Tennis Rackets

TENNIS RACKETS
There are two basic sizes of rackets:
a. Senior
b. Junior

I. Length
Senior rackets traditionally are 27" in length. However there has been a trend in the last 3 years for rackets to be manufactured in lengths up to 29" (the maximum currently allowed)

A longer racket will give more reach but at the same time can be more "head heavy". They can be a good idea for people who play double handed.

Choosing the right length of racket is important as there is a great tendency for juniors to buy rackets too big for them to early. The racket when held by the side MUST not touch the ground and when held arm outstretched parallel to the ground the person MUST be able to support the weight.

ii. Grip size
Senior rackets have grip sizes measured in inches. Circumference of between 4 & 4 5/8.The sizes increase by 1/8th of an inch at a time as follows:

GRIP 1 = 4 1/8
GRIP 2 = 4 1/4 (2/8ths)
GRIP 3 = 4 3/8
GRIP 4 = 4 1/2 (4/8ths)
GRIP 5 = 4 5/8

Choosing the right grip size is essential and you can be assured at Allsports of the correct advice. The wrong grip size selection can cause either wrist problems or worse still Tennis Elbow.

iii. WeightWith the modern materials that tennis rackets are made of now weight is not as important an issue. Rackets are all far lighter than before as the frames are stiffer so there is less reliance on weight providing power of shot.

Rackets are generally classified as Light ( L prefixing the grip size ) Light Medium ( LM ) or even Super Light ( SL ) Bear in mind however that one manufacturers Light may be another’s Super Light and that probably a more important consideration would be balance.

iv. Head sizeHead sizes and shapes vary greatly also. Many manufacturers offer in each model alternative sizes normally measured in square inches and categorised as MID size or MID PLUS whilst some manufacturers still produce OS (oversize rackets). Generally speaking a larger head offers a greater area of hitting space and therefore a greater chance of hitting the ball. However as the head is bigger the power that can be achieved is less. The customer needs to be aware of this and people who prefer to play doubles or play a large number of volleys would benefit from a greater hitting area combined with the extra control achieved whilst a baseline player might prefer the extra power from a smaller head size.

The actual size of the head may alter and this is often as a result of attempting to achieve a larger "sweet spot".)The area within the racket head that assuming the stroke is played correctly that the ball will go in the direction etc as planned!) Squarer head shaped at the top end of the racket cause the sweet spot to be towards the end more increasing reach.

v. CompositionRackets now are basically made of two different materials:
a. Aluminium
b. Graphite
c. Composites

a. AluminiumThis is a relatively inexpensive material and you should expect to pay no more than£25.00 for this type of racket. They benefit from being lightweight and quite stiff for a good degree of power but the downsides are that the rackets have to have other materials used in the throat area for stability and therefore they can suffer from vibration problems or head twisting.

b. GraphiteGraphite is a lightweight material that can be made into a liquid form or strips at very high temperatures so that it can be moulded into any shape. This means that the Tennis racket is made up of one piece and therefore does not suffer from the problems associated with aluminium rackets. The graphite can easily be formed info larger heads sizes and shapes whilst still remaining lightweight and stiff for power.

c. CompositesThese are rackets that are generally aluminium frames coated with graphite fibres which means they benefit from appearing like a one piece racket and being slightly more forgiving than an aluminium racket but being less expensive than a complete graphite frame.

vi. Frame shapesThere are many different profiles of rackets. The different profiles of rackets are designed to create individual areas of stiffness or flexibility or alternatively to create differing balance points. For example some rackets are a deeper profile in the head area making the racket head heavy and usually providing more power. Handle heavy rackets provide greater head flexibility for control.

vii. Grip sizesThere are many ways to judge grip sizes and as a rule whatever feels comfortable should be OK - however as choosing the right size is important always do the following:
1. get the customer to hold the racket in their playing hand as if shaking hands with the handle
2. The index finger should lie along the length of the handle
3. The thumb should lie parallel to the thumb
4. If the index finger if the other hand fits snugly between the base of the thumb and the other fingers gripped at the handle this should be the right size.

A general guide is as follows:

Grip 0 Large Junior / Small Lady
Grip 1 as above
Grip 2 Lady
Grip 3 Large Lady / Average Man
Grip 4 Mens
Grip 5 Large Mens

b. JuniorJunior rackets are generally take downs of senior models and come in 4 different sizes:

26" grip 0 (4")
25" grip 37/8th
23" grip 3 3/4"
21" grip 3 1/2"

The first measurement being the total length of the racket and the grip being the circumference of the handle in inches.

The best way to judge the suitability of size for the customer is identical to that for seniors as previously detailed. As a rule of thumb the following applies:

21" 4 - 6 yrs
23" 6 - 8 yrs
25" 8 - 11 yrs

The size 26" rackets with a 0 grip size are ideal rackets for teenagers and often very suitable for Ladies with smaller hands.

MISCELLANEOUS
1. Grips
The Real Sports shop offers a wide range of grips for rackets ranging from pull on and wrap round overgrips designed to increase the grip size to Ridged / Rippled etc grips which improve grip.

2. Headcovers
the Real Sports shop offers every racket for sale with a headcover at no extra cost. We also offer thermos covers, which hold any number up to 9 rackets from most MAJOR racket manufacturers.

2. Strings
All rackets for sale come complete with strings and we also offer a wide range of strings from £9.99 to £29.99 for a complete restring. Other services include replacing grommets and bumper guards.