How to choose a tennis racket

Six measurements are enough to choose a racket: head size, weight, balance, stiffness, string pattern and grip size. The brand, the colour or which pro uses it should not change the choice. This guide explains what each measurement does to your game and which range to look at for your level.

A quick table by level

Use the table as a starting point. If you play three or more times a week you can handle a slightly heavier racket. If you play a few times a month, a lighter one will tire your arm less.

Head size

Head size is the area of the strung face, measured in square inches (in²).

• Midsize (85–97 in²): Small sweet spot, lots of control. For advanced players who hit the centre every time.
• Midplus (98–104 in²): A balance of power and control. The right range for most players.
• Oversize (105 in² and up): Large sweet spot, more power. For beginners and players with short swings.

If you are starting out, begin with 100–105 in². Even when you miss the centre the racket twists less and the ball clears the net more easily.

Weight

Weight is usually listed unstrung. Strings, a bumper and the grip add about 15–20 g.

• Light (under 285 g): Easy to swing, comfortable for beginners and short sessions. But more shock reaches your arm on hard-hit balls.
• Medium (285–305 g): Where most club players are.
• Heavy (over 305 g): More stable and powerful, but needs good technique and fitness.

A common mistake is buying a very light racket because "light is easy". A very light racket vibrates on hard balls and can cause pain. The heaviest racket you can swing comfortably is usually the right one.

Balance

Balance is the distance of the racket's centre of mass from the butt end. On a 27-inch racket the even point is about 34.3 cm.

• Head heavy: Weight in the head. Adds power to light rackets.
• Even: In between.
• Head light: Weight in the handle. Quicker for players who come to the net and need fast reactions.

Light rackets are usually built head heavy and heavy rackets head light, so the two balance each other.

Stiffness (RA)

Stiffness shows how much the frame bends when it hits the ball, measured as an RA value.

• Flexible (below 63 RA): Less shock to the arm, the ball stays on the strings longer.
• Medium (63–67 RA): Most rackets sit here.
• Stiff (68 RA and up): More power but harder on the arm.

If your elbow or shoulder hurts, look below 65 RA. See the tennis elbow guide for more.

String pattern

The string pattern is the number of main and cross strings.

• 16×19 (open): Wider gaps between strings. More spin and power, strings break sooner.
• 18×20 (dense): More control and longer string life, slightly less spin and power.

16×19 is a good default for beginners and intermediate players.

Grip size

Grip size depends on the size of your hand and runs from L0 to L5 in Europe. Most adults in Turkey use L2 or L3. We explain how to measure it step by step in the grip size guide. If unsure, choose the smaller size: you can build a grip up with an overgrip, but you cannot make it thinner.

Budget

Racket prices in Turkey vary a lot with stringing, model year and promotions. Roughly:

• Under 6,000 TL: Pre-strung beginner rackets and previous-season models.
• 6,000–15,000 TL: Most current club rackets.
• Over 15,000 TL: Newly released performance models.

Buying the most expensive racket will not speed up your progress. Spending part of the budget on lessons, strings and good shoes helps more. Our racket pages show each racket's price range and when we last checked it.

Common mistakes

• Buying your favourite pro's racket. Pro rackets are usually heavy and unforgiving.
• Buying a very light racket. Rackets under 260 g tire the arm on hard balls.
• Choosing a grip that is too big. A big grip locks the wrist and makes serving harder.
• Forgetting the strings. Factory strings can be stiff or old; restringing in the first months often makes more difference than changing the racket.

In short: decide in a minute with the Racket Finder

Instead of applying every rule in this guide by hand, answer a few short questions in the Racket Finder. The questions adapt to your answers and can take the racket you use now into account, so your profile is picked from thousands of possible ones. Then each of more than 300 rackets is scored on 7 measurements, including weight, head size, balance, swingweight, stiffness and string pattern, and the 3 that fit you best come out on top.

The recommendations follow the rules in this guide:

• No heavy or small-headed rackets for beginners.
• No very light rackets for a sore arm.
• No listing the same racket twice under two names.

Every pick tells you why it fits and what to watch out for.