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5 Factors to Consider when Selecting a Tennis Racquet

Georgia State Parks, Phoenix International Raceway, Sweet Spot, Tennis Racquets

Buying a tennis racquet for the first time can be a bit overwhelming. There are a lot of different factors that should factor into a person’s buying decision. Here’s a quick rundown on five of them:

1. Player

A person’s size, physical capabilities and skill level should play a role in the tennis racquet selection process. For instance, a short person may want to consider a traditional racquet with a flexible frame. The smaller size racquet would be easier to handle and the flexible frame would provide increased control over the ball. In addition, someone who has intermediate tennis skills may want to go with a mid-sized racquet instead. Mid-sized racquets tend to have a good sized sweet spot as well as moderate control.

2. Length

The length of a tennis racquet should also be considered because it affects performance. Most tennis racquets range in size from 27 to 29 inches in length. In general, a long racquet will give the player more power in his or her shots than a traditional racquet. However, a player that is small in stature might find a long racquet too unmanageable.

3. Grip

Selecting a tennis racquet with a proper grip is essential for proper performance as well as comfort. An ill-fitting grip can lead to the racquet moving around in the player’s hand and causing problems like loss of ball control and the onset of tennis elbow. Therefore, it is important to measure the grip and make sure that it will fit the player’s hand.

4. Head

A tennis racquet’s head size, weight and shape are all important to consider when making a purchase. In general, over-sized racquets are good for beginners because the expanded surface area increases the size of the racquet’s sweet spot and power as well as reduces missed shots. The shape of the head also affects the size of the sweet spot. Most tennis racquets come with either an oval size head or a tear drop size head. Head heavy and head light refer to the racquet’s weight distribution and it affects how the racquet feels. A head heavy racquet tends to have less weight in the handle and more weight in the head area. The weight of the light head racquets tends to be more evenly distributed.

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5. Stiffness

The tennis racquet’s stiffness rating is another factor to take into account during the purchase process. The stiffness will affect how much vibration from the impact of the ball hitting the racquet will be transferred to the player’s wrist and arm. It also works in conjunction with the string tension and string pattern. In most instances a stiff framed tennis racquet will reduce the amount of stress on the player’s body and provide for better ball control than a flexible frame.

Killeen Gonzalez enjoys playing tennis with her family and has traveled extensively.

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