Materials used in a tennis racket.
Nowadays, many different materials are used in the production of tennis rackets. In order for a tennis racket to be durable, manufacturers have tried a wide variety of materials. Information about them can be found in the markings on the racket or packaging:

• Composite materials (composite materials). As a rule, such an inscription is on models that were produced in a combination of certain materials (a mixture of graphite, carographite, fiberglass, titanium, etc.)
• Graphite (graphite)- basically, it is from it that the bulk of modern tennis rackets are made. Graphite is very strong, but also lightweight. Gives a high level of power to the shot while still allowing good feel for the tennis ball. Achieves its best properties in combination with various thermoplastic and glass fiber resins. Tennis rackets, which are made using composite materials including graphite, are suitable for both beginners and professional players.
• aluminum (aluminum)- an inexpensive material used in the manufacture of tennis rackets. Therefore, its advantages are low price and long service life. If you accidentally hit the racket on the floor or your partner's racket during the game, most likely it will not break. But, of course, the tennis racket will deform and lose its playing properties.
• Hyper carbon- This material has been actively promoted by Wilson in the tennis market over the past few years. Hyper carbon was co-developed with NASA and is claimed to be four times stiffer, four times stronger and 65% lighter than titanium. This is why Wilson tennis rackets are particularly durable.
• Fiberglass (fiberglass)- one of the impurities in the composition of the material of a tennis racket. Allows for additional flexibility.
• Titanium (titanium)- very close in its playing characteristics to graphite. Manufacturers mix titanium and graphite for the perfect balance of stiffness and weight for a tennis racquet!

What is a tennis racket made of?

1. "Tennis Racket Head"- that part of it, inside which tennis strings are stretched, the main playing surface.
2. « Fork "- that part of the racket that connects its head and handle. The fork allows you to better dampen the vibrations that occur when the string surface of the racket comes into contact with the tennis ball.
3. « Pen "- the handle of a tennis racket, usually measured in units from 1 to 5. It is impossible to determine by a simple calculation what size handle you need. The consultant of any tennis store or coach will always be able to help you correctly determine the number of your pen. 1 is the smallest tennis racket handle and 5 is the largest. More often on a racket you can see such a designation of handles: 4 1/8 is the first handle, 4 1/ is the second, 4 3/8 is the third, 4 1/2 is the fourth, 4 3/8 is the fifth.

Tennis racket head dimensions

The 90-95 or Mid Size "head" tennis racquet is designed for professional players, while the 98-100 or Mid Plus is mainly intended for a wide range of players, from pros to amateurs. These tennis racquets are almost always the choice of professional tennis players, as they have the ability to better control the tennis ball, coping with aggressive, hard shots. Tennis racquets with a head size of 103 and above or Oversize have a larger string surface area and, accordingly, a larger “strike spot”, which allows you to avoid a large number of errors associated with missing the ball by the center, as well as significantly increase the power of impact. They are more suitable for amateurs who primarily care about comfortable play and impact power, the same characteristic as control takes only second place in their priorities. Often there are situations when manufacturers produce the same model of a tennis racket in two versions: as a rule, with the size of the "head" Mid Plus and Oversize. Therefore, if you have doubts about the option that is right for you, the best way to choose is to play with both rackets, and only then make a final decision. You can also consult with the staff of "Rocketlon", and they will always tell you the correct size of the head of a tennis racket, suitable for your game.

Racquet balance

Rackets with a neutral balance have a balance point of approximately 32.5 cm. The balance "in the head" is approximately 33.5-34.5 cm, and "in the handle" - 32 cm. How to measure the balance of a tennis racket yourself, if suddenly you can't find data about him on the racket? Place the racket on any narrow stick, tube, so that the "head" of the racket is to the left of the balance point, and the handle is to the right. When the racket lies flat, not deviating either to the right or to the left, then mark this point and measure the distance from the heel of the handle to the balance point with a tape measure. This will be the balance value in centimeters. A different balance can cause two racquets with exactly the same weight to have completely different characteristics when played! Tennis racquets with head balance feel heavier and give more power to the hit. Racquets with a balance in the handle are intended mainly for players who use a variety of techniques in their game, they actively play both from the rally and from the back line.

Tennis racket weight

The average weight of a tennis racket is currently 290 - 320 grams, but there are models that weigh less than 270 grams. The lighter your tennis racquet, the more free and sweeping your movement can be. However, in order to achieve the necessary hitting power with light rackets, you must accelerate it significantly faster when hitting and have very good technique.
Advanced amateurs play tennis rackets weighing 280-310 grams. , professionals - 295 - 340 gr. and sometimes even higher. Beginning tennis players choose rackets weighing 255-300 grams.

How to measure the length of a tennis racket before buying

This characteristic is of paramount importance if you are buying a racket for your child. Don't buy a racquet that your young tennis player will have a hard time holding in his hand just because it's designed for taller players.

For adults, a tennis racquet has a typical length of 68.5-68.6 cm, with the exception of elongated models, which were specially designed by manufacturers to increase the power of hitting. To play with a long racket, you will need additional training or just the ability to make high-precision strikes. Therefore, if you consider yourself a novice player, it is better to choose models of standard length. The staff of our online store will always help you choose the right racket.

