Many players that think about changing Tennis Raquets are not sure whether they should chose a standard sized or a racquet with increased length.
Like so often it really depends on the personal playing style and several other criteria if a tennis player can benefit of a longer racquet.
However some basic information will be given here.
The Tennis Raquets length is the distance from the bottom of the handle to the top of the head.
The standard length of raquets measures 27 inches.
Since several years many manufacturers are offering longer racquets.
Today the available racquet length is between 27 and 29 inches.
This is the length range that is allowed for tournament play by the International Tennis Federation.
In general, a longer raquet gives the player more power.
While the raquet power can also be increased by a adding weight, it can be accomplished more effective by an increased its length.
Especially at the serve a longer raquet covers an extended arc which provides the stroke more power but this also holds true for all kinds of playing situations if all the other parameters like head size, weight, stringing, material are equal.
Of course another benefit of a longer raquet is that the overall reach is better.
For most players that are used to a standard 27 inches raquet it usually doesn't take much time and it is quite easy to get familiar with a longer one.
Despite increased length most of the prolonged racquets do have less weight than the standard 27 inch models.
Because the dynamic swing-weight increases for a longer racket it is necessary to reduce its weight to keep it playable.
Therefore the length of a raquet didn't exceed the standard of 27 inches before manufacturers were able to use alternative materials besides wood.
If the length simply would have been increased it would have been much worse to play so there had not been a positive effect at all.
In conclusion it can be said that increased length is definitely not the only criteria that is important to find the best fitting raquet but nowadays longer Tennis Raquets have positive effects for the game of many players.
Several parameters define the performance of Tennis Raquets:
racquet head size
weight & balance
racquet length
frame stiffness
the string pattern
Head size determines how much power a raquet produces and the control a racket gives you.
Big head-sized racquets are the most powerful and give the potential for more spin.
Intermediate and advanced players like to use “mid-size” and “mid-plus” raquets because they are able to generate more power on their own and need a racquet that allows to control that power.
For beginners a larger head size is more helpful.
With an oversized racket they have more area to hit the ball and the racket is forgiving off-center shots easier.
As a rule of thumb the bigger the head size of a raquet is, the more powerful it is while a smaller head size provides the player more control.
The head size of racquets is measured in square inches.
The full range of sizes goes from about 80 to 135 square inches (516 – 877 sq cm).
The most common range is 95 to 110.
Head Sizes:
Mid-size tennis raquets have head sizes ranging from 80 to 93 sq inches (516 – 600 sq cm).
Only really advanced players can handle these effectively.
Mid-plus tennis racquets (also called "midover"), have head sizes ranging from 95 to 105 sq inches (613 to 677 sq cm).
These kind of raquets still offer good control but are easier to use than the mid-sized ones.
Oversize raquets are good for beginners and have heads that measure 100 to 115 sq inches (645 – 742 sq cm).
110 sq inches is the most common head-size for beginners racquets.
Super-Oversize with 116 to 135 sq inches (748 – 877 sq cm) heads offer the most power and are more forgiving technical errors.
If you are looking mainly for power, chose a head size between 107 and 125 sq inches.
For a good mixture of control and power the head size should be between 100 and 105 sq inches.
If your focus is really on control get a head size between 85 and 98 sq inches.
With the information given above you are able to find the fitting head size according to your personal playing ability.
If you want to take advantage of the significantly better prices you can get if you purchase Tennis Raquets online you now know some more basics to chose the right one and save good money.
There are a few major factors that have to be considered to choose tennis raquets.
One of them and a crucial one is the Grip Size.
First off all it should be said that there are US and Europe measures.
The most common grip sizes are listed below:
US Europe
4 1/8 1
4 1/4 2
4 3/8 3
4 1/2 4
4 5/8 5
Do I need an expert to I find the best grip size for me?
No. You can easily find it on your own.
You hold your racket with a forehand grip while the frame is parallel with the hand.
Place the index finger of your other hand in the space between the palm of your hand and the ring finger.
Does your finger fit in between exactly?
No? Then the grip size is not big enough. Choose a bigger one.
If the space is too wide you need a smaller sized grip.
Does it fit right in between? Perfect - You have found the appropriate size for your hand.
It really is that simple. You're done.
But maybe you don't have a raquet around to test it.
No problem!
Alternatively you can find out the fitting grip size with a ruler:
You open your hand with the fingers closed together and stretched.
