Choosing a New Racquet? Light? Stiff? Small? What to Get!
Light vs. Heavy - Stiff vs. Flexible - Large Frame vs. Smaller Frame
When selecting a new tennis racquet, the choices can be overwhelming. With hundreds of
different models available it has become essential to ask for expert advice from an experienced
racquet technician at a Racquet Specialty store. This technician should ask you a number of
questions with regards to your tennis abilities which will help to narrow down the frames
suitable for you and your game style. The next step would be to play-test some of these frames.
Lighter frames have been the trend for a lot of recreational players because they are easier to
maneuver than heavier frames and they feel great when you first pick them up in the store.
Professionals and more experienced players however, often prefer heavier racquets because these
frames are more powerful and have greater stability.
There is no single “correct” racquet weight that suits all players sine
players come in such a variety of sizes and strength levels so it is
important that you should use a racquet weight that feels “just right” for
you. It stands to reason that if you are six feet tall and weigh 180
pounds you can swing a heavier racquet than a young child can swing,
so you should look for a frame that suits
your
frame. You may want to
experiment with slightly heavier racquets as you may be surprised what
a little extra weight can do for you.
There are a lot of very lightweight frames offered by all racquet
manufactures and most of the print ads in tennis publications advertise these light frames as
being the most powerful and comfortable frames available. In reality, this is not necessarily the
case and as you can see from the list of racquet facts above, a heavier frame can be more
powerful with less shock and vibration.
A good rule of thumb is:
When selecting a new tennis racquet, choose a frame that is as heavy as you can
handle and maneuver comfortably.
