Tennis Racquets

Power or Control

One of the first considerations should be whether you want more power, more control, or a combination of the two. * Beginners should play with a racquet that's light enough to swing easily, but which has enough weight to provide some power. A racquet with an oversize head that weighs between 9 and 10 ounces will give these players more power and more surface area to make good contact with the ball. A good head size measures around 107 to 110 square inches. A thicker frame (around 25 mm) will also add stiffness and power. * Intermediate players should look for something in the middle: not too powerful, yet not all about control. * Advanced players who don't have issues generating power can get away with a smaller, heavier racquet that will provide more control. Look for a racquet with a thinner frame that weighs more than 10.5 ounces.

Light vs. Heavy Racquets

* Lighter racquets offer greater maneuverability, making them easier to swing and more suitable for aggressive play, especially around the net. * Lighter racquets generate less power by themselves, meaning you must swing faster and more efficiently to generate power. * A light, head-weighted racquet can generate sufficient power without compromising your swing. * Lighter racquets demand greater accuracy on impact, which makes them more difficult for beginners to use. * Lighter racquets tend to be more expensive than heavier racquets. * Heavier racquets generate more power and are easier to control.

Balance

Most racquets are either headweighted racquets: * To check a frame's balance, measure it lengthwise and balance it at its exact center. * Players who situate themselves mainly at the baseline tend to prefer head-heavy frames as these give more power; however, they are less maneuverable around the net. * Headheavy frames when you hit from the baseline. ** Servecourt players and advanced players who take full swings generally like these racquets. * Evenly balanced frames integrate a blend of power from the baseline with maneuverability at the net. They usually appeal to all-court players.

Flexibility

Do you want stiff or flexible? * Stiff racquets bend and torque less, but they are usually more powerful. A flexible racquet requires the player produce more power. ** Stiff racquets are usually more accurate due to their reduced flex on impact; this provides a more consistent result. * Flexible racquets are more comfortable because they produce less shock. This helps to avoid tennis elbow problems.

Racquet Head Shape and Size

* A larger hitting area means there is a greater margin for error. * Oversize racquets offer a larger sweet spot. This means more power, but less control. * Midsize racquets have a medium sweet spot and offer power with very good control.

Durability/Racquet Material

* Racquets are made with a number of composite materials. Most of this has little effect on the racquet's performance. * Highracquet'>titanium and carbon. * Carbon composite (microgel) racquets have impressive response. They disperse shock. * Graphite tungsten racquets have improved performance. They have superb control and feel. *string pattern has more space between the strings, allowing you to put more spin on the ball. * Dense string patterns will give you less spin, but more overall control at directing shots. * See our guide to Tennis Racquet Strings for more information.

Top Picks

Below are some wellguides/racquetreview.php'>DoItTennis.com (more picks at each site).

Major Manufacturers

* Volkl * Wilson * Head * Prince * Yonex * Kennex * Pro Supex

Accessories

Once you have chosen your racquet, it's time to consider what else you might need. These following items could come in handy when you've worn out your racquet from all the playing.

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see: * NL: Tennisrackets