Even folks who have been playing for years might not know what they should look for in a racquet. Here are five tips to make it easier to find the right racquet for you.
Power and Control
Begin by asking yourself if you want more power or control. That answer will narrow down your search and make it easier to hone in on the right racquet for you.
Players new to the game generally need a lighter racquet that can add more power to their swing. The stiffness and weight of a racquet affects its ability to generate power. And despite what some might think, the racquet frame has a greater influence on power than the strings.
A stiffer racquet frame generates more power. Power racquets are generally longer and head-heavy, which supplies that extra torque in the swing. Power racquets typically have an oversized head, which creates a bigger "sweet spot."
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These features tend to give players less control over the ball. The power racquet is a good choice for players who are more concerned with getting the ball over the net, and not the advances moves like spin and placement.
Control racquets, as the name suggests, are all about ball control. They're designed for advanced players who have the technique to generate their own power with their swing and need a racquet that has greater control.
Control racquets tend to be heavier, between 11 and 15 ounces, and have a smaller, lighter head for greater mobility.
Ideally, you find a racquet with the right mix of power and control that suits your skill level. The large variety of tennis racquets on the market means you should be able to find one with the right balance of power and control.
Pay Attention to Head Size
The size of the head, which range between 85 and 135, can have a dramatic effect on your game. Generally, a larger head size has a larger sweet spot (the area on the face where the ball rebound is the fastest and most accurate) and tends to produce faster speeds of ball rebound.
A large head also increases the racquet's resistance to twisting and turning. The most common racquet head size is about 100.