Every beginner tennis player faces the choice of a racket. If you have already familiarized yourself with the properties of rackets, we invite you to the next level of initiation, which will make it easier for you to make a decision, namely which racket is for you.

Recreational and Beginner Tennis Rackets (Short Swing)

Light tennis rackets (below 270g) are characterized by maneuverability and provide dynamic hits with little force, making them especially recommended for older people and those with lower physical strength.

Their properties, combined with a large head size, make these rackets ideal for recreational and occasional players who operate with short swings.

Due to the large sweet spot (optimal point of hitting the ball), rackets in this group are very comfortable and guarantee power hits not only with perfect, centered hits on the ball, which is also facilitated by the balance towards the head and often a wide, fairly stiff frame.

Tennis Rackets - Universal - Club (Medium Swing)

Universal tennis rackets will satisfy the largest group of players; advanced and recreational players with a medium swing. They can serve beginners well, who are taught the correct technique, early swing, and proper court movement from the first hours of learning.

These rackets combine control while maintaining comfort. The weight of these rackets is usually around 280-300 grams, and the balance point is located around the middle of the racket. Popular rackets in this group include Babolat Pure Drive, Head Speed MP, Head Radical MP, Tecnifibre T-Fight RS 300, Wilson Blade 98, Volkl V-Cell 8 300, Yonex Ezone 100 300.

Rackets for Tournament Players (Long Swing)

These rackets provide excellent control and are designed for players with good technique and a long, early swing. They are characterized by stability at the moment of hitting the ball. Their weight usually oscillates around 320g. A small sweet spot requires the player to have great precision and concentration. The balance (center of gravity of the frame) is directed towards the handle, contributing to increased control. In this group of rackets, depending on the player's preferences, you can find both quite stiff and flexible, soft frames. Popular rackets in this segment include Wilson Pro Staff 97, Wilson Clash 98, Volkl C 10 pro, Prince Textreme Tour 95, Head series - (Prestige MID, PRO, MP), Tecnifibre T-Fight RS 315.

Tennis Rackets for Kids

What racket should I choose for my child?

It may sound surprising, but a racket for a young tennis player must... above all, appeal to the young user. For rackets for children aged 3 to 12, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) provides only general guidelines based on height and age, which roughly look as follows:

• 3-5 years and/or height up to approx. 110cm - 19-inch racket;
• up to 6 years old and/or height up to approx. 120cm - 21-inch racket;
• up to 8 years old and/or height up to approx. 128cm - 23-inch racket;
• up to 10 years old and/or height up to approx. 136cm - 25-inch racket;
• up to 12 years old and/or height up to approx. 146cm - 26-inch racket.

Children often grow at different rates, so the racket for a child should be selected mainly based on how developed the child is.

See tennis rackets for kids

What tennis balls will be good for a child?

Note: It should be remembered that children have specially dedicated balls adapted to their age:

• 5-8 years - red balls (Stage 3);
• 8-10 years - orange balls (Stage 2);
• 9-10 years - green balls (Stage 1, possible play on a full-size court).

Choosing the First Racket for Adults

Depending on how mature (physically) the child is, the suggested age at which this change can occur may vary between 12 and 13 years.

Should my child play with an adult racket?

The decision to switch a child to a standard-length racket (27 inches or approx. 68.6 cm) should not be hasty and should be carefully considered, as it may bring more harm than benefit in terms of progress made by the child. If the child is training, such a change should be discussed with the coach, who should give the green light if the child is considered "mature" for the change.

When is it time to change the racket?

The weight of the racket for a child in the age range mentioned above should be roughly between 250-265g with a balance ranging between 330 and 340mm.

The head size should be no less than 100 square inches (approx. 645 cm2). For a child with no prior tennis experience, it is suggested to use rackets closer to 250g in weight and closer to 340 mm in balance, with a larger head size.

Rackets for Beginner Adults

The suggested racket parameters for beginner male and female tennis players who have reached an age allowing them to play with adult rackets (+16 years) will be mostly similar, with the biggest differences related to weight and balance, arising from biologically conditioned differences in the build and physical strength of women and men.

One often overlooked issue is the proper fitting of the racket handle size.

Statistical Handle Fitting for Women and Men

Statistically, women most often use handle sizes L2 (4 1/4) and L3 (4 3/8), while men most often choose rackets with handles L3 (4 3/8) and L4 (4 1/2).

