Are you thinking about becoming a tennis player? Or maybe you are already an avid tennis player and just want to learn more about the sport. If you are here, you are curious about if the size of your tennis racket. Our experts have taken the time to do the research, and we have the answer to this pressing question and more.
The size of your tennis racket matters! It is essential to have an appropriately sized racket when playing tennis. Different rackets are designed for different levels of players. If you have the wrong racket size, you will not be as successful in your tennis games.
Now that you know that the size of your tennis racket does matter, we are going to give you more information on why it matters, as well as information on the average tennis racket grip, choosing a good racket, tennis rackets by age, which tennis racket is best for a beginner, and if tennis pros use oversized rackets. Keep reading to learn all about these important topics!
Tennis Racket Size Matters
The size of your tennis racket is incredibly important for being successful within the game of tennis. When using the correct racket size, you will hit more balls over the net and with better accuracy and precision. This will help you improve your technique, leading to an overall increase in enjoyment in the game. Not only will you do better at tennis, but you will have more fun as well!
One major reason that tennis racket size matters is for safety. If you are using a tennis racket that is the wrong size, you could have major elbow pains. Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is an injury caused by inflammation of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow. This injury results in pain and tenderness, but in severe cases could result in a necessary surgery. Safety is an important aspect of any sport, so if you can reduce the risk by choosing the right size of a tennis racket, you absolutely should!
There are many different parts of the tennis racket with different sizes that all determine your success as a player:
Head Size
A smaller head size allows for more control over the ball, while a larger head size provides more power in your swing.
Weight
A heavier tennis racket provides more power over your swing, while a lighter tennis racket is much easier to manage. If you play doubles, you will want to use a lighter racket. If you play singles, you want to get a slightly heavier racket.
Length
A longer racket allows for more reach on serves and more power overall; however, it sometimes means a lack of control due to the additional length. Shorter rackets are easier for petite players to manage.
Pre-Strung and Unstrung Rackets
Pre-strung rackets are a great option for beginners and recreational players, as they come ready to play. If you are a more advanced or competitive player, you may want to choose to buy an unstrung rackets. Unstrung rackets are a great option because they allow you to customize your racket to your needs. You will also be able to adjust the tension on your racket according to how you like it, which is a major bonus for a more advanced player.
What is the Average Tennis Grip Size?
In tennis, your grip is the way of holding the racket to hit shots with strength, precision, and accuracy. Grips differ depending on the shot that you would like to hit. There are many different types of grips, such as the forehand, slice forehand, one-handed backhand, two-handed backhand, slice backhand, serve, volleys, and overheads.
The average grip is the forehand grip. The forehand grip is achieved by holding your palm on the right side of the grip, then rotating one-eighth around the racquet towards the bottom. The forehand grip is used to achieve fast shots at waist-height. It is one of the easiest grips to achieve as well and great for attacking the net.
To determine grip size for your tennis racket, hold the racket using your usual forehand grip. The distance between your palm and wrapped-around fingers should be approximately that of a finger-width in this position. Racket grip size is measured in inches ranging within 4-inches. Sizes can be found on the base of the grip and are converted to a scale between 0 to 5 (or L0 to L5 European).
You'll want a comfortable grip; too small can easily put a spin on the ball, and too large will aid those who tend to hit flatter.
How Do I Choose a Tennis Racket?
Choosing a tennis racket is a big task! You might be tempted to choose one based on the color or design; however, that is not the best way to go about picking a great racket. When choosing a racket, there are a few different things that you may want to consider.
Size and Strength
Your personal size and strength play a role in determining which racket is ideal for you. If you are a naturally strong person, you will want to choose a racket that gives you precision, not additional strength. However, if you struggle with finding enough strength to hit the ball as hard as you'd like, you want to find a racket that gives you some additional aid. The wider the frame of the racket, the more strength it will give you. The frame is the triangular section of the racket that is often called the "throat."
Swing
Your swing also plays a role in choosing the best racket. If you have a quick swing, you should choose a less powerful racket. If you have a slow swing, you should choose a more powerful racket because it will give you more strength in pushing the ball over the net quickly.
Tennis Racket by Age
Your age will also help determine which tennis racket is best for you. If you are an adult, your racket will differ from the type of racket that a child would use. It is important to ensure that you have the right racket size, not only because you will play the game better, but because it will keep you safe and help you avoid injury.
- For children aged four and under, who are 40'' or shorter, you should find a racket that is appx 19-inches.
- For children between four and five years old, 40 - 44'' tall, you should find a racket that is appx 21-inches.
- For children six to eight years old, 45 - 49'' tall, you should find a racket that is appx 23-inches.
- For children nine to ten years old, 50 - 55'' tall, you should find a racket that is 25-inches.
- For children ten years or older, above 55'' tall, you should find a racket that is 26-inches.
Once your child is taller than 61,'' you can start looking at adult rackets, which start at 27-inches and go up to 29-inches.
Which Tennis Racket is Best for Beginners?
Some tennis rackets are designed to assist beginners in learning to play the game. They all come pre-strung so that you can begin using them the minute you take them out of the box. These rackets are all pretty light-weight and have long necks so that you will be able to hit the ball easily. Below are some of the best options for tennis rackets for beginners.
Wilson Adult Recreational
This powerful frame and oversized head are a forgiving combination for beginner tennis players.
Head Ti.S6
Great for beginners and casual players, this Head racket is lightweight and extra long.
Babolat Drive G Lite
This well-balanced yet lightweight racket gives beginners the advantage of Babolat's woofer string technology for more spin.
Do Tennis Pros Use Oversized Rackets?
Until recently, pros using oversized rackets were considered taboo. Oversized rackets tend to have a negative connotation that is tied to the beginner or weaker players. There are still not many professional players who utilize oversized rackets; however, both Venus and Serena Williams have played with them at different times in their careers.
Final Thoughts
Now, you know some of the key elements used to determine the best size tennis racket for your playing style. Whether you are an adult, child, beginner, or pro, you can be sure to find the racket that will improve your game.
