What tennis racket should I buy?

Beginner

For beginners, it's all about learning the basics and building consistency. That's why a larger head size is key. A racket with a larger surface area is more forgiving, making it easier to hit the ball, even when you're not perfectly centered. This helps build confidence while reducing frustration.

In addition to a large head size, a lightweight racket is a great option for those new to the sport. Lightweight rackets are easier to maneuver, allowing players to focus on their form without getting bogged down by arm fatigue. At this stage, power isn’t as important as control, so a lighter racket helps players develop proper techniques without risking strain.

Intermediate

As players improve, they often seek a racket that offers a balance between power and control. An intermediate racket usually has a medium head size, which gives a sweet spot that’s not too large or too small. This helps improve accuracy while still allowing for some degree of forgiveness.

Rackets for intermediate players often feature a moderate weight, usually between 10 to 12 ounces. This weight provides a good balance between maneuverability and stability. With a medium weight racket, players can generate more power without sacrificing control, which is important as they face stronger and faster opponents.

Medium flexibility is another important factor for intermediate players. This type of racket offers a great combination of comfort and responsiveness, making it versatile enough to handle different play styles. It allows players to perform well in various situations, from defensive baseline rallies to offensive net play.

Advanced

Advanced players have more specific needs, and their rackets are designed to deliver maximum precision and power. A smaller head size is common in advanced rackets, providing less surface area but more control. The smaller sweet spot requires more precise hits, but the payoff is greater power and shot accuracy.

Heavier rackets are preferred by advanced players because they offer increased stability and torque. While they may sacrifice some mobility, these rackets provide the power necessary to dominate on the court. Heavier rackets also allow for more force behind each shot, making them ideal for players who have already developed strength and precision in their game.

For control-focused players, low to medium flexibility is ideal. This stiffer racket structure enables advanced players to feel and control every movement on the court, delivering enhanced precision during intense matches. Advanced rackets also offer more control with less give, which allows for precise, powerful shots.

To begin breaking down the vast amount of tennis rackets on the market we will start with these four categories: power, tweener, and modern player's and traditional player's racquets. We'll dive into each of these categories below.

Getting started

Power Racket

In most cases, these racquets feature oversized heads, are lightweight keeping the racket around 8 to 10 ounces, are longer and stiffer, and keep their balance mostly towards the head area to retain enough weight in the hitting zone. Designed for players who want to control the game with heavy and hard to deflect shots.

Tweener Racket

The tweener racquets became the most popular type of racquet thanks to their versatility. A tweener racquet borrows some of the light skeleton, torque, and power of the power racquets and mixes it with precise control of the player's racquets. These racquets are often light to medium weight staying around 9 to 11 ounces, they are greatly balanced not putting to much weight on either end of the racquet.

Tweener racquets are truly a jack of all trades. Using these rackets will make you feel like you can do it all on the court. They are a great start if you do not know what is it exactly you are looking for in a racquet.

Player's Racket

The player's racquets are most often used by high-level club and college team players. These models are typically heavier in weight staying around 11 to 12 ounces, and have smaller heads, are much thinner, and have more flexible beams. They also have balanced headlights to retain maneuverability and allow for better control of the racquet. The result? A low-power racquet is designed for players who provide their own power and prefer a racquet that offers more control on the court. Players who use this racket aim for precision and want to control the game with their calculated shots that may lack power but will never lack accuracy.

Things to consider

The power of the racquet is directly related to its head size; a larger head will provide more power rather than a smaller head racquet. A larger head also offers a larger hitting area and sweet spot allowing for more forgiveness on off-center hits. Racquets with larger heads are often favored by beginner players since it is easier for them to hit the ball and learn quickly. Smaller head racquets have less power, but much more control. The smaller head racquets are often preferred by more skilled players who seek more precision and can provide their own power as necessary.

Head Size

Weight and Balance

The extra weight on the racquet helps with torque and power when colliding with the ball. The result is a stable and powerful feel to the racquet. Rackets like this are often referred to as racquets with "good plow through". Conversely, a lighter racquet is more maneuverable, and a player can position the racquet more easily and generate lots of spin on the ball. On the court, while using a lighter racquet the player will have much more control on the ball compared to the heavier racket. The player can lob and pass shots quickly to dip inside the lines and maneuver the racquet fast during quick exchanges at the net. Keep in mind, that you can always add weight to a racquet if it’s too light however removing weight from the racket is almost impossible