You can buy tennis rackets through the online store "Raketlon" in the cities of Russia:

Moscow, St. Petersburg, Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, Smolensk, Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Lipetsk, Tula, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar, Saratov, Penza, Samara, Ufa, Kazan, Izhevsk,

Yoshkar-Ola, Orenburg, Perm, Kirov, Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Kurgan, Tyumen, Syktyvkar, Tyumen, Khanty-Mansiysk, Salekhard, Yaroslavl, Ivanovo, Ryazan, Tver, Kaluga, Tomsk, Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Kemerovo, Novokuznetsk , Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Chita, Yakutsk, Magadan, Blagoveshchensk, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Okha, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Nakhodka, as well as in the Republic of Belarus (Minsk) and Kazakhstan (Almaty).

Tennis is becoming an increasingly popular and accessible sport - people are fond of it even from a very young age. The quality of your game depends not so much on the surface of the court and shoes, but on rackets- the main tool of a tennis player.

It is very important to choose a racket that suits your playing style, and at the same time will be comfortable, safe to use and as ergonomic as possible. As in other sports, you also need to choose a racket depending on your level - beginner, advanced or professional.

In the next section, we will talk about the important technical characteristics of tennis rackets, and then we will present to your attention some interesting models that can be purchased from the stores in our catalog. It is worth noting that these are only general recommendations - in the ideal case, it is better to be guided by the advice of professional trainers.

Key features to look out for

Purpose

The weight, size and materials of construction of the racket clearly define its purpose - for adult tennis players or for children and teenagers.

The latter are distinguished by less weight, a short handle and a large area of ​​the string surface. As a result, it is easier for a child to handle such a racket and hit the ball. You need to select such rackets depending on age and height. It is best to purchase used ones, as children quickly outgrow them. For example, at the age of 3-4 years, you need to buy a racket with a length of 100 cm, at the age of 5-7 years - from 115 to 130, from 8 to 10 and more - 135-150 cm.

Tennis rackets for adults are heavier and longer. They are used by athletes from the age of approximately 13 years.

frame material

The racket frame material directly affects most of its qualities, so a lot depends on it in the game. Most often on sale there are models made of aluminum alloy, graphite, carbon and titanium.

Aluminum alloy is used in low cost racquets for beginners. It is not very strong and durable, and also quite heavy, but it will help in mastering tennis, because in which case the racket will simply bend, and not break completely.

Graphite differs from aluminum in lighter weight and greater strength. Falls, however, he experiences much worse. These rackets are a bit more expensive.

Carbon is considered the best material for the frame of tennis rackets - it is used in professional models. Carbon is very light, very strong and much more expensive.

Titanium is not as popular, but it also has a low weight and a good level of rigidity. Often used in conjunction with graphite, which has similar properties.

String surface area

The larger the string surface area, the easier it is to hit the ball and increase the force of the blow, but also the more difficult it is to direct the ball exactly where you want it. Because of this, racquets with a large area - 645 square centimeters and above - are mainly used by children and beginners.

string formula

Determines the string layout of a specific model. The first number indicates the number of longitudinal strings, and the second number indicates the number of transverse strings.

The rarer the racket strings, the easier it is for a tennis player to hit hard, but the accuracy increases along with the increase in their number. The most popular scheme for adult rackets is 16x19, and if you are confident in yourself, then you can choose more serious models. Children's rackets differ in schemes 16x17, 16x18 or even 16x16.

Balance

Different rackets may have a center of gravity shifted in different directions - to the “head”, to the handle or neutral.

The first type is felt heavier in the hands, and it becomes more difficult to deliver an accurate blow. At the same time, the power of the blows increases.

The second type allows you to perform less powerful, but more accurate strikes - such a racket, for example, will behave better when playing close to the net. The best option for beginners.

Neutral balance rackets are versatile - they are suitable for those who have not yet decided on their style of play.

Handle size

With the correct grip of the racket handle, there should be a small distance between the fingers and the player's palm - about the size of the index finger. For children and women with a small hand, it is better to choose models with a handle size 1-2, for adults - with a size 3-4. If you are a very large man, then you may need a size 5 pen.

Length

One of the most important parameters of a racket. It directly depends on the height of the player, and you can’t make a mistake in choosing here. It is believed that the optimal racket size for adults is 685.8 mm, and the maximum (for very tall people) is 736.6 mm.

Rackets for children are selected according to the height of the child. Up to 118 cm - 533 mm, 119-135 cm - 584 mm, height 136-150 cm - 635-660 mm, height 151 cm and above - 686 mm and above.

In general, the length of the racket affects the power and accuracy of the strike - the larger the racket, the higher the speed of the ball will be, but also the lower the likelihood that it will fly to the desired point.

Another very important parameter. It is difficult to give specific recommendations here, since a lot depends on the style of the game and the preferences of the player. You just need to know that heavier rackets "give" less vibration to the hand after impact, but lighter models will provide more speed and maneuverability. Often, beginners are recommended heavier rackets, and advanced players lighter ones.

Being a universal sport, tennis is also an active pastime. It helps to strengthen muscles, keep the body in good shape and recharge with a good mood. Acquiring a racket is a serious investment for both a beginner and a professional athlete. And her choice will completely affect the course of the game. In order to figure out which tool is better to buy, you need to take into account a few tips.

With the criteria for choosing the right attribute for tennis, you need to know that rackets are evaluated primarily by the strength of the swing. Children and beginners do not have a particularly intense blow and swing. Therefore, they need an instrument with a weak string tension, giving power to the blow. But for players with more experience, who have a strong and high-speed swing, a tightly stretched racket is needed.

Before choosing the appropriate sports equipment, you need to know that each racket differs in its functionality.

