How to choose a tennis racket: A buyers guide

Finding the right tennis racket can make a big difference to your performance on the court. If you have a racket that isn’t the right fit for your age and ability, you may be making practising your favourite game harder than it needs to be.

To help you find the right racket, we’ve put together a guide on how to choose a tennis racket that covers the most important factors you should consider.

How to pick the right tennis racket for you

There are six factors you should consider when buying a tennis racket to ensure you buy the perfect racket for your next match.

1. Racket weight

While you may not have considered the weight of your racket, it can have a serious impact on how you perform and your risk of injury.

Heavier rackets (300g+)

Heavier rackets are best suited to intermediate or advanced players who have a fast swing. If your swings feel unstable, this could also be a sign that you need a heavier racket.

Lighter rackets (250g-300g)

If you’re a beginner, junior, or recreational player with a slow swing speed, you may find lighter rackets easier to use. This is because lighter rackets offer better manoeuvrability and are less likely to cause arm fatigue for a more inexperienced player.

2. Head size

Finding the right head size for your tennis racket largely depends on your skill level and personal preference. If you’re a beginner, you’ll likely find it easier to use a racket with a larger head size (100+ sq. inches) as you’ll have a greater chance of hitting the ball, even if your shots are slightly off centre.

However, if you’re a more advanced player, you may find that you prefer a smaller head size (85-100 sq. inches) for better accuracy.

3. Racket balance

The way a racket is balanced can make two rackets of the same weight feel very different when you use them in play. A racket that has more weight in the head tends to be better suited to beginners, and a racket with more weight in the handle is often more popular with intermediate or advanced players.

This is because a racket with a heavy head balance puts more power behind your shots, whereas a heavier handle encourages a faster swing with more control.

4. Grip size

To find the right grip size, you’ll first need to measure your hand. With your hand open and flat, measure the distance between the horizontal crease at the bottom of your palm and the tip of your ring finger in inches.

Grips come in 6 sizes from 0-5, which correspond to your hand measurement. You can find your grip size using the measurements below as a guide:

• Grip size 0: 4 inches
• Grip size 1: 4 1/8 inches
• Grip size 2: 4 1/4 inches
• Grip size 3: 4 3/8 inches
• Grip size 4: 4 1/2 inches
• Grip size 5: 4 5/8 inches

If you want to double-check that you’ve picked out the right grip size once you’ve selected a racket, a simple way to check is to grip the racket around the handle, with your thumb pointing toward the head. For the right grip size, there should be about a finger-width of space between your longest finger and the base of your palm on the racket handle.

What is the grip size on a tennis racket?

The grip size on a tennis racket refers to the circumference of the handle. This matters because if it’s too big or too small, the racket can be harder to control and can even lead to overuse injuries over time.

5. Strings

When it comes to buying your racket, you can choose whether you want it to be strung (factory strung) or unstrung (frame only). Factory-strung rackets tend to come with polyester strings at a medium tension. This option is best for anyone who wants to use their racket right away and is a beginner or casual player.

If you’re a more experienced or advanced player who plays competitively, you may want to choose the material and tension of your strings yourself.

String material

If you decide to choose the material of your strings yourself, there are several options to choose from, each with its own benefits:

• Polyester: Highly durable, but the stiffness of the strings can be tiring on your arm
• Natural gut: Often considered the best for comfort, and it offers great power. However, they can be expensive and are less durable in wet weather.
• Synthetic gut: Performs well at an affordable price, and it’s widely available.
• Multifilament: Not as durable as polyester, but can be more comfortable and easier on your arm over time.
• Hybrid: Usually a combination of polyester with either multifilament or natural gut. You can then experience the benefits of two different string materials.

String tension

Once you’ve picked out the material for your strings, you’ll want to decide at what tension to string your racket. If you’re a beginner, it’s often recommended to string your racket at a lower tension for improved power and comfort. If you’re a more advanced player, you may prefer your racket strings at a higher tension for better accuracy and control.

6. Frame

When choosing the frame of your racket, there are six different frame materials to choose from, including:

• Aluminium: Lightweight, cheap, and perfect for beginners or casual tennis players. However, Aluminium frames are less durable and offer less control for advanced players.
• Graphite: Popular with pro tennis players, graphite frames are lightweight, durable, and offer excellent control, for a higher price.
• Composite: Usually a mix of graphite and other materials, composite frames can provide improved power and comfort while remaining cost-effective, depending on the material combination. Some materials that are often combined with graphite include fibreglass, Kevlar, and titanium.

How to pick a tennis racket: FAQs

How much should I spend on a tennis racket?

How much you want to spend on a tennis racket depends largely on your budget and how experienced you are as a player. As a general guide:

• A beginner can expect to pay up to £100 for a decent starter racket with an aluminium frame.
• An intermediate player who will be using their racket more often and may want better comfort, balance, and control could be looking at spending between £100 and £150 for the right racket.
• If you’re a more advanced player, you’ll likely need to spend £150 or more to get a tennis racket that offers great precision and control.

Which are the best tennis racket brands?

Some of the top tennis racket brands include Wilson, Babolat, HEAD, and Yonex. Each brand offers a wide array of different models, so the best brand really depends on what type of tennis racket you’re looking for.

Specialist tennis insurance through Insure4Sport

Once you’ve picked out your brand-new racket, you may want to consider getting specialist tennis insurance to help provide financial protection for you and your sports equipment.

Find out more about specialist tennis insurance through Insure4Sport or get an online quote today.