Tennis Racquet Specs Explained

Buying a new tennis racquet is sometimes a challenge, especially for someone who is just starting. Not only are there dozens of brands, but each brand offers dozens of choices.

Where is a good place to start as a beginner? One way to become smarter about purchasing a new racquet is to understand the specifications of racquets. Let’s take a closer look at what some of the major specs mean, and the search can be narrowed down significantly.

We will go through the different racquet specifications in this order.

Head Size
Racquet Weight
String Pattern
Tension
Balance
Length

Table of Contents show

Racquet Head Size

Racquet head sizes are measured in square inches, and it gives people an idea of how much space they have to work with. Even though a player should always be aiming to hit every single ball in the sweet spot, a larger head size is usually going to equate to a larger sweet spot.

A large head size is recommended for beginners, so look initially at anything that is over 100 square inches or bigger. This allows for easier power, and a higher success rate of making solid contact. Advanced players don’t like some of the lack of control that a large head size provides, but that can be tinkered with somewhat later on.

Here is some suggestions for choosing racquet head size.

85-95 sq. inces = For more advanced players
95-105 Inches = For all players
106 + = For beginners

The majority of players on tour use racquets these days that are anywhere from 96 square inches to 100 square inches in head size. This provides a good balance of power and control that so many people strive for. Once a player gets to a certain level, even recreational players can benefit from a racquet of the size. It’s a little less forgiving, but it swings like it should and helps with control.

For those wanting the ultimate amount of control, a head size that is 95 square inches or lower is a common choice. For example, for the prime of his career, Roger Federer used a racquet that was 90 square inches. He had to generate a lot of power by himself, but he really benefited from the added control it provides.

Racquet Weight

Racquets will list the weight in grams or ounces, so people never have to worry about making those adjustments themselves. A beginner usually wants something that is light, but not too light that it feels uncontrollable. Most adults should try to stay with a racquet that is at the very least 285 grams, but stay under 300 grams. Pro players will use racquets ranging from 300 grams all the way up to 330 grams in some extreme situations.

What is a considered a heavy and light racquet? Let’s go through it.

Under 10.6 ounces (300g) is considered a lightweight racquet
10.6-11.3 ounces (300-320g) is considered normal weight
Over 11.3 ounces (320g) is considered a heavy racquet

Lightweight racquets is aimed towards beginners
Heavy racquets are more aimed for advanced players

A heavier racquet will allow a player to have more control and handle heavy spin and pace from the competition. A lighter racquet gets pushed around just too much on the court, which is why professional players will stay away from them.

A common injury with beginner tennis players is tennis elbow, and that is one of the major reasons why a lighter racquet should be picked up first. Trying to swing a heavier racquet in the beginning over and over again could put a player on the sidelines for a while as they recover from the elbow injury.

String Pattern

Unless a person is familiar with tennis, they might not even notice that there is a different string pattern with different racquets. They don’t vary too much for the most part, but an added string or two can make a huge difference in how a racquet plays.

16 main and 19 cross (16/19) is an average string pattern
16 main and 18 cross (16/18) is an open string pattern for spin and power
18 main and 20 cross (18/20) is a closed string pattern for control

The most common string pattern these days is 16 main strings and 19 cross strings. This allows for a pretty open string pattern for the most part, which allows for a good amount of power and control. Many consider this to be a racquet that allows for a balanced attack.

For slightly more power, anything smaller is the way to go. There are some racquets out there that are 16 x 18, and some even go lower than that. Not only does this provide more power and spin, but unfortunately, it increases the likelihood of strings breaking. Most people who go with a string pattern that is this open wants to have a trampoline effect when they hit the ball.

For pinpoint control and the best durability, a closed string pattern of 18 x 20 is the perfect way to go. The Wilson Blade is just one example of a very popular racquet that uses the string pattern. Players like the feel of a racquet like this, and it allows them to put the ball where they want it.

There are a good amount of pros that use both 16 x 19 and 18 x 20 string patterns. As a matter of personal preference for most, and depending on the tension used, there isn’t that much of a difference.

String & Tension

Speaking of strings, the type of string and string tension really changes the way a racquet plays. Most of the time, people will need to try a few different strings and tensions before they find something that works for them.

As a beginner, go with a fairly affordable string and have it strung right in the middle of the recommended tension. A lot of racquets come with a recommended tension of 50 pounds to 60 pounds, so string the racquet at 55 pounds. That allows a person to get a pretty good idea on whether or not they need to go up or down the next time.

Most beginners should start with a synthetic gut string to get a feel for how everything plays. There are other options, but they are either too expensive like natural gut, or too rough on the arm like polyester. An alternative is multifilament, as it has a little bit more durability and comfort.

Balance

A racquet might feel very heavy when picked up, but upon further inspection, it actually weighs less than a technically heavier racquet. That is because one racquet is balanced differently than the other.

Racquets are either perfectly balanced, Headlight or head heavy. A lot of it comes down to personal preference, as professional players play with different types all the time.Most of them will opt for something that is a little head heavy, because it does give them a bit more playability against good competition. A head heavy racquet is going to generate more power, but allow for a bit last maneuverability when playing all around the court.

Beginners should stick with balanced or headlight options in the beginning. It is the most comfortable way to learn the game and not feel overwhelmed. It also keeps the racquet feeling as light as it should, so players don’t get fatigued too easily.

Length

The final major specification to look at when purchasing a racquet for one of the first times is length. This is pretty simple, especially since the vast majority of racquets are 27 inches long.

Any adult who is looking to get into tennis should go ahead and buy a 27 inch racquet in the beginning. There is always an opportunity to add a little bit of length down the road. Going shorter than that is going to cripple a player, and very rarely can a person even find a racquet that is shorter than 27 inches and not made for younger players.

A lot of shorter professionals use an extended racquet so that they can have a bit more reach, and power on the serve. What a player sacrifices when they go with a longer racquet is a loss of control on some shots. It is especially hard to maneuver the racquet with volleying since it is a little longer.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, if a racquet feels right in the hands and performs well, it’s worth continuing with. Many people try to demo a lot of racquets in the beginning, and search for the perfect solution. It might not always work out that easily, but this guy should at least provide some great starting point for people to consider.

Above all else, people should be trying to have fun out on the court in the beginning. If a racquet is just too hard to maneuver and use consistently, drop down to something else that is a bit easier. There is no shame in going with a very light racquet in the beginning. Not only is it going to keep a player healthy, but it is going to encourage a person to stick with tennis in general. Without success early on, people might get sick of the sport and move on to something else.