What’s the best tennis racket? Players frequently ask our team this question when they’re starting to play tennis or when they’re looking to elevate their tennis game. The truth is that no racket is perfect for every player. What’s considered the “best” tennis racket comes down to you and your game. The ideal tennis racket for you will depend on many factors: how long you’ve been playing, your age and fitness level, your style of play, desired racket attributes and much more.
Finding the best racket for tennis for your game
We highly recommend visiting your local tennis racket store where an expert can help you select a racket that best fits your game. If you’re looking to do some of your own research first, here are few things to consider.
What are you looking for in a new tennis racket?
This one seems like a given, but it’s an important question to consider when you’re buying a new racket. • Are you looking for your first racket as you start tennis lessons? • Are you hoping to find a new racket that offers more power or control? • Are you wanting a more forgiving racket due to arm pain? • Are you looking for a racket with a different size or weight? Questions like these will be important items to note when you’re researching rackets or meeting with a racket expert.
Are you a beginner tennis player?
If you’re a beginner who is working on fundamentals, our team will likely recommend a lighter racket that has a large sweet spot and is easy to swing. This will make it easier for you to control your shots while comfortably maneuvering the racket. A lighter racket will also help you avoid putting too much pressure on your arm while you’re learning to play. Playing with a racket that is too heavy can often lead to arm pain.
What’s your budget for a tennis racket?
If you’re shopping for a new, quality graphite racket, you should plan to spend between $200 to $350. In most cases, you’ll likely be around the $300 range for a new racket, strings and grip. This price tag may seem steep at first, but remember, high-quality rackets are designed for many years of play.
Are there less expensive tennis rackets available?
If you’re looking to save some money, used rackets or previous models are both great options. You can often find high-quality rackets that have only been used lightly or are simply last year’s version at a discounted price. While there are some very inexpensive rackets available in big box stores, they are typically made from cheap metals like aluminum instead of graphite. Our team cautions against spending your money on these lower quality models for a few reasons: • They can be hard on your arm and lead to arm pain. • They don’t offer good maneuverability or control. • They bend/break more easily. • They often cannot be restrung correctly, which means you’ll need to buy a new racket much sooner than if you’d bought a quality racket made with graphite.
What’s your age and fitness level?
Your age and fitness level are important factors to consider when shopping for a racket. For someone who is older and/or less nimble, our team often recommends something oversized and longer. This will give you added reach and court coverage. On the flip side, we’d recommend something heavier with a smaller head size for someone who is younger and more athletic (or for more advanced players).
What’s your tennis swing like?
Here are a few things to consider when buying a racket for your unique swing style. If you have a shorter swing, we typically recommend: • A racket that is lighter and easier to maneuver. • An oversize racket. • A racket that is more forgiving (doesn’t transfer as much vibration to the arm but still gives a good amount of power). If you have a longer swing, we typically recommend: • A heavier racket that can give you more power. • A head light racket that is faster to swing. • A racket with a smaller head size for better control.
What’s your personal tennis racket style?
When it comes to your racket, style may matter. If you love the appearance of your tennis racket, you’ll be more excited to pick it up, play with it, and show it off on the tennis court. Don’t be afraid to ask if your ideal tennis racket comes in any specialty designs or styles.
Have you demoed any rackets?
Play testing rackets is important for both new and experienced tennis players. If you’re new to tennis, we recommend testing out a wide range of demo rackets to determine what racket specs feel best. Once you’ve narrowed it down, you can do another demo round to try out different models with similar weights, head sizes and balance points. Demoing rackets can be just as helpful for more experienced players. As you progress in your tennis career, you’ll have a better idea of what attributes you’re seeking in a new racket, which will help narrow your search. Just keep in mind that even rackets with similar specs can feel vastly different in your hands. That’s why we always recommend trying them first. Many tennis stores offer demo programs to allow you to play test rackets before you buy them. With Game-Set-Match, Inc’s demo program, customers can try up to three rackets or paddles at a time for just $5 (three days) or $10 (one week). If you decide to buy one, we’ll even subtract your demo fees from the cost of a full-price racket or paddle.
Where to buy a tennis racket
It won’t surprise you that we recommend buying tennis rackets in a local tennis store. This will allow you to: • Talk through each of these aspects (and more) with a tennis racket expert. • Demo rackets to find the best fit for you. • Connect with your local tennis community. If you live in Colorado or Nevada, we’d love to serve you at one of our racket store locations. You can also subscribe to our email list for the latest special offers, product updates, and tennis news.