TENNIS RACKET SIZE GUIDE

When it comes to buying a tennis racket there are often key considerations that get overlooked. With this in mind, we have created a comprehensive tennis racket buying guide that covers all the factors you need to take into consideration when buying a tennis racket.

We’ll cover basic regulation tennis racket dimensions, the different head dimensions available, choosing the right length of racket, tennis racket grip sizes, racket weights and more, providing you with all the information you need to buy a tennis racket with confidence.

Whilst the above covers the standard dimensions of a tennis racket, we’re now going to dive into tennis racket sizes in more detail to provide you with all the information you need prior to buying a racket for you or someone else.

When determining the correct racket size for junior players, tennis racket length is the metric you should use. It’s important that young players use a tennis racket that is the correct size so that they can maximize their enjoyment and ensure that they don’t become demotivated by experiencing failure with a racket that is too big or too small.

Using a racket that is too long could lead to a junior player lacking the strength to swing it properly and potentially struggling to make contact with the ball. Buying a racket that is too small will lead to a significant loss of shot power, and players may feel more vibrations through their hands, as their grip will be closer to the racket head.

Below we have included a table showing the typical racket length by age. As kids grow at different rates, this table should not dictate which tennis racket size you buy but should serve as a rough starting point for what size you could be looking for. Your child should be able to fit both hands, one on top of the other, onto the grip and should be able to swing the racket comfortably, without their arms or shoulders becoming tired.

A tennis racket head size is classified as either Mid-Size, Mid-Plus or Oversize depending on how many square inches the racket head is.

Figuring out how many square inches a racket head is, and therefore the type of racket head, is easy. Using either a tape measure or ruler you’ll need to:

1. Measure the width of a racket head (stringed area) at its widest point in inches.
2. Measure the height/length of a racket head (stringed area) in inches.
3. Multiply the two measurements
4. Multiply the measurement from step 3 by 0.785.

The above will give you the surface area of a tennis racket head, and therefore tell you if it is a mid-size, mid-plus or oversize tennis racket.

Determining the right tennis racket head size for you will ultimately come down to your ability and playing style. The general rule with tennis racket heads is that the larger the head size, the more power you will be able to generate and the easier it will be to make contact with the ball. Smaller tennis racket head sizes provide more control and accuracy.

Here we will cover the three sizes previously mentioned and detail which skill level each is most suitable for.

Mid-Size

Mid-size is the smallest kind of racket head available to you. Any racket head measuring less than 95sq in is classed as mid-size. This racket head type is most suited to advanced players who are looking for greater control and accuracy with their shots, as they already have developed their power as a beginner/intermediate. The smaller head size also allows the top players to change their grips quickly to react to any shot type that they might face.  Any beginners who try to use a mid-size racket head will struggle to make consistent contact with the ball and will struggle to generate enough power.

Mid-Plus

Mid-plus is classed as any racket head size that is between 95sq in – 105sq in. Mid-plus tennis racket head types provide a happy medium for intermediate players who are looking to transition from oversize to mid-size. Over time, players’ muscles develop and learn to generate shot power on their own without having to rely on a larger racket head size. Mid-plus sizes provides a combination of the power associated with oversize rackets and the control associated with mid-size rackets.

Oversize

Oversize tennis racket heads have a surface area of over 105sq.in and are most suitable for beginners. The larger surface area helps them make contact with the ball consistently. These racket heads also have a larger ‘sweet spot’. The sweet spot is the area of the racket which produces optimal power and control whilst sending the least amount of uncomfortable vibration down the handle when the ball is hit. This larger sweet spot is beneficial for beginners who don’t strike the ball as purely as advanced players.

However, a disadvantage of a larger racket head size is they can be slightly more difficult to handle. This makes changing grips and reacting at speed more challenging than if you were using a smaller head size. Despite this, using an oversize racket head is still typically the best type of tennis racket for beginners.

A factor that heavily dictates what size racket senior players should buy is grip size. Choosing the correct size grip will have a big impact on your performance and ensure comfort whilst playing.

Using a grip size that is too big can make the racket challenging to hold, which may lead to a weaker grip. Grips that are too large can also limit the movement of your wrist and lead to wrist injuries or other tennis related issues, such as tennis elbow.

A grip size that is too small can be equally difficult to hold, especially when your palms start sweating and you hit the ball which can cause the racket to rotate in your hands.

Determining the correct size grip for your tennis racket is simple. You can find the correct grip or handle diameter by measuring your hand using a ruler or tape measure.

Below we’ve listed the typical tennis racket grip sizes. If you are between sizes, your playing style should dictate the size you choose to buy. If you like to apply spin to your shots, then it is recommended to opt for the smaller of the two sizes. Whereas if you like to play flat, powerful ground strokes then the larger of the two grip sizes would be more suitable.

Grip sizes are typically printed on the base of the handle. The grip size is either given in inches or as a number which is more common for rackets manufactured in Europe.

Tennis racket weight is another important consideration to make when selecting a racket to buy. The weight of the racket frame carries most of the overall weight of a tennis racket. As there are no set weight restrictions on tennis rackets, the weight you choose will be influenced by your skill level, strength and personal preferences.

Light tennis rackets typically weigh under 290g. They are typically recommended for beginner players or juniors who perhaps haven’t developed the relevant muscle groups to swing a heavy tennis racket. Beginners who use a racket with a larger head size will require a lighter frame in order to help them find a balance between shot power and control. Advanced players still might choose to use a lightweight racket if they prefer control, accuracy and manoeuvrability.

Average weight tennis rackets commonly weigh anywhere between 290g – 310g. They provide a combination of power and control for intermediate or advanced players looking for a balanced play style. Some adult beginners may wish to use this weight if they wish to generate more power than a lightweight racket would offer.

Heavy tennis rackets are much more frequently used amongst senior advanced players who have developed the relevant muscle groups and can consistently swing a heavier racket without becoming fatigued. As advanced players typically opt for smaller tennis racket head sizes to benefit their shot accuracy and racket control, a heavier frame will help maintain their shot power. Other adult tennis players of varying skill level may still prefer to us a heavier tennis racket, if they are already naturally strong and can comfortably swing the racket without tiring.

Tennis racket strings make up the face of the tennis racket that strikes the ball. The stringing only makes up between 12g – 20g of the overall tennis racket weight. The material of the strings influences their weight. Polyester strings typically weigh more than synthetic multifilament’s.

The tension of the tennis racket strings can be adjusted based on personal preference. A racket that is strung with high tension is suitable for players seeking more control of their shots, whereas low tension stringing is suitable for more shot power.

Now that you have read our complete tennis racket size guide, why not check out our full range of Vermont tennis rackets? All of our rackets are constructed from premium grade materials and we have rackets to suit all ages, heights and ability levels.

As well as tennis rackets, we also carry a comprehensive range of Vermont tennis equipment, including, tennis balls, tennis nets & posts, training equipment and other court accessories, such as umpires chairs and scoreboards. If you’re looking to get your home, school or tennis club equipped with the best tennis equipment we’ve got you covered!