Q&A for How to Choose a Tennis Racquet

Test out a few racquets to find the one that's the best fit for you. Most good pro shops allow you to test their racquets for a small fee. Racquets are tailored to different types of players. For example, you might be a baseliner who relies on powerful groundstrokes, or you may be a serve-and-volleyer who requires a racquet that provides control and touch at the net. Finding the correct racquet will give you confidence to play the game your way.

Consider the weight of the racquet. The weight of a racquet really impacts how it will play. They range from around 250g-340g. Lighter racquets are generally much easier to swing and they have larger head sizes, so they're suitable for a learning player or someone who has reduced mobility in their arm. Heavier racquets, weighing 300g or more, have a smaller head and sweet spot. Also, consider the grip size to ensure you can hold the racquet comfortably. Racquets come in different grip sizes that range from 4 1/8 to 4 3/4 inches. In Europe, these are called G1—G5. Your grip size is determined by the size of your hands. If you select too small of a grip, it could affect your ability to play the game, and it might even cause tennis elbow.

The head size affects your play. Many recreational or learning players tend to go toward racquets with a bigger head size, and that's perfectly fine. You want to give yourself as good an opportunity as you can to hit the ball. The downside to these larger-headed racquets is that they aren't as maneuverable as one with a smaller head, so you might not have as much control.

Try avoiding stiffer strings (solid core) and aim for more flexible ones. Poly strings are a good example of stiffer yet durable strings while natural gut or multi-filament will be flexible and good for reducing overall racket stiffness.

Select a light-weight racket with lower string tension and a larger head size. Lower string tension will give you more power so you won't have to generate as much power in shots. A larger head size will contribute to a larger sweet spot and more power.

It depends on what you prefer. Most players prefer a tight tension.

Yes, Wilson racquets are high quality and used by professionals like Roger Federer and Gael Monfils.

Any basic tennis shop like Tennis Plaza, most sporting goods stores, or online shops like Tennis Warehouse.

It depends more on the size of the child rather than the age and somewhat on his or her ability.

Take the child to the store for measurements so you choose the right one.

You should probably go for the Ultra 108 with added weight in the head. The head heaviness will give you more power and help control your spin.

Grip it tighter, and hit the ball in the center of the strings.

It could be either. Talk to a tennis pro for help.

A heavier racquet provides less pushback on wrist, as does contacting lower on the string bed. A player should constantly experiment to better understand what produces the most effective improvement. Body dynamics may have more influence than one expects.

The size of the grip on the racquet is different. A junior racquet will have a smaller grip than an adult one, to be used for smaller hands to grasp it.

If you feel you cannot handle heavy rackets, then you should begin with a lighter one. Choose something below 10 oz. If you put enough force into the shot the weight of the racket will not matter so much. Once you get a little more practice, try a slightly heavier one.

Of course not. It's never too late, and you're still quite young!

Tennis strings are commonly sold in 15, 16, 17, and 18 gauge. The larger the number the finer or skinnier the string. It is believed that finer gauges (17 and 18) impart more spin on the ball by being more flexible/thinner, increasing the "bite" on the ball. Thicker strings are more durable though. Sixteen gauge is the norm for most uses.

In 1968, the Wilson T2000 was released, which was the first steel tennis racquet.

You should switch to a new racquet when you grow out of your old one or it begins to break. You can also switch just because you’d like to.

You will get more spin with an open string pattern and thinner strings, but based on your description I would take a look at your swing path. Make sure you have a good low to high stroke before you switch racquets.

Use a moderately heavy (11-13 oz) racket with most of its mass distributed toward the handle. Handle-heavy rackets absorb a lot more shock.

I would not say so. Both are good brands, but in my opinion Wilson has the upper hand. Prince may give you more force, but for dexterity Wilson is your bet.

I would recommend a Babolat Pure Drive. If you can't get that, get any Babolat. They are great for controlling a lot of power. Wilson rackets are good, too.

Do whatever you think is best for your child. If he is experiencing problems with his racket, then you may want to buy a nicer, more expensive one. Otherwise, I would buy a more expensive racket when your son gets older, if he wants to continue tennis.

A graphite racquet that is your size is usually the best racket (racquet) to use. And avoid cheap rackets, you are best getting one around the $200 range.

The key to getting a faster serve is practice. Don't just practice the way you do it, make sure you are doing it the right way. Also, make sure that you are using the hammer grip, as that will allow you to serve faster.