| Tennis has long been one of the world's most popular | | | | to the center of the head. |
| sports so it should come as no surprise that many | | | | The next aspect of the tennis racket that you need to |
| people take up the game each year. But taking up | | | | understand is just as important as the size of the head; |
| tennis is more than borrowing a tennis racket and | | | | the size of the grip. A properly sized grip is not only a |
| heading over to a court. Clothing, shoes, rules, and | | | | key to hitting good shots, it is integral in avoiding injuries |
| etiquette are just a few of the elements of the game | | | | such as the dreaded tennis elbow. While having a |
| that beginners must learn, but perhaps there is nothing | | | | proper grip size is critical, selecting a proper grip size is |
| more important to understand than the basics of the | | | | quite simple. |
| tennis racket. Purchasing a racket that best | | | | Pick up the racket with your hitting hand and make |
| complements your skill and physical abilities is crucial to | | | | sure you palm is on the same bevel - the ridges on the |
| enjoying early success as a tennis player. | | | | grip - as the racket face. Take the index finger of your |
| If you are interested in tennis then you have probably | | | | free hand and try to slip it into the gap between your |
| strolled though a tennis shop, the tennis section of a | | | | palm and fingertips of the hand that is holding the |
| sporting goods store, or even browsed the website of | | | | racket. If your finger just fits then you have a properly |
| an online tennis retailer. And if you have done any of | | | | sized grip. If the gap is too small for your finger, or so |
| those things then you are probably confused about | | | | wide that your finger fits easily, then you need to |
| which tennis racket is best for you. With an | | | | select a different size. |
| understanding of racket basics you can cut through | | | | Next you must consider the strings. You will find that |
| the massive selection and find a racket that suits you, | | | | some rackets are prestrung, while others require that |
| so let's get started! | | | | strings be installed. As a beginner you will probably be |
| The first thing you will want to look at is the size of the | | | | well served by a prestrung racket as premium rackets |
| head - the frame that holds the strings - of the racket. | | | | - rackets without strings - are generally expensive and |
| Between the grip and the neck on most rackets you | | | | suited to better and more skilled players. |
| will find a label that displays the size and square inches | | | | String density is a term that refers to the spaces |
| of the head. Generally speaking, these measurements | | | | between the main and cross strings on the racket. |
| will place a particular racket into one of four | | | | The smaller the hole, the denser the racket, and the |
| categories: | | | | more power it generates. As a beginner you should |
| * Midsize (85-92 square inches), | | | | focus on dense, powerful rackets that will help you |
| * Midplus (93-105 sq .inches), | | | | generate power until you develop a more consistent |
| * Oversize (106-115 sq. inches) and | | | | tennis stroke. |
| * Super Oversize (over 116 sq. inches) | | | | Selecting the proper tennis racket will allow you to get |
| The size of the racket head has a direct impact on | | | | the most out of your time on the court. Be sure to |
| the power and control offered by the racket. Large | | | | keep an eye on the attributes mentioned in this article, |
| heads provide great power, but at the expense of | | | | and look for a racket that has string tension that is in |
| control, while smaller rackets provide less power and | | | | the middle of the scale. A good grip and medium |
| more control. Beginning players are usually best served | | | | tension will give you a combination of power and |
| by opting for a larger heads that not only provide | | | | control that will not only help your game, it will help |
| power, but offer forgiveness on hits that are not close | | | | prevent tennis elbow as well. |