Good To Know
TENNIS RACKET
- A heavier racket generates more power.
- A heavier racket vibrates less.
- A heavier racket has a larger optimal point of impact.
- A more rigid racket generates more power.
- A more rigid racket transmits more vibrations onto the arm.
- A larger racket head generates more power.
- A larger head has a larger optimal point of impact.
- A longer racket generates more power.
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TENNIS STRING
- Loosely strung strings generate more power.
- Higher string tension provide better ball control (for technically better players).
- The longer the strings, the more power they generate.
- The lower the number of strings on the racket, the more spin they generate.
- More elastic strings generate more power and emit less vibration. Softer strings vibrate less.
- Thinner strings generate more spin.
- The more elastic the string, the faster it loses tension after tightening.
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THE RIGHT TENNIS HANDLE SIZE
When deciding on the right tennis racket for you, the most important thing to consider is choosing the right handle size (grip size). This is easy to do, since the handle size depends on the size of your hand, as seen on the picture.
EU size |
Size in mm |
L1 |
4 1/8 |
105 mm |
L2 |
4 1/4 |
108 mm |
L3 |
4 3/8 |
111 mm |
L4 |
4 1/2 |
114 mm |
L5 |
4 5/8 |
118 mm |
If you find it difficult to follow these instructions, bear in mind that women with average sized hands usually choose size L2, shorter ones usually choose size L1, while taller ones normally choose size L3. Men that are between 172 and 186 cm tall usually go for size L3, shorter ones for size L2 and taller ones for size L4. In some rare cases, men with very large hands will choose size L5.
BEFORE BUYING A TENNIS RACKET
The first step is choosing the manufacturer. All of the manufacturers listed here (Babolat, Head, Dunlop, Prince, Volkl, Wilson and Yonex) produce high-quality rackets and do not differ from each other in any major respect, the only difference between them being the aggressive marketing strategies used by some of the manufacturers. You should also keep in mind that professional tennis players normally do not use serially manufactured tennis rackets.
All manufacturers divide their rackets into categories, based on how difficult they are to use and what type of player they suit best. When you figure out what category you belong to, you simply need to test out a couple of rackets and you will have your answer.
The most important thing is that you are happy with your choice of a racket. You should be happy with the way it feels in your hand, its weight, its maneuverability and, after all, the way it looks. The way you feel when holding the racket is what matters most, even if the official racket selection criteria dictate that you should choose a heavier, lighter or, not to mention, a newer one. If you find the racket too stiff, too heavy or too light, if it is not well balanced or if you are not happy with its color or the sound it makes when it hits the ball, then it is time for a change. You will never play tennis to the best of your ability if you dislike your equipment or if you mind is constantly preoccupied with it.
When playing tennis, it is extremely important to remain consistent. I often hear people say: “If I execute a shot correctly, that means that the racket is exceptional”. But what about those times when your shots are not as good as they should be? In order to improve, you need to work towards consistency and certainty with every swing. When it comes to tennis, every point counts. You need a tennis racket that will guarantee you hit an accurate shot 8-9 times out of 10, rather than one that that will produce 6 bad, 2 perfect and 2 satisfactory shots. If you need to apply a lot power, topspin and precision to your shots in order to execute them well, your consistency will suffer. OK, you might be tempted to choose a racket for advanced players because you wish to improve your game, which is completely understandable. But you need to stay reasonable. If you have been playing tennis 2 times a week for the past 20 years, it is not reasonable for you to expect that a new racket will improve your skills. Replacing a racket is certainly easier than having to work on improving your technique, but it is quite clear which one of the methods will be more effective.
Another important thing to focus on when it comes to a tennis match is the distance of the ball’s journey. Passing shots are the opponent’s worst nightmare, as neither an exceptional topspin nor a slice can help them once the ball lands on the “cross” area. Cross-court shots and short shots are, of course, exceptions to this rule. A racket should allow you to make passing shots from any position on the court and with any degree of power, without having to exert too much strength. If your shots fall too short, this can be remedied with the help of the racket’s weight, stiffness, the size of its head or its string. It doesn’t matter how you gain the distance, as long as you do.
My advice to you is to use a racket that is as heavy as possible. Heaviness is, of course, a relative term. While one person might find a racket that weighs no more than 270 grams too heavy, another may consider a 310 gram racket too light. If you are in too much of a hurry when swinging the racket and tend to hit the ball too early, you need a heavier racket. If you have a tendency to swing too late and you manage to hit an accurate shot only when you have a lot of time on your hands, you need a lighter racket. If your arm feels excessively tired after a tennis match, that is also an indicator that you probably need a lighter racket.
A few words on racket head sizes: choose the head that will allow you to strike the ball in the ideal spot of the racket (sweet spot) as often as possible. As a rule, the smaller the head of the racket, the more control over the ball it provides, and the larger the head, the quicker the ball flies, assuming it has been struck in the sweet spot.
