Similar to a lot of different sports and activities out there, tennis likes to claim that it’s a sport for a lifetime. But is this really true? Yes, according to scientists there is no doubt tennis is one of the best sports for you to play and can be played well into old age.
Tennis is a one sport that has multiple benefits while helping keeping you fit, active and while always improving your hand-eye coordination, and having fun at the same time. It’s never too late to pick-up a racket, hit the courts and learn the basics while having fun.
While finding equipment, court time and a partner might seem like a lot of effort to coordinate, but most beginners once they get started find tennis surprisingly enjoyable.
So for the beginners, here are 5 things to consider when starting up playing tennis:
1) Gear
When starting tennis you need the basics; A racket, gym clothes and proper footwear. Any gym clothes for tennis will do – whatever suits you, but a good pair of tennis shoes is a must. The best shoe for tennis is – a tennis shoe. They offer the lateral support that you need on the court. You can also wear a cross-trainer or a low-top basketball sneaker with non-marking sole. Shop here.
2) Find the right lesson for you
When it comes to figuring out the basics of the game, beginners have different options. Tennis Lessons are the most cost-effective and social way to start tennis. Instructor’s rates can vary so shop around–a younger teacher may teach for half the price of an experienced pro. A great alternative to the solo lesson is what they call a two-person private lesson, which offers a similar coaching experience at a much lower price.
3) Use a ball machine to improve
Most tennis centres will have a ball machine that can be rented out for as long as necessary for a reasonable price. But if you know the basics of the forehand and backhand from earlier days or from your lesson, then the ball machine can be a great workout and fun way to get back into the game. A backboard is great for some warm-ups and light activity, but not much for improvement
4) Have fun with a partner
If you go, hopefully you’ve found a fun partner or have a friend interested in tennis, try to set up a weekly court time together. Even if you are just beginners you can have some fun.
5) Join a club or become a regular
As we mentioned, tennis is a social sport. If you find some courts or a club near your house that you like, spend some time getting to know the people there. That will lead to more playing partners.
At Intersport Elverys, we have all you need to start playing tennis, from rackets, clothing, footwear and more, Click the link below to shop!
Whether you’re a seasoned tennis player or you’re just starting out, you might be asking yourself “what tennis racket should I buy?”
We’ll get to that and answer all of your questions to determine what type of tennis racket is right for you in our ultimate guide.
When choosing a tennis racket, there are several components you need to consider. Ultimately, it’s going to come down to a combination of your skill level, your own personal preferences, and the construction of the tennis racket.
Everything we’re going to discuss in this article will boil down to these two benefits to look for in a tennis racket:
Control
Power
Control refers to the ability to control the ball — where it’s going and what you want it to do. Control is often more for advanced players who have already developed their muscles and can add their own power to their swing. It also refers to ball placement, or where you want it to land on the other side of the net.
Power refers to the strength the racket adds to your swing. The trade-off is that it diminishes the control you have on the ball. A racket designed for more power is perfect for players who are more concerned with getting the ball over the net, rather than focusing on ball placement and adding spin.
How a Tennis Racket is Made (And What This Means For You):
There are three main elements of tennis racket construction: tennis racket size (head size), string pattern, and racket weight. All three are important to consider when you decide what tennis racket you should buy!
Tennis Racket Head Sizes:
A larger tennis racket head size gives more power to your swings. It also gives you a larger surface area to hit the ball! A smaller head size provides more control on the ball. The trade-off is that it has a smaller surface area to make contact with it.
Midsize: 215.9 – 246.38 centimeters
Midplus: 248.92 – 264.14 centimeters
Oversize: 266.7 centimeters or larger
An oversize tennis racket size often makes for the perfect beginner tennis racket. Whereas the midsize and midplus tennis racket sizes are better advanced or professional tennis rackets.
Tennis Racket Weights:
The lighter a racket is, the more power it will provide you, whereas the heavier a racket is, the more control and stability it will provide as you play.
A lighter racket is easier to use and maneuver, and a heavier racket gives more control and stability on the ball.
