Tennis Racquet Selection

(Ryan McVay. Digital Vision. Getty Images.)

Introduction

Racquet selection strongly affects tennis play. Biomechanics research is uniquely qualified to provide information for racket selection, as the mechanical behavior of both the racket and the player’s body must be understood to make good choices. Unfortunately, the aggressive marketing of tennis equipment focuses players’ attention on “innovative” and “high-technology” design features that may not improve play or lower the risk of injury. While it is possible to partially reduce misinformation, much of the design element interaction with player performance or injury risk remains unknown. Many features of tennis rackets dramatically affect performance. Some of the key design features are grip size, head size, weight, beam width, and flex (USTA).

Grip Size

Grip size is a measure in inches to match the size of handle to the line from the middle crease of your palm to a point equal to the height of the top of your ring finger (WikiHow).

a. Medical Concerns. Selecting Proper grip size is one of the most important and commonly overlooked aspects of finding a new racquet. The problem is that there is no definitive answer for the proper size for an individual. In the past, the idea was to play with the largest comfortable grip. This was largely due to the more conventional grips used. The popularity of the western grip forehand shifted the trend to using the smallest grip possible. Both of these present potential problems. Grips that are too large are difficult to hold, compromising stability and causing the racquet to twist the player’s hand. Less effective weight contacts the ball, reducing power, control, and transferring additional shock to the arm. As grip sizes decreases, squeezing tighter is the natural tendency to steady the frame. Squeezing tightly tires the muscles quickly, placing the muscles and tendons under excessive constant strain. Compounded extra strain with impact forces during typical hits may result in tennis elbow. Ideally, the grip should be comfortable without squeezing too tightly or twisting concerns (Tennis Express).

b. Methods of Measuring Grip Size. Grip size must be adjusted to hand size to improve control and performance (Khelmart). The suitability of grip size may be assessed through the forehand grip, measuring ruler, and demographic charts.

i. Forehand Grip. Assuming an eastern forehand grip (the palm is placed against the same bevel of the string face) while sliding a finger between the finger tips and base of the palm with the racquet is one technique of assessing grip size suitability (WikiHow). It should be possible to squeeze a finger between the gap in a manner that touches both ends of the fingers and the palm (Tennis Nuts). The grip is too small if there is not enough room for the index finger, and too large if there is a space (WikiHow). 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 (Tennis Warehouse).

('Get Hip with Your Grip.' Tennis Express)

ii. Measuring Ruler. Alternatively, a measuring ruler may be lined with the intersection of the thumb and fingers. The length from the intersection to the top of the ring finger next to the little finger is roughly the right size (Tennis Nut).

('Measuring your Grip Size.' Tennis Warehouse.)

iii. Demographic Table. The following table provides grip size recommendations based on age, gender, and hand size. Grips 0-2 are recommended for adult height juniors; 1-3 for women; and 3 or 4 for men (Tennis Nut).

('Khelmart Tennis Helping Guide.' Khelmart)

It is easier to increase handle size on most racquets. In fact, the majority of today's lightweight racquets' handles cannot be reduced in size. Always select the smaller size when between grip sizes, adding an overgrip to reach the ideal fit. A typical overgrip increases the grip by 1/16 inch. Heat-shrink sleeves also increase grip size. One heat shrink sleeve increases grip size by 1/8 inch. Both methods will increase overall racquet weight slightly (7-16 grams) but the benefits of a correct grip size far "outweigh" the disadvantages of this added mass. Grips should be changed regularly to provide better racquet control and increased confidence (Tennis Warehouse). In the eastern forehand, the thumb should be able to cover up some of the middle finger nail.

Head Size

Head size is the actual strung area of the racquet’s head, usually expressed in square inches (Tennis Express).

a. Power and Stability. Head size is a determining factor in frame power and stability, as longer strings in a larger racquet head have a higher ‘trampoline effect’ (which can increase power). A wider head has a larger ‘twist weight’ and resists torque on off-center hits. A smaller head size increases control with all else being equal, but reduces sweet spot size, power, and torque resistance (Tennis Express). Racquets are commonly categorized by mid, mid-plus, oversized, and super-oversized. The changes in performance based on head sizes are illustrated in the following table.

('Khelmart Tennis Helping Guide.' Khelmart.)

b. Skill Level. A larger head also offers a larger hitting area and sweet spot, providing more forgiveness on off-center hits. Today’s racquets are offered in head sizes ranging from 85 to 135 square inches, with the most common being 95-110. These head sizes offer a compromise between power and control for many players. Generally speaking, a smaller racquet head appeals to more accomplished players seeking more control, while larger racquets appeal to beginning and intermediate players seeking more power and a larger sweet spot (Tennis Warehouse).

