A: The main thing that will affect the power level of a tennis racquet is the stiffness of the frame. The stiffer a racquet is the more power it will provide for you. Conversely, the more flexible a racquet is the more control it will have. This is because the more a racquet flexes the more energy it will absorb and the less energy will go into the ball, giving you less power and keeping the ball on the strings of the racquet longer. This will then make it easier to place the ball where you want it. However, this also means that while a stiffer racquet will provide a more powerful shot, it will not absorb as much energy and may transfer shock into your arm.

A: Grip size on tennis racquets range from 4 1/8 – 4 5/8. This is a measure of the circumference of the racquets grip. Your grip size is determined by placing your index finger in the space between the tips of your fingers and your palm when gripping a racquet (Generally about one half inch of space). Whichever size provides the best fit for your index finger is the grip size you should use.

Having the right grip size is very important because if the grip is too big or too small, you may end up gripping the racquet too hard which could give you tennis elbow.

A: The head size of a tennis racquet affects the size of its sweet-spot. The sweet-spot is the area of the racquet face where the ball will feel best and perform the way it’s supposed to when hit. The larger the head size on a racquet, the larger the sweet spot. There are three basic types of head sizes. Midsize is the smallest of the three groups. These racquets range anywhere from 80 – 95 square inches and have the smallest sweet spots. They will typically also have the most control but the least amount of power. Midplus is the next biggest group. These racquets range in size from 96-105 square inches and have a medium size sweet spot. These racquets are generally a good balance of power and control. The largest size group is called Oversize and has a head size of 106 + square inches. These racquets have the largest sweet spot and are the easiest to hit. They will also tend to have the most power with the least amount of control. The pictures below show the relative size of the sweet spots for each size group.

A: The weight of a tennis racquet will affect its stability. Generally, the heavier a racquet is the more stable it will be. Weight is also a good indication of power level. The lighter a racquet, the more power it will usually have. Conversely, the heavier a racquet, the more control it will usually have.

A: The balance of a tennis racquet is classified into three different categories. They are head light, head heavy, and evenly balanced. A head light racquet will have more weight in the handle of the racquet than the head. This makes head light racquets easier to swing and easier to maneuver. These racquets are generally preferred by net players and players who like to hit with a lot of spin. A head heavy racquet has more weight in its head than its handle. This makes a head heavy racquet more stable and a little more powerful than a head light racquet. These types of racquets are generally preferred by a baseline player who likes to hit with a lot of power. An evenly balanced racquet has its weight evenly distributed throughout the whole frame. This racquet is typically preferred by a player who will play at both the net and the baseline.

A: A racquet with an open string pattern will generally provide a player with more spin and power. The racquet will be powerful because there is less force to hold the strings in place allowing them to flex more. This will provide a catapult effect that will push the ball off the strings faster. An open string pattern will provide more spin because the wider the strings are apart, the more grab they will have on the ball. A racquet with an open string pattern will also cause the strings to break faster than a dense string pattern. Since there is less force holding the strings in place, the strings will move around more and tend to cut each other. This will eventually cause them to break.

A racquet with a dense string pattern will provide more control and will help the string in the racquet to last longer. This is because there is more force holding the strings in the racquet and they will not flex as much. This causes the ball to stay on the strings for a longer period of time, giving you more control. Also, since there is more force holding the strings in place, they will not move around as much and cut each other as an open string pattern racquet.

A: Yes, the longer a person’s swing is, the more controlling a racquet they will generally want. This is because the longer a swing is, the more power it will generate. Therefore, a person with a long swing does not need the racquet to generate a lot of power for them. If a person has a shorter swing, it will be harder for them to generate a lot of their own power. A person with a shorter swing then tends to like a more powerful racquet because it will provide them with a stronger shot for a shorter swing.

Note: Not everyone with a long swing has a naturally powerful stroke. If a person has a long swing but doesn’t swing the racquet very fast, they usually will tend like a racquet with a little more power.

A: The price of a racquet is generally determined by the material used to make it. The more powerful racquets tend to be more expensive because they use a lighter weight material. While the lighter weight materials are still very strong, they tend to cost more. This makes the racquet itself more expensive.

How a material responds to a shot will also determine the cost of a racquet. The more a racquet flexes and returns to its original shape after a striking a ball, the more expensive it will generally be. This is because the material used to create the racquet is typically of a higher grade and will be able to absorb more energy and not break down.