How to Choose a Tennis Racquet: The Best Racquet for Your Game


What’s the best tennis racquet? 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 racquet is perfect for every player. What’s considered the “best” tennis racquet comes down to you and your game. 

The ideal tennis racquet for you will depend on many factors: how long you’ve been playing, your age and fitness level, your style of play, desired racquet attributes and much more. 

Finding the best racquet for tennis for your game

We highly recommend visiting your local tennis racquet store where an expert can help you select a racquet 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 racquet?

This one seems like a given, but it’s an important question to consider when you’re buying a new racquet. 

•    Are you looking for your first racquet as you start tennis lessons? 
•    Are you hoping to find a new racquet that offers more power or control? 
•    Are you wanting a more forgiving racquet due to arm pain? 
•    Are you looking for a racquet with a different size or weight?

Questions like these will be important items to note when you’re researching racquets or meeting with a racquet expert. 

Are you a beginner tennis player?

If you’re a beginner who is working on fundamentals, our team will likely recommend a lighter racquet 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 racquet. 

A lighter racquet will also help you avoid putting too much pressure on your arm while you’re learning to play. Playing with a racquet that is too heavy can often lead to arm pain.

What’s your budget for a tennis racquet?

If you’re shopping for a new, quality graphite racquet, you should plan to spend between $200 to $350. In most cases, you’ll likely be around the $300 range for a new racquet, strings and grip. This price tag may seem steep at first, but remember, high-quality racquets are designed for many years of play. 

Are there less expensive tennis racquets available?

If you’re looking to save some money, used racquets or previous models are both great options. You can often find high-quality racquets that have only been used lightly or are simply last year’s version at a discounted price.

While there are some very inexpensive racquets 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 racquet much sooner than if you’d bought a quality racquet made with graphite.

What’s your age and fitness level?

Your age and fitness level are important factors to consider when shopping for a racquet. 

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 racquet for your unique swing style.

If you have a shorter swing, we typically recommend:
•    A racquet that is lighter and easier to maneuver.
•    An oversize racquet. 
•    A racquet 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 racquet that can give you more power.
•    A head light racquet that is faster to swing.
•    A racquet with a smaller head size for better control.

What’s your personal tennis racquet style?

When it comes to your racquet, style may matter. If you love the appearance of your tennis racquet, 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 racquet comes in any specialty designs or styles. 

Have you demoed any racquets?

Play testing racquets is important for both new and experienced tennis players. 

If you’re new to tennis, we recommend testing out a wide range of demo racquets to determine what racquet 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 racquets 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 racquet, which will help narrow your search. Just keep in mind that even racquets 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 racquets before you buy them. With Game-Set-Match, Inc’s demo program, customers can try up to three racquets 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 racquet or paddle.

Where to buy a tennis racquet

It won’t surprise you that we recommend buying tennis racquets in a local tennis store. This will allow you to:
•    Talk through each of these aspects (and more) with a tennis racquet expert.
•    Demo racquets 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 racquet store locations. 

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