Racquet Specs & Performance
Attributes Explained
Racquet Specs & Performance Attributes Explained
When researching to buy a new tennis racquet, one of the first things you’ll likely come across are specifications, which the tennis community commonly abbreviates and refers to as simply specs.
Each measurable data point hints to players about what to expect from a racquet, such as its performance attributes. These include power, control, spin, feel, and comfort, which are helpful when comparing models.
However, before using these specs to find and evaluate racquets, it’s best to understand what they represent and how they’re measured. With this information, you’ll be better positioned to assess racquets and know what to expect from a frame before you buy or demo it to play.
To help, I’ll define each spec, including the performance attributes they influence, so that you can discover the ideal racquet for your needs.
Specs
A tennis racquet’s specs refer to its technical characteristics, such as its weight or length. Racquet manufacturers and retailers highlight these data points to help players evaluate and compare different models.
Sometimes, they’ll print these details directly on a frame, usually on the edge of the racquet’s head or throat. However, you’ll typically need to visit a brand or retailer’s website to discover all of them.
Head Size
A racquet’s head size refers to the surface area of the racquet’s head where you install the strings, expressed as square inches or centimeters. Most head sizes fall between 85 – 110 in² (548 – 710 cm²), but the most common are 97, 98, and 100 in² (626, 632, 645 cm²).
Larger Head Sizes Enhance
- Power
- Spin
- Hitting surface area
Smaller Head Sizes Enhance
- Control
- Maneuverability
Length
A racquet’s length is measured from the bottom of its handle to the top of its head, expressed in inches or centimeters. Most racquets are 27 in (69 cm), but you’ll sometimes find extended-length options that add anywhere between a half inch to an inch in length.
Longer Racquets Enhance
- Power
- Spin
- A player’s reach
Shorter Racquets Enhance
- Control
- Maneuverability
If you’d like to explore these topics further, my article on racquet head size and length explores them in greater depth.
String Pattern
String patterns refer to the number of the main (vertical) and cross (horizontal) strings a racquet contains, e.g., 16×19. Although several unique string patterns exist, here are the most common:
- 16×18
- 16×19
- 16×20
- 18×20
Open string patterns have fewer main and cross strings, while closed string patterns have more. I define an open string pattern as one with 35 or fewer total main and cross strings, while anything 36 or greater is closed. There’s no agreed-upon standard here, but you should feel confident referring to racquets with this criteria.
Open String Patterns Enhance
- Power
- Spin
- Comfort
Closed String Patterns Enhance
- Control
- String durability
Weight
A racquet’s weight, or static weight, refers to how heavy it is when placed on a scale, expressed in ounces or grams.
Most companies and retailers will measure a racquet’s weight with strings installed, i.e., its strung weight, but that’s not always the case. If the website you’re using simply lists ‘weight,’ you may need to verify how they measured it. At the very least, it may explain why you see slight differences between websites.
Another reason weight sometimes varies between sites is how they measure it. For example, it’s common to measure several racquets and provide an average to account for variability in manufacturing.
It’s also worth noting that strings vary in weight, so if you’re evaluating a racquet’s strung weight, the type of string used will influence the final measurement. Therefore, it’s best to use a single retailer for greater consistency across measurements when comparing racquet weights.
Helpful Tip: This attribute, like balance, swingweight, beam width, and stiffness, is subject to slight variability in manufacturing. You’ll even see some brands like Babolat showing these specs with a +/- margin for error when documenting them, yet another reason for imperfect reporting.
Extra Weight Enhances
- Power
- Stability
Less Weight Enhances
- Maneuverability
Balance
A racquet’s balance measures the weight distribution throughout its length, expressed as points, inches, or centimeters. A head heavy (HH) racquet distributes more weight toward the racquet’s head, while a head light (HL) racquet has more toward the handle. Moreover, a racquet with weight distributed equally throughout has an equal balance (EB).
Manufacturers and retailers place a racquet on top of a balance board or similar device to measure balance, rolling the racquet across a bar until the point where the handle drops to a scale to provide a measurement.
Inch or centimeter measurements are the most precise, providing more granular insight into a racquet’s balance. Points, i.e., 4 points head light, are also helpful for effectively communicating balance. However, these measurements are less specific because they are rounded, with an eighth of an inch equaling a point.