1. HEAD. The playing surface of the instrument and its dimensional parameters completely influence the course and style of playing. Its varieties: Standard surface area 600-700 square cm is great for tennis beginners. Provides a minimum of misses and good spin of the ball; Increased work surface 700-1000 cm square. Ideal for experienced athletes. Provides the athlete with excellent maneuverability, but requires more intense impact force from him.
2. HANDLE. Dimensional parameters of the circumference of the handle are selected individually. External resemblance to a badminton racket distinguishes a tennis tool with a fork located at the top of the handle. Thanks to the V-shaped fork, all vibration moments are successfully extinguished, and the athlete's hand gets tired much less. Handle length parameters are selected individually. Most importantly, the grip is ergonomic.
3. WEIGHT PARAMETERS. For beginners, ideally, the lightest rackets will be. However, with its low weight, a low-power impact is also carried out. Heavy tools are great for professionals who will be able to apply increased impact force to swing and spin the ball.
4. COMPOUND. The main range of tennis equipment is made of lightweight materials: graphite, aluminum, lightweight titanium, kelavr, boron. For beginner athletes, choosing a racket made of this material is the best option.
5. LENGTH SIZE. The standard tool is 68-73 cm. However, one should not forget that the longer the racket is, the more intense the blow itself.
6. RIM THICKNESS. A corpulent and fat rim will make it possible to carry out a more powerful blow, while the tool itself will be stiffer. But for the implementation of high-speed strikes, a thin rim will be most suitable.
7. BALANCE. When buying a racket, its strings must be tightened. It should be borne in mind that the stiffer the stretch, the more twisted and stronger the blow.

You also need to know how to calculate the balance. For fans of playing under the net, the choice of racket with a massive handle will be optimal, since it is there that the specific weight will be balanced. For those tennis players who prefer to play close to the baseline, attributes with a heavy work surface and a wide rim are applicable. And you can adjust and balance the weight in the right direction yourself. To do this, you just need to add sticky or dry overgrip tape to the handle.

Top Producers

Tennis equipment is not cheap at all. Therefore, when faced with the dilemma of which company is better to purchase inventory, you should pay attention to a branded manufacturer that is quite popular with the consumer. Samples of popular models from well-known companies will not only be convenient to use, but will also serve the owners faithfully and for a long time.

Flagship manufacturer of sports equipment for ball competitions. Tennis tools from this company are in demand by most professionals around the world. The company introduces innovative technologies in the creation and manufacture of racket samples, thanks to which the attributes have increased strength and endurance. Rackets from this company are 23% more stable and more intense than standard models.

Advantages:

• Innovative technologies during creation;
• Durability and quality.

Disadvantages:

• High price of goods.

An American brand that introduces innovative technologies into the creation of tennis tools. Composite materials for the manufacture of fiberglass-based tools improve the existing characteristics by several times. In the samples, hybrid-carbon fabrics are used during their creation. The company was one of the first manufacturers of sports equipment to create a racket with a wide-profile frame, which significantly increases the impact force.

Advantages:

• Revolutionary technologies;
• Decent quality.

Disadvantages:

• High price.

Having enough popularity all over the world, the company from the USA publishes and puts on the sporting goods market a high-quality instrument for tennis. The popularity of the manufacturer's models is quite high, and their use is carried out both in amateur and professional competitions. Samples of rackets from this company show decent quality, practicality and reliability during operation.

Advantages:

• Quality from the manufacturer;
• Longevity in use.

Disadvantages:

• Frequent sale of fakes.

Ranking and characteristics of the best tennis rackets at a relatively inexpensive price

Sample rackets for the initial stage of tennis lessons should have a weak stretch and an increased area of ​​​​the working surface for working out the intensity of the blow. Of course, such tools do not have the proper maneuverability. However, they can be purchased at a relatively budget price.

Inventory for tennis competitions. It is intended for organizing games for beginners. Ergonomic handle fits perfectly in the hand. Made from lightweight aluminium, non-cast joint and 723 square centimeter work surface. When playing, it provides a quick swing and decent ball control. It has weight parameters in 305 g.

Average price: from 1250 rubles.

tennis racket LARSEN JR 2500

Advantages:

• Ease of swing;
• Good ball control;
• Light weight;
• Optimal price.

Disadvantages:

• Too fast stretching of the strings.

HEAD T.I. INSTINCT COMP GR3

Training tennis attribute, which has an increased size of the working surface of 680 square meters. cm. It has a 16 to 18 tension pattern, which makes it possible to carry out a good spin of the ball. It has a neutral balance, allowing maximum absorption of vibration moments from impacts. An excellent attribute for beginning tennis careers, created from composite materials. It has a weight without stretch - 305 g.

Average price: from 2100 rubles.

tennis racket HEAD TI. INSTINCT COMP GR3

Advantages:

• Increased head area;
• Absorption of vibration moments;
• Optimal spin of the ball;
• Affordable price.

Disadvantages:

• Reduced maneuverability.

BABOLAT EVOKE 102GR2

The ideal instrument for beginners, designed for comfortable playing. The slightly enlarged working surface gives confidence and determination to beginners. The rigidity of the contour in the 68RA and the use of composite compounds in the creation of the racket provides the necessary balance of intensity and strength. It is equipped with an additional complete set in the form of an ergonomic cover.

Average price: from 4000 rubles.

tennis racket BABOLAT EVOKE 102 GR 2

Advantages:

• Increased head area;
• Correct balance;
• Good ball rolling ability.

