The Proper Fitting Tennis Racket Is The Key To Learning The Game

Tennis has long been one of the world's most popular sports so it should come as no surprise that many people take up the game each year. But taking up tennis is more than borrowing a tennis racket and heading over to a court. Clothing, shoes, rules, and etiquette are just a few of the elements of the game that beginners must learn, but perhaps there is nothing more important to understand than the basics of the tennis racket. Purchasing a racket that best complements your skill and physical abilities is crucial to enjoying early success as a tennis player.

If you are interested in tennis then you have probably strolled though a tennis shop, the tennis section of a sporting goods store, or even browsed the website of an online tennis retailer. And if you have done any of those things then you are probably confused about which tennis racket is best for you. With an understanding of racket basics you can cut through the massive selection and find a racket that suits you, so let’s get started!

The first thing you will want to look at is the size of the head – the frame that holds the strings – of the racket. Between the grip and the neck on most rackets you will find a label that displays the size and square inches of the head. Generally speaking, these measurements will place a particular racket into one of four categories:

* Midsize (85-92 square inches),

* Midplus (93-105 sq .inches),

* Oversize (106-115 sq. inches) and

* Super Oversize (over 116 sq. inches)

The size of the racket head has a direct impact on the power and control offered by the racket. Large heads provide great power, but at the expense of control, while smaller rackets provide less power and more control. Beginning players are usually best served by opting for a larger heads that not only provide power, but offer forgiveness on hits that are not close to the center of the head.

The next aspect of the tennis racket that you need to understand is just as important as the size of the head; the size of the grip. A properly sized grip is not only a key to hitting good shots, it is integral in avoiding injuries such as the dreaded tennis elbow. While having a proper grip size is critical, selecting a proper grip size is quite simple.

Pick up the racket with your hitting hand and make sure you palm is on the same bevel – the ridges on the grip – as the racket face. Take the index finger of your free hand and try to slip it into the gap between your palm and fingertips of the hand that is holding the racket. If your finger just fits then you have a properly sized grip. If the gap is too small for your finger, or so wide that your finger fits easily, then you need to select a different size.

Next you must consider the strings. You will find that some rackets are prestrung, while others require that strings be installed. As a beginner you will probably be well served by a prestrung racket as premium rackets – rackets without strings – are generally expensive and suited to better and more skilled players.

String density is a term that refers to the spaces between the main and cross strings on the racket. The smaller the hole, the denser the racket, and the more power it generates. As a beginner you should focus on dense, powerful rackets that will help you generate power until you develop a more consistent tennis stroke.

Selecting the proper tennis racket will allow you to get the most out of your time on the court. Be sure to keep an eye on the attributes mentioned in this article, and look for a racket that has string tension that is in the middle of the scale. A good grip and medium tension will give you a combination of power and control that will not only help your game, it will help prevent tennis elbow as well.

By M. Xavier

Choosing the Best Tennis Racket

Whether you are just starting out as a tennis player, or even if you are an old pro, the tennis gear you choose is extremely important. One of the most important pieces of tennis merchandise that you will purchase as a tennis player is your tennis racket. Your racket is extremely important and will set the tone for your game, so of course you want to pick out the best tennis racket you can find. With so many different choices out there, it can be difficult to figure out what the best tennis racket is for you; however, if you consider your skills, your style of playing, the weight, and the materials of the racket, you should pick a winner.

Skill LevelWhen you are looking for the best tennis racket, one of the most important things that you need to consider is your skill level. Beginners will want to make different choices from advanced players when it comes to picking out tennis equipment.

1. Beginners - If you are a beginner at tennis, more than likely you will want to start out with a cheap racket that has a larger head than most. Having the oversized head will make it easier to hit the tennis ball while you are learning. Also, there is definitely no need to spend a couple hundred dollars on a racket until you have learned the basics and decided that you want to actively pursue this sport.

2. Intermediate and Advanced - Intermediate and advanced players will want to pick out a racket that has a smaller head than the rackets for the beginners. While the oversized head is great for beginners, as an intermediate to advanced player, you should have more strength in your tennis swing and a smaller head will allow you a great deal more control in your hits.