Like weight, balance measurements differ when the racquet is strung or unstrung, with most manufacturers and retailers referring to the unstrung balance. One method isn’t better or worse than the other; all that matters is that you compare the measurements produced with the same method.
Head Heavy Racquets Enhance
- Power
- Stability
Head Light Racquets Enhance
- Maneuverability
- Comfort
Swingweight
A racquet’s swingweight illustrates how heavy it feels when swinging as measured by a specialized diagnostic machine. Higher numbers reflect a heavier swingweight, while lower numbers indicate a lighter swingweight.
A racquet’s overall weight or static weight and balance directly influence swingweight. All else equal, the heavier a racquet is, the higher its swingweight will be – similarly, swingweight increases as more weight shifts to a racquet’s head.
One of the best ways to grasp the concept of swingweight is to consider a hammer, which is heavier at the head or its top. When holding it from the handle, it feels heavy when swinging it. However, it feels significantly lighter if you hold it from the top and swing it.
In my article on weight, balance, and swingweight, I discuss these closely related specs in detail – check it out if you’d like to learn more.
Higher Swingweights Enhance
- Power
- Stability
Lower Swingweights Enhnace
- Maneuverability
Stiffness
A racquet’s stiffness refers to how much it flexes or bends when hitting a ball. The industry standard is a racquet analysis (RA) rating, but Wilson also developed a stiffness index (SI) measurement.
Like swingweight, manufacturers and retailers use a specialized diagnostic machine to measure a racquet’s stiffness. First, the handle is secured, then the machine applies pressure to the top of the racquet’s head, and the resulting measurement informs its stiffness.
The racquet’s materials, construction methods, and beam width (discussed below) all influence its stiffness.
Stiffer Racquets Enhance
- Power
Flexible Racquets Enhance
- Control
- Feel
Beam Width
Beam width is a measure of a racquet’s side in millimeters. However, since width can vary from the throat to the top of the head, you’ll see beam width expressed as three measurements, e.g., 23 mm (throat) /24 mm (side of the head) / 23 mm (top of the head).
You can measure the width of any racquet’s beam by placing a ruler against its side. As you might imagine, the thicker a racquet’s beam, the stiffer it becomes, while thinner beams are more flexible.
Wider Beams Enhance
- Power
Thinner Beams Enhance
- Control
- Feel
String Tension
A racquet’s tension rating is the recommended or optimal range when installing strings measured in pounds or kilograms.
The manufacturer sets these recommended figures by testing the racquet to ensure optimal performance while protecting the frame’s integrity. For example, stringing too high can cause a racquet to break.
Many players string outside recommended tension ranges, but doing so may void a racquet’s warranty if they encounter an issue.
Higher Tensions Enhance
- Control
Lower Tensions Enhance
- Power
As beneficial as these specs can be in helping you compare and select the ideal frame, nothing beats demoing one you think you’ll enjoy to gain first-hand insight and feel. So, while I hope you’ll use these to enhance your search, I encourage you not to rely on them too heavily.
Performance Attributes
Most players have specific attributes or performance characteristics in mind when buying a racquet, such as power or comfort, so once you define these, you can use specs to find the ideal racquet.
Although self-evident in many cases, I discuss the most common attributes below to ensure you’re aware of these essential features and understand what each means and their relevance. Ultimately, this will help you better evaluate and compare racquets.
Power
Experienced players can swing fast and generate power through proper technique regardless of the racquet you put in their hands. However, some racquets make generating pace significantly easier.
Higher-powered racquets can benefit beginners by increasing the depth of their shots as they learn proper technique. Likewise, they’re ideal for lower-strength players, such as younger or elderly players. These racquets also typically have larger head sizes, which provide a greater margin for error when swinging to hit the ball – think easier learning.
However, many experienced players with aggressive baseline games also seek out racquets with extra power, allowing them to dictate play. In this case, they wouldn’t need the most powerful racquet, but they might be okay with giving up some control to hit a heavier ball.
Control
The flip side of power is control. Although sufficient pace is crucial to compete at higher levels, accuracy becomes essential. Otherwise, your opponent will take advantage of your poorly placed shots.
For this reason, more experienced players typically seek added control from their racquets. At this stage, they’ll have developed the technique and skill required to generate pace, so reducing the power of their racquet allows for more precise placement for strategic play.