Disadvantages:

• Lack of required power.

YONEX RQ IS TOUR

Amateur racket, which is successfully used in the game even by professionals. Designed with the innovative POWER ISOMETRIC technology, which gives more intensity to the swing and impact. Lightweight and compact tool with neutral balance. It was successfully used in competitions by tennis players E. Dementieva and J. Simon. It has a string tuning feature that gives you more control over the power. The best option for both beginners and professionals.

Average price: from 6900 rubles.

tennis racket YONEX RQ IS TOUR

Advantages:

• Optimal balancing;
• First-class maneuverability;
• Vibration dampening.

Disadvantages:

• Frequent sale of fakes.

WILSON BLX PRO STAFF SIX. ONE 95

Club racket, suitable even for experienced athletes. The working area of ​​the tool is 613 square meters. cm, which provides a versatile and optimal ratio of impact intensity and control over the direction of the ball. The tension force of the strings in this instrument allows for excellent twisting. Constructed from a soft graphite composite and weighing 314g, the tool offers the player with some experience stability and complete control over the game.

Average price: from 8300 rubles.

tennis racket WILSON BLX PRO STAFF SIX. ONE 95

Advantages:

• feed power;
• Full control over the game;
• Optimal balancing;
• Reliability and quality from the manufacturer.

Disadvantages:

• Difficulty of playing an instrument for a beginner.

Description and characteristics of popular tennis rackets at a high price

Club and professional super rackets are thought out to the smallest detail when they are created. These tools are overweight, designed to shift the balance into the handle for improved control. They have a reduced working surface. And the small intensity of their impact is compensated by the strength of the athlete gained by experience.

Varieties of such sports equipment can only be purchased in elite or specialized stores, as well as on the Internet sites of official representatives of manufacturers. The cost of such models sometimes reaches very high prices. However, you should know that before choosing the right sample, you need to remember that an expensive model is worth buying only after acquiring skills.

PRINCE LIGHTNING 105

For beginners who have already shown some achievements in tennis and are thinking about how to choose the right racket model for their further career. Lightweight, fast and powerful for intermediate and advanced athletes. Due to the 16 by 19 string formula, the racquet spins quickly, and its slightly increased length provides a fast and controlled pace. The increased size of the working surface allows for a good and high-quality swing and strike. Comes with a convenient storage case.

Average price: from 9800 rubles.

tennis racket PRINCE LIGHTNING 105

Advantages:

• Speed ​​and ease;
• Impact power;
• High ball speed.

Disadvantages:

• Provides only average game performance.

HEAD CRAPHENE TOUCH SPEED ADAPTIVE

Tennis professional tool, created with the introduction of innovative technology "Graphene", which creates increasing power with the absorption of vibrational moments. The racket is made of a particularly durable and at the same time lightweight material. Controlled racket weight and length. It is possible to independently replace the string formula. Comes complete with secondary o-rings and spacers. An additional tip allows you to add weight to the handle. It has dimensions of the working surface of the head in 0.97 square meters. cm.

Average price: from 14,000 rubles.

tennis bat HEAD CRAPHENE TOUCH SPEED ADAPTIVE

Advantages:

• Graphene function;
• Power;
• Adjustment of weight, length and string pattern.

Disadvantages:

• Heavy tool for beginners.

WILSON BURN 100 CV LIMITED EDITION 2017

A limited edition that combines power, spin and precision. The tool will be an excellent choice for athletes with the highest or average professional level. Thanks to the balancing shifted into the handle, the racket carries out super high-speed rotational movements. The COUNTERVAIL function dampens all vibrational moments, reducing muscle tension. Excellent sense of control and comfort of the game. A very ergonomic tool for attacking intermediate and professional athletes.

Average price: from 16,000 rubles.

tennis racket WILSON BURN 100 CV LIMITED EDITION 2017

Advantages:

• Power and reliability;
• Vibration reduction;
• Full control over the game.

Disadvantages:

• Inconvenient tool for beginners.

BABOLAT PUR EJ AERO

Professional instrument with optimized string formula. This feature, due to the larger gap between the strings, provides super high-speed rotation of the ball. Aerodynamic head rotation and excellent streamlining help resist airborne interference. The built-in CORTEX feature provides the athlete with a more powerful and accurate shot. Neutral balancing with 100 sq. See Equipped with an ergonomic storage case and a secondary set of strings.

Average price: from 18,000 rubles.

tennis racket BABOLAT PUR EJ AERO

Advantages:

• Power and speed;
• Improved aerodynamics;
• Excellent streamlining;
• Complete with a set of strings and a handy carrying bag.

Disadvantages:

• High price.

Incorrect racket selection can lead to injuries and injuries during the game. Using the tips correctly, you can not only choose the right equipment for yourself, but also achieve considerable results in tennis with its help.

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Choosing a tennis racket

Tennis is very popular these days. Russian tennis players have achieved great success in international competitions. More and more adults and children are getting into this sport. Someone professionally - to achieve results, others for themselves - to maintain fitness and health.

Like any other sport, tennis has the equipment you need to get started. The most important equipment in tennis is, of course, a racket.

In order for the racket to be comfortable for you and match your playing style, you need to know the characteristics of tennis rackets, which we will describe below.

On the racket for both adults and children, 5 parameters are indicated: head size(surface area - head size), racket weight(usually in grams - weight), balance(balance) length(length) and racket composition. Now let's go directly to her choice. To do this, you must classify yourself in the following categories: CHILDREN, BEGINNER PLAYER, AMATEUR PLAYER, PROFESSIONAL.

