Tennis is a great sport for any age and it’s always great to see new players coming into it, especially with it being such a beautifully social sport too. Something to think about when starting out is the racket you will be using. This is a crucial decision as it will affect your progress within the game as well as your enjoyment of tennis and also potentially helping to avoid unnecessary injuries.
It is worth taking the time before you step on to court at your local club or before you head off to the sun for that tennis holiday, to choose your racket carefully and get the right one for you. A wrong choice will see you waste time and money using one that is just not suited to your needs as a new player. There are many things to consider when picking out the right one.
Below we have broken down a few a few things to think about when considering that first racket purchase:
One of the hardest parts of the game when starting up is timing your shots so that you contact the ball well. Having a racket with a larger head size makes this easier as it gives you an increased surface area to strike the ball with and a greater margin for error. The best beginner tennis rackets will usually have a bigger sweet-spot which is the place at the centre of the racket where you want to hit the ball for optimum impact.
Luckily, there are lots of rackets now that have big head sizes and generous sweet spots so you have plenty of choice. A large head size is especially important if you are a beginner as it will help you enjoy the game more and improve quicker. Once you get used to hitting balls over the net, you’ll like tennis more and more and can then look at progressing to a racket with a smaller head size.
As a beginner, you need something that will give you a good amount of power so you can get the ball over the net and be competitive in games. This ties in with the advice about head size as usually a bigger head size will produce more power naturally.
Power also helps you try and stay at the baseline. The problem with a lot of beginner tennis players is that they stand in what’s called “No Mans Land”. This is usually because they don’t swing with enough power.A powerful racket combined with a large head size will be the way forward whilst you are setting out in the game.
A good starter racket will also usually be lightweight as this will allow you to play longer and prevent injuries such as tennis elbow. Heavier rackets tend to be harder to play with and swing with so it’s best to go lighter to start with.
One word of advice is to not go too light as this could make you flick your wrist too much and may cause injury. If you go somewhere in the middle between 7 to 10 ounces, you should be fine and have a good balance between punch and playability.
It’s important that you have a racket that is comfortable to use and the grip is a main factor when considering this. When you are buying your racket check what material the handle is made from and make sure it feels good when you pick it up.
To check the grip that’s right for you, seeif you can fit your little finger between the ends of your thumbs and other fingers when holding the racket. If you can, you’re good to go! The standard grip recommendation for men is 4 1/4 and for women 3.
Tennis terminology can seem complicated and unfamiliar but you’ll soon get the hang of it, whether you’re playing, or simply enjoying a good match from the comfort of your sofa.
This guide will help you work out your tennis level so that you can make the most of our tennis programme.
Former GB tennis player and Andy Murray coach Mark Petchey is the official tennis ambassador for Neilson holidays. We caught up with him to share some of his top tips.
Drop us your email for our latest offers and inspiration for your next endorphin rush!