Find the perfect racket
Here’s how to find the perfect racket. Eight steps to find the racket of your dreams.
Cheat Sheet:
1. Get the current specs of your racket
2. Decide on what features you want from your new racket
3. Determine which rackets have the specs you want
4. Demo demo demo and demo some more
5. Once you find the frame, buy multiple rackets
6. Find the right string and don’t string too tight
7. Always use a string dampener
8. Find a good overgrip and replace it regularly
Detail:
1. Get the current specs of your racket. Take your current racket and Google it for the specs. This will probably lead you to Tennis Warehouse or Midwest Sports as they sell just about every racket made.
2. Decide on what features you want from your new racket. Determine what playing attributes you are looking to improve in your new racket. Here’s a guide for what means what:
a. Length – longer rackets are nice for serving and reach but are more difficult to control. I prefer 27” rackets. The typical available range is 27” to 28.5”.
b. Head size – a myth. It’s what you are comfortable with. The Williams sisters use oversize rackets that are 110 sq. in. Pete Sampras played with an 85 sq. in. frame. The normal range is 90 – 120 sq. in. My advice is that you don’t need an oversized head but if you are comfortable with it then by all means use one.
c. Weight – heavier is good for more stability and consistency from the baseline. The most common weight range is 9oz to 12oz. Pros often use rackets that are 12-14oz. Some players prefer lighter frames primarily because it’s within their swing comfort zone. I am simplifying some but a strong man who can easily swing a heavier racket should consider a heavier rackets for the added control. Players with less arm strength should get the heaviest racket within their swing comfort zone.
d. Balance – again, this is personal preference. Head Heavy is more weight toward the head of the racket and Head Light is more weight towards the handle. If you are comfortable playing with a 4 points head heavy racket I would not even try a 10 points head light racket. Go with something close to what you are accustomed to. Balance is a defining characteristic of every racket.
e. Stiffness – The more flexibility in a frame the less power and more control and vice versa. Virtually every pro plays with a flexible racket. They generate their own power with their swings and benefit from the control. There are so many scales for power that most manufactures will also reference the “power” of the racket. If the power level is high you have a stiff frame. A word of caution, don’t buy a racket with no power thinking it will make you a better player because that’s what the pros use. This is an important variable to experiment with and you’ll realize it when you find the right amount of power in a racket the fits your game.
f. The right grip size makes a huge difference in how a racquet performs. If you’re not sure of your grip size, here are two simple ways to measure: Holding an eastern forehand grip (the palm is placed against the same bevel as the string face), you should be able to fit the index finger of your non-hitting hand in the space between your ring finger and palm. If there isn’t enough room for your index finger, the grip is too small. If there is space between your finger and palm, the grip is too big. A too-small grip requires more muscle strength to keep the racquet from twisting in your hand. Prolonged use of a grip that’s too small can contribute to tennis elbow problems. A grip that’s too large inhibits wrist snap on serves, makes changing grips more difficult and also requires more muscle strength. Prolonged use of a grip that’s too big can also contribute to tennis elbow problems..
3. Determine which rackets have the specs you are looking for. Good sources for specs are Tennis Magazine’s annual racket buying guide and many websites have racket guides that you can search by specs. This is a link to Tennis Warehouse’s guide: http://www.racquetfinder.com/search.htm. It’s important that you identify at least 3 rackets that might be a good fit. Don’t skip this process by taking advice from friends saying, “you have to try my racket – it’s amazing.” It may be great for them but what works for you at your level is what’s important.
a. A word of advice – don’t be too brand centric. Wilson, Head, Prince and Babolat all make very different frames and they come out with multiple new lines of rackets every year. You may miss the ideal racket for you if you are unwilling to try a specific manufacturer.
4. Demo demo demo and demo some more. Fromuth’s in Reading will let you take 2 rackets at a time return them in 3 days at no charge. Tennis Warehouse (www.tenniswarehouse.com) charges only shipping. You pay round trip shipping when you order it and then you just have to ship them back in a week.
a. Be patient. I searched for an entire summer and came up with the best of what I could find. I demo’ed over 25 rackets. I still didn’t love the best one I tried. I tried one more that I thought wasn’t for me and I loved it and still use it today. I knew it was for me just minutes after I started hitting with it. Another myth, you won’t grow to love your racket. If it’s right you’ll know early on.
5. Once you identify the frame, buy multiple rackets. Now that you’ve found the racket, buy at least 2. Rackets wear out (especially if you are hard on them) and 2-3 years later when you’d pay anything for another racket and can’t find one you’ll wish you have bought one while you could. A tip, try finding year old frames that meet your specs because they are usually 1/2 price. Racket technology is nor revolutionary year after year.
6. Find the right string and don’t string too tight.
a. Strings – if you are happy with what you have been using then you should stick with that. The variance in playability with strings is substantial. Your demo racket will probably be strung at 60# and be 16g synthetic gut. Basically, middle of the road strings without much durability and average tension. If you hit with a lot of spin you literally saw your stings. The crosses rub over your mains up and down with each contact of the ball. This causes them to saw against each other and eventually break. Advanced players who hit with pace and spin may only get a few sets from typical stings. If you want a more durable sting try a string like Prince’s Pro Blend or Luxilon’s Big Banger. Most strings also come in a 15g (thicker string) or you can go with a hybrid which uses maximum durability strings in the mains (the vertical strings on your racket) combined with a softer, thinner string like natural gut for feel in the crosses (horizontal strings). The more feel a string has the shorter it will last. The key is to find the right string that you can afford to play with. If money is no object then certainly consider natural gut ($60 for the just the strings) but don’t get it wet as it will ruin the strings. Here’s a link to an online string guide from Midwest Sports http://www.midwestsports.com/String-Finder/a/140/.
b. Tension – less tension adds power. It’s a trampoline effect for the ball. More tension adds control however, don’t go too tight. I have seen many players string at ridiculously high tensions. It causes you to go through the strings quicker and unless you have a long and fast swing you won’t get the full benefit. In fact, you may have less control with a slower swing and it’s harder on your wrist, elbow and arm.
7. Always use a string dampener. The dampener does more than change the sound your racket makes at contact. It dramatically reduces the vibrations that get transferred to your elbow. Playing with no dampener makes you high risk for tennis elbow and you don’t want that. If you are dealing with tennis elbow; get a solid dampener, experiment with different strings, consult your physician for stretching exercises and experiment with different rackets as it can make a world of difference. Also, check back on this site soon for my next post, “the cure for tennis elbow.”
8. Experiment with overgrips. There are various degrees of tackiness in over grips. Use what feels good to you. They are cheap enough at about a $1 per overgrip that you can inexpensively experiment with different grips. My advice is to pick one and replace it at least monthly if you are regular player. A good grip in your racket is paramount. My personal favorite is Wilson’s Xtra Tack Overgrip.
