How to choose a tennis racket? The complete racket guide.
The tennis racket you play with has a major influence on how you feel on court. For instance, it could determine how much control and comfort you experience and therefore directly impact your enjoyment of the game. For many players, however, choosing the right racket can be challenging. There is no universal best tennis racket: what works perfectly for one player could well be counterproductive for another.
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Which racket suits you depends on several factors, such as weight and balance, frame type, and your playing level, playing style, and physical characteristics. A beginner generally looks for different qualities in a racket than an advanced player who is aiming for extra spin, control, or feel. In this guide, we explain what to look for in a step-by-step manner, so you can discover which type of tennis racket best matches the way you play, whether you are just starting or have been on court for years.
In this guide, we cover the following topics:
- How do you determine which tennis racket is right for you?
- Weight of a racket
- Balance of a racket
- The different types of tennis rackets
- Why are head size, string pattern, and grip size important?
- Which racket suits your playing level?
- Frequently asked questions about tennis rackets
- Conclusion: This is how to make the right choice!
How do you determine which tennis racket is right for you?
Before choosing a racket, it helps to consider a few things: how long you have been playing tennis, your approximate level, how you execute your strokes, and which physical traits influence your game. It is also important to think about what you expect from a tennis racket and what you want it to do for you.
In general, beginners often benefit from forgiving rackets that generate easy power, allowing them to focus on developing full swings while keeping the ball in play. Advanced players, on the other hand, tend to look for rackets that respond precisely to what they intend to do, such as adding extra spin or providing a little more feel on controlled shots.
Body type, stroke mechanics, and sensitivity in the arm, shoulder, and wrist joints also play a role. By understanding which factors influence your game and what different rackets can offer, you can choose a suitable racket that supports your performance and helps reduce the risk of injury.
Weight of a tennis racket
A racket's total weight is one of the most important factors when choosing a tennis racket. That is why we explain exactly what you need to know about it.
Lighter, Medium, or Heavier Racket?
The racket weight influences how easily you can swing and how much power you need to generate yourself to give the ball enough pace.
Lighter
A lighter racket, generally under 280 grams, is very manoeuvrable and makes it easy to execute your swings. This is why beginners or junior players moving up to their first adult racket often fall into this weight range. The downside is that lower weight usually means less stability.
Medium-weight
Medium-weight rackets, from roughly 285 to around 300 grams, are experienced by many players as a good balance between maneuverability and stability. Depending on experience, playing level, physical traits and swing technique, this category can suit some beginners but is especially popular with (lightly) advanced players.
Heavier
Heavier rackets of 305 grams, 310 grams or more provide the most stability and the greatest potential for control and power, but are also the hardest to manoeuver. Long, well-developed swings and good physical conditioning are therefore required for rackets in this weight range.
What does weight do for your game?
When you choose a racket with the right weight for you, you should find it easy to manoeuver, allowing you to make long, full swings and find the right timing. At impact, you will feel enough stability to generate power while maintaining control over the ball's trajectory.
| Weight | Maneuverability | Stability |
|---|---|---|
| Lighter | ✪✪✪ | ✪ |
| For whom? Beginners to lightly advanced players | ||
| Medium | ✪✪ | ✪✪ |
| For whom? Beginners to advanced players | ||
| Heavier | ✪ | ✪✪✪ |
| For whom? Lightly to very advanced players | ||
Too light
If you choose a racket that is too light, you may notice that it lacks stability and mass. This forces you to use extra arm strength to create pace, leading to faster fatigue and a higher risk of injury. It can also make your time on court less enjoyable.
Too heavy
If you choose a racket that is too heavy, executing full swings with proper timing becomes difficult. Your technique may suffer, and adjustments to your swing become unavoidable. Because of the added weight, it takes too much effort to strike the ball cleanly, reducing control and increasing the risk of arm, wrist, or shoulder injuries.
Balance of a tennis racket
Just like total weight, weight distribution, known as the balance point, is one of the most important aspects when selecting a racket.
What does balance mean in a racket?
Balance indicates how the weight is distributed across the frame. A head-heavy racket carries more weight toward the racket head, while a head-light racket has less weight near the head and more toward the handle. An evenly balanced racket distributes weight equally, with the balance point near the centre of the frame.
The relationship between weight and balance
In general, lighter rackets tend to be more head-heavy, while heavier rackets usually have a lower balance point. This helps lighter rackets offer more stability and power, and makes heavier rackets easier to manoeuver. We use our racket grouping system, based on the interaction between weight and balance, to simplify the selection process:
| Light |
1. LightLightweight & High balance In group 1, you will find rackets that are lightweight and have a high balance. These rackets assist the player with a shorter swing in maximizing ball speed and achieving depth in shots. They often feature a larger head and wider frame to contribute to ease of play. |
High |
2. Light-MediumLighter weight & Higher balance In group 2, you will find rackets that are lighter in weight with a higher balance. These rackets are very maneuverable due to their lighter weight. A higher balance allows the player to generate ball speed easily and achieve depth in shots. |
||
| Weight |
3. MediumMedium weight & Medium balance In group 3, you will find rackets that have a medium weight and balance. These rackets offer a combination of power and control. |
Balance |
| Heavy |
4. Medium-HeavyHeavier weight & Lower balance In groep 4 bevinden zich de rackets van een zwaarder gewicht en lagere balans. Deze rackets leveren meer controle over de power ervan uitgaande dat de speler door een lange zwaai en goede timing zelf voor de balsnelheid kan zorgen. |
Low |
5. HeavyHeavyweight & Low balance In group 5, you will find rackets that are heavy-weight and have a low balance. These rackets offer maximum control over their power, assuming that the player generates the ball speed themselves through a long swing and good timing. |
How balance influences your game
High balance
Head-heavy rackets can help generate extra power, for many particularly noticeable on serves. However, they can also lead to increased arm fatigue. These rackets are especially suitable for players with shorter, slower swings who need extra pace and prefer a lighter frame.