Handle Fitting for Beginners

For beginners, the correct handle size is considered one that allows the index finger of the non-playing hand to fit between the base of the thumb and the fingers of the hand holding the racket. Height should not be the main consideration, but rather the size of the hand, at least initially, as handle size is an exceptionally individual matter often defying any rules.

Also, it should be considered that often used overgrips placed on the factory base grip will, to a certain extent (depending on the thickness of the overgrip), increase the grip, which should be taken into account when choosing the handle size.

For women, who, compared to men, have a smaller and slimmer build, it is recommended to start with rackets weighing between 255-270g, characterized by a balance of 335-345 mm.

The suggested lower racket weight results from physical conditions, and the center of gravity shifted towards the head of the racket will help generate hitting dynamics at this stage and support the learning process of executing a full swing without breaking it.

For men, the starting weight will be higher, ranging between 270-290g with a balance between 330 and 340 mm and inertia with string tension not exceeding 315 kg∙cm2. The biggest difference due to the reasons mentioned above is the significantly higher weight, with a slight difference in balance resulting from the fact that beginners generally benefit from a balance closer to the middle of the racket.

Other parameters for beginners are generally independent of gender and will boil down to experience with other racket sports or sports in general.

Racket Head Size should depend on the player's coordination predispositions and any experience with other racket sports, which fundamentally facilitate the beginnings by allowing play with 100 square inch head rackets. Those without any experience in related sports can start learning with rackets with larger head sizes (above 645 cm2).

Along with tennis progression and developing technical skills, new possibilities open up, including those related to the equipment used. Transitioning to rackets with greater mass (men ≥290g, women ≥270g), a balance closer to the racket handle (men ≤330mm, women ≤335mm), and in some cases a smaller head size (≤100 sq. in.) allows for more effective refinement of gameplay technique by requiring more extensive and faster swings to achieve sufficient dynamics. Additionally, such rackets offer greater stability, control, and ball feel.

The change in racket resulting from technical advancement should be tailored to the playing style, which crystallizes into preferences regarding the court area from which leading the game feels most natural as one gains more experience on the court.

Baseline play - the game is mainly based on exchanges from the baseline or behind it. Currently, this is the most dominant playing style in both men's professional matches (Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic) and women's matches. Since the specifics of such a point-playing strategy involve long exchanges, often requiring "wearing down" the opponent, racket demands include greater personal dynamics, hence the recommended balance should not be less than 320mm.

All-court play - winning points relies on building positional advantage during the exchange to enable moving into the court and finishing off the point, playing shots in the area between the service line and the baseline. Rackets designed for this type of player should have a profile not exceeding 23mm and a balance not exceeding 325mm, mainly due to the lesser need for the racket's personal dynamics as a result of playing balls from deeper court positions, prioritizing control over dynamics.

Serve & volley play - a game based on attacking the net, both after the serve (serve & volley) and after the return (chip & charge). Currently, due to the slowing down of surfaces in the professional circuit, this style is primarily limited to doubles matches. The most desirable racket attributes here are stability and maneuverability, i.e., how easily the racket head can be quickly positioned at the net. Therefore, the racket balance should be clearly directed towards the handle (≤315mm). Additionally, the greater the racket weight, the easier it is to volley at the net due to the increased stability brought by the additional mass.

The string pattern, or alternatively the string layout in a racket, is not directly related to the court area where the dominant part of exchanges takes place, but rather to the way balls are played, specifying the amount of rotation given to them, mainly an advancing one called topspin in English.

To assess your own game in terms of the rotation imparted, pay attention to the ball's flight path after hitting it. The higher the ball flies over the net and the faster it dives into the court after clearing it, ending with a high bounce off the surface, the greater rotation it possesses.

Rotation is imparted by the movement of vertical strings in the racket, and consequently, the more "freedom" they have to move (i.e., the rarer the string pattern), the more rotation can be given to the ball. Therefore, players favoring a topspin game, especially from the baseline (an example from the ATP circuit: Rafael Nadal, 16x19), should look for rackets with 16 vertical strings.
On the other hand, players hitting flatter balls will benefit from the additional control provided by string patterns with 18 strings vertically.

These are parameters that are largely independent of playing style, and come down to physical capabilities and user preferences. When it comes to weight, the principle is that the optimal weight of a racket is considered to be the heaviest racket that, during "normal" gameplay, does not negatively impact the speed and fluidity of the swing. In other words, if a player usually plays 2-hour practice matches, the racket weight should not drastically slow down their swing after 30, 60, or 90 minutes of play.