Style of Playing

More than likely if you are an advanced player, you have your own particular style of playing. Your tennis playing style will also influence what you will need in a good tennis racket. If you like to use a great deal of topspin in your game, then a racket that is head heavy can help you improve your spin. Also, if you are a serve and volley player, there are tennis rackets that are specifically designed for your style of play, and the same goes for players whose game relies mainly on groundstroking. No matter what style of play you enjoy, more than likely you will be able to find a racket that can enhance and improve your style.

Racket Weight

To avoid injury, taking a look at the weight of the tennis racket is important before you purchase it. While you may be inclined to head for the lighter rackets, actually you will want to choose a racket that is a bit heavier; however, the head should be fairly light. While it may sound a bit crazy to purchase a racket that is a bit on the heavy side, a lighter racket can also lead to injury, such as tennis elbow and shoulder problems. Also, a racket that is a bit heavier can also improve your serves as well as your groundstroke.

Racket Materials

When you are trying to pick out the best tennis racket, you will also need to consider the various materials that they are made of as well. The most common materials that are used on tennis rackets today include graphite, aluminum, and boron and Kevlar. Graphite rackets are probably the most popular, since it provides great hitting power and both beginners and even advanced players will find that this type of a racket will perform nicely for them.
Aluminum rackets are cheaper than graphite ones, and they will provide you with excellent feel. The Boron and Kevlar rackets are very stiff and can cause shoulder problems due to the shock, so this type of racket should be avoided by a beginning player.

While there are no set overall rules when picking out a racket, there are a variety of things to keep in mind so you can pick out the very best tennis racket. So instead of just walking into a shop and taking a few practice swings, keep these tips in mind and find the best tennis racket for you.

By Hannah Reid

How to Grip a Tennis Racket

Many tennis players will not take a good look at the importance of their grip on the tennis racket. The expert will recommend that you restring your racket several times each year, but do not explain to the players that having the right grip is going to mean a lot when it comes to playing your game well and having the best tennis score as possible.

When you are shopping for a tennis racket, it is so important to consider the stiffness and the head size of it. Once you have made the decision you should make sure that the racket is the correct grip size for you. The most available sizes start at 4” and will be increased by an eight of an inch.

There are so many different ways to grip a tennis racket. Depending on the level that you are playing at, you may learn one or more of the ways to grip onto the racket. There is the western, eastern, and the continental way of gripping. One of the basis ways of holding the tennis racket is to act is if you are grapping someone’s hand to shake. You will see that this is a comfortable grip on the racket, which will allow you to have a better game. It may be weird at first, but once you learn it, you will get used to the feeling.

If you are feeling the need to increase your grip size, you can apply and over grip to your regular way of holding the racket. This will save you on the wear of your grip and will also give you a better feel. The good thing about over grips is that are not expensive and you can try them till you find one that feels the best for you.

It really does not matter if you are a professional or a beginner, you should understand the different grips and the options that are out there for you so that you can have a better game. If you are not comfortable with the grip that you have on your tennis racket, you may not have as much fun on the courts. You need to make sure that you have all of the information so that you can have fun and be good at the game too.

You do not have to be a complete professional at holding the racket. All you have to do is be willing to give it a try and have fun with it. You will see that you can catch on to the game quicker if you are holding the tennis racket in the correct way. You are going to improve your game and have more fun at the same time when you have the proper form and grip.

By Ivar Rudi

Buying a Tennis Racket for a Young Adult

The guideline for age of a person and the racket size that is used is very important. You should make sure that the racket is appropriate for the person. You want to make sure that the person is comfortable with the racket that they choose. You need to consider the physical strength and height of the person before you choose one for their game.

The rackets for younger people are generally much lighter that the tennis rackets for adults. You should also consider experience when determining the right racket for a young adult. When you visit any sporting goods store, the professional sales team there will help you in the consideration for the racket that is best for any young adult that wants to play this fun and fascinating sport.

A young adult is not big enough for an adult racket. They are probably better off with a standard twenty-seven inch racket rather than a larger one. The person should be able to use the racket and have a comfortable swing. The extra long rackets will tend to be heavier than those of a shorter handle.