Weight

Weight and balance influence how a racquet feels when picked up, and swung on the tennis court (Tennis Warehouse).

a. Strung Weight. The strung weight is the weight while sitting stationary on a flat surface (Gonzo Tennis). Heavy racquets are more powerful, stable, and transmit less shock than lighter racquets when everything else is equal. Lighter racquets are more maneuverable, enabling players to swing it faster. (Tennis Warehouse)

b. Swing Weight. Swing weight is the resistance to movement in a circle (Tennis Warehouse) that tells how heavy a racquet feels when swung (Gonzo Tennis). Racquets have different weight distributions; weight may be concentrated at the head, handle, or even depending on design. Each of these configurations drastically changes swing weight and feel (Gonzo Tennis). When equal forces are applied to the handles of two racquets of different swing weights, the one with higher swing weight will accelerate less and rotate less quickly around the circle. The lower swing weight racquet will accelerate more quickly. Higher swing weight means less maneuverability, and lower means more. The same principle is applicable to ball force. Balls move more easily with lower swing weight, and less easily the ball will change the motion of the racquet at higher. Lower swing weight results in greater racquet acceleration and final swing speed, but more shock (due both to more racquet deceleration by the ball and higher impact force due to greater speed). Higher swing weight results in slower racuet acceleration and final swing speed, but less shock due to less deceleration due to the ball pushing the racquet in an opposite circular rotation (Tennis Warehouse).

c. Materials. Most modern tennis racquets are composed of light-weight graphite or composites such as titanium, Kevlar, fiberglass, and aluminum. Metallic substances increase frame flexibility (Khelmart). The light weight, power, and control make graphite ideal for beginners. Light-weight aluminum or titanium is also ideal for beginners, as they maintain power and control while providing a better feel. Frames composed of boron and Kevlar are lighter and more durable, but stiffness causes vibrations to transmit into the arm when the sweet spot is missed. Boron and Kevlar racquets are often used by advanced players (WikiHow).

d. Balance. Balance is the point where a racquet will balance on a beam or other instrument. The majority is weight is in center for ‘evenly balanced’ racquets, the handle for ‘head light,’ and in the head for ‘head light.’ Balance is typically expressed as ‘points; head heavy or head light. Heavier racquets are normally balanced head light to increase stability in the grip and maneuverability in the head, while lighter ones are generally head heavy to provide the necessary momentum on the follow through. Racquet balance can be altered with the placement of weight, usually lead tape, in the desired location, and can drastically affect racquet feel and performance (Tennis Express). Head-heavy racquets that offer more power on ground strokes, are less maneuverable, which, is problematic at the net. Players who rally from the baseline generally prefer head-heavy frames. Head-light racquets that are easier to maneuver at the net, cannot deliver the power of head-heavy frames from the baseline. Serve-and-volleyers, all-court players, and advanced players who take full wings generally prefer head-light racquets. Evenly balanced frames offer a blend of power from the baseline and maneuverability at the net. They usually appeal to all-court players. (MidWest Sports). ‘Head-light’ racquets are easier on the arm, offer greater control, and require greater power and spin (WikiHow). Heavier, head-light racquets are often referred to as the ‘traditionally weighed and balanced’ racquets. They typically weigh 11-13 ounces and are balanced 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches head light in order to retain maneuverability. In most cases, these racquets are also referred to as “player’s” racquets because they are generally more control-oriented and designed for players who provide their own power (Tennis Warehouse).

Length

Length is the total distance from the bottom of the handle to the top of the head. Racquets are available in lengths ranging from 27-29 inches, the legal limit for tournament play. Standard racquets are 27 inches long.

a. Power and Control. A longer racquet provides more reach on groundstrokes, added leverage on serves and slightly more power overall than standard length racquets, all other things being equal. For most players, switching from a standard length racquet to one that is 1/2 -1 inch longer doesn’t normally present much of a problem. Most (but not all) longer racquets are lighter than their standard-length counterparts to keep them maneuverable. As racquet length increases, so does dynamic swing weight. Simply lengthening a 27 inch racquet without reducing weight would result in a very unwieldy “club” (Tennis Warehouse). Everything else being equal, extra-long frames are more powerful than 27-inch models because the contact point is farther away from the body, resulting in greater swing momentum and more pop in shots. The downside is that an extra-long racquet is less maneuverable than a 27-inch frame. (MidWest Sports)

b. Physical Limitations and Playing Style. Length is dependent upon height and playing style. Length is a major factor of power and control (Khelmart). Baseliners seeking power and spin on the serve and groundstrokes may benefit from a longer racquet. Net players often prefer shorter racquets for greater maneuverability. Some players claim that shorter racquets provide better ‘feel’ for the ball (Racquet Guys). The following chart provides length recommendations based on age and height.

('Khelmart Tennis Helping Guide.' Khelmart.)

