How to Choose a Tennis Racket
With the right tennis racket, you’ll be set to play your best on the court. Whether you’re just starting to play or need to upgrade, understanding how to choose a tennis racket is important no matter your skill level. To help guide buying your first or next one, we’ll walk through the parts of a tennis racket, the types of tennis rackets available, and what size tennis racket works best for you.
Parts of a Tennis Racket
Understanding the basic parts of a tennis racket will help you identify how each part influences your style of play. There are two main parts of a tennis racket—the head and the shaft.
- Head: The head of a tennis racket comprises the frame and strings. The size of your tennis racket head will influence the amount of power and control you’ll experience. Please Note: Many high-end tennis rackets do not come pre-strung. This is because the tension needs to be set based on your swing specifications.
- Shaft: The shaft of a tennis racket is made up of the throat and handle. The throat is the part that connects the head to the handle. The grip is the part of the handle that you’re able to customize based on personal preference.
Types of Tennis Rackets
If you’re a beginner, we recommend starting with an entry-level, pre-strung tennis racket. For those looking to upgrade their racket, there are three types of tennis rackets to choose from—tweener, power, and control.
- Tweener: For those who have outgrown their beginner tennis racket, a tweener typically is the next choice as it combines elements of both power and control rackets to provide a balance for players whose skills are progressing.
- Power: Designed for players who have a slower swing, a power tennis racket features a larger head and lightweight construction to offer players more power in their swing.
- Control: If you’re an experienced player, using a control tennis racket could be a good choice. With the heavier construction and smaller head size, you’re able to control the placement of the ball more effectively.
What Size Tennis Racket Do I Need?
When finding the proper size of tennis racket to use, you’ll want to pay attention to a few different key areas including the racket’s length, head size, and grip size.
Tennis Racket Length
The length of a tennis racket is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the grip. The most common length players use is 27 inches, but you can find tennis rackets as long as 29 inches. The longer length helps with reach yet will make close-to-net shots more difficult.
If you’re choosing a tennis racket for a player 11 years or younger, you’ll want to look for a youth-sized racket as it offers a shorter length. Deciding which length you should get typically depends on their age. Use the chart below to find the proper length of the tennis racket for your kid.
| Age | Tennis Racket Length |
|---|---|
| 2—3 | 17 in. |
| 2—4 | 19 in. |
| 4—6 | 19 in. |
| 6—8 | 23 in. |
| 8—10 | 25 in. |
| 9—11 | 26 in. |
Tennis Racket Head Size Chart
It is most common for beginners to look for a tennis racket with an oversized head. The chart below outlines the three different tennis racket head sizes available.
| Mid-Size | Mid-Plus | Oversize |
|---|---|---|
| < 95 in.² (control) | 95—105 in.² (power + control) | > 105 in.² (power) |
Tennis Racket Grip Size
Since every player’s hand is different, tennis rackets come in a range of grip sizes from 4 to 4 ⅝ inches. The most common size for female players is 4 ¼, while male players commonly use the 4 ⅜ grip size. Having the correct size grip provides players with a more comfortable, secure feel throughout their game.
Follow the steps below to find your grip size:
- On the hand you hold your racket, find the middle crease on your palm.
- Place the measuring tape on this line.
- Measure from that point to the tip of your ring finger.
- This measurement will be the grip size you’ll look for. Grip sizes are listed in either inches or millimeters and come in the following increments: 4, 4 ⅛, 4 ¼, 4 ⅜, 4 ½, and 4 ⅝.
How Long Do Tennis Rackets Last?
The longevity of a tennis racket really depends on your level of play. As you develop your tennis skills, you’ll need to upgrade your racket—meaning you will likely need to invest in a new racket within a year or two.
As you move into more competitive play, you’ll invest in a more expensive racket and bring it into a sporting goods service shop to get it restrung. You can continue restringing your racket as long as the frame is in good shape and it complements your style of play.
If you’re needing additional help selecting the right tennis racket for you, call or stop into your local ERLEBNISWELT-FLIEGENFISCHEN store for help from one of our Racket Sports Experts. Plus, most ERLEBNISWELT-FLIEGENFISCHEN service shops can restring or regrip your racket too.