Ready to level up on the court with a new tennis racquet? Look no further — there are five main factors to consider when looking for a new tennis racquet: head size, length, grip, balance, and weight. Whether a seasoned veteran or new to the court, having the best racquet suited for you can impact every set played to win victory.

TENNIS RACQUET ANATOMY

When it comes to head size, preference and skill level come into consideration. Consider the following:

A smaller head size on a racquet provides better control for advanced players, and a larger head size provides more power for beginner and intermediate players. Head sizes range from 95 to 115 sq. in. The most common head size is considered a Midplus.

Advanced players searching for more control should purchase a smaller-sized head. Beginner players searching for more power and a larger sweet spot should consider a larger-sized head.

 Adult racquets average about 27 in. length, however, these racquets range from 29 in. to the maximum length allowed in tournament play.

A longer racquet provides more reach on groundstrokes and additional leverage on serves. It also allows more power; however, the additional length does lead to a higher swing weight, which can offer less control. Short racquets can be easier to handle for youth players.

Consider the height of a player when choosing the length of youth players. Youth racquets are shorter than the average-sized tennis racquet, and there are various sizes to choose.

The weight of a tennis racquet can range from 9 oz. to 11 oz. or more. Generally, the weight of the racquet can affect power and control.

Usually utilized by advanced players, a heavier racquet provides more mass behind the tennis ball, allowing for more power.

Better for beginner players, a lighter racquet can be easier to control and maneuver on the court.

Playing singles or doubles influences the weight of the racquet. A player can always add more weight to a racquet if needed.

Head Heavy: Most of the weight is in the head of the racquet. Most light-weight racquets are head heavy.

Head Light: Most of the weight is in the handle. Typically, most traditional racquets are considered head light.

Even Balanced: An even balanced racquet is perfectly balance and the mass is distributed evenly throughout the racquet. This provides better stability and maneuverability without it being too heavy or too light.

If the grip is too small, more muscle strength is required to keep the racquet twisting in the player’s hand.

If the grip is too large, the wrist snaps on serves, which in turn, can have a negative effect with changing grips during a game. Plus, it requires more muscle strength and can attribute to tennis elbow problems down the line.

How to measure your grip size for tennis

1. Players should be able to fit their index finger of their non-hitting hand in the space between their ring finger and palm while holding an Eastern forehand grip — the palm is placed against the same bevel as the string face. If there isn't enough room for a player’s index finger, the grip is considered too small. If there is space between the finger and palm, the grip is considered too large.

2. Don’t have a racquet yet? Try measuring the grip size using a ruler. With a player’s hand open and fingers extended, close together, align the ruler with the bottom, lateral crease of the palm, and measure to the tip of your ring finger.

Racquet grip sizes are typically measured on a scale between 0 through 5, or in the U.S., 4.0 to 4 5/8. A great sweet spot for women is 4 1/4, which is considered a grip size two. Men average around a grip size 3, 4 3/8.

If in between sizes, consider going with a smaller size, then add over grip to arrive at the ideal fit.

Additionally, it is a good idea to replace the grip on a regular, consistent basis. A fresh, properly wrapped grip allows improved control and increased confidence.

RACQUETS BY PLAYER TYPE
 

Find the right racquet based on your player type to imporve your game.

1. Match the youth’s height and racquet size: