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Faizan
With the introduction of graphite and composite material tennis rackets, all rackets became much lighter, with weights falling within a general range between 9 and 13 ounces. Earlier rackets, made of wood, could weigh as much as 4 ounces more. A tennis racket is considered lightweight if it's between 9 and 10.5 ounces. In addition to the actual weight of the racket, there is also a swing weight, which is essentially how heavy the racket feels when swung, according to Tennis-warehouse.com. How the racket is balanced -- head heavy versus head light -- is another weight consideration.
Actual Racket Weight
How heavy your racket is usually corresponds to your skill level -- lighter rackets that are less than 10 ounces are for beginners, while heavier rackets in the 11 to 13 ounce range are for the more advanced players, according to Tennis-Warehouse.com. Tennis rackets are generally made from graphite mixed with titanium, fiberglass or other materials. As a general rule of thumb, heavier rackets offer more hitting power with better shock absorption. Lighter rackets don't offer as much in the way of shock absorption, but they're easier for a beginner to maneuver, per the U.S. Tennis Association.
Swing Weight 101
Often more important than its actual weight in ounces, which is sometimes called a racket's strung weight, is a tennis racket's swing weight. This is a number assigned to a racket based on how heavy it feels when you swing it. Tennis-warehouse.com defines it as, "Resistance to movement in a circle," as most strokes in tennis are based around a circular motion. Gonzalo M. Garcia of Gonzo Tennis Academy in Boulder, Colorado, writes on his website that a racket that is 11 ounces can have a lower swing weight than a racket weighing 9.5 ounces because rackets are balanced differently between head -- head heavy -- and grip -- head light -- making it feel like a lighter racket is heavier.
Racket Balance
To know how your racket is balanced, you can have it professionally tested with a balancing machine. Most racket stringers and pro shops have one. You can also use a tool like a 1/2-inch dowel to teeter your racket on to test it. If your racket comes to balance in its exact middle, then it's evenly balanced. If the balance point is more than halfway up, the racket is considered head heavy; likewise if it's not balanced till the dowel is more than halfway down the racket, then it's considered head light. Generally speaking, to aid in keeping your racket in proper position, especially for beginners, a head light or evenly balanced racket is better as its center of mass is closer to your wrist, according to Tennis-Warehouse.com.
Practice Makes Perfect
There are so many variables when it comes to tennis rackets that you should test as many rackets as possible before you buy, notes Gonzo Tennis Academy's website. If you want a lightweight racket but aren't sure about its balance or swing weight, the best thing to do is try them out. Many pro shops allow product tryouts, so sample different weights and head sizes, and have the shop test the balance.
Actual Racket Weight
How heavy your racket is usually corresponds to your skill level -- lighter rackets that are less than 10 ounces are for beginners, while heavier rackets in the 11 to 13 ounce range are for the more advanced players, according to Tennis-Warehouse.com. Tennis rackets are generally made from graphite mixed with titanium, fiberglass or other materials. As a general rule of thumb, heavier rackets offer more hitting power with better shock absorption. Lighter rackets don't offer as much in the way of shock absorption, but they're easier for a beginner to maneuver, per the U.S. Tennis Association.
Swing Weight 101
Often more important than its actual weight in ounces, which is sometimes called a racket's strung weight, is a tennis racket's swing weight. This is a number assigned to a racket based on how heavy it feels when you swing it. Tennis-warehouse.com defines it as, "Resistance to movement in a circle," as most strokes in tennis are based around a circular motion. Gonzalo M. Garcia of Gonzo Tennis Academy in Boulder, Colorado, writes on his website that a racket that is 11 ounces can have a lower swing weight than a racket weighing 9.5 ounces because rackets are balanced differently between head -- head heavy -- and grip -- head light -- making it feel like a lighter racket is heavier.
Racket Balance
To know how your racket is balanced, you can have it professionally tested with a balancing machine. Most racket stringers and pro shops have one. You can also use a tool like a 1/2-inch dowel to teeter your racket on to test it. If your racket comes to balance in its exact middle, then it's evenly balanced. If the balance point is more than halfway up, the racket is considered head heavy; likewise if it's not balanced till the dowel is more than halfway down the racket, then it's considered head light. Generally speaking, to aid in keeping your racket in proper position, especially for beginners, a head light or evenly balanced racket is better as its center of mass is closer to your wrist, according to Tennis-Warehouse.com.
Practice Makes Perfect
There are so many variables when it comes to tennis rackets that you should test as many rackets as possible before you buy, notes Gonzo Tennis Academy's website. If you want a lightweight racket but aren't sure about its balance or swing weight, the best thing to do is try them out. Many pro shops allow product tryouts, so sample different weights and head sizes, and have the shop test the balance.
Posted in: Tennis