Low balance
Head-light rackets are easier to manoeuver and give you access to higher racket-head speed, control and precision. They also facilitate quick reactions at the net, making them ideal for volleys. The downside is that they do not generate power as easily, so they are best suited to players with long, fast swings who prefer heavier rackets.
Even-balance
Even-balanced rackets offer a well-rounded combination of maneuverability, stability, control and power. Other design aspects then determine where the emphasis ultimately lies.
The different types of tennis rackets
In addition to weight and balance, the frame design strongly determines a racket's playing characteristics. The shape, thickness and flexibility of the frame influence whether a racket is experienced primarily as power-, spin-, allround- or control-oriented.
Power rackets
Power rackets are designed to add extra pace to the ball. They often feature a rounded, wide frame construction. This keeps the frame relatively stiff at impact, resulting in short ball contact and allowing the ball to rebound easily and powerfully from the strings. Power rackets are ideal for players who want to generate extra ball-speed and/or greater forgiveness at off-centre contact.
Spin rackets
Spin rackets usually have highly aerodynamic frames, allowing them to move more quickly through the air. They often incorporate innovative technologies that give the strings greater freedom of movement. These features make it easier to generate racket-head speed and allow the strings to impart more rotation to the ball. Spin rackets are well-suited to players who want to enhance their topspin or play with a lot of (side- or back)spin, or slice.
Allround rackets
Allround rackets do not rely on one specific frame characteristic. Within this category, there are variations in frame shape, but they all provide their own blend of power, control and spin. These rackets are ideal for players seeking versatility to complement an all-court game.
Control rackets
Control rackets often feature thin, boxy frames and are designed to provide maximum feel and precision. Their shape makes them less stiff and therefore slightly more flexible, keeping the ball on the strings a fraction longer before release. This gives you more feel, allows for precise placement and helps keep powerful shots under control.
Characteristics that promote control, such as a smaller head size, denser string pattern and more flexible frame, however, also reduce forgiveness. As a result, control rackets are mainly suitable for technically advanced players who generate their own power and are looking for extra feel, control and precision.
Why are head size, string pattern, and grip size important?
Beyond weight, balance and frame type, other racket characteristics also affect how you play. Head size and string pattern are two important examples.
Head size
Head sizes vary and relate to the balance between power and precision you experience. The average head size of tennis rackets is 100 square inches.
Larger head (over 100 sq. inch)
A larger head gives you more surface area to strike the ball, enlarging the sweet spot, the optimal contact zone on the strings. Larger heads also provide more power due to the enhanced trampoline effect of the strings, making these rackets generally more forgiving.
Smaller head (under 100 sq. inch)
A smaller head does the opposite: the contact area and sweet spot shrink, making it harder to strike the ball cleanly and reducing forgiveness and power. When you do hit the sweet spot, however, you are rewarded with extra precision.
String pattern
A racket's string pattern is described by the number of main and cross strings (MxC). The most common pattern is 16x19. Variations may include more or fewer strings and different spacing between them. The number of strings and how open or dense the pattern is affect the amount of power, spin potential and control you experience.
Open string patterns (16x19 or fewer strings)
In open patterns, the strings are spaced farther apart and can move more freely. This increases spin potential and concentrates impact on fewer strings, causing the ball to rebound more forcefully, creating more power. An additional aspect of an open string pattern is that strings tend to wear out faster.
Denser string patterns (such as 18x20)
BIn denser patterns such as 16x20, 18x19 or 18x20, strings are closer together and move less freely, making it slightly harder to generate heavy spin. Impact is spread across more strings, so the ball leaves the strings with less power. The benefits are improved control, precision and string durability, but hitting the sweet spot becomes even more important to produce sufficient ball-speed.
Grip size: why it matters more than you think
Grip size refers to the diameter of the handle and is indicated from L0 to L5, with L0 being the smallest and L5 the largest. Most rackets are produced up to L4, with lighter rackets more often available in smaller sizes and heavier rackets in larger ones.
An incorrect grip size, whether too small or too large, has downsides in both cases. It can increase injury risk and reduce control over your racket.
Grip too small
With a grip that is too small, the handle feels difficult to hold in a relaxed way. You must squeeze to maintain control and prevent the racket from twisting at impact. This creates excess tension in the wrist and forearm and increases the risk of injuries such as tennis elbow.
