What to follow when buying tennis racquets?
The success of Polish tennis players in the biggest international arenas has significantly increased interest in this sport in our country. The beginning of training is a good opportunity to buy your first racket!
The weight of the racket
The first element to pay attention to when buying a tennis racket is its weight. This parameter is particularly important in terms of stability. Beginners should opt for a lightweight racquet, which will be easy to maneuver on the court and learn the correct rebound technique without putting too much strain on the hand.
It is assumed that the range for women is from 260 to about 270 grams, while for men from 270 to 285 grams. The weight of the racket should be matched to the technical skills of the player, so the greater the stability in the hand and the precision of the strokes, the heavier the racket can be. The maximum weight for advanced players should be around 300 grams.
Head surface
Another parameter that is important when buying a tennis racket is the surface area of the racket’s head. In this regard, the rule is simple: the larger the surface area, the more force is generated. In the case of beginners, the size of the head is quite important, as they cannot feel the ball well and control the way it is hit. For this reason, amateurs are advised to choose racquets with a larger head, more than 100 square inches.
Some stores offer the possibility to enlarge the head by about 5 inches, which can also be an effective solution for beginner tennis players. As skills increase, the amount of force put into hitting the ball increases, and the rebound technique is mastered, one can opt for a racquet with a smaller head.
The material of the racket’s construction
According to experts, it is this element that can be the most problematic for beginner tennis enthusiasts. The reason for this is quite obvious, namely the price of the racket. The quality and material used to make the racket significantly affects the cost of its purchase, but only with good equipment can you learn good playing technique.
There are racquets on the market made of various materials, including aluminum, graphite composite or graphite. Aluminum racquets are the least durable and sensitive to impact, so they are not recommended for those who plan a longer adventure in tennis training.
The optimum solution for beginners may be racquets made of graphite composite, which do not put so much strain on the hand, reduce the risk of injury and allow you to learn the technique of bouncing the ball freely. The most professional, and also the most expensive, are graphite racquets, but the modern technology used in their production helps to control the ball, give it force and direction of flight, and comfortably change the technique of impact.
Additional components
In addition to these few most important parameters, specialists also pay attention to such issues as swingweight, handle size, balance, frame stiffness, type of tension and racquet length when choosing the right tennis racquet. All of these should be matched to both the player’s skill level and his physique and fitness.
main photo: unsplash.com/Cristina Anne Costello
