| The single most important piece of equipment a tennis | | | | tennis racket and his or her body, grip comfort is of |
| player will purchase is a tennis racket. With the wide | | | | supreme importance. Tennis racket grips typically |
| variety of tennis racket brands, models, types, and | | | | range from 4 inches to 4 7/8 inches in |
| specifications on the market, selecting a tennis racket | | | | circumference. Most adult tennis players use grips |
| can be a daunting task. Prospective tennis racket | | | | between 4 1/4 inches and 4 5/8 inches. The easiest |
| buyers should consider several important criteria. | | | | way to determine your grip size is to grip a tennis |
| These criteria are brand, racket weight, racket length, | | | | racket and place the index finger of your other hand in |
| grip size, balance, and head size. | | | | the space between your fingers and thumb/palm. If |
| Many tennis racket manufacturers produce multiple | | | | your index finger fits comfortably, the grip size is |
| racket models with varying specifications. Popular | | | | correct. If your index finger does not fit, the grip size |
| brand name tennis rackets include Avery, Babolat, | | | | is too small. If there is a large amount of space |
| Dunlop, Fischer, Gamma, Head, Prince, ProKennex, | | | | around your index finger, the grip size is too big. |
| Volkl, Wilson, and Yonex. Each racket manufacturer | | | | Selecting the proper grip size on your tennis racket is |
| has its own unique characteristics and nuances that | | | | important not only for comfort and for performance, |
| pervade their entire tennis racket line. You can | | | | but also for injury prevention. Using a tennis racket |
| consult your local tennis professional or tennis racket | | | | with a grip that is too large or too small can lead to |
| expert for advice on the brand of racket that is most | | | | arm injuries. |
| likely to fit your needs. Ultimately, however, testing | | | | Tennis rackets are also classified by the balance point |
| out different brands of tennis rackets is the best way | | | | or how the weight is distributed in relation to the head |
| to find the right match. | | | | of the racket. The two balance classifications of |
| Weight is another important consideration when | | | | tennis rackets are head heavy and head light. |
| selecting a tennis racket. Most tennis rackets weigh | | | | Head-heavy rackets provide more power because |
| between 8.5 and 12.5 ounces. In general, lighter | | | | they place more of the tennis racket's weight behind |
| rackets are easier to swing and players that lack | | | | the ball on impact. Head-light rackets, on the other |
| strength (e.g., older players, children) will be able to | | | | hand, provide more control because they are easier to |
| swing lighter rackets faster, generating more power. | | | | swing and maneuver and absorb more of the ball's |
| The overall effect of tennis racket weight is | | | | energy on impact. |
| somewhat ambiguous, however, as heavier rackets, | | | | One final consideration when selecting a tennis racket |
| while more difficult to swing, are more stable and | | | | is head size. Typically, tennis racket heads range in |
| transfer more force to the ball upon impact. Thus, | | | | size from 85 to 135 square inches. In general, tennis |
| when choosing a weight, comfort is the most | | | | rackets with larger heads provide more power while |
| important consideration. Typically, players that are | | | | tennis rackets with smaller heads provide more |
| more skilled prefer the stability and control offered by | | | | control. Players that are more skilled generally prefer |
| heavier rackets. | | | | the control and maneuverability offered by midsize |
| While the length of tennis rackets is fairly standard, | | | | tennis rackets (85 to 95 square inches) and midplus |
| many manufacturers have begun to offer longer | | | | tennis rackets (95 to 105 square inches). Older adults |
| rackets in recent years. The standard tennis racket | | | | and those who lack strength and precise strokes may |
| length is 27 inches. While the rules of tennis allow | | | | benefit from oversize tennis rackets (110+ square |
| rackets to measure up to 32 inches, most tennis | | | | inches). Oversize tennis rackets can lead to sloppy |
| rackets measure from 27 to 28 inches. The benefits | | | | strokes, and are therefore not recommended for junior |
| of increased tennis racket length are increased reach | | | | players. |
| and increased power. Longer tennis rackets can | | | | Tennis racket selection can be a daunting process. |
| provide more power because the arc the racket | | | | However, understanding the specifications discussed in |
| travels during the swing is longer (especially on the | | | | this article, brand, racket weight, racket length, grip size, |
| serve). Players that are more skilled generally prefer | | | | balance, and head size, will help simplify the tennis |
| the maneuverability of standard length rackets. | | | | racket selection process. |
| Because the grip is the tennis player's link between the | | | | |