Beam Width

The beam is the area of the racquet on either side of the head (WikiHow).

Stiffness and power. Cross section is the width of the racquet’s beams, and is an indicator of racquet stiffness and power. Racquets with wider beams flex less than ones with more narrow beams (all else being equal), causing them to lose less energy to the flex and transfer more power to the ball (Tennis Express). Wide beams can add power to shots, however, many players find that a wide beam enhances the trampoline effect of the strings to such a degree that they have trouble controlling direction. This lack of control can induce players to start chopping and poking at the ball rather than taking smooth, long swings. A moderate beam, straight or slightly tapered beam is recommended for beginners until they have gained enough experience to experiment with more extreme configurations. By this time, it will be easier to determine how wider beams affect strokes and playing styles (Dummies).

Categories. Cross section width is generally measured in millimeters, and is normally termed in the following groups: Control frames will generally have beam widths of 22mm or less, Tweener racquets will usually have beam widths of 23-27mm, and Power frames will tend to have the highest cross sections of 28mm and above (Tennis Express).

Flex

The amount a frame deflects during ball contact directly affects its power potential (Tennis Warehouse). Flex is a measure of a racquet’s stiffness on a scale of 0-100. Most racquets fall into the 45-75 range. The higher the number, the stiffer the racquet; the lower the number, the more flexible (Tennis Express).

a. Power and Control. A stiffer racquet bends less, thus depleting less energy from the ball (Tennis Warehouse), providing more control and often a more comfortable feel for the player wielding it (Tennis Express). Flexible frames are more common in the “Control Racquet” category. Power frames tend to be stiffer and may transmit more vibration to the wrist and forearm, but, as the name suggests, they produce more natural pop on their groundstrokes, volleys, and serves (Tennis Express). Greater torsional stability results in increased power and ball control on off-center hits (Racquet Guys).

b. Skill Level. Generally, racquets with more power provide less control. However, this is largely dependent on player type and ability. An advanced player may prefer a flexible racquet because he or she has a long, fast swing and provides plenty of power. A stiff racquet might be too powerful for this player, resulting in too many balls landing long. A beginning or intermediate player though, may find a stiffer racquet that doesn’t deflect as much on impact, provides better control. This may also apply to a more advanced player with short, compact strokes. To a certain point, stiffer racquets are generally less comfortable than more flexible racquets. A very stiff frame will transmit more impact shock to the wrist, elbow and shoulder than a medium stiff frame. Comfort is difficult to measure - each player has a different perception of what feels comfortable. However, players with arm and/or shoulder problems will generally benefit more from a flexible to medium-stiff frame and should likely avoid stiff or very stiff frames. A lesser known effect of frame stiffness is the amount of spin that can be generated. Generally speaking, stiffer racquets provide less spin than flexible racquets because the ball leaves the stringbed more quickly (Tennis Warehouse).

Conclusion

It is important to focus on the general tradeoffs presented, rather than exaggerating the potential importance of manufacturer market claims. Most modern racquets are much better than those of the past, so the best racquet for a recreational player may be the one that gets the player out on the court. Advanced players should examine the suitability of their playing styles to their preferences. It should be stated that the key mechanical variable in ball speed is the racquet not its structure. It is therefore critical for good technique to be the primary aim (USTA).

Sources:

'Technique: Racket Selection.' USTA. http://www.usta.com/Improve-Your-Game/Sport-Science/116192_Technique_Racket_Selection/

'How to Choose a Tennis Racquet.' WikiHow. http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Tennis-Racquet

'How to Find the Perfect Tennis Racquet.' MidWestSports. http://www.midwestsports.com/helpracquets/a/helpracquets/

'Get Hip with Your Grip.' Tennis Express. http://www.tennisexpress.com/info/get-hip-with-your-grip.cfm

'Tennis Racquet Weight. Does it Matter?' Gonzo Tennis. http://gonzotennis.com/tips/tennis-racquet-weight-does-it-matter/

'How to Choose the Right Racquett.' Tennis Express. http://www.tennisexpress.com/info/choosing-a-tennis-racquet.cfm

'Selecting the Right Racquet.' Tennis Warehouse. http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/SelectingRacquet.html

'Measuring Your Grip Size.' Tennis Warehouse. http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/Gripsize.html

'How to Choose a Tennis Racket and Grip Size.' Tennis Nuts. http://www.tennisnuts.com/shop/tennis/tennis-rackets/racket-guides/how-to-choose-a-tennis-racket.html

'Khelmart Tennis Helping Guide.' Khelmart. http://www.khelmart.com/Guide/Tennis-Guide.aspx

'How to Select a Racquet.' Racquet Guys.http://racquetguys.com/page/gear-advisor

'Coosing a Tennis Racquet.' Dummies. http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/choosing-a-tennis-racquet.html

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