Choosing Your First Tennis Racquet
Now that you are starting in tennis, the most expensive piece of equipment that you probably ever need to buy is a solid and reliable tennis racket. Many local sports stores carry a wide array of tennis equipment, from rackets to specific apparel. First, try to find a store that has great customer service that will help guide you into finding the perfect racquet. Racquets are usually classified in three categories which include: beginner, tweener (intermediate) and advanced.
There are several things that you should watch for:
Price: Price can of course be an issue for many people that are just starting in tennis. Since you are still a beginner and do not necessarily yet know if this is a sport you will continue to practice on the long term, you do not want to invest 400 $ in a racquet. Luckily, sports brands offer a variety of racquets in any price range from 40 to 500 dollars.
Material: Racquets can come in many different materials. The most popular ones include aluminium and graphite. Aluminium racquets are relatively flexible and will not do for a player who hits too hard. Graphite on the other hand might be a good choice for a player that progresses quickly.
Head size: The bigger your racquet’s head size is the more power you usually have. This is why a beginner’s choice should be an oversized head.
Weight is another important factor. Don’t buy a racket that is too heavy (and will be hard to carry and play with), or too light (the collision of the impact will be transmitted to your arm)
Play testing can be a good idea to make sure you made the right choice. For beginners, play testing might not be an easy task. You can try and go shopping with a friend for an experienced players advice. If you are comparing a few racquets try and look for the following:
- Try to see if you feel any bothersome noises and/or vibrations.
- Check if the racquet has a solid feel as the ball comes into impact with it.
- Does the racquet feel too heavy for you to manoeuvre?
Once you have tried out several racquets, you will probably narrow it down to yourf avorite one quite easily. Then, it’s out to the court to try out your latest acquisition... Have a great game!
