Most tennis players have wandered into a Tennis Pro Shop and picked up a brand new racquet to check out the latest technology. But, what do all those crazy numbers and letters actually mean that are listed on the racquet? Those numbers and letters are specific information about that racquet, but we are going to shorten it and call them our racquet specs.
One of the first tennis specs listed will be the “head size.” Head size is the square inches of the racquet head (where the strings are). The average size for a racquet head is 100 sq. inches which is used by the majority of players. Racquets do come in a head size of over 100 sq. inches as well as below 100 sq. inches. A bigger head size is favored by players looking for extra power. Those racquets that come in 100+ sq. inches are also known as “oversized.” They are normally light for maneuverability and are chosen by beginners because of the larger sweet spot, or they are chosen by older players looking for a little more power for their game. Racquets that have a head size smaller than 100 sq. inches are used by more advanced players. That is because the sweet spot is so small on these racquets that it is difficult to time out a shot directly in the middle of the racquet head. These racquets also do not aid with power, so the player using this racquet needs to be able to generate their own power. A racquet with this head size is known as “mid.” The 100 sq. inch racquets are the most popular because it caters to the vast majority of players. It is a good blend of both sides. Beginners to advanced players usually enjoy these frames.
The string pattern is another spec that can be a little confusing. The string pattern allows you to know how tight the string bed is. The tighter the string bed, the more stiff the racquet tends to feel and the harder it is to get spin on the ball, although the control is much better. An open string pattern generally allows for a little more comfort and helps the player put spin on the ball. A tight string pattern will be around an 18 x 20. An open string pattern will be closer to a 16 x 19.
Other specs include the swing weight, balance, and stiffness of the racquet. All three of these specs do with the weight of the racquet which will affect your overall swing. At the end of the day, every player has their own preferences on which racquet they think is the best. Do some research on what specs you enjoy in certain racquets when you’re looking to upgrade your frame. I highly recommend trying out a demo of any racquet you are thinking about purchasing to make sure it is the right fit for you! Racquet demo fees at Rome Tennis Center at Berry College is just $2, and if you end up purchasing the racquet from us then we will take the demo fess you spent off of the price for your new racquet.
Julie Fusik
USPTA Elite Professional/Certified Racquet Technician
Director of 10 & Under Tennis/Tournament Apprentice
Rome Tennis Center at Berry College
