2010 Tennis Racquet Buying Guide

When playing tennis, getting the right equipment is crucial for the beginner and the pro. One of the most important parts of a tennis player's arsenal is not shoes or sweatbands. It's his or her tennis racquet. Having the right racquet can mean the different between okay to better play; however, many players are confused as picking the best racquet for their game. While the answer is never simple, here is a guide for finding and buying tennis racquets for 2010.

The Basics

A tennis racquet is more than just a frame and strings. There are hundreds of types of tennis racquets and they vary in head size, grip, balance, and even frame material make-up. When buying a new racquet each of these items should be considered.

The Racquet Head

Many tennis novices don't realize that there are several tennis head sizes. The size of the hrad can impact your play. Larger head racquets offer larger surface area to make contact with the ball. With the smaller head, once you become proficient, you will notice more controlled play. Racquet heads can range from 88" to 111" squared. For beginners, the larger heads are recommended.

The Grip

Simply put, the grip is that part of the frame which covers the handle. There are different sizes of grips. The standards are 4 1/8" (L1), 4 1/4" (L2), 4 3/8" (L3), 4 1/2" (L4), and 4 5/8" (L5). To determine the perfect grip for a player, simply use a ruler and measure your dominant hand. Take the measurement from the middle palm crease to the tip of the ring finger. If you need to adjust a grip you have options for colors, absorbency and thickness.

Balance and Weight

Just as there are a variety of grips, there are also a variety of weights for unstrung racquets. Racquets can come as light as 8 ounces to as heavy as 12 ounces. Finding the best racquet weight will help in bettering your game. Heavier racquets can offer more power, but can also be harder to swing. Long play times will take there toll if a person uses a heavy racquet. The lighter weight racquets offer faster swing options. Beginners generally should start with the lighter weight racquets and as their play (control and strength) improve, graduating to heavier racquets will work.

Other racquet basics include the length of the racquet which impacts reach and balance of the racquet which helps with stability and control. Also consider the materials, wood racquets were popular in the past, but now racquets are made of light weight metals with add to power and control.

The Rankings

Just as the tennis players of the world are ranked so are racquets. Some groups like Do It Tennis offer such a ranking. Ranking methodology includes consideration of design, comparisons, industry experience (including professional player use), and analysis of play quality.

The Brands

The names Wilson, Head, Prince, Dunlop, and Babolat are staple brands and are known to make some of the world's best tennis racquets. Each year new models hit the market. Here are a few of the great options for the 2010 tennis season.

Babolet Aero Pro 2010

The magic of Babolet's generally rested in strings, but since 1994, when the company entered the racquet making business, all around construction. The Babolet rackets offer good control and low stiffness and are a favorite of Rafael Nadals Parera and Andy Roddick. The Babolet Aero Pro is a great racket for intermediate or advanced players. This racquet is engineered for players with a top spin friendly game and a generous sweet spot.

Wilson (K) Factor Series

Wilson has been revolutionizing the tennis racquet industry for more than six decades. Players such as Federer, the Williams sisters, and Djokovic prefer this brand. The (K)Six-One 90 and 95 are great for hard hitters. This series is generally more powerful than most other racquets is designed for better slicing, and its construction makes it more stable as well.

Prince O3 Speedport Black MP or Red

Prince knows racquets and has designed a solid instrument with the Speedport. A favorite of Maria Sharapovas, the Prince O3 Speedport is great for intermediates and advanced players. It's good for all court play. The racquet has good maneuverability and is great for net play.

Head LiquidMetal Series

Head has several series, including the Flexpoint, but the LiquidMetal series offers something for beginners and pros. Its' Liquidmetal 8 is light weight and has power adding large head. The LiquidMetal Radical MP is for the more advanced player, who likes powerful, aggressive strokes and high swing speeds.

Dunlop Aerogel Series

If a player is looking for comfort and power, the Dunlop Aerogel series offers many options. While Dunlop generally makes racquets for the more intermediate to advance players (Aerogel 200 and 300), its Aerogel series also gives the beginner some choices in the Aerogel 700. The Aerogels constructions have vibration dampeners and also offer great speed to swings because they are lightweight.

Whether you want to start to play or improve your play, it is important for tennis players to find the right racket. Whether a person has a powerful swing or a good ground game, finding a racket that fits their needs does not have to be complicated. Considering grip, weight, head size and handling will help you make the best match.