Lightweight frame: 255-275 grams
Medium frame: 275-310 grams
Heavyweight frame: 310 grams or heavier
A lighter one makes for a great beginner tennis racket since it’s easier to use and handle. A heavier one is perfect as an advanced or professional tennis racket as it helps with controlling the ball and stability.
Tennis Racket String Pattern:
A dense string pattern means there’s smaller space between the strings of the racket, while a more open string pattern means there’s more space in between the strings.
Open stringbed = more power and a greater spin to the ball
Dense stringbed = more control and stability on the ball
An open stringbed is an awesome choice for a beginner tennis racket because it will help you get more power behind your strokes. A dense stringbed is great for an advanced or professional tennis racket as it aids in controlling ball placement.
Tennis Racket Grip Sizes:
Grip sizes range from L0-L5, and choosing the right one comes down to personal preference.
What is L1, L2, L3 in tennis racket sizes? That just refers to the size of the handle on the racket. The larger the number (L5) the larger the handle on the racket. The smaller the number, of course, the smaller the handle.
In general, we recommend ladies should choose grip sizes between L1 and L2. Men should look at L2 and L3 with a maximum of L4.
We suggest always going for a smaller grip size. The size of the grip is arguably the most important part of the racket, mainly because if your grip is too big, you’ll be unable to get your hand around the racket and feel the ball properly. A small grip can help you generate more spin on the ball, too!
If you’re unsure of what grip size is best for you, opt for that smaller grip size. You can always use overgrips to build the thickness of the handle to your liking if it’s too small.
The best way to determine your preferred grip size? Play with as many rackets as possible to figure out what grip size is best for you!
Balance:
This one usually comes down to personal preference, too. And we have the same advice for determining balance as we do for grip sizes: Play with as many rackets as you can to find what you like!
By doing so, you’ll be able to distinguish if you prefer more weight in the head of the racket (where the strings are) or more weight in the body of the racket (where the handle and throat are).
Head-heavy rackets are typically lighter and offer more power on your groundstrokes. Head-light rackets, on the other hand, are generally heavier but help to offer more control and stability.
Playing Frequency – What Level Are You At?
So, now that we’ve talked about the main benefits to look for in a tennis racket and the construction of it, let’s discuss your playing frequency and how that affects the kind of racket you’ll want.
(alt-text: An advanced tennis player serves a tennis ball.)
The Occasional Player / Beginner Tennis Player
If you’re a beginner tennis player or the occasional tennis player, you may want more power from your tennis racket. A racket that’s designed to aid in power and strength will help you as you learn the game, develop your skill, and build your muscles.
When it comes to what tennis racket you should buy, look for an aluminium or composite racket with a large surface area, also referred to as an oversize head, and a balance point at the handle to make playing easier and to retain more control of the ball. (We’ll touch on balance in a minute!)
The Regular Player / Intermediate Tennis Player
As you develop your muscle and your skill, you can start to reduce your head size of your tennis racket. You can also start to add a little more weight to it, too, and that will help you start to develop your control of the ball.
We suggest a graphite racket with a balance point at the head. If you’re looking for a combination of comfort and control, opt for a racket weighing between 260 and 280 grams.
The Intensive Player / Advanced Tennis Player
As an advanced tennis player, or someone who plays tennis a lot, your muscles will be more developed. That means you can opt for a racket that doesn’t assist as much with power, since you can provide it yourself!
Look at a midsize racket that will allow you to develop your control and precision skills. You’ll feel more connection to the ball, which will let you play more confidently.
A graphite racket with a balance point at the handle is generally best if you’re an advanced tennis player. Your racket weight should be more than 295 grams.
Find Your Perfect Tennis Racket
It can be a daunting task trying to decide what tennis racket is right for you, but hopefully this article has helped you answer the bugging question of “what tennis racket should I buy?”
No matter your playing frequency and your personal preferences when it comes to choosing a tennis racket, we’ve got plenty of options to help you find the right one!