Adult rackets come as light as 10 ounces but rackets that are lighter than 10 ounces are sometimes too small for the weight of the ball. You will want to be able to hit the ball and get it too move in the speed and direction that you intend it to. A beginner in tennis will not have to walk through the strokes of the game in order to make an informed decision based on an adult court.

When you are just not sure what tennis racket to buy for a beginning young adult or child, you can have them hold the racket behind him so that the tip touches their lower back and his elbow is the highest part of the arm. Then you should have them raise the racket over their head as if they were getting ready to serve the ball, however with a slower swing. If the racket is going to be too heavy for the young adult, this is when they are going to feel the burn.

One thing to remember is that the adult is going to grow out of the tennis racket, as they get older. Junior tennis rackets tend to be inexpensive. The nicer ones that you find at a pro tennis shop will run from twenty to forty dollars. When you are looking for a cheaper racket, they can be just as good as the more expensive ones. You should avoid the rackets that are lighter and more flexible than the others in the bottom of the price range.

Getting the young person to adjust to their racket will not be a hard thing to do. Have them play as often as they can and get the feel of their racket. It will also be good practice for the game of tennis as well.

By Ivar Rudi

Dunlop Tennis Racquet

Dunlop's devotion to offering market leading tennis equipment is reflected in a track record spanning more than 70 years. Dunlop has been one of the most successful sports brands of the 20th centruy, with more grand slam winners than any other, and played by some of the greatest legends in sporting history.

There is a wide variety of racquet designs, although the racquet size and shape are limited by the Laws. Different racquets have playing characteristics that appeal to different players.

Modern tennis racquets vary in length, weight, and head size. 21" to 26" is normally a junior's length, while 27" or 27.5" are for stronger and taller adult players. Weights of a racquet also vary between 8 ounces unstrung and 12.5 ounces unstrung. Head size also plays a role in a racquet's qualities. A larger head size generally means more power, and a larger "sweet spot" that is more forgiving on off-center hits. A smaller head size offers more precise control. Head sizes of recent racquets vary between 85 sq. inches and 137 sq. inches.

How to choose a Dunlop tennis racket? Players with long, fast, loopy swings generally prefer rackets with less power, whereas players with shorter, slower swings generally prefer rackets with more power to compensate for the shorter swing. Once you learn how to play tennis, you will find that you can loose weight and have a great time at the same time. Once you get motivated, you will want to play tennis more and more as time goes on.

Beginner Tennis Racquet

Your racquet is the most important piece of tennis equipment you will ever buy. In order to play the best game you can, you must have the right equipment. With the many types available, how do you choose?

Tennis racquets are divided into three main categories:

1. Power racquets - which are most suitable for beginners and middle intermediates.

2. Tweener racquets - which are best suited for intermediate to advanced players.

3. Control racquets - made especially for more advanced players.

For those who are either new at the game of tennis, or only play periodically, a power racquet is best. Designed to accommodate those with weaker, shorter strokes, the power racket features a larger head, which creates a larger hitting spot, which gives the racquet more power. A heavier head, or balance, also gives these racquets more maneuverability, making it easier for those with little training to play a decent game right form the start.

Tweener racquets are lighter, and may feature a larger or smaller head, depending on the type of racquet chosen. These racquets are usually longer than the power racquet, which offers more control and power, especially for handling groundstrokes.

Those with more training and experience on the court may find a control racquet to offer the most control and added precision. Although they do not feature the same amount of power as their counterparts, Control racquets usually feature smaller head sizes and heavier weights.

When choosing a tennis racquet it's important to also check out their weight, balance, frame size, and length in order to choose the correct one for your body size, and playing ability.

As is the case when choosing an adult racquet, children must be fitted with the correct style and size in order to play properly.

There are many manufacturers who make a quality game improvement or power tennis racquet. Some of the best choices are Babolat, Head, Prince, Volkl, and Wilson. Whichever one you decide to go with, make sure it feels comfortable in your hand. Swing it a dozen or so times to see if it's too heavy for your arm. You don't have to break the bank to get a good one that will bring you years of enjoyment. But, you don't want to skimp either. A quality mid-priced racquet will help you get your tennis game off to a great start.