Stiffness of the racket mainly affects the racket's dynamics, the frequency of its vibrations, and their transmission to the player's hand, and therefore can be somewhat seen as a preliminary indicator of the comfort provided by the racket. The stiffness of most rackets falls within the range of 55-75 (measured by the Babolat RDC machine on a scale of 0-100). Rackets with a stiffness of ≈70 and above are considered stiff, while rackets with a stiffness of ≈60 and below are considered soft. Those expecting more dynamism from the racket should first consider rackets with a stiffness of ≥65.

Inertia is a parameter that mainly reflects how heavy the racket will feel during specific strokes. Assuming the same swing speed, a racket with higher inertia will offer greater dynamics and stability. Therefore, in theory, the same principle as with weight is assumed, but in practice, the choice depends on the user's preference because by using a racket with lower inertia, one can achieve the same dynamics as with a slower swing, but with greater racket inertia. Therefore, the decision comes down to physical preparation and whether the user prefers a racket that feels lighter or heavier "dynamically."

People with the above-mentioned issues are advised to use rackets that impose lower loads on the wrist and shoulder, therefore of standard length (27 inches), low inertia (≤310 kg∙cm2), and handle-oriented balance (≤325mm). Contrary to popular belief, these types of injuries do not mean that the player should use the lightest weight racket, as weight largely contributes to absorbing vibrations and forces during ball impact, which can exacerbate injuries. The reduction of strain should primarily come from lower racket inertia. This does not mean, of course, that one should consider rackets with a "professional" weight; it's simply important to maintain moderation and avoid extremes.

Furthermore, in order to reduce racket vibrations and string vibrations, the frame should have lower stiffness (≤65) and a looser string pattern (16 vertical). Both of these characteristics, combined with the appropriate choice of strings and their tensions, will minimize racket and string vibrations, bringing the game closer to the most comfortable conditions possible.

It's important to remember that no equipment will protect against injury in case of undeveloped technique and lack of fluidity in the swing. In the case of persistent problems, consultation with a doctor and/or physiotherapist is recommended to determine the cause of the issue and to work with a coach to eliminate elements in the sequence of individual strokes that may exacerbate the injury. Often, the cause of discomfort lies in activities performed off the court. Even tennis players with proper habits may struggle with elbow or wrist issues. Strengthening all arm and shoulder muscles, preferably through exercises utilizing suitable bands, is a good approach in such cases.

The selection of a tennis string is usually given significantly less attention, if any at all, compared to the racket, which is unjustified. Referred to as the soul of the racket, a properly chosen string can enhance its strengths and amplify the player's game.

Due to the variety of materials used in string production, with new ones constantly emerging, the most common criterion for dividing strings is their construction.

Monofilament strings are composed of a single fiber, usually coated with a thin protective layer to reduce friction. This construction aims to achieve maximum mechanical strength and control. Monofilaments are mostly made of polyester or polyester blends (co-polyesters), and this type of string is highly popular among players, both professional (over 3/4 of ATP and WTA players, including Rafael Nadal) and recreational, mainly due to their ability to generate high spin and resistance to shifting.

The limitations of these types of strings include quicker tension loss and high stiffness. String manufacturers try to combat these attributes by adding specific compounds to polyesters (e.g., polyolefins) and testing alternative materials for production.

Multifilament strings, on the other hand, are composed of numerous fibers of varying shapes, sizes, and arrangements depending on the manufacturer and string model. Multifilaments are commonly made of nylon or polyamide fibers. Multifilament constructions offer higher dynamic response and lower stiffness, resulting in increased comfort.

The main drawbacks of multifilament constructions include lower mechanical durability, leading to faster wear, increased shifting, string breakage, and reduced spin potential. Similar to monofilaments, manufacturers aim to enhance the durability of multifilament strings by testing different materials such as typical polyesters used in monofilaments, additional protective layers, or friction-reducing lubricants.

A specific type of multifilament strings are known as synthetic guts, a term not related to the material origins (all multifilament strings except natural gut ones are made from synthetic components) but to a specific construction featuring a single thick core, usually nylon, surrounded by thinner fibers.

Natural gut strings are multifilament strings made from animal intestines (currently mostly bovine), resulting in higher prices. Natural gut strings offer high responsiveness and comfort but are sensitive to environmental conditions, especially moisture.
 

