Like most competitive sports, tennis is a game where players rely on a combination of great ability and excellent equipment, and thanks to companies that constantly push the boundaries of research and development, tennis racquet technology is getting better all the time. If you're still playing with a prefab racquet that you plucked off a department store shelf, it may be time to get a serious model in your hands.
Chris Robb is the tennis director and head teaching professional for the Ketchum Downtown YMCA in Los Angeles, and is the owner of "Chris Robb's Tennis Weekends," an operation running adult tennis camps at Southern California resorts. Here he presents information to keep in mind when selecting a new tennis racquet:
- Check grip size.
According to Robb, one of the first things you should do when purchasing a racquet is to make sure you get the correct grip size. Wrap your hand around the racquet. Where your fingers almost touch the heel of your hand, there should be room for your index finger to fit in there.
- Select the right head size.
Oversized racquet heads provide more power, while midsize racquets offer more control. Choose the head that best fits your style of play.
- Choose the correct amount of tension.
Another important factor in purchasing a racquet is string tension. Again the trade off is between power and control; looser tensions mean more power while higher tensions mean more control.
- Demo racquets.
You shouldn't just go into a store and buy a tennis racquet off the rack. Instead, you should demo a racquet. Find a tennis store or a sporting goods store that has a lot of different demo racquets available, and take them home and play a few games or sets with them so you get a feel for which is the one for you.
For more information about tennis and tennis racquets, check out the following organizations or websites:
Stuart M. Ketchum Downtown Los Angeles YMCA
http://ketchumdowntownymca.fitlinxx.com
Racquet Research
www.racquetresearch.com
Fox Sports: How to Buy a Tennis Racquet
http://store.foxsports.com
The Tennis Server
www.tennisserver.com
International Tennis Federation
www.itftennis.com
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