Racquet Performance Criteria – Part 1

All tennis racquets are designed to meet one of the following three foundational performance objectives:

1. More power
2. More control
3. A balance between 1 and 2 (Tweener)

Most players prefer their stick design to lean a little more heavily towards one of the first two objectives, while some want a nice in-between balance.

The decision hinges somewhat on your skill level and athleticism. If for example, you are an active, fluid athlete who can generate substantial power on your own, there’s probably no need for you to get a stick that is inherently designed to deliver more power. Instead, you’d be better off procuring one that will allow you to control and spin the ball.

Now, at this point, you might not have any idea which performance parameters would best match your skill level, and that’s fine. We will dig deeper and provide clarity within this guide.

But suffice it to say that the elements that determine a racquet’s power and control include the following:

– Head Size
– Stiffness
– Balance
– Beam Width
– Length
– Grip Size
– String Pattern
– Overall Weight

We will address each of these in detail, but allow me to give you a quick assessment of what type of racquet design is recommended for a beginner versus a highly competitive tennis player or pro.

When you watch one of the top players at work, it’s a thing of beauty. They make it look so easy and fun. As a result, some people will rush out and buy the same racquet only to end up very disappointed.

That’s because pros are at a whole different mental, physical, and skill level when compared to beginners and recreational players.

Think of it this way. Highly competitive players have undergone years of practice and repetitive drills. As a result, they can strike a tennis ball speeding towards them at 70 miles per hour with the racquet head’s sweet spot 90% of the time. Conversely, a beginner might only accomplish the same feat 10% of the time.

Therefore, serious competitors don’t need sticks with large heads that are harder to maneuver and can slow them down. However, beginners need all the help and advantages they can get just to return slow incoming balls with any consistency.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the design elements of a tennis racquet.

HEAD SIZE

The head of a tennis racquet is where the rubber meets the road. The feel of a nice clean center hit (known as the sweet spot) that sends the ball rocketing past your opponent is a moment of sheer joy.

The head plays a role in the power and control characteristics of a stick. If you’re a beginner or recreational player, you should go with a large head size. You’ll enjoy the added power and satisfaction of being able to return shots confidently.

And if you’re on the high competition circuit, then you probably already know that a smaller head is better for your game where speed, control, and feel for your strokes are paramount.

Head size is measured in square inches (sq. in.) and fall into four ranges:

1. Mid – 85 to 94 sq. in.
2. MidPlus – 95 to 105 sq. in.
3. Oversize – 106 to 118 sq. in.
4. Super Oversize – 119 to 137 sq. in.

Again, the larger the head, the wider the sweet spot, and the more room you’ll have to reduce mishits.

The most popular models have head sizes that fall into the MidPlus range and are the primary choice of many recreational and advanced players. Beginners should seek head sizes in the upper MidPlus and Oversize ranges.

Now, if you’re an infrequent player or senior citizen who wants to occasionally get on the court to keep the blood flowing, then you have the Super Oversize option which is a growing market.

STIFFNESS

In case you didn’t know it, not all tennis racquet frames share the same degree of stiffness and rigidity. Naturally, the type of materials and the manufacturing process have a hand in this.

When a speeding ball makes contact with the head, the force generates vibrations and energy that can impact your game. The effect will differ depending on the stiffness of the frame.

The good and bad of a flexible frame include:

– Better control
– Comfortable feel
– Less power

The good and bad of a firm frame include:

– Greater power
– Less wrist comfort due to the vibrations

Like most things, there are trade-offs. But you can find happy mediums if you want. Also, the best sticks usually incorporate technology to dampen shock and vibration.

The flexibility of a frame is measured by a racquet bending machine, but I won’t bore you with all the technical mumbo jumbo of how it works.

All you need to know is that the stiffness measurement is called the RA rating, which ranges from 0 to 100. However, the vast majority of tennis racquets score between 45 to 75.

So, if a model’s stiffness has a rating of 45, that means it is very flexible. And a score of 75 means that it is very stiff. You’ll find that the best frames earn a score between 55 to 70.

Once again, if you’re a beginner or recreational player and want to maintain the power element in your game, then go with frames with RA ratings above 65.

>>>>Racquet Performance Criteria – Part 2>>>>