So you've decided to start playing tennis, or maybe you're just looking to get back into the game. Either way, you're going to need a racket. But with so many options out there, how do you know which one is right for you? In this guide, we'll help you understand some of the basics so you can make an informed decision when buying your first tennis racket.
At the end, I'll give some examples for you to choose from too!
What specs to look for as a beginner
There are quite few measurements for a racket, which can be overwhelming, so let's focus on the ones that matter the most for beginners.
Head size
Head size is the size of the racket's head, the area you hit the ball with, measured in square inches. Larger heads provide more power and forgiveness, while smaller heads offer more control.
This is probably the single most important spec for beginners. A larger head size will be more forgiving and easier to hit with, so I would recommend looking for a racket with a head size of 100 square inches.
Obviously, there is also a downside to larger head sizes, as they can be more clunky to maneuver. In order to developer full ground strokes, keeping the head size at 100 square inches should be a good sweet spot.
There are also oversize rackets (rackets with over 100 square inches heads) that may be helpful for people with limited mobility or strength. Usually these choices are more popular among players who play with shorter swings, like veteran players.
Swingweight
This is probably the most overlooked spec for a racket, since it isn't very intuitive nor easy to understand.
The swingweight of a racket is a measure of how heavy it feels when you swing it. A higher swingweight can help you generate more power, but it also makes the racket more difficult to maneuver, making you late for your strokes, or feeling very tired after playing for a short while.
This is the second most important spec because you want a manuverable yet stable racket. An overwhelming swingweight can make you hate the game, and a very low one will take away from your potential since it will be difficult to generate racket head speed to develop your technique.
It is very important to note that while it's very easy to modify a racket to increase its swingweight, it's nearly impossible to decrease it. So, if you're in doubt, its safer to go with a lower swingweight racket.
Other specs, if you want to learn more
String pattern
16x19 at this point is the most common string pattern, and it's a good choice for beginners. Its known to be an open string patter which helps with generating spin. It will give your shots a good lift to get it over the net. Other strings patterns such as 16x20, 18x20, and 18x19 are usually for players who are looking for something specific, not the best option for your first racket perhaps.
Weight and Balance
Weight and balance is not as important just by themselves as you think since swingweight is a combined measure of weight and balance. A racket can be heavy and head light to have a low swingweight making it very easy to play with. However, a light racket and a head heavy balance can have a high swingweight making it tiring to play with. So sticking to swingweight should give you a better direction.
Length
Almost all rackets come at 27 inches length, it's a good idea to stick to this unless you are looking for something specific.
Beam width
Usually thicker beam widths have higher stability characteristics, taking away from the raw feel of hitting a ball. Beginner - intermediate rackets usually have thicker beams and that is fine, since you will need more forgiveness in the off center hits which you'll be making a lot. As you advance thinner beam rackets may be desirable, but you should not worry about too much about beam width at this point. I highly recommend holding a racket in your hand to feel its curves, some are more rounded and some are more boxy, and that can be important.
Stifness
Stifness is a difficult measure to understand, and I'd recommend not to worry about it too much, except avoid the extremes. Usually anything above 70 RA may be too stiff, and anything below 60 RA may feel a bit mushy. Less stiff rackets will be easy on your arm since they won't transmit as much shock to your arm. Good to keep in mind.
Babolat rackets are known to be more stiff, which can cause some arm issues on some people, it may be wise to stay away from them if you're not sure.
Alright, give us brand and model names!
Probably the most asked question, yet there is no good answer. Almost all brands offer great rackets at these common specs so it's totally up to you, but I'll leave some examples for you to start looking at.
If you can demo rackets, that is great, make sure to demo different swingweights since there is not really an easy way to figure out how powerful or comfortable you move with the racket. Once you figure out your ideal swingweight range, it will be so much easier to filter your selection.
Male players
Male players can usually handle a bit higher swingweights, a good starting point is between 315-325. Anything above this might feel a bit too much. Here are some popular choices.
Female players
Female players usually tend to play with a bit less swingweight, so a good range may be 310-320. Again, this isn't a very strict rule, just a starting point. Here are some popular choices here.
If you're looking for even lighter rackets, that is totally fine too, usually all the models have L (short for lighter) versions of the same racket, so you can look for those.
And that's a wrap, I hope this guide was helpful, and have fun with your next racket.