate.

Heavy racquets are suitable for experienced, competitive or advanced players who already have their technique and can use the advantages of the racquet. Heavier rackets add more swing and speed to the shot, but require expert handling. If you want to switch to a new, heavier racket, it is best to go gradually, about 10 g at a time.

In our e-shop, we list the weight of the rackets without strings. So you need to add the weight of string and wrap and then you get the total weight of the racket.

• This is the place in the string of the racket that is referred to as ideal for bouncing the ball. By hitting it, the best shot can be achieved.
• The larger the head of the racket, the larger the sweet spot and thus the easier it is to hit. On the contrary, rackets with a smaller head size have a smaller sweet spot, and to play with them, the player should have excellent control of the technique.

How to choose a racket according to balance?

Another parameter you can focus on when choosing a racket is its balance. Balance is determined by placing the center of gravity at the point from the end of the grip towards the center of the racket. Balance is referred to as hand, center and head. The more mm the value indicates, the closer the balance is to the racket head.

Hand balancing provides the highest possible racket control as well as feel for the game. The hand-balanced racket allows you to play very quickly and easily react to your opponent's shots, you can also use it when playing on the net. However, such rackets will be most appreciated by more advanced players who already master various hitting techniques.

Center-balanced racquets can offer something for everyone. If you are a beginner and don't have a specific style of play, or if you are a versatile player, these rackets will be the most suitable for you. Thanks to the center balance, they can add the necessary power to the strike and at the same time they can be controlled quite well.

Balancing to the head is especially good for increasing the power and speed of the strike. Such rackets are most often suitable for beginners who do not manage to hit the ball from the baseline. If you are an advanced player and want to increase the attack of your game, choose a racquet with head balance. The disadvantage of these rockets is that they are quite difficult to control if you need to react quickly to the game.

How to choose a racket by length?

Standard tennis rackets are between 680 and 690 mm long. Taller tennis players can play better with a longer racket, which can be up to 715 mm long. Longer racquets are also good for two-handed play and for reaching the ball more easily. Shorter rackets are then made for children. If a child is just starting out with tennis, be sure to choose a shorter racket that will be easier for him to handle.

How to choose a racket according to frame parameters?

1. According to the width of the frame (narrower, wider, given in mm and you can find it in the product description on our e-shop)
   For tennis rackets, you will usually come across frames from 17 mm to 30 mm wide. Thanks to a stronger frame, the racket will gain more power and your hit with it will be more vigorous. Narrower frames can provide better racket control. So if you want to improve your game technique, we recommend getting a narrower frame.
2. Depending on the stiffness of the frame
   Lower stiffness of the frame (flexible frame) can give the feel of the shot, and a stiffer frame in turn gives the power of the shot. However, the stiffer frame transmits more vibrations and shocks from the impact to the hand, so it is more suitable for recreational play. Frame stiffness is indicated in RA units.

• RA 50 to 60 - flexible frame
• RA 60 to 70 - solid frame
• RA 70 and more - very solid frame

How to choose a racket according to string?

You will most often come across racquets woven with a density of 16x19 (16 long and 19 short strings), which gives the ball a higher speed at impact and better rotation. A higher string density, for example 18x20, will provide more control over the ball, keep it longer on the racket, guarantee less spin and overall is more suitable for a harder game. It also has a longer lifespan.

How to choose a racket according to the grip?

The grip, or handle of a tennis racket, most often has an octagonal shape. Individual grips differ in thickness, and it is very important to choose one so that you can grip the racket properly and comfortably. By holding the racket correctly, you can play your shots the way you need to. If you choose the wrong thickness of the handle, the game can be unnecessarily strenuous for you.

Grip size is divided into several categories according to palm size, standard from G1 to G5. In our e-shop, you can also find junior grip sizes G000, G00, G0, which are on children's and junior rackets.

It is also important to add that you can adjust the grip size of the racket to some extent using the top wrap. Of course, this is possible if you have a smaller grip than you need. All you have to do is buy a suitable overgrip and you will widen your grip. Overgrips also have the advantage that, thanks to their use, you do not destroy the basic wrap on the racket, which tends to be more expensive.

If you are not sure which racket to choose and would like to try a game with a specific type, we have a solution for you. Test rackets can be rented at our store in České Budějovice. Borrowing is only possible in person at the store, test rockets cannot be sent.

For more information, you can contact us by phone or e-mail.