. RACKET FOR CHILDREN AND JUNIORS

Tennis rackets for children are mainly made of aluminum and are inexpensive (from 800 to 2500 rubles), and it is not necessary for young beginners to choose an expensive tennis racket, because. children are not yet able to appreciate any of its special qualities. Also, we do not recommend choosing a heavier and longer racket "for growth" - you do not need to save on this. The child will still begin to intercept the racket higher by the handle, and according to the rules of technology, he must hold it by the end of the handle. It would be much more correct to buy a racket for a child for his age. According to the length of the handle, children's rackets do not divide up to 25 and 26 inches. Starting with a handle length of 25 and 26 inches, the handle is divided by size into 0 and 1. Rackets are selected by weight and length. Below is a table of age and a suitable racket (by clicking on the link for the age of the child, you can see the rackets for this age).

Child's age	Child's height (see)	Racket weight (in grams)	Racquet length (mm/inch)
	100 cm.	149 grams	432mm/17 inches
	116 cm.	157 grams
	125 cm.	175 grams
	135 cm.	195 grams
	140 cm.	215 grams
	145 cm.	245 - 255 grams

Older children can already buy adult lightweight rackets.

We are happy to help you choose a children's racket in the section of our store "Children's and junior tennis rackets", where you can choose a racket according to the age of the child and the brand of the manufacturer.

. BEGINNER PLAYER

If you have just decided to play tennis, then you should not chase after an expensive racket, as you will not yet be able to experience certain qualities of tennis rackets. The average price of a racket will be 3000 rubles. For adults, rackets are mainly made from a composite (an alloy of graphite and titanium) and graphite. For women, we recommend choosing a lightweight racket from 245 to 275 grams, for men, a heavier one from 270 grams to 300 grams and a racket head size from 645 cm 2 (100 inch 2) to 680 cm 2 (105 inch 2) The larger the string surface , the easier it is to hit the ball, but the accuracy of the shots decreases. That is, the smaller the size of the head of the racket, the more accurate the blows.

The weight: the lighter the racquet, the lower the power of the hit, but it is better for a beginner to hone technique rather than power. The heavier the racket, the more powerful the blows can be.

Pen: The pen size is divided from 1 to 5. Pens number 1 and 2 are suitable for children, women or men with a small hand, handles number 3 and 4 are for ordinary men, and pen number 5 is for a large man with a large palm. It is customary to select pens as follows: when grasping the handle with the palm of your hand, there should be a distance of one finger. But, nevertheless, in choosing a pen you need to be guided by convenience.

tennis racket for beginners.

. AMATEUR PLAYER

Amateur players include people who play tennis 2-3 times a week or more. Here the range of prices for a racket can be from 3,000 rubles to 10,000 rubles. The following criteria must be taken into account:

String surface area.

The larger the string surface area and the lower the rigidity of the string tension, the more the impact force increases and the control over the ball decreases. It is better to take a tennis racket with a head no larger than 645 cm 2 (100 inch 2) and with a stiffer string tension. You will have better control of the ball when playing with a powerful opponent.

String composition. Strings are divided into natural and synthetic. With new technologies, synthetic strings even outperform natural strings in quality and are more affordable. Most players nowadays use synthetic strings.

Racket weight. The greater the weight of the racket, the more powerful the blows. If you are a strong man, then you, like a professional, should choose a racket weighing more than 300 grams.

Racket balance. The balance of the racket is in the center, in the head and in the handle. Place the middle of the racket on your index finger. If the racket tilts towards the head, then it has balance in the head, if it maintains balance, then the balance of the tennis racket is in the center, if it deviates towards the handle, then the balance is in the handle. Balance to the head is more suitable for strong serves and attacking style of play (professionals mostly play with balance to the head of the racquet). The balance in the handle is more suitable for defensive play. If the balance of the racket is in the center, then you have a universal racket and it is suitable for both attack and defense.

We are always glad to offer you an inexpensive choice of an inexpensive amateur racket for tennis .

. PROFESSIONAL

If you are a professional, then, of course, you know by what parameters you need to choose a racket or see the "Amateur Player" section. But I would like to note some nuances.

The cost of rackets for professionals starts from 7000 rubles. Basically, these are rackets with more weight and a smaller head surface for increased power and hitting accuracy. Professional rackets are mainly composed of graphite with tungsten. The handle can be extended for greater manoeuvrability. For example, Rafael Nadal's racket - Babolat Aeropro Drive +: weight 320 grams, head size - 645 cm 2 (100 inch 2), balance in the head, length 685 mm.

In our store, we will always help you find an inexpensive

The purpose of this article is to tell a beginner about modern trends in the production of tennis rackets, to help an experienced player in choosing if he is in doubt, and to a professional to get on these pages an interlocutor with whom, I hope, he will be interested.
The narrative will be interrupted by blocks such as "Advice" and "Common Mistake", for example:

ADVICE: Try not to skip such inserts as they are likely to contain useful practical information.

COMMON MISTAKE: Skipping these inserts is one of the common mistakes. These inserts will allow you to form the right approach to choosing a racket and save you from sometimes unskilled suggestion of sellers.

The author of the article has been playing tennis for 10 years, graduated from the institute in the field of economics, has training in the field of materials design and, therefore, has sufficient experience to understand the processes taking place in the production and sale of tennis rackets.

