How to Choose a Tennis RacketTennis rackets share structural and design similarities with rackets used in badminton, racquetball, and squash. A tennis racket consists of a rigid, cylindrical handle attached to an open hoop across which an interwoven matrix or network of strands is stretched. Alloys, aluminum, boron, carbon fibre, ceramic, graphic, kevlar, and titanium have superseded the traditional choice of wood for the frame, and nylon has partially replaced animal intestines or "gut" for the cord. Tennis rackets range in length from 21 in to 27 in. Typically, a 27 inch length is reserved for taller competitors. The weight is between 9 ounces and 12.5 ounces. A trade off occurs when selecting the right head size. A larger head size imparts more power, but a smaller head size supports control and precision. The dimensions of a tennis racket head range from 90 square inches to 137 square inches. Tennis rackets, as you've seen, come in all shapes, sizes, weights, and materials, and it's important to have an in-depth overview of the pitfalls and pros of each brand, style, and design. Your main concern should be preventing tennis elbow, a repetitive stress injury that damages the muscles and tendons of the elbow. Light rackets with heavy heads are notorious for causing and exacerbating this condition. Tennis professionals and simple physics attest to this warning. Experts say that you should pick a racket that's heavy overall, with a light head. The reasons given are that it's better for top-notch performance and reduction of tennis elbow strain. Go to any store, and you'll find that the top rackets are roughly 4 ounces lighter than the rackets used by those in the top tier of tennis performance, e.g., Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. The reason is that a heavy racket will keep going on impact, pressuring forward more, to produce greater crush, spin, and force. Proponents of light tennis rackets argue that you will hit harder with a lighter racket because you can swing it faster. However, the pitfalls of this viewpoint are that the swing is more violent, difficult to control, and the force of impact diffuses in motion. The ideal is to create the most ball speed with the least effort. Therefore, efficiency is to be sought. You don't want the power to come from your effort. Rather, let the racket do the work. The Prince Graphite Classic OS is ranked highly for weak and expert players alike. Most retailers group rackets into three categories: head heavy, head light, and even balance. Even when you have the best racket, it's important to work with a trainer, coach, use instructional videos, or work with knowledgeable players at the local park, college, or country club. If you're a visual learner look through detailed video demonstrations online or check out tennis books with diagrams from the library. Learning how to grip, swing, anticipate and predict your opponent, maneuver and move, and follow through are all elements of the successful use and enjoyment of a quality tennis racket. |
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