(Newswire.net — June 18, 2020) — There’s no best tennis racquet for all players. That’s because they have different features and functionalities, and what works for one play style may not work for another. Hence, every tennis player needs to know how to choose the perfect tennis racket and the different types of tennis racquets to make better purchase decisions. Generally, there are precise specifications to consider, but the basic ones are the weight, the head size, and the length of the racquet.
Weight
Tennis racquets weigh between 250 and 350 grams. It’s easier to handle the lighter racquets, so they’re for beginners and intermediate players. Meanwhile, advanced players and professionals use the heavier ones. The heavier ones are advantageous because they enable harder hits as they have more power. The extra weight could also increase the player’s stability.
Head Size
Considering the head size, it’s generally between 95-110 square inches. Experts recommend that beginners, people with small body frames, and short swing use racquets with larger head sizes because of the more prominent sweet spot, which is the portion that hits the ball directly. As your proficiency increases, you can then use the ones with less than 100 square inches.
Length
The length of the racquet is usually more constant than other features. Racquets are about 27-29 inches long. However, most racquets are closer to 27 inches as they are more convenient to carry around in tennis backpacks. The longer ones provide a wider reach and more serve-power. They’re also of lighter weight than others.
Racquet Categories
Based on players’ swing types, racquets are broadly divided into four categories. They serve as guidelines for players in selecting a racquet from top options that fit their play style and ability. These four categories are discussed below.
Power Racquets
Characteristics of this type of racquet include a large head size, extended length with a stiffer frame, and general, lightweight construction. The large surface area of the head provides more spring and hence produces more power. It also helps to generate topspin. The length gives swinging leverage, so it’s helpful for shorter players.
Also, the stiff frame prevents much flexing after contact with the ball but allows for a faster and effortless rebound. They are made with light frames to counter the weight of the head and create a balance. The lightness of these racquets makes them easy to maneuver. Standard power racquets include the Babolat Pure Drive 110, Head Titanium Ti.S6, and the Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3.
Control Racquet
The features of this type are opposite that of power racquets. They have less power but allow more accurate ball control. The build includes a small head, the standard length of 27 inches, a low to mid-range flex frame, and heavier construction. It’s more suited for intermediate and professional players who have fast, full swings. It reduces the error margin, so it’s beneficial for players with calculated strokes.
They have more flexible frames than power racquets and hence, more absorption. However, these rackets are more massive than others, and this allows the players to control the power of the play themselves. It also promotes stability and shock reduction; the Wilson Pro Staff RF97, Yonex VCORE Pro 97, and Head Graphene 360+ Prestige MP are popular control racquets. It would be best if you exercised caution when using this type because prolonged use can result in injury.
Tweener Racquets
These racquets are known as the intermediates because they provide a good blend of power and control. Their characteristics include a mid-sized head, mid-range weight and stiffness, and a standard length. The features make it suitable for various skill levels and playing styles. Therefore, they can be used by both beginners and intermediate players. Babolat Pure Drive Team, Head Graphene 360 Speed Lite, and Wilson Clash 100 are examples of this type of racquets.
Modern Player’s Racquets
Some people don’t recognize this category because it’s an advancement of the first three types to fit the play style of top professionals. This type has, however, recently gained edge and popularity according to news updates. Most of them are heavy, standard length racquets with bigger heads and stiffer frames. Some examples include Babolat Pure Strike 16×19, Wilson Blade 98 16×19 v7, and the Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP.
Conclusion
Many people find it hard to determine the perfect tennis racquet to use, especially if you’re a beginner. However, it’s quite simple, and this article is an exposition of the different types of racquets. There are four various categories based on the type of swing, and it shows their different features and how each one suits your tennis playing style. Understanding how your skill level and style determines the type of racquet that’ll be the best fit helps to narrow down purchase options. More importantly, it results in the maximization of your ability as a tennis player and provides optimum comfort while playing.