A misstep in tennis equipment selection is more costly than a lost game. Choosing the right instrument means building the foundation for a stable game, reducing the risk of injury and unlocking your potential. The answer to the question of how to choose a racquet for big tennis requires not intuition, but specific parameters, analysis and understanding of your game goal.
Weight: the number that decides the outcome of the game
When choosing tennis equipment, experienced players first of all consider the weight. This parameter affects the control, power and pace of the swing. Lightweight models (up to 270g) simplify manoeuvrability and are suitable for beginners. The medium range (270 to 300g) is consistently used at the club level. Professionals prefer heavy racquets between 300g and 340g to maximise stability and accuracy.
Wilson’s Pro Staff 97 offers 315g of pure balance of power and control. This is the weight that Novak Djokovic used in 2023 to train before Roland Garros.
Head size: between forgiveness and aggression
The question of how to choose a racquet for big tennis cannot be solved without understanding the head size parameter. It directly affects the sweet spot and the stability of the shot. A small size (up to 600 cm²) gives accuracy but requires a confident stroke. Medium (600 to 645 cm²) is a versatile choice. Large heads (up to 740 cm²) forgive mistakes and are suitable for beginners.
The Head Radical S with 660 cm² has received good feedback from beginners. And the Babolat Pure Drive with 645 cm² is a frequent choice of experienced players with a versatile style.
Head shape and its effect on trajectory
A parameter rarely discussed in isolation, but the shape of the head has a direct effect on aerodynamics and impact area. An oval design concentrates power in the centre, increasing accuracy. The drop-shaped design expands the comfort zone, which is advantageous for learning players. The question of how to choose a racquet for big tennis involves checking this characteristic, especially when changing your playing style or taking your game to the next level.
Material: from graphite to titanium
Today’s market uses composites: graphite with Kevlar, basalt, titanium. Yonex Ezone integrates nanometre carbon, which reduces vibrations and increases impact power. In the “tennis racquet for beginners” segment, manufacturers often use aluminium – a lightweight, inexpensive, but less durable material. In the professional ranges, carbon materials with modular reinforcement dominate.
Length: when every millimetre counts
The standard length is 685 mm. Longer versions up to 715 mm increase serve and leverage, but require stability in the swing. The choice of racquet length is directly related to fitness. Teenagers moving into the adult category often use 660-675 mm for a gentle adaptation.
Prince includes the powerful Warrior series in its line-up. Its 703 mm length provides an aggressive delivery on fast surfaces.
Strings: the hidden factor in shot quality
Tension affects ball behaviour as much as head parameters. Beginners choose a tension of 20-23kg for more power. Advanced players prefer 24-27kg for control and feedback. String material varies: synthetic strings are durable, natural strings (e.g. Babolat VS) give maximum sensitivity.
Luxilon produces strings used by the top 10 ATP players, including Alcaraz and Medvedev. At WTA events in 2024, 68 per cent of participants used hard-fitting polyester strings.
A professional approach
Professionals use racquets that are customised for each element of the game. The density of the strings is for the backhand, the weight is for the serve, and the shape is for the cut. In 2022, the Tecnifibre team conducted a study: changing racquets with a difference of 30g changes the accuracy of the serve by 11%. At this level, every deviation is measured statistically.
Advanced players strive for stability and repeatability, so they use the same inventory with grammatical accuracy. Even the logo is aligned clearly on the axis of symmetry.
How to choose a racquet for big tennis: a precise system
Effective play requires not only a suitable instrument, but also synchronisation with the rest of the sports equipment. Strings, shoes, balls, surface – everything affects the behaviour of the stroke. The racquet is the key instrument that determines rhythm and stability.
Important parameters:
- Balance in the head enhances power, in the handle adds control.
- 16×19 string formula for spin, 18×20 for precision.
- The stiffness of the frame determines the character of the stroke: powerful and responsive.
All characteristics must be taken into account when deciding – only a comprehensive set-up will produce results.
One list – all decisions in the palm of your hand
Checking when choosing a racquet requires following the steps:
- Evaluate the playing level. For beginners, a lightweight model with an oversized head is suitable. For advanced players – a balanced weight, for professionals – a heavy model with precise geometry.
- Analyse the style. Versatile players choose medium weight and head equipment. Attackers are tough and powerful, defenders are manoeuvrable and soft.
- Check the grip. Handle thickness is critical: the wrong choice increases the risk of injury.
- Compare string tension. High tension increases control, low tension increases power.
- Test live. Even perfect parameters are no substitute for a test drive on the court.
The question of how to choose a racquet for big tennis is solved comprehensively – only a combination of factors guarantees an exact hit in the personal style of play.
Racket manufacturers
The tennis equipment market is shared by several brands. Wilson and Babolat hold leading positions. Head is actively innovating. Yonex uses non-standard geometry. In the question of how to choose a racquet for big tennis, manufacturers play no less important role than the parameters of the model itself. Brands have different balance, handle structure, string layout – all this affects the feel of the game.
Examples on the court and in numbers
Beginners often choose a heavy sporting tool with an eye to the future, which leads to overloading and injury. The Head Titanium Ti.S6 (252 g, 742 cm²) is a lightweight option with a wide strike zone for beginners. The Wilson Blade 98 (305 g) offers the control and precision demanded by advanced players.
In the segment for beginners, the tennis racket is a model with a lightweight body and an enlarged head. The Babolat Evoke 105 combines affordability and comfort. Yonex VCORE offers flexible balance adjustment, Prince Thunder offers soft cushioning for first practice sessions.
Moving from basic to advanced level
As you level up, the game requires you to revise your inventory. Beginners appreciate lightness and forgiveness. Advanced players adjust parameters: weight, balance, materials.
Mouratoglou experts emphasise that not only weight, but also geometry, stiffness and strings need to be adjusted. After switching to Babolat Pure Strike 100, the junior improved his serve by 8% – SwingVision recorded the result.
Conclusion
Choosing the right tennis equipment has a direct impact on your technique, comfort of play and scoreboard results. To understand exactly how to choose a tennis racquet, it is important to consider a number of parameters: weight, length, balance, rim construction and brand. The key is to focus not on appearance, but on your stroke mechanics, playing style and goals on the court.
2004 was a turning point in Maria Sharapova’s career. She made history with her sensational victory at Wimbledon. In the final, she defeated one of the most dominant tennis players of the time – Serena Williams. This victory made her the third youngest winner in the history of Wimbledon and secured her a place in the pantheon of world tennis. Powerful strokes, tactical flexibility and an unshakeable will to win have become her trademark.
Maria Sharapova’s story is a vivid example of how talent and hard work can lead to outstanding results. Her journey from a humble childhood in Russia to world fame shows that the impossible is possible if you are prepared to work hard and not give up. Maria Sharapova will always be remembered as a tennis legend whose contribution to the sport will inspire future generations.