How to Choose the Right Tennis Racket
Choosing a tennis racket comes down to three specs: head size, weight and grip size. If you are new to the game, a light frame under 10 oz (285 g) unstrung with an oversize head of 105 sq in or more gives you a large sweet spot and protects your arm. Advanced players pick heavier frames from 10.6 oz (300 g) with a midsize or midplus head for control. Grip size 2 or 3 fits most adult hands.
Which Type of Tennis Racket Suits Your Level?
Tennis rackets are grouped into four types that differ mainly in head size, weight and how forgiving they are. Find your starting point here, then narrow down by brand or specification.
Never held a racket before? Start with our tennis rackets for beginners – light, forgiving and ready to play out of the box. One costly mistake to avoid: buying the racket your favorite pro uses. Tour frames are heavy and stiff, and they punish a swing that is still developing.
Which Racket Specs Matter Most?
Head Size and Weight
Head size comes in three classes: midsize up to 97 sq in for maximum control, midplus at 98–104 sq in as the all-round standard, and oversize from 105 sq in for the largest sweet spot – the bigger the head, the more off-center hits still stay in play. Weight works alongside it: a lighter racket is quicker to maneuver and kinder on your shoulder and elbow, while a heavier racket adds stability against pace and more plow-through on groundstrokes. Balance decides the rest – head-heavy frames add power for shorter swings, head-light frames handle faster at the net.
Grip Size
Grip sizes run from 0 to 5 and describe the circumference of the handle, from 4 in at size 0 up to 4 5/8 in at size 5, in eighth-inch steps. Sizes 1 and 2 (4 1/8 to 4 1/4 in) are a good starting point for players with smaller hands, including many women and juniors moving up to a full-size frame. Sizes 2 and 3 cover most adult players, with 4 3/8 in the most commonly sold size, while 4 and 5 suit larger hands. To measure, hold a ruler against the bottom crease of your palm and read the distance to the tip of your ring finger. Between two sizes? Take the smaller handle and build it up with an overgrip.
String Pattern
The string pattern is the number of main and cross strings, and it changes how the ball leaves the racket. An open pattern such as 16x19 lets the ball sit deeper in the string bed and returns it with more spin and a higher launch angle – the choice for aggressive topspin baseliners. A dense pattern such as 18x20 deflects less, giving a firmer feel, flatter shots and more precision for advanced players and big hitters. String type and tension fine-tune the result, so pick your tennis strings deliberately rather than keeping the factory setup.
Which Brand Should You Choose?
Every brand has its own frame construction and feel, so if you know what you like, go straight to the collection: HEAD tennis rackets, Wilson tennis rackets, Babolat tennis rackets, Yonex tennis rackets, Dunlop tennis rackets and Tecnifibre tennis rackets. Within each brand the series follow the same logic: a control line for advanced players, a lighter and more forgiving line for recreational play.
Can You Test a Racket Before Buying?
Yes. Our test racket service lets you play a frame on your own court before you commit. Every demo racket comes strung so it plays as intended, and sending it back is straightforward – browse the eligible frames in our test rackets collection.
If you would rather narrow things down at home, our racket advisor suggests suitable models after a handful of questions about your level, style and hand size.
FAQs
How often should I restring my tennis racket?
A useful rule of thumb is to restring your tennis racket as many times per year as you play per week. If you play twice a week, aim to restring at least twice a year. Players who hit with heavy spin or compete in matches regularly may need to restring more often, even if the strings have not broken yet, because tension drops over time.
Are tennis rackets sold strung or unstrung?
Tennis rackets are sold both ways: recreational, comfort and junior frames usually arrive factory strung and ready to play, while many advanced and tour frames are sold as frame only, so you can choose your own string and tension. Weight specs always refer to the unstrung frame, and a full set of strings adds roughly 15 g, or about half an ounce.
Which grip size works best for women?
For most female players, grip size 2 (4 1/4 in) works best, but grip sizes are not gender-specific: the right size always depends on your individual hand size and preference.