Racket Size

For a tennis player, there is no piece of equipment more critical than your racquet. Balls come and go, tennis shoes eventually lose their soles, and you can find a variety of courts in your local area – or even create one yourself. But the racquet is your own personal tool to play the sport for a lifetime. So how do you find the right one?

The good news is that there are racquets out there for every playing style, swing shape and level. The most important part, particularly when selecting a racquet for a child, is to choose one that’s sized right.

Here’s a look at the racquet sizes available and the best way to measure which is best for you.

1. 19-, 21- and 23-inch racquets. These are all generally youth racquets for players age 8 and under.
2. 23- and 25-inch racquets. These are generally best for the 9-10-year-old age group.
3. 26-inch racquets. This is a great racquet for youngsters looking to make the transition to the 78-foot court.
4. 27 inches and up. This length has typically been associated with adult-sized racquets, but there are now 27-inch racquets that are a great fit for players of all ages and levels playing on a 78-foot court. There are also some racquets available at 27.5, 28 and even 29 inches, with the longer racquets generally providing more power but less control.

Using the right-sized racquet is important to the development of a player’s fundamentals. A simple way to know if a racquet is the correct size for you is to hold it by your side with the head pointing down toward the ground; the racquet head should be just above the floor but not actually touching the ground.

Head size – the size of the area where the strings are – is by and large provided in square inches. The smaller the head, the more maneuverable and control-oriented the racquet will be; the bigger the head, the more margin for error and power a racquet will have. Most beginners should use a racquet with a head size between 100 and 115 sq. inches – consider the smaller end of the spectrum if you’re coordinated and/or looking to develop long, fluid swings through practice and lessons.

The racquet’s weight is usually given in ounces. Generally speaking, a light racquet will be more maneuverable; a heavy racquet will be more stable. Beginners should choose a racquet that weighs somewhere between 9.5 and 11 ounces – on the heavier end if you’re strong or relatively athletic.

The racquet length is measured from the cap of its handle to the top of its head.

Longer racquets, the theory goes, give you more leverage on serves and greater reach on volleys; shorter racquets are more maneuverable. Until you’ve played long enough to know what your strengths and weaknesses are – and what you need from your racquet – it’s best to play with a racquet with a standard 27-inch length.