How do I choose a Tennis Racket?
Head Size:
The vast majority of rackets are in the 97 to 105-square-inch range. Decades ago, it was common to see rackets with head sizes of 90 square inches (or less!), but they have skewed larger over time to provide the best combination of forgiveness, maneuverability, and stability.
Provided your swing speed stays constant, a larger racket head will produce more power than a smaller racket head. For example: A 95 in² head will produce much less pop than a 110, while a 97 and 98 would be difficult to differentiate.
Midsize: 85-95 in² (550-615 square centimeters)
Mid Plus: 96-105 in² (621-680 square centimeters)
Oversize: 106-118 in² (686-761 square centimeters)
Super Oversize: 119 in² and above (767+ square centimeters)
Balance
A head-light racket means more of the weight is housed in the handle. This balance is preferred by players who spend a significant amount of time at the net. Conversely, the head-heavy balance places more weight in the racket head. These frames are more cumbersome at the net, but can provide more stability and power from the back of the court. Super-light rackets are often head heavy to help produce power, whereas middle-weight or heavy rackets are more evenly balanced or head-light for maneuverability.
Flex / Stiffness
Flex and/or stiffness generally affect a racket's feel, which often boils down to personal preference. A more flexible racket means the ball is staying on the strings a fraction of a second longer, providing additional shock absorption, plus increased control and comfort. Usually rackets with thinner beams (20-22mm) will be more flexible frames, while racquets with thicker beams will have a firmer feel.
Swingweight (measured in kg/cm²)
Players like Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic use very high swing weights - well above 350! Most rackets fit in the 300-330 range. The higher the number, the more cumbersome it is to get the racket moving. The reward for a high swing weight can be added power, but only if you can accelerate quickly from the start. Rackets with lower swing weights are more maneuverable, but can also get pushed around by the ball.
Source: www.tennisexpress.com