For most players, it becomes a balancing act. A racquet that’s too powerful can lead to erratic placement, while one that’s too control-oriented can make it challenging to play offensively. It’s also worth noting that while a racquet can offer more control, topspin is another way to maintain control. Hence, a spin-friendly racquet with extra power is often an excellent combination for balancing these attributes.
Comfort
Players often associate comfort with the shock sent to their arm when striking the ball or the vibration they feel after hitting it, which, compounded over time, can lead to overuse injuries like tennis elbow.
Historically, comfort-oriented racquets are heavier and more flexible, focusing additional weight toward the handle to help absorb shock.
However, that’s changing with new materials and construction methods, which players can further support with savvy string selection.
Another element that can reduce comfort is a racquet’s weight. One that’s too heavy can cause strain, so it’s also important to find a racquet you can comfortably swing for a few hours.
Feel, a.k.a, Touch
Touch, or feel, is a bit nuanced and frequently tied to a sense of control and connectedness, especially when hitting volleys and finesse shots like drop shots. Racquets that provide enhanced touch tend to be heavier, have smaller head sizes, and use more flexible frames.
Gaining a sense of this attribute takes time, with players developing it through experience. Therefore, early on, this is less important for players but becomes more crucial at the higher levels of the game.
Although heavier racquets with flexible control-oriented frames that provide a softer, forgiving, and more responsive feel are most commonly associated with this attribute, it’s subjective. Some players prefer a stiffer, more dynamic racquet, so players should cultivate and develop their sense of feel and preferences around this by enjoying the sport.
Maneuverability
Easy-to-maneuver racquets tend to feel light in your hand and make it easy to change the racquet head’s direction. Once again, this is helpful for beginners who are learning to control a racquet effectively.
Even experienced players require maneuverability, especially when reacting to high-powered serves and playing at the net.
Manufacturers can achieve better maneuverability by decreasing a racquet’s overall weight, making it easier to handle, or shifting weight toward the handle for a more head light balance.
That’s why beginner racquets tend to be lighter with a head heavy balance to increase power and stability, while heavy racquets typically have a head light balance, helping them feel easier to maneuver.
Stability
Stable tennis racquets remain sturdy when striking a ball and help instill a positive sense of consistency and accuracy.
The faster a ball hits your racquet, which is a combination of ball and swing speed, the more critical stability becomes to maintain control as the racquet moves through the ball, i.e., plow through.
As a result, beginner racquets tend to be lighter and less stable when this feature is less crucial. In contrast, intermediate and advanced racquets have added stability to enhance control for faster-paced competition.
Moving Beyond Specs
I love reviewing specs and seeing how the top brands continually tweak them to adjust a frame’s performance. They’re also incredibly valuable for helping players select the right gear, especially considering the price points of racquets these days – you don’t want to make a poor choice.
However, time and time again, I see players obsess too heavily over these technical characteristics. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by them, overanalyze them, and make buying a racquet harder than it needs to be.
The best antidote is to go out and hit with a racquet – any racquet – one your parents have tucked away in the garage, a friend’s older model they don’t play with anymore, or a demo at your local club or from an online retailer. Without experiencing a racquet, specs don’t mean all that much, and the combination of how they work together can be challenging to decipher until you start hitting with different racquets.
Once you hit with one and develop an opinion, look up its specs, which you can use as a basis for a more thoughtful comparison. Furthermore, the more you play and try different racquets, the better you’ll understand specs, helping you make the right decisions for a frame you’ll love.
If you’re new to tennis, don’t get caught up in analysis paralysis. Your racquet is essential, but it’s less critical early on. Before you know it, you’ll grow out of the first one you buy, presenting a new opportunity to evaluate a new frame with the experience you’ve gathered playing.
Finally, it’s worth repeating that many specs are averages, such as weight, balance, swingweight, stiffness, and beam width. Manufacturing tennis racquets is complex, involves plenty of manual labor, and isn’t an exact science. Although the top brands go to great lengths to ensure consistency in racquet construction, there will always be variability from one racquet to the next, even within the same model.
So, while specs are helpful, it’s best to take them with a grain of salt. Recognizing that the racquet you buy might not match up perfectly with what you read online. Ultimately, that makes your first-hand experience playing with a new racquet even more vital.
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