The eternal dilemma that both tennis players and manufacturers face is the question of the relationship between responsiveness and control. The golden rule: the more the racket does for you (the lighter it is and the larger its head), the less you need to do yourself, which means you have less of an influence on the shot and consequently less control over it.
Figuring out how responsive your racket should be is not a difficult task. Here is some advice on how to find a suitable one:
- Racket weight. Heavier rackets generate more power, assuming, of course, you are capable of swinging them fast enough. The combination of racket weight and swing speed is the key to a powerful shot.
- Racket stiffness. Stiffer rackets are more responsive, but you need to be careful not to injure your arm.
- Racket head size. The bigger the head, the more responsive the racket, the more prominent the sweet spot and the lower the number of missed shots.
- String tension. Lower string tension generates more power, while higher string tension does the opposite.
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Your goal should be finding the perfect racket that will allow you to hit passing shots consistently and without exerting too much effort or injuring your arm.
To conclude, probably the most important thing to bear in mind is the fact that the racket does not carry the blame - the person holding it does. That is why you need to find your perfect racket and head to practice.
If you are constantly buying new rackets, because you want to generate more topspin, more power and have better control over the ball, I have news for you: It will not help. There is no secret to success. The only way to achieve it is to keep practicing.
Best wishes, Primož Trampuš.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT RACKET
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SHORT SWING |
Players with a short backswing and low swing speed should choose a racket with a larger head. 50 % of tennis players play with a short backswing and have low swing speed. |
AVERAGE BACKSWING |
Players with an average backswing and moderate swing speed, who generate a lot of power with the help of their muscles, should choose a moderately stiff racket. 35 % of tennis players play with an average backswing and have moderate swing speed. |
LONG SWING |
Players with a strong backswing and high swing speed need a racket with a flexible frame and a small head that will allow for greater ball control. 15 % of tennis players play with a strong backswing and have high swing speed. |
MAKE YOUR CHOICE EASIER - THIS IS HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT RACKET FOR YOU!
Weight,
balance, stiffness, length, head size - all these specifications make the
choice of the right racket difficult. We
will spare you the terms such as “maximum power”, “excellent ball control” etc.
All you have to do is read the information listed below and we are certain you
will have little trouble finding the racket that suits you best.
ARM-FRIENDLY RACKET
The
most important thing is that the racket you choose allows you to generate more
power and acceleration with minimal effort on your part. The racket should have
a large head, as this will improve your chances of hitting the ball in the
center of the racket (sweet spot) every time. All of this will significantly
reduce the vibration to the arm and prevent the discomfort that may result from
it. But keep in mind that if your
technique is right, tennis elbow will be a rare occurrence.
INCREASING BALL SPEED
A
larger racket head surface, a wider frame and a longer racket will provide you
with more power. When all three criteria
are met, a lot of power can be generated by exerting very little effort. However, a problem of how to control the ball
arises. If you have a long swing = quick acceleration = little ball control,
you will need a good technique and a feeling for the game in order to play with
a K-type racket.
BALL CONTROL
A smaller head surface and a thinner beam of
the racket will allow for better ball control.
A heavier racket makes it easier to control the ball. The higher the string tension, the more
control you will have.
SPIN
When it comes to spin shots, using a racket with a narrower
beam will make it easier to take control of the ball. The number of vertical strings is another
important factor: 16 vertical strings have more of an impact on the ball rotation
than 18 vertical strings. Topspin
players tend to use a long swing, since the head of the racket has to be
positioned right under the ball in order to generate the right amount of spin. When playing close to the net, your
weaknesses will definitely become apparent. That is why you first need to ask yourself how often you hit certain
types of shots and then proceed to choosing the right racket. When choosing a racket, the choice of the
right string also plays a big role.
DO YOU STILL REQUIRE ASSISTANCE?
Are you still unsure which racket is right for you? Send
your answers to the following questions to info@tengo.si.
I am currently suffering from tennis elbow, or have suffered
from it in the past: YES/NO
My swing is: SHORT, AVERAGE or LONG
I would like to increase: THE POWER OF THE SHOT, BALL
CONTROLL or BALL SPIN
My technique is: POOR, AVERAGE, GOOD or EXCELLENT
My most often used strategy is: A BASELINER, a VOLLEYER or
an ALL-COURT PLAYER
How long have you been playing tennis for?
Age
Gender
What racket do you currently use and why do you wish to
replace it?
How often do you play tennis?
Do you prefer oversized rackets or the ones with smaller
heads?
How much are you willing to invest in a new racket?
What brand would you prefer (Babolat, Dunlop, Head, Prince,
Volkl ali Wilson etc..)?
We will advise you on what the best choice for you is.
We wish you lots of
fun on the tennis court, Tengo Sporting Goods
ALTERNATIVELY, FILL OUT THE QUESTIONNAIRE BELOW