How do you choose a racquet when there are dozens of brands and an infinite number of specifications to consider? In this guide, I’ll break down how specifications affect racquet performance.
Weight. Heavier racquets are more demanding on your body and your timing. Beginners and rising intermediates should consider racquets less than 10.5 oz or 300 g after stringing. True intermediates and rising advanced players should consider racquets up to 11 oz or 315 g after stringing. Advanced players should consider racquets that are more than 11 oz or 315 g after stringing. Racquet weight is typically listed unstrung. A strung racquet is usually 16-18 g or 0.6 oz heavier than the listed weight.
Head Size. Larger frames have larger sweet spots and more power but are a little harder to control. Beginners and rising intermediates should consider racquets that are at least 100 square inches but no more than 108 square inches. Racquets larger than 108 square inches are considered oversize, and are typically recommended for players with slower swing styles. Most other players should consider racquets 97-100 square inches. Anything smaller than this is considered advanced.
Stiffness. A stiffer racquet will provide more power but less comfort and feel. The stiffness that you like is totally subjective, but if you're prone to injury, consider racquets with stiffness ratings (RA) or 64 or below.
String pattern. More open string patterns provide more spin and higher launch angles and more dense string patterns provide more control and predictability. Open string patterns are more common in the modern game, but advanced players may opt for denser string patterns if they prefer that type of feel and control.
Balance. Head heavy racquets have a hammer-like quality that provides extra help with regards to power. Head light racquets are more maneuverable on fast swings. The least demanding racquets are very head heavy and very light overall, and the most demanding racquets are very head light but very heavy overall.
Grip Size. Although not technically a “spec,” make sure you choose the right grip size. If a grip is too large, keeping hold of the racquet will be more strenuous. If a grip is too small, the racquet may not feel as stable. The average man uses a grip size of 4-3/8" and the average woman uses a grip size of 4-1/4.” If you’re hands are above or below average, you can go up or down by 1/8.” And if you’re not sure, err on the small side because you can add overgrips later on.
Length. All racquets come in a standard length of 27 inches, but a few models are available in an extended length. Extending the length of a racquet gives players more leverage on their shots and therefore more power and stability. However, the extra length also changes the balance and can be demanding on your elbows and shoulders.
Swingweight. Swingweight is an advanced but useful spec that measures how a heavy a racquet feels when you swing it. Swingweight is difficult to measure and racquet manufacturer’s do not list it on their racquets or marketing materials. Put simply, the higher swingweight, the more physically strong and technically advanced a player needs to be to use the racquet.
Racquets By Player & Swing
Another useful way to understand tennis racquets is by classifying them according to the type of player they’re designed for. There are three main categories of racquets that fall along a spectrum based on how much help they provide to a player and what style of tennis they lend themselves to.
Oversized Power Frames. Sometimes called “game improvement” or beginner racquets, these racquets are light, large, and head-heavy. They provide as much help as a racquet can provide. Despite the label, these racquets are not typically used by beginners but more often by older doubles players or self taught players that have short, “blocky” swings.
Modern Player Frames. The modern tennis game revolves around fast groundstrokes and baseline play. Modern frames are designed with this style in mind. They are mid-plus in size, stiff (for power), light or medium weight, even-balanced, and spin-friendly. This is the predominant type of racquet in today’s market but there are many variants. A true modern frame is designed for power and spin while some variants compromise on these qualities for a more comfortable and control-oriented experience. Beginners will often elect for a light modern racquet to help generate faster swings while intermediates will typically elect to use one that falls in the middle of the weight range.
Traditional Player Frames. Traditional racquets are designed for advanced players with “traditional” all court games. These players value feel, control, and variety and will want a racquet that is medium or heavyweight, head light, and typically smaller than a modern frame. These specs therefore lend themselves to higher levels of the sport where players need a more substantial racquet to handle the pace of the game.
Recommendations by Skill Level & Player Description
I am a self-taught player (beginner) that plays infrequently and does not take lessons / I am an older athlete and doubles player.
Look for an oversized power frame. You want a racquet that allows you to push the ball in easily without taking the risk of a big swing. Specs should be under 285 g with headsize of 108 square inches or more. String with multifilament or synthetic gut.
I am a beginner/ intermediate player and a beginner/ intermediate athlete looking for a user friendly racquet that won’t handicap my game.
Look for a light modern racquet. You want a popular modern frame that comes in a “light” or “team” variation. Specs should be 285-295 g unstrung, 100-104 square inch head size, and an open string pattern such as 16x19. This combination will make it easy to swing fast and generate spin and power on slower moving shots. String with multifilament at a low or intermediate tension.
I am an intermediate player and athlete looking for a user friendly racquet that won’t irritate my shoulders or elbows.
Look for a flexible and light modern racquet. You want a racquet that can swing fast, generate power, and absorb shock better than average. Specs should be 285-295 g unstrung, 100-104 square inch head size, open string pattern such as 16x19, and a flexibility rating 64 or below. This combination will give you less power than a typical modern frame but the upside is a racquet that’s less likely to hurt your joints. String with multifilament at a low or intermediate tension.
I am an intermediate or advanced player and above average athlete with no history of injury looking for easy power and spin on my groundstrokes and serve.
Look for a true modern player’s racquet. You want a modern racquet that can handle pace and rewards medium length swings with lots of power and spin. The spec range is 295-310 g unstrung, 98 to 100 square inch head size, an open string pattern, and a stiffness rating 65 or above. This combination can be hard on sensitive arms but will make the racquet a monster from the baseline although also less predictable than some other racquets. String with multifilament for intermediate play or polyester/poly hybrid for advanced levels.
I am an intermediate-advanced player and above average athlete looking for a user friendly and versatile racquet.
Look for a flexible modern player’s racquet. You want a racquet that shares many of the qualities of a modern racquet but has a more flexible construction to help absorb the shock of impact. The spec range is 295-310 g unstrung, 98 to 100 square inch head size, an open string pattern, and a stiffness rating 64 or below. This combination will give you a racquet that performs well in many categories but is not outstanding in any one area. This kind of racquet is also the most popular type in today’s market as it is equally appealing to both intermediate and advanced players.
I am am intermediate-advanced or true advanced player and an above average athlete looking for a user friendly and control-oriented racquet.
Look for a medium weight traditional player’s racquet. You want a racquet that offers great control and feel but isn’t ultra demanding to swing fast. Spec range is 295-310 g unstrung and 95-98 square inches. These racquets usually come with a thinner, “boxier” beam profile. This combination will give you great feel, control, and swing-speed, which is great for players that need a slightly lighter racquet to swing fast. String with polyester or poly hybrid for advanced levels.
I am an advanced player and athlete seeking a control and feel oriented racquet for my higher performance needs.
Look for a heavy traditional player’s racquet. You want a racquet that’s substantial enough to handle the pace of the advanced game but also low-powered so that you can swing away with your good mechanics. Spec range is 315 g or more unstrung and 97 square inches or less. String with polyester or poly hybrid for advanced levels.
I am an advanced player and athlete seeking a power and spin oriented racquet for my higher performance needs.
Look for a “tour” or “pro” version of modern player’s racquet. You want ultimate performance, especially in terms of power and spin, and don’t mind the loss in control since this does not affect your game plan. Spec range is 315 g or more unstrung and 98 square inches or more. Most professionals that use modern frames have their racquets spec’d up to this weight. String with polyester or poly hybrid for advanced levels.