Grip too large
With a grip that is too large, the handle is hard to hold comfortably, and you struggle to maintain control when changing grips for different strokes. You may compensate in your technique, placing extra strain on the arm, wrist and shoulder and increasing the risk of injury.
What is the right grip size for you?
For this purpose, we have written a short manual in which we explain step by step how to determine the correct grip size using your hands and a racket.
Which tennis racket suits your playing level?
Although many factors influence racket choice, there are some useful guidelines to keep in mind, based on your experience and level.
Beginners
As a beginner, it is helpful to choose a slightly lighter racket of 285 grams or less to make learning proper strokes easier. Opt for an average head size and a forgiving, power- or allround-oriented frame. If you are physically stronger or want more of a challenge from the start, you could consider a medium-weight racket between 285 and 300 grams or a more control-oriented frame. The key is not to go too heavy and not to choose too small a head.
Recreational and lightly-advanced players
For recreational and lightly-advanced players, it is important to select a racket that ranges from light to medium-heavy depending on physical traits and ambitions to progress.
Recreational players
Choose a racket that suits your physical ability and maximizes enjoyment on court. If you have short swings and limited self-generated power, go for a lighter racket of around 255 to 280 grams with an average to larger head that is forgiving and helps produce pace.
If you are physically stronger and enjoy rackets focused on spin, power or control, opt for a medium-weight racket around 285 grams to a medium-heavy model around 300 grams and select the frame type that appeals most to you.
Lightly-advanced players
If you are eager to improve, you could choose for rackets with an average (100 sq in) or slightly smaller head and power-, allround-, spin- or control-oriented frames based on your playing style. Depending on your physical characteristics, pick a medium-weight racket around 285 grams or a medium-heavy one around 300 grams.
Advanced and competitive players
Players who have been playing for a long time and compete regularly usually have well-developed strokes and can often handle slightly heavier rackets, which provide additional stability, control and power.
Depending on what weight you can handle, a medium-heavy to heavy racket of 300 grams or more is sensible. A head size of 100 sq in or smaller, possibly a lower balance point, and a specific frame type then determine the rest of the playing characteristics based on whether you prefer extra control, spin or power.
Our tip for all tennis players
No matter how much you read about weight, balance and racket type, feel remains personal. The best way to be sure which racket suits you is to test several different models on court. Only then can you experience what variations in racket characteristics mean for your game. This is not mandatory, but it can definitely help you choose with greater confidence.
Frequently asked questions about tennis rackets
Over the years, we've heard a lot of questions. Below is a list of frequently asked questions and answers.
The racket that suits you best depends on a combination of factors such as playing level, style, physical traits and personal preferences. Weight, balance, racket type, head size, string pattern and grip size all play a role. Because every player is different, there is no universal best choice.
Testing is the best way to find out whether a racket suits you. Specifications provide guidance, but feel, timing, and comfort are personal. Trying multiple rackets helps you identify which characteristics best match your game.
Whether a more expensive tennis racket is better for you depends on the feeling you experience while playing. Generally, more expensive rackets feature the most advanced materials and innovative technologies, improving stability and comfort, as well as power, feel, and ball control. Therefore, in theory, this should often lead to a better feel while playing. In practice, however, it remains a personal preference. The right racket is primarily one that feels comfortable and supports your game. Therefore, it is a good idea to test rackets before making a choice.
When two rackets have similar specifications, the on-court feel can be decisive. Small differences in weight, balance or frame design may have a big impact in practice. Testing or choosing the racket that feels most comfortable is usually the best option.
Yes. A racket that does not suit you can put extra strain on the arm, wrist or shoulder. A racket that is too heavy, too light or the wrong type can lead to overload. An incorrect grip size can also increase injury risk, so making a well-considered choice is important.
Yes. Physical traits such as strength, height and conditioning matter. Players with less strength often benefit from lighter, more forgiving rackets, while stronger players can gain stability and control from heavier models. The racket should always match what you can handle physically.
A racket can last several years, depending on how often and how intensely you play. Strings and grips typically wear out sooner than the frame. As long as the racket feels good and shows no damage, replacement is not immediately necessary.
That can be a good idea. As your technique and strength develop, your needs may shift toward a slightly heavier racket or one that offers more control, spin or stability. Many players switch to a different type of racket as their game evolves.
The brand is less important than many people may think. Major brands all produce high-quality rackets. The racket's characteristics and how they match your playing style matter far more than the name on the frame.
Conclusion: this is how to make the right choice!
Let's summarize the most important points again:
- Consider your personal situation in terms of experience, swing technique and physical condition, as well as what you expect from a (new) tennis racket.
- Make sure you can handle the racket's weight. You should be able to swing comfortably without excessive effort. Both too light and too heavy increase injury risk.
- Decide what type of racket you are looking for. Do you want extra power? More spin? The control to place the ball precisely? Or a racket that excels in versatility?
- Determine the grip size you need. Handle thickness strongly affects playing experience; a grip that is too small or too large can reduce control and even cause injury.
- Test different rackets to see how they feel on court. Theory does not always match personal sensation. Want absolute certainty? Then it is wise to try a tennis racket before buying it.