About Tennis Rackets

Tennis rackets have been used for centuries to play one of the oldest racket sports in history. When choosing a tennis racket, there are many points to take into consideration: the best brand, the price and what racket feels comfortable. There is a tennis racket that is uniquely suited for each individual tennis player, despite how much or how little tennis experience they have.

The sport of tennis began in 11th century France, made popular by monks. The first tennis rackets were crudely made wooden rackets that resembled modern English squash rackets. The handle was long and narrow and had a narrow, oval head. The English finally patented the game (and tennis rackets) in the late 1800s. Wooden rackets gradually improved over the next 100 years, but they were still heavy and cumbersome. These heavy, wooden rackets also made it difficult to lob tennis balls over nets. It wasn't until the 20th century that lightweight materials such as graphite and aluminum were introduced. With today's modern technology, tennis rackets in the 21st century are very lightweight and some are custom-designed to fit the specific needs of both professional and semi-professional tennis players.

There are many popular sporting goods manufacturers that make high quality tennis rackets. Some popular brands include: Dunlop, Fischer, Wilson, Head, Prince and Babolat. Sporting good manufacturers offer a wide variety of styles, colors, designs and weights. These manufacturers also produce smaller rackets for children and specialized rackets for men and women. The best tennis rackets for beginners include: Head Liquid Metal 8 and Prince 03 Speedport Gold. The best tennis racket for intermediate or advanced players include: Prince 03 Speedport Red and Head Flexpoint Radical Oversize. There are also tennis rackets designed for people who suffer from tennis elbow (Head Protector Oversize). Professional tennis players commonly use the following brands: Head, Wilson and Prince. Popular tennis racket brands range in price from $14.99 to over $300 (depending on the manufacturer).

Tennis rackets are usually made from graphite composite materials including Kevlar, titanium and fiberglass. Some people still play with wooden rackets, but they are rarely seen on tennis courts anymore. Depending on a tennis player's level of expertise, size and physical agility, tennis rackets are designed to fit specific needs. There are rackets designed for beginning tennis players. It's common for beginning tennis players to have a short swing. A racket with tight strings is the best choice for a tennis player who doesn't have a practiced swing. Beginner tennis rackets are usually lightweight and easy to handle. These tennis rackets usually have larger heads, giving novice players more power when they hit the ball. Intermediate and advanced tennis players should choose a racket that is more flexible and heavier (over 11 ounces). The heavier rackets allow players to absorb more shock since they have a stronger, more powerful swing and back hand. Semi-professional and professional players usually play with tennis rackets that have smaller heads. Because they are experienced tennis players, larger heads aren't needed. The smaller heads have a large enough "sweet spot," the middle point on the racket which specifically targets balls to its desired location over the net.

The easiest way to pick out a suitable racket is to grip the handle (of your swinging hand). If there is room to place your index finger between the palm and ring finger on the handle, then the racket is a good fit. If there isn't any room to place your index finger, the grip isn't the right fit. If players don't use the correct size racket or wrong grip, injuries could happen and players won't perform well on the court. Beginners should ask more experienced tennis players their personal preference or advice when choosing a racket. Beginners should test out a few rackets and different brands before making a purchase.

Beginning tennis players should ask a professional tennis coach or instructor how to properly hold a tennis racket. Before attempting to play tennis, novice players should educate themselves about proper racket technique. It's also advised to take a beginning tennis class or ask an experienced tennis player to instruct you. Without proper training and handling of tennis rackets, injury to the hands, arms, shoulders and elbows could happen. Children should be supervised when handling tennis rackets and should not use adult-sized tennis rackets (in order to prevent injury).