Put the ruler in your palm and measure the length between the tip of your ring finger and the middle of your palm.
That length is the grip size you need (US size!)
With most of the modern tennis racquets it's not possible to reduce their grip size.
Should you be between the available sizes chose the next smaller one.
Then you can simply add an overgrip (it usually increases the size by 1/16 inch) to make the grip fitting.
Every tennis player that has this easy basic knowledge is free to choose his favorite tennis equipment.
With that information you can benefit of the huge variety of models that you can find in the internet and you can safe good money if you order Tennis Raquets online.
“I don't trust online stores to buy my Tennis Raquets!”
That's the opinion of a friend of mine.
It's like carved in stone and I know he will never change his view.
We had several discussions about buying raquets online but he is just not willing to see the benefits.
See, you need an expert to choose the right raquet, no doubt about that.
Even experienced players should get professional advice at least as a “second” opinion.
As stated in an earlier post a racquet has to fit your needs exactly to help you achieve your full potential - and - much more important - to protect you from serious injuries.
All the necessary informations I get from my local tennis store.
After one visit there I know which head size, which length, which grip and stringing is the best for me at my current playing level.
I have held several models in my hand and have already preselected “my model”.
That´s all info I need to search the internet for the best priced raquet of my choice.
However, many people playing tennis don´t have to think about money and they will not care about better prices they can get in the internet.
Anybody knows that online shops have better offers for almost all kind of products.
If you're on a budget it would be just crazy not to check it out.
As you read this online I assume you are already familiar with online purchases.
So to come back to my point that doesn't count for my friend but maybe for you:
Make a visit at your local sports store and keep in mind all the important details of a fitting racquet that I mentioned above.
Back home enter the internet and you will have many more models that you can choose of as even in the biggest sports store.
That's what I enjoy: I can pick the raquet of my favoured brand with exactly the measures that I need – for a much better price.
Just search the internet and you will have a variety of online stores.
It takes some time to find the store that provides the best prices but it's worth the time.
P.S.: If you want to take the short cut and save both time and money you also can go to the tennis raquets store I made good experience with by clicking here
"Let's face it: Tennis raquets not only show players tennis skills and style. You want to feel good with the raquet before you hold it in your hand the first time!"
We were sitting on the veranda of our tennis club watching the players on the court. My friend asked me: "What do you mean by that?"
He is playing tennis since more than twenty years and is one of the better players in the club.
"Look", I replied, "have you seen the racquet this young woman is using?" The lady was a beautiful woman in her twenties that had practised since one year. She obviously was talented. Nevertheless she used one of the high end pro raquets that really aren't meant for beginners.
Every experienced player knows that the raquet has to fit to the playing abilities of the tennis player. Nowadays a raquet is a high-tech instrument and every parameter has to be set right to help the player with his tennis.
Head size, weight, length, grip and material define a raquet. It should be customized for every player to fit his needs. Every player has a different playing style, different experience and strength Choose the right one and you can improve your playing to the next step. With the wrong racquet you have a hard time playing and won't have much fun.
Even the typical tennis injuries like tennis elbow can be caused of a raquet that doesn't fit to your needs.
Back to the young woman: We all agreed that she would do better if she used a raquet with a bigger head for she was still a beginner.
“Maybe”, I mentioned, “she didn't have good advice when she bought her raquet – OR – she simply was attracted by the design, the colours, the brand and the image of the raquet.”
If so, she's just like me. With the difference that I usually ask some experts and trainers which one was the best for me at the moment.
Stated I can choose between ten models that are the right ones for my tennis abilities at the given time, I would choose the one that “speaks” to me. I would choose the one that makes me confident and makes me feel like a winner just from the look.
Do I like the colors? Do I like the design? Is it a brand that I associate positive thoughts with?
If I feel good about it I want to play with it and – more important - I practice with it with joy.
If all my answers are “Yes” I take it in my hand. When it still feels “right” I have found my racquet.
Well, that may be a different approach and less rational but I´m convinced that a sport like tennis has a lot to do with feelings and emotions.
This blog will contain personal insights and tips from an enthusiastic tennis player. Over time I want to share news, experiences, insights and whatever comes to my mind related to tennis raquets and tennis.
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covers an extended arc which provides the stroke more power but this also holds true for all kinds of playing situations if all the other parameters like head size, weight, stringing, material are equal.