I want to emphasize that in this article many well-known racket manufacturers will be mentioned, and sometimes this mention will not be entirely flattering. Everything stated in the article is the personal opinion of the author, based on his many years of experience. Highlighting the shortcomings of any of the models should only give manufacturers additional information when thinking about the advisability of introducing one or another innovation.

Usually, articles of this kind contain digressions, the meaning of which boils down to the saying “there is no comrade for taste and color”, this article is specially written without such digressions so as not to scatter the reader’s attention.

So, let's begin.

First of all, it is worth saying that the right choice can be made only by clearly imagining the purpose of the racket. If you know what the racket is supposed to do, you will have a second question - which racket is best for the task, so to speak, theoretically. And as soon as you get the answer to the last question, all you have to do is go to the store and buy a tennis racket that is closest to the "ideal" theoretical version. This article answers all questions.

CHAPTER 1. THEORY

The purpose of the racket is to transfer the energy of the movement of the hand to the ball as efficiently and accurately as possible, and at the same time protect the hand from vibrations that are harmful to health. Therefore, the main parameters of the racket are its rigidity and weight.

The stiffer the racket, the more efficiently the energy of your hand's movement is transferred, but the impact on your hand is also stronger. The heavier the racket, the more difficult it is to accelerate it to the desired speed when hit, but the less energy of the hit ball is transferred to the hand.

Everything is clear with the weight - it is determined initially for each racket, you can see it in the characteristics, the only parameter that is not entirely clear here is the balance (i.e. the center of gravity of the masses), but this parameter cannot be determined unambiguously - someone likes the balance in head, someone - in the pen, or a neutral balance. The "favorite" center of gravity is chosen by the player independently, so it will not be considered in the article.

ADVICE: Nevertheless, we will give some considerations regarding the balance of the racket. If you play well on the back line, you serve hard - balance to the head will suit you, if you are good at the net - balance to the handle will suit you. However, according to the author, it is better to choose a neutral balance, firstly, the vast majority of rackets have exactly a neutral balance or close to it, and secondly, you will be a universal player (you will not experience difficulties either when hitting from the back line or when playing with summer), thirdly, it is easiest to convert a racket with a neutral balance into a racket with a balance in the head or handle by gluing specially designed weights for this purpose.

If the weight of the racket is determined immediately, then its stiffness is not so simple. It consists of the main parameters: the area of ​​​​the racket head, the length of the handle (it means the neck of the racket connecting the handle itself and the racket head), the width of the rim. Accordingly, the smaller the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe head, the shorter the thin neck of the racket, the wider the rim - the harder it is. The Head company has a very convenient classification of rackets precisely according to stiffness: the company divides all rackets into two categories - S and L. S is a racket for "dummies", it is soft. But within their category, rackets are also divided by stiffness, for example, a racket with an S4 index is stiffer than one with an S5 index. For rackets of category L (for "pros"), the index works the same way, but in the opposite direction - L6 is tougher than L5. The L8 racket is considered the toughest, now such rackets can be made to order, but you can’t buy it in any way, the toughest thing you will find in the store is the L7, but I assure you that this is already very “tough”. Despite the fact that Head divided all rackets into "pros" and "non-pros", I am of the opinion that rackets with the S index should be used only in rare cases (hand injury, for example), but we will talk about them later. In all other cases, even if you took a racket for the first time, or an ATP player, you should choose a racket of stiffness L4-L7 (here I emphasize that we are talking not only about Head rackets, but about all, just the classification they invented is the most convenient) .

So which one to choose, hard or soft, heavy or light? This will be discussed further, for now I will only say that, depending on your experience and physical capabilities, you need different rackets.

COMMON MISTAKE: However, do not think that each racket is designed for its purpose. You will be surprised by the end of this article how few rackets are left if you follow our advice. So, for example, there are rackets that are suitable for both beginners and masters, but more on that later ...

If you approach the racket like a physicist or materials scientist, then its “ideal” shape will line up easily:

A) the racket should hit as hard as possible - that means it should transfer the energy of the hand as efficiently as possible - i.e. must be rigid (small head, etc.),

B) the racket should hit as accurately as possible - that means it should "depart" as little as possible from the trajectory set by the hand - i.e. should not bend much - which means that it should again be more rigid,

C) the racket should transmit vibration to the hand as little as possible - and as all materials scientists know, nothing distorts diagrams so much as a violation of the general oval and streamlined shape - i.e. it is necessary to avoid rackets with holes in the rim, "special" thickenings, etc., supposedly improving some characteristics of the racket.

COMMON MISTAKE: The idea that a vibration damper saves the hand from harmful vibrations is erroneous. There are two types of vibration dampers: placed on the strings and built into the racquet itself. A string dampener is usually a piece of rubber that is attached to the strings and absorbs their vibration. It would seem that everything is fine, but the action of the vibration damper extends to the very first vibration of the strings, which is responsible for the force of hitting the ball, which reduces the efficiency of transferring energy from the hand to the ball by the racket, thereby worsening its main characteristic. In fact, the player tries to compensate for the loss in impact power by increasing his movement, as a result of which the ball flies at the same speed as without a vibration damper, but the racket accelerates much faster - the vibrations reach the same level that it was without a vibration damper. The player himself gets tired more, because, albeit unconsciously, he strengthens the blow.

