Tennis rackets
Tennis rackets
When buying a tennis racket, there are various factors to consider:
- Weight: Basically, the heavier the tennis racket, the harder it is to play. At the same time, more weight gives your strokes more power and sharpness. Beginners generally play lighter tennis rackets, professionals almost exclusively rackets over 300 grams.
- Head size: The larger the racket head, the larger the hitting surface and the easier the racket is to play. Rackets with smaller head size require increased power and precision, and are therefore played by advanced and professional players.
- Grip strength: Grip strength refers to the size or circumference of the racket's grip and ranges from L0 (very narrow grip, usually for children) to L5 (very thick grip). When you grip the handle with your thumb pointing up, there should be room for a thumb between your fingers and the ball of your fist. If you are deciding between two grip sizes, you should choose the smaller one, as you can increase the grip size with an overgrip and thus achieve the optimal grip strength for you.
- Stringing pattern: The stringing pattern means the grid which is created by the stringing of the racket. The number - e.g. 16/15 - refers to the number of main and cross strings that are strung. The string pattern is more open when the distance between the strings is larger (e.g. at 16/19). This supports especially strokes with spin. A narrower string pattern (e.g. 18/20) gives you more control and puts less strain on your wrist, as the ball can penetrate the string less deeply and the contact between ball and club therefore lasts less long.