TennisRackets

Tips for choosing what tennis racket to buy.

Grip Size: The grip size is on the end of the handle. 1=4 1/8, 2=4 2/8, 3=4 3/8, 4=4 4/8, 5=4 5/8 Start off with a size that you can grip and your fingers can go around the grip and touch the meaty part below your thumb to one index finger gap. Sizing is a personal preference but start off in this range. Also, you may want to get it smaller and then put an over grip over the standard grip. Smaller grip size mean quicker grip changes (from a backhand to a forehand grip), whereas a larger grip means more stability when hitting. I prefer a smaller grip and then I add overgrip to it.

Racket Feel: How a racket feels depends on the racket brand, model, stiffness rating, string brand, model, tension of the strings, grip size, and over grip. So there are many variables. All of these specs for currently available rackets are on the 2 websites below.

Best brand to buy: There is no best brand. Having said that I’d stay with the 3-6 top brands on the 2 websites below.

Demo programs: The best thing to do is to get into a demo program. Your local tennis shop or sporting goods store will charge you $40 to join the demo program and you can borrow as many rackets as you want, one at a time, and then if you buy a racket from them they usually use that $40 towards the purchase. Keep notes on what you demo’d and what you liked or disliked. You can look up specs like weight, stiffness, balance to zero in a your favorite racket. Tennis store vs sporting goods store, stay with the tennis shop since the workers are much more knowledgeable.

I would start off with a 100 sq” face 27″ racket. This is pretty standard so I wouldn’t deviate from it. Brand doesn’t matter that much, just stick with one of the big names like Head, Babolat, Wilson, etc.

Stiffness – Stiffer rackets feel more powerful, but have less control. Stiffer rackets also  can also cause wrist and elbow pain. String type and tension are also a major contributor to wrist and elbow pain.

Strings, stay away natural gut, too expensive and not worth it. Don’t let what the pros use sway you when buying strings since they can handle a stiff unforgiving string that will give regular players tennis elbow. Artificial gut is a good choice. 16 gauge is standard. I don’t break strings so I went down one level to 17 gauge. The larger the number the smaller the diameter of the string. Smaller strings give you more control and spin but break easier. Larger strings are stronger and last longer but don’t give you as much control or spin. (will add more later)

Tension: Get the racket strung in the middle to +1 or +2 pounds of the recommended tension for that racket since different rackets vary. The racket will list it’s tension range on the side of the face. Rackets will lose string tension throughout the life of the string job. The more you play the faster it loses tension. Recommended interval to get it restrung is once a year, but you can go 2 or 3 years depending on how much you play and how particular you are. Some people wait until a string breaks before restringing. I don’t recommend that. Once they start to fray, get it restrung.

Technology: Ignore the technology claims and marketing saying one brand or model is better than another. Just demo to find what racket you like the best. The other marketing technique besides technology is endorsement, what racket the top players are using. I got sucked into this and demo’d all the rackets that the top players were using. I still use the racket Djokovic uses, but mine is at least 6 years old. Updated models, are really just updated graphics and paint. Buying last generations model is a great way to save money.

Vibration damper: These are the little doughnut looking things the size of a penny that go on to the racket strings in the bottom center of the string bed. I recommend using one since it makes the racket feel better.

Price: Don’t pay full price. Get last years model and save 30-50%.

Where to buy : Tennis Warehouse or Midwest Sports What about cl or Ebay? You can, but be aware that there are actually counterfeit tennis rackets that look like the real thing but aren’t and fall apart after using for a few times.

Costco has a cheap racket for $50. This would be okay as a first racket, just make sure to get the correct grip size. I think it only comes in a 3 and 4. A good racket with strings will cost $150-$250 so if you’re not sure what racket you’ll want, that might be an okay one to start with and then jump into a demo program and keep it as a spare.