Another type of vibration dampers is built into the racket itself. It is spared from the lack of the first vibration damper, because, according to racket manufacturers, the first vibration of the strings does not dampen, and indeed does not dampen the vibrations of the strings - its task is to dampen the vibrations in the racket handle, which transmits the vibrations to the human hand. However, the effectiveness of such vibration dampers is theoretically very doubtful (and more importantly, it has been practically tested). The fact is that by providing an element that dampens vibrations from impact, but is not located on the strings, we thereby violate the geometry of the racket, which means that we violate the two basic rules of the “ideal” racket - we reduce its rigidity and rationality of form. Most often, the manufacturer makes a model of a vibration damper, trying not to spoil the characteristics of the racket.

CHAPTER 2. CLASSIFICATION OF RACKETS.

This chapter is intended to introduce the reader to the modern world of tennis rackets, it will help to understand the main trends in the market, but the final choice of racket must be made depending on the level of your game, so the answer to the question "which racket to choose" is considered in the next chapter, which classifies players, not rackets.

Modern stores are full of a huge number of all kinds of rackets. I can only pay tribute to the good work of the marketing departments of manufacturing companies. As the author was convinced, any self-respecting company has one or two "title" rackets that are really good and can be recommended for use, all the rest are a marketing ploy that serves to increase sales.

ADVICE: Do not rely too much on advertising brochures. Very often the arguments of the seller are not entirely clear. For example, now the company Head assures that the “holes” made by it in the rim of the racket increase the accuracy of hitting the ball, because. the racket "grabs" the ball, preventing it from flying to the side. Now let's think. The manufacturer claims that by reducing the rigidity of the racket in the middle of the rim, the accuracy increases (the racket “grabs” the ball), believe him - and suppose that we didn’t hit the center of the racket a little, then, according to the same logic, the racket should bend in the opposite direction , which means that the accuracy, on the contrary, decreases. And strongly! But let's say that we are not such simpletons, we understand that the racket plays, and the manufacturer is also not a simpleton, he also taught physics at school and also understands that it is impossible to reduce stiffness. Then we remember that if a hole is made in a part by stamping, then its rigidity, on the contrary, will increase (and not decrease, as Head assures). But, oh my! The fragility of the racket will also increase, i.e. it will be easier to break it. With these thoughts, we approach the racket and study it carefully. And we see this: a complete confirmation of our words - the “holes” are made in such a way that the rigidity of the racket does not change. From this we conclude that the advertised "innovation" is just a marketing ploy. But free cheese is only in a mousetrap, and there are “holes” in a racket and it will pop up somewhere, but in a game or when hauling a racket can crack - I don’t know. The above example may be boring, but its purpose is to show that when buying a racket, you should be guided by common sense and knowledge of design features, and if you don’t have this knowledge, remember one simple rule. A good racket is simple, without “bells and whistles”, all innovations are marketing, but the manufacturer tries to introduce these innovations in such a way as to harm the original simple form as little as possible. Try to determine whether the innovations have worsened the characteristics of the racket, or everything has stopped at a banal repainting of the previous model and thickening the rim where it is not dangerous.
In order not to offend Head, I’ll go through the rest: Wilson thickens the rim on the sides, Yonex makes the head more square, not oval, Fischer changes the rim section, Babolat also makes, Dunlop changes the shape of the head, Prince made a bunch of holes in the rim. All these are examples of marketing research, painstaking work of designers who think only about one thing: what would it be to change so that it catches the eye, but does not have a very negative impact on the characteristics of the original “ideal” racket. If you forgot which company, it is not because it is so good, but simply forgot.

The variety of rackets is amazing. Price differentiation is also amazing - from 400r. for an unknown brand in a seedy sportswear, up to 30,000 rubles. for some Excalibur with gold inserts and diamonds. But the price of a good racket is about the same - 3000-6000 rubles. It is important that any racket manufacturer offers approximately the same options (of those that are worth buying).
All rackets can be divided into four groups:

1. Tournament models (these are very rigid rackets with a minimum of frills; L6-L8),
2. Successful models (these are very good rackets, but not tournament rackets; L3-L5),
3. Safety models (these are rackets that are completely unacceptable to a healthy person in terms of playing properties, but necessary for a person with characteristic diseases of a tennis player - shoulder, elbow, hand; S16-S42),
4. Unsuccessful models (the bulk of the produced rackets, which must be weeded out during the purchase process; S16-S1, L1-L2).

Each firm has tournament models, and the difference between them is small, the general appearance of a tournament racket has been formed for a long time: rigid, with a small head (no more than 613 sq. cm). Tournament rackets are suitable only for professionals! The fact is that a professional player, using a different racket, cannot achieve the desired level of strength and accuracy, because. the force of his blow is so great that any other racket bends strongly and does not have time to straighten up when hit, which degrades the quality of the game. A beginner or an experienced player, but still not a professional, can also play with a tournament racket, but the quality of his game is much lower, the ball is hit by the center of the racket much less often, which generates strong vibrations, the result is sharp pain in the elbow after 3 months, which, Trust me, they will never go away! With tennis, such a person unambiguously ties.

The exact opposite of tournament models is a safety racket. It is designed for retired super-professionals and long-term trainers. Like it or not, but professional tennis leads a person to characteristic injuries - the joints wear out - the wrist, elbow, shoulder. Each blow responds in one of the listed areas (and sometimes in several) with acute pain. Naturally, you can not think about the game in such a situation. Especially for such people, these rackets are designed, they are very soft, completely inaccurate, but do not vibrate at all. And they don't play at all... Only a retired super-master can cope with such a peculiar racket.

