How to Choose the Right Tennis Racket
Choosing a tennis racket comes down to three specifications: head size, weight and grip size. If you are starting out, a light frame under 285 g unstrung with a head size of 105 sq in or more gives you a large sweet spot and protects your arm. Advanced players usually pick heavier frames from 300 g with a 95–100 sq in head for maximum control. Grip sizes L2 and L3 fit most adult hands.
Which Type of Tennis Racket Suits Your Level?
Tennis rackets are grouped into four types that differ mainly in head size, weight and how forgiving they are. Find your starting point here, then narrow down by brand or specification.
Never held a racket before? Start with our tennis rackets for beginners – light, forgiving and ready to play out of the box. One costly mistake to avoid: buying the racket your favourite professional uses. Tour frames are heavy and stiff, and they punish a swing that is still developing.
Which Racket Specifications Matter Most?
Head Size and Weight
A larger head size enlarges the sweet spot, so off-centre hits still stay in court – forgiveness rises with surface area. A smaller head rewards fast, committed swings with more control. Weight works alongside it: a lighter racket is quicker to manoeuvre and kinder on your shoulder and elbow, while a heavy racket adds stability against pace and more plough-through on groundstrokes. Balance decides the rest – head-heavy frames add power for shorter swings, head-light frames handle faster at the net.
Grip Size
Grip sizes in the UK run from L0 to L5. Grip sizes L1 and L2 are generally a good starting point for players with smaller hands, including many women and transitioning juniors. Sizes L2 and L3 cover most adult players, while L4 and L5 suit larger hands. To check your size, hold the handle in your normal forehand grip and slide the index finger of your other hand into the gap between your fingertips and palm: it should fit snugly. Between two sizes? Take the smaller handle and build it up with an overgrip.
String Pattern
The string pattern is the number of main and cross strings, and it changes how the ball leaves the racket. An open pattern such as 16x19 spaces the strings wider, lets the ball sit deeper in the string bed and returns it with more spin and a higher launch angle – the choice for aggressive topspin baseliners. A dense pattern such as 18x20 deflects less, giving a firmer feel, flatter shots and more precision for advanced players and big hitters. String type and tension fine-tune the result, so pick your tennis strings deliberately rather than keeping the factory set-up.
Which Brand Should You Choose?
Every brand has its own frame construction and feel, so if you already know what you like, go straight to the collection: HEAD tennis rackets, Wilson tennis rackets, Babolat tennis rackets, Yonex tennis rackets, Dunlop tennis rackets and Tecnifibre tennis rackets. Within each brand the series follow the same logic: a control line for advanced players, a lighter and more forgiving line for club play.
Can You Test a Racket Before Buying?
Yes. Our test racket service lets you play a frame on your own court before you commit. Every demo racket comes strung so it plays as intended, and returning it is straightforward – browse the eligible frames in our test rackets collection.
If you would rather narrow things down at home, our racket advisor suggests suitable models after a handful of questions about your level, style and hand size.
FAQs
How often should I restring my tennis racket?
A useful rule of thumb is to restring your tennis racket as many times per year as you play per week. If you play twice a week, aim to restring at least twice a year. Players who hit with heavy spin or compete in matches regularly may need to restring more often, even if the strings have not broken yet, because tension drops over time.
Are tennis rackets sold strung or unstrung?
Tennis rackets are sold both ways: recreational, comfort and junior frames usually arrive factory strung and ready to play, while many advanced and tour frames are sold as frame only, so you can choose your own string and tension. Weight specifications always refer to the unstrung frame, and a full set of strings adds roughly 15 g.
Which grip size works best for women?
For most female players, grip sizes L1 or L2 work best, but the right grip size always depends on your individual hand size and preference.