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Find the tennis racket that's right for you

Choosing a tennis racket suited to your skill level and playing style can be difficult, given the many criteria to consider. Weight, head size, balance, and string pattern directly affect power, control, and feel on impact.

Learn about the main features of a tennis racket and how they affect your game to more easily find the model suited to your needs and skill level.

The weight of the racket

The weight of an adult racket can range from 240g to 340g. This is an important factor to consider when choosing a racket, as it depends on your physical abilities as well as your playing style.

Indeed, the heavier your racket is (over 300g), the more power, stability and vibration absorption it will provide, but the more physically demanding it will be. Conversely, a racket weighing less than 300g is considered lightweight and is easier to handle and less demanding.

Power

= 300g

>300g

Stability

= 300g

>300g

Handling

<270g

275 < x < 295g

Lightness

<270g

275 < x < 295g

The balance of the racket

The racket’s balance represents its balance point in centimeters from the handle. There are 3 types of balance:

This is a balance point below 32 cm. It offers greater maneuverability because it is closer to your hand, and is suitable for powerful players.

Great handling

 
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This is a balance bike with a 32 cm seat height. It offers an excellent balance of stability and maneuverability.

Handling +

Stability +

 
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This is a balance point above 32 cm. It offers greater stability when hitting because the balance point is closer to the racket head. This will suit players looking for a fast racket head for more power and spin.

Stability ++

 
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The racket's strainer

The head size is the hitting area covered by the strings. It directly affects the racket’s power, control, and forgiveness, as well as the feel on impact.
Small sieve (less than 645 cm²) 

It promotes control and precision, but is less forgiving on off-center hits. It is better suited to technically advanced players.

Large sieve (over 645 cm²)

It provides more power and forgiveness, especially on off-center hits. In return, control is generally reduced.

The choice of sieve size therefore depends mainly on your skill level, technique, and whether you’re looking for power or control.

Stringing plan

The string pattern of a tennis racket is the number of vertical strings, called mains, and horizontal strings, called crosses. It directly affects feel, power, control, and spin. The 16x19 string pattern is one of the most common. It offers a good balance of power and control, while also helping generate spin. This makes it suitable for many playing styles.

Open string pattern (example: 16x19) 

The spaces between the strings are larger, which improves spin, power, and forgiveness.

Closed string pattern (example: 18x20)

The strings are closer together, which favors control and precision, but generally offers less power and spin.

Power*

Open string pattern

 
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Control**

Closed stringing pattern

 
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Effective date

Open string pattern

 
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The choice of string pattern therefore depends on your playing style: choose an open pattern for more power and spin, or a dense pattern for greater control and precision.

*Power: How easily you can hit the ball deep, not to be confused with ball speed.
**Control: The opposite of power, it helps you hit with greater precision.

The racket profile 

A racket’s profile is defined by two criteria: shape and thickness. There are 3 different shapes:

Cylindrical shape that will increase the frame's stiffness and therefore its power.

Power

 
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The square shape will improve your control.

Control

 
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The streamlined shape is the most aerodynamic and will improve airflow penetration for more power and spin.

Power

Effective date

 
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The thickness of the profile

 

The beam width of a tennis racket is the width of the frame’s cross-section. It generally ranges from 17 to 30 mm and directly affects the racket’s power, control, and forgiveness.

On some models, the beam width is indicated using three numbers, for example 23/26/21 mm. This means the frame’s thickness varies along its length: the first number corresponds to the thickness at the racket head, the second in the middle of the frame, and the third at the throat of the racket.

Thick profile

It promotes power and forgiveness, especially on off-center shots.

Slim profile

It offers greater control and precision, but generally requires greater technical proficiency.

The length of the racket

STANDARD

The length of a tennis racket mainly affects its power and maneuverability. The maximum permitted length is 73.66 cm (29 inches), but most standard rackets measure 68.5 cm (27 inches).

EXTENDED

Some models are longer and can reach approximately 70 cm. This additional length increases the leverage, allowing you to generate more power, but slightly reduces the racket’s maneuverability.

Extended Racket (over 68.5 cm): + more power and − less maneuverability

Racquet stiffness

The stiffness of a tennis racket refers to the ability of its frame to deform on impact with the ball. It is generally measured using the RA rating, which most often ranges from 58 to 74 RA.

Rigid Racket (high RA rating)

The frame deforms less on impact and returns more energy, which promotes power.

Flexible racket (low RA rating) 

The frame flexes more, generally offering greater control and comfort, but requiring more effort to generate power.

Conclusion

The choice of frame stiffness therefore depends on your playing style, skill level, and priorities in terms of power, control, and comfort.