In addition to the considered rackets, there are frankly “successful” rackets. But there are very few of them. Much less than the tournament. However, if you are not a professional, then you will need to choose from these rackets - they will go with you from a beginner to a professional (a very long way, by the way). And only with this racket you can seriously play and not harm your health.
The fourth group - all the colors of the remaining rackets. But they are united not only by the fact that they were not included in the first three groups, they are also united by the fact that they are conspicuous, bright, with a bunch of advertising, they are played by their favorite famous tennis players. The most difficult thing is not to be flattered and not to buy such a racket, despite the abundance of advertising. A good racket does not need advertising.

COMMON MISTAKE: Very often, buyers ask for a racket like Safin, Sharapova, Myskina, Maresmo, Agassi, etc. Completely wrong approach. It should be understood that such respected people play with these rackets because they are well paid for it. A simple example - Davydenko seriously slowed down, having received a new Prince with holes in the rim. Now his playing has improved, but look how often he changes the strings, something is wrong here. Although there are other examples, Federer plays with a Wilson with a very small head, in my opinion a good racket, unlike all other Wilsons. Conclusion: you can’t take a racket “like ...”, this does not mean that it is bad, nor does it mean that it is good.

CHAPTER 3. WHICH RACKET TO CHOOSE.

It all depends on the level of your game.
We will divide all the players into four groups, depending on which group you are in, you will need a certain racket:

1. Zero player (this is the one who has never played and still doubts whether he will like tennis, or the one who plays every six months),
2. Beginner (a person who has no experience, but has already fallen in love with tennis),
3. Professional (one who can easily participate in PTT or is close to it),
4. A retired professional (one who could easily participate in PTT, but now we are tormented by illnesses, laziness and worries).

So, decide who you are and choose your racket.

ZERO (1 hour of intensive play every six months or no experience at all).

For beginners, I advise you to buy a racket in a simple, not specializing in tennis, sporting goods store. Usually in these shops there are rackets of an indefinite manufacturer, of indefinite characteristics, costing about 400 rubles. If you play very rarely, "for the company", then this racket will last you a lifetime. It is important that at your level, it will cope with the task no worse than an expensive racket. If you are just entering the world of tennis, and you like it, you begin to train regularly, then this racket will last you a month, then you will have to change it to at least 10 times more expensive, recommended for beginners.

BEGINNER (2-4 hours of intensive play per week).

The largest group. I would like to point out that it is not at all shameful to be included in this group. I believe that both the beginner and the experienced player need similar rackets, for one simple reason - these players need good rackets, but tournament rackets do not suit them.

ADVICE: When choosing a racket weight, remember the theoretical part of this article. But the author recommends not to get involved in light rackets. Of course, a light racket is easier to disperse and the hand gets less tired, but a heavy racket trains a beginner’s hand better, is a more serious weapon for an experienced player, and transmits less vibrations to the hand of any player: both beginner and experienced. And do not believe someone who says that speed is more important than mass (they say that energy depends on speed squared, and on mass it is only directly proportional), keep in mind that higher speed means more mistakes, worse quality of strike execution, less strength and etc. along the chain of problems.

The hardest part is choosing a good racket for the player in this group. When choosing, try to remember everything we talked about. Remember all the rules of the "ideal" racket - yours should differ from it only in the size of the head (you should have a large one - at least 670 sq. cm). Such a racquet will keep your joints safe from unwanted overload while you are inexperienced, and will not interfere with you when the level of your game increases significantly. Moreover, if over time you realize that your style of play is strong rotations, a two-handed backhand, then you will not want to change such a racket, even when playing ATP.

ADVICE: The Head Radical racquet with a head size of at least 670 sq.cm has proven itself very well. Do not be afraid that sellers advise this racket to professionals (its stiffness index is L5), feel free to take it and better - with a head of 690 sq.cm. This racket will last you all the way to a professional (at least 7 years).

PRO (10-30 hours of intensive play per week)

It is much easier for a professional to choose a racket than anyone else. Almost every manufacturer has a tournament series racket. Its characteristics are similar: honed thin shape, small head (580-613 sq.cm), lack of "bells and whistles". It's like a racing car - beauty in rationality, nothing more.

RETIRED (0-8 hours of intensive play per week, depending on the "retired")

These are racquets. Short handle, huge head, most often irregular in shape. Special inserts to reduce vibration. Racket, ideal for a cape.

CHAPTER 4. ACCESSORIES.

Having told in detail about rackets, it is necessary to dwell on the gizmos accompanying it. I have already said that the vibration damper is a useless thing, now let's talk about such things as winding and strings.
If you are a beginner, then you don’t have to worry about the string and tension. If you are already gaining experience, then I advise you to start experimenting with different strings: hard and soft, thick and thin, twisted and flat. Try pulling different strings transversely and longitudinally. Experiment with tension strength. In short, find your option, and do not underestimate its significance. As soon as you find your option, your game will immediately move to another level. For beginners, I’ll tell you the price: it’s considered normal when a stringer takes 100-200 rubles. for a stretch. A good string costs 100-250r. for 10-12 meters required per racket.
Regarding the winding, the situation is generally strange. There are only two good windings in the world, the so-called "disposable" (or "terry"), but no one buys them, because they do not know about them. I highly recommend finding these windings for sale, and finding where they are sold in bulk, so that it does not cost more than 25 rubles. for one winding. So, you need to look for windings: Tourna Grip from Unique Sports Products inc., or Wilson H2O Overgrip.