| If you are in the market to buy a new tennis racquet, it | | | | weight distribution. For instance, in some racquets, the |
| is no longer as simple as choosing a brand name and | | | | weight may be more in the head of the racquet while |
| a look you like. You need to understand the type of | | | | in others it may rest in the frame. In many cases, lighter |
| racquet you need, the technology that will best | | | | head weight racquets are easier to maneuver and |
| improve your game and you should have a | | | | position while those heavier in the head can provide |
| comprehensive understanding of the parts of a tennis | | | | additional stability and power. Everything is a trade-off |
| racquet and what they mean to overall performance | | | | on some level, so you need to assess your own |
| on the tennis court. For instance, you should | | | | strengths as a player and purchase accordingly. |
| understand features like: | | | | String Pattern: |
| · Racquet Weight | | | | The string pattern of a racquet related to the number |
| · Balance | | | | of horizontal* and vertical* strings a racquet uses. |
| · Head size | | | | · Dense String Pattern (Closed) : 18 vertical strings x |
| · String Pattern | | | | 20 horizontal strings |
| In this article, we will discuss these features and others | | | | · In The Middle (Medium): 16 vertical strings x 19 |
| that impact you tennis racquet selection. We'll also talk | | | | horizontal strings |
| about a few types of tennis rackets including Control | | | | · Less Dense String Pattern (Open): 16 vertical strings |
| Racquets, “Tweener” Racquets and Power | | | | x 18 horizontal strings |
| Racquets and which are appropriate for what level of | | | | *Vertical strings are also sometimes called mains while |
| player. | | | | horizontal strings are sometimes called crosses. |
| We'll begin with tennis racquet head size. There are | | | | Generally, a more dense string pattern will yield a |
| three main options in Head Size which include: | | | | firmer more controlled response from your tennis |
| · Mid-Size Head: 90-95 square inches | | | | racquet, while a more open string pattern will give you |
| · Mid-Plus Head : 95-105 square inches | | | | more power. The more give and bend offered by the |
| · Oversize Head : 105 square inches and up | | | | string pattern, the more power you get. |
| The head size is a very noticeable characteristic of a | | | | Getting a good “spin” on the ball is also affected |
| website and has a huge impact on tennis racquet | | | | by the string pattern. A more open string pattern |
| behavior. The head size has a huge impact because | | | | offers more opportunity for the strings to catch on the |
| the larger the surface area, the more power you can | | | | ball and create desirable spin on a return shot. |
| get from your racquet. Many people feel this is | | | | Finally, its important to understand how all of these |
| analogous to a trampoline where the smaller | | | | factors can come together to create the perfect |
| trampoline is firmer and offers minor bounce and the | | | | tennis racquet for you. We'll talk about just a few main |
| larger trampoline, with the same force applied will | | | | categories of tennis racquets here. |
| propel you much further. Therefore, the larger the | | | | Tennis Racquet Categories: |
| head size, the more strings can yield and bend and the | | | | Power Racquets Characteristics: |
| more power you can get from the frame. | | | | · Lighter in weight (8 to 9.5 ounces) |
| The next aspect of a tennis racquet would be the | | | | · Larger head size (105 sq inches and above) |
| length. Tennis Racquets offer a variety of lengths | | | | · Open (less dense) string pattern |
| including: | | | | · Wider frame width |
| · Standard length tennis racquet- 27 inches | | | | This tennis racquet is made for power. This is for the |
| · Extended length tennis racquet - 27.25 inches | | | | player who does not use a fast or full length swing but |
| · Extended length tennis racquet - 27.5 inches | | | | instead one who takes more limited and relaxed |
| · Extended length tennis racquet - 27.5 + inches | | | | swings and wants the racquet to yield the power |
| The length of a tennis racquet also has a profound | | | | boost they need. |
| effect on its power. While the standard tennis racquet | | | | “Tweener” Racquets Characteristics: |
| length offers good control and power, the longer | | | | · Medium in weight (9.6 to 11 ounces) |
| racquet will allow more force and a longer reach. | | | | · Medium in head size (100 to 105 sq. inches) |
| You also need to consider the weight of your racquet. | | | | · String pattern varies |
| Standard unstrung* tennis racquet weights include: | | | | · Medium frame width |
| · Light Weight- < 9 ounces | | | | “Tweener” racquets are for people who want |
| · Medium Light Weight - 9.1 to 9.6 ounces | | | | something “in between” power and control - or |
| · Medium Weight- 9.7 to 10.3 ounces | | | | rather some of both characteristics. These racquets |
| · Medium Heavy Weight - 10.4 to 10.8 ounces | | | | are great for tennis players with medium to long swing |
| · Heavy Weight - 10.9 ounces and above | | | | speeds and who tend to take medium to long cuts at |
| *Strung vs. Unstrung weight is something to consider | | | | the ball. Many players who are making the transition |
| when reviewing racquet weight. | | | | from junior to full length tennis racquet have success |
| The weight of your tennis racquet is obviously going to | | | | with this category. |
| play a critical role in your game play. The heavier the | | | | Control Racquets Characteristics: |
| racquet, the more potential momentum you can build | | | | · Heavier in weight (11.1 ounces and above) |
| up with your swing but if you get a tennis racquet that | | | | · Smaller in head size (90 to 98 sq. inches) |
| is too heavy, you may impede your game play rather | | | | · String pattern varies |
| than augmenting it. Generally, it is accepted that the | | | | · Thinner frame width |
| heavier the racquet frame the more control and | | | | The control racquet category is really meant for |
| stability the tennis racquet will offer but in turn the | | | | players who like to take long and fast swings at the |
| lighter the frame, the more that same power and | | | | ball - they don't need the power from the racquet |
| maneuverability that can be utilized. | | | | since they generate that on their own - they need |
| Balance: | | | | control to ensure their power places the ball correctly. |
| The balance of the racquet related to the overall | | | | |