5 Top Tips For Racket Care

1. Replacing Your Grip

The grip on your racket should be replaced a minimum of twice a year depending on how often you play. Absorbent grips can help prevent your hand from slipping during high-stakes games and a comfortable grip can prevent arm problems caused by twisting hands, as well as preventing blisters and hand injuries.

2. Restring As Required

As your strings age, they tend to lose their tension. This happens faster – the more that you play. Incorrectly tensioned strings can impact your racket’s power, control, and feel. Stringing should be done according to how often you play – 5 hours a week would equate to tensioning 5 times a year, those that spend less time playing could opt for once or twice a year.

3. Protecting The Head

Protecting the structural integrity of your racket starts with correctly transporting your racket, always use an appropriate racket bag or padded backpack. This will also minimize unnecessary scratching of the frame – keeping your racket looking good. Do not store anything heavy on top of your racket frames or strings. There are also protective tapes that can be used to protect from ground scrapes.

4. Store Correctly

Avoid storing your rackets in garages, basements, attics, near fireplaces, or in direct sunlight. Different rackets are made of different materials and density compositions. Extreme heat conditions can result in these materials being distorted or twisted. On the other hand, cool rackets may become fragile and break. Heat-resisting tennis bags can help regulate these temperatures – especially when traveling or flying.

5. Proper Cleaning

Your tennis racket can be wiped down with a wet-wipe or lint-free cloth in order to keep your racket clean. This should especially be done when playing on clay or dirt courts where wet dirt and clay can get clogged in the grommet holes. A fine/ soft toothbrush could be used to gently massage away dirt. You should avoid using any type of detergent as they may be abrasive, or oily, and can result in damaging the surface finish of your racket or damage your strings. Rubbing alcohol could be used to sanitize the racket frame but keep away from the grip area. The grip should be kept dry at all times. Never use a high-pressure hose on your racket.

Our Guide To Choosing Your Racket

Rackets can be classified into 5 main categories. The Categorization is based on a player’s swing type, which is either slow and compact, fast and full, or moderate…ie somewhere between. Attention can also be paid to where a player stands on the court and how much power is needed to deliver the ball across the net.

Power Rackets

Also referred to as game improvement rackets – help players hit with more power and depth with less effort.

These rackets are great options for beginners who have not yet developed the proper technique, form, and skill to generate power. At this stage, players will tend to have shorter compact strokes, which evolve with time.

This type of tennis racquet can also be an excellent choice for players, who don’t have a ton of strength.

Specifics

Typically these racquets include:

Oversized Heads: 100″ +,
Extended Lengths: 27-29″,
Stiffer Frames: 66+,
Lightweight Construction: +/- 230 – 270g

Head Speed G-360+ MP LITE 16X19 275G 2021

Control Rackets

In many ways, control rackets otherwise referred to as player’s rackets are the opposite of power racquets.

With this racket, players opt for less power in order for more control or the ability to place the ball more accurately. The key here is that the player must either have a hard-hitting game style or develop the necessary technique, skill, and fitness required to generate power. As a result, control racquets are ideal for seasoned or professional tennis players who possess fast, full swings.

Specifics

Typically these racquets include:

Smaller Heads: 85-97″ +,
Standard Lengths: 68.58cm,
Low-Mid Flex: 50-70,
Heavier Construction: +/- 330 – 360g

Yonex V-Core Pro 97
MP LITE 16X19 310G

Spin Rackets

To survive in the modern game of tennis, players need a good amount of spin on shots. Flat shots are only going to get a person so far, and it is just tougher to keep the ball in play without some topspin on groundstrokes.

Creating spin comes down to a player a lot of times, but some racquets help create spin more than others. Generally, these rackets are lightweight and easy to whip around for additional spin while also having slightly more spaced-out strings for more “bite” on the strings. Spin rackets often provide good power and speed.

Specifics

Typically these racquets include:

Smaller Heads: 85-97″ +,
Standard Lengths: 68.58cm,
Low-Mid Flex: 50-70,
Heavier Construction: +/- 330 – 360g

Babolat Pure Drive Tour
16x19 315G

Intermediate Rackets

Intermediate-level rackets that sit somewhere between power and control rackets.

Great all-around performers that provide a wide range of players with a blend of power and control.

Suitable for beginners or recreational players who perhaps started learning with an inexpensive starter racquet and are looking to upgrade.

These rackets fit a variety of playing styles and skill levels.

Specifics

Typically these racquets include:

Mid-sized Heads: 98-104″,
Standard Lengths: 68.58cm,
Mid Flex: 61-70,
Mid-range Weight: +/-270 – 330g

Wilson Clash 100L
16X19 280G

Modern Rackets

Modern players’ racquets are still heavier standard length racquets, but they feature slightly larger head sizes and higher stiffness ratings, which increase power and spin potential.

These Modern Players rackets are often developed with the top Pro players to give a unique result from the racket.

Most advanced players will have carefully selected their tennis racquet well before they reach this level. However, intermediate players that are finding success on the court and moving up to an advanced level will want to start to consider a player’s racket.