Tennis
Racquets from Tennis Traders
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Overview
Choosing
a tennis racquet can be quite a difficult proposition. Tennis Traders
hopes this article will help narrow your thoughts so that you can
find one you like and enjoy. Many times if a player does not purchase
a high quality tennis racquet, they will find that they play less
frequently and without a desire to improve! The usual motto of “what
you get is what you pay for” can be applied to the choosing
of a tennis racquet as well.
Tennis
Racquets come in various lengths, head sizes, and materials. Some
offer more power, others more control. Based on the dimensions and
power levels of today’s tennis racquets, you can match your
playing style with a current racquet and hopefully find one that
fits you!
The
Choices
Tennis
Traders offers racquets from the following companies:
Babolat
Tennis Racquets
Dunlop
Tennis Racquets
Prince
Tennis Racquets
Wilson
Tennis Racquets
Yonex
Tennis Racquets
Pro
Kennex Tennis Racquets
Volkl
Tennis Racquets
Head
Tennis Racquets
Powerful
Racquets (Oversize)
Each of these companies offers tennis racquets that vary based on
their power, swing weight, head size, length, and other characteristics.
A good place to start would be determining how much power you are
looking for. A good rule of thumb is to always choose a racquet
with as much POWER as you can control! A powerful racquet is generally
stiffer than its flexible counterpart. Off center shots shake and
vibrate flexible frames, far more than their stiff and powerful
cousins. So, if you are looking for a powerful tennis racquet, you
would want one with a larger head size – for more of a trampoline
effect. And similarly, if you have short, compact strokes, this
bigger racquets will provide more power for you.
Control
Racquets (Midsize and Midplus)
If you look out at the ATP or WTA pro tours, you will see many of
today’s professionals using very small head sizes. They generally
hit the ball in the center of the racquet head, and, due to their
swing speed, hit it very hard! They are not in need of these bigger
head sizes because they can supply the power for themselves! These
Midsize and Midplus head sizes are usually considered standard length
racquets and aimed at those seeking "control."
A
Few Misconceptions:
Contrary
to popular belief, POWER racquets actually have better directional
control, than so-called flexible control racquets (i.e. crosscourt
or down the line shots). Flexible frames change the angle at which
the ball leaves the racquet, much more dramatically than powerful
(stiffer) tennis racquets. Flexible racquets do however tend to
have greater feel and depth control, by virtue of the longer “dwell”
time, associated with more flexible frames.
Summarily,
a less powerful racquet will produce greater feel and depth control,
whereas a more powerful (stiffer) racquet will produce a larger
“Sweetspot” and better directional control. Another
advantage to most players is that POWER racquets are generally lighter
and offer greater dampening by virtue of the various Shock Absorbing
Systems used in today’s more powerful frames!
The Decision:
It
is important to look at the different features of today’s
tennis racquets, as they change from year to year. Your local tennis
professional can always help in deciding which racquet is right
for you, but as a word of caution, trust yourself.
To everyone that I help at our warehouse store, I always suggest
the following: Personal Preference is a CRUCIAL factor in choosing
a racquet. As long as you, the person playing with the racquet,
likes the way it feels then you are on the right track. Just because
your USTA partner plays with a __________, doesn’t mean it
would fit your game. Please drop us an e-mail if you have any further
questions. We would be happy to help you in choosing your next tennis
racquet!
