LESSON 3 OF 8 • BEGINNER • 6 MIN
Choosing Your First Tennis Racquet
The short answer
A good first racquet has a head size of about 100 to 110 square inches and a light-to-medium weight. It comes pre-strung with a soft synthetic string, and its grip fits your hand without feeling like you're strangling it. You don't need an expensive one.
Don't copy the pros
Professional racquets are small-headed, heavy and strung tight. They reward perfect technique and punish everything else. If you buy one as a beginner you'll hit a lot of frames and feel like the game is unfair. It isn't. You just bought the wrong tool.
Head size
The head is the oval part with the strings. A bigger head has a bigger sweet spot, so more of your sloppy hits still go over. Look for roughly 100 to 110 square inches. The number is printed on the frame, usually near the throat.
Weight
Lighter racquets are easier to swing and more forgiving on a fast learner's shoulder. Heavier ones feel steadier but tire you out. Many adult beginners are happy somewhere between 260 and 300 grams, strung. If you can swing it for an hour and still feel your arm, it's about right.
Grip size
Grip sizes are small numbers, usually 1 to 4 in the US scale. Hold the racquet in a forehand grip. You should be able to slide the index finger of your other hand into the gap between your fingertips and the base of your palm. If there's no room, the grip is too small. If there's lots, it's too big. When unsure, go smaller. You can always add an overgrip to make it thicker.
Strings
Most beginner racquets come pre-strung, and that's fine. When you restring later, pick a soft multifilament or synthetic gut. Stiff polyester strings are popular with advanced players, but they're hard on the arm if you're still learning.
Where to buy
A local tennis shop will often let you borrow a demo racquet for a few days. That's worth far more than any review. Failing that, a decent used racquet at a fraction of the price is a perfectly good way to start.
Common beginner mistakes
- Buying the racquet a famous player uses.
- Picking a grip too big because it "feels solid".
- Buying dead cheap toy-store racquets that bend and feel like hitting with a spatula.
Try this at the shop
- Hold three racquets and do ten slow practice swings with each. Pick the one that feels easiest, not the coolest.
- Ask if there's a demo program before you buy.
Questions people ask
What size racquet should a beginner use?
Most adult beginners do well with a head size of 100 to 110 square inches and a lighter frame. Juniors use shorter racquets sized to their height.
How much should I spend on my first racquet?
A solid beginner racquet doesn't need to cost much. A mid-range or good used racquet is plenty. Spend the savings on balls and court time.
What strings are best for beginners?
Soft multifilament or synthetic gut strings. They're comfortable on the arm. Save stiff polyester strings for later, if ever.