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