Finding the Correct Tennis Racket and Grip Size

For many tennis players, beginners or those blessed with topspin talent, choosing what type of high performance tennis racket can be a strenuous decision. The first tip, even before breaking down what kind of swing you have and what frames fit you, is that you must demo these frames to have the accurate feel for your game. I know that www.tenniswarehouse.com has a demo program.

To decide which rackets to test first look at what type of swing you have. Rackets are segmented into three different swing ranges. Short-slow compact swings, medium-moderate pace swings, and full-fast swings. To help determine where your swing falls, taking a lesson with a USTA Tennis Professional is recommended. They are highly skilled teachers that have a trained eye.

At the professional tennis center where I work, we mainly carry Prince and Wilson frames. One of our most popular frames for anyone who falls in the short-slow compact swing range is the Prince Speedport Silver. It's an oversized head and when strung with Prince Premier 16 or 17-gauge string it provides the punch older players are looking for. Don't be afraid of the cost, it's worth it. If you would like something similar that and lighter on the wallet, try out the Prince Ozone One.

Wilson K-4 and K-5 are great rackets for any beginner who has that mid-range swing. Also included in this category would be the Prince Hybrid Lite. Its one of the lightest frames on the market and normally that's what a new comer likes. It keeps their arm healthy from tennis elbow while they continue to develop a full-fast swing. We have many of these since its early 2008 release.

The biggest seller this year where I work is the Prince Speedport Black, which is perfect racket for many tennis players who've developed a full-fast swing. Whether it's been years of training, or just natural talent it fits many like a glove. Recently Prince has come out with two new versions of this frame. The Speedport Black Team, which is slightly lighter than the original and the Speedport Black Long Body, which is a half-inch longer. Wilson also provides many frames in this swing range, one of them being the Wilson 6.1, or as many people recognize it as the Roger Federer stick.

You also need to be conscious of what size grip to purchase. A quick guideline when fitting yourself is to grip the racket and if it's the right size you should be able to put your not dominate hand's index finger in the gap between the end of your finger tips and the heal of your hand. This is a judgment/comfort call. Some players prefer a grip that appears either too large or small for their hand. The key is that after an hour or two of play, you should not be feeling any sharp pains in your elbow.

I hope this gave you a few ideas about which rackets to look for and how to fit your grip. Like I said in the beginning, using the frames in a demo manner is the best way to find something that fits your game before you invest.