Tennis strings are commonly available in various diameters, allowing for better customization to the user's preferences. It is generally accepted that the same string strung at the same tension, but with a smaller diameter, will offer increased dynamism, comfort, spin, but will be less durable and lose its properties, such as tension, faster.

For rackets with closed string patterns (18 mains), it is recommended to use thinner strings to enhance comfort, dynamism, and spin access. In the case of open string patterns (16 mains), there is no need for thicker strings unless durability is an issue. The most popular string thickness often recommended for beginners is a 1.25mm diameter.

Sometimes, no type of string, whether thicker or thinner, strung tighter or looser, independently fulfills the expectations placed on it. In such cases, the solution may be a hybrid, using one type of string vertically and another horizontally. This crossing of natural gut with monofilament polyester is a fairly popular solution among players who use hybrids in the ATP and WTA tournament cycle.

Hybrids can be divided into those where soft multifilament strings (often natural gut in the case of professional tennis players) are used vertically, and those where polyester monofilaments are used as vertical strings.

Hybrids with multifilament vertical strings are focused on dynamics, comfort, and feel, but their weakness lies in durability. Therefore, in such combinations, the commonly used multifilament vertical strings have a slightly larger diameter than the horizontal strings. In the professional circuit, legends of the sport such as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena and Venus Williams use hybrids in which natural gut strings are the vertical component.

Hybrids where monofilament strings are used vertically primarily prioritize durability and control, as by nature, these strings are more durable and are usually of the same thickness as the horizontal strings.

Before reaching for hybrids, it is important to remember that strings, even of the same construction, can vary significantly. For example, currently available on the market, two most extreme monofilament polyesters of the same diameter differ almost twice in stiffness.

Stiffness increases with diameter, so if a particular string suits the user but they are looking for something slightly more comfortable, the first step the interested party should take is to test the same string in a smaller diameter.

The stiffest and most durable strings, regardless of construction, are those made of aramids (mainly Kevlar). Such strings are very stiff, which is why their use is not recommended for recreational players who can find sufficient durability in monofilament polyesters.

The most comfortable, and therefore the least stiff strings are natural gut strings, and even the thinnest synthetic multifilaments do not achieve such parameters. However, due to the price of natural gut strings, recreational players opt for more economical synthetic multifilaments.

String selection for children…
When it comes to young players, the priority is to protect their health to enable them to play without risk of injury. It is recommended to use soft strings with the highest level of dampening possible, such as multifilament strings, while polyester strings are particularly discouraged.

String selection for adults
For beginners, it is recommended to use synthetic strings. During the learning phase, string tension strength will not be a limiting factor.

Experience allows for a conscious decision regarding string selection. It should primarily consider the hitting technique and expectations towards the string itself and the characteristics of the racket being used.

Selecting the string diameter in the context of the racket is mainly related to its string pattern. With the density of the string bed, their durability and control increase, but access to spin and dynamics decreases. Therefore, for closed string patterns (18 mains), thinner strings are recommended, while for sparser string patterns, there is more justification for using thicker string tensions. For extremely open string patterns, such as 16x15, thicker strings (>1.35mm) are recommended.

To correctly select the type and diameter of strings that match the user's skills and expectations, it is necessary to determine the priority features that the string should possess.

Priority: Spin
The easiest way to impart spin is offered by monofilaments, especially those made from polyesters. Additionally, this characteristic is enhanced by choosing smaller diameters and strings with a polygonal shape and rough surface. However, the rough surface reduces the string's durability due to increased friction between individual strings in the racket.

Priority: Power
The power in ball launch increases with the string's elasticity. This parameter can be increased by choosing multifilament strings, especially those made from guts, nylon, or polyamides. Additionally, power can be enhanced by using thinner strings and stringing them with less force.

Priority: Comfort
Comfort is synonymous with the string's elasticity and its ability to absorb vibrations. The highest comfort is provided by multifilament strings made of guts, nylon, polyolefin, etc., especially with the addition of vibration-absorbing polyurethane. Similarly to enhancing power, using thinner strings and stringing them with less force can improve this parameter further.

Priority: Durability
A characteristic feature of monofilament strings. The highest mechanical durability is possessed by kevlar and polyester strings. Durability increases with a larger string diameter. Flexible polyester monofilaments are increasingly available on the market, such as Signum Pro Outbreak, Luxilon Alu Power, Head Hawk, Volkl V-Star.