Of the myriad of sports that saw an increase in uptake over the course of the pandemic, tennis was perhaps the most noticeable. With social distancing restrictions limiting other sports that require closer contact from the menu, standing seventy-eight feet away from one’s adversary while thwacking a fluorescent ball back and forth became both one of the few options on the cards, as well as a good one for its cardio benefits. Public courts around Toronto were flooded with both regulars and newcomers to the sport alike, sometimes making it hard to get a good hit in.
If you’ve been diligently working on your groundstrokes with a racquet, you either borrowed from a friend or bought cheaply from a department store on a whim and are looking to take the next step up. If so, this is for you. Unlike other sports like soccer and basketball, where equipment like shoes could be said to only make marginal improvements to your game, switching to a tennis racquet that is better suited to your style could make an exponential difference.
Racquets normally range from 90–130 square inches in head size. If you’ve seen the wooden racquets of yesteryear, you’ll have noticed that they used to be minuscule in head size. Advancements in racquet materials saw frames then switch to aluminum and steel construction before ultimately settling upon the graphite or graphite-composite racquets we see in production today. The switch to these materials made for a lightweight and more durable “stick” (colloquial parlance for a racquet that will win you favour on the court and tennis forums alike), all while increasing the head size. The jump in head size was fortuitous, as it increased the “sweet spot” (the area at the centre of the racquet that you derive the most power and control from.)
Apart from head size, the other biggest factor you’ll want to look for in your new weapon of choice is weight. Beginner players with shorter, slower swings will normally want to reach for a lighter racquet (eight to nine and a half ounces strung) with which to generate more power. The idea is that the lighter racquet will make up for a clipped backswing and help in accelerating through the ball. These sticks are normally head-heady, meaning the weight is concentrated in the head. Tweener racquets weighing in between nine and a half to eleven ounces will cover a lot of bases for most folks who’ve had a bit of time to pick up on the basics. So-called because they toe the line “between” lighter, power racquets and heavier player sticks, tweeners will range from slightly head-light to slightly head-heavy and have a head size between 98–104 square inches. Their lighter weight and healthy head size will make a topspin-heavy stroke accessible to most. Beyond those options, we have both modern and traditional “player’s racquets,” so-called because most on the ATP tour favour them. Modern player’s sticks will typically fall between eleven and twelve ounces and have head sizes between 98–100 square inches. Traditional player’s racquets will be the heaviest on offer in the market, ranging between eleven and a half to the north of twelve ounces, and have smaller head sizes ranging from eighty-five to ninety-eight square inches; these racquets will normally be several points head-light and offer a ton of control for players capable of generating their own power. Without further ado, here are some suggestions in the aforementioned categories:
Power
Head Graphene 360+ Instinct PWR
Headsize: 115 square inches
Strung weight: 8.6 ounces
Super light at just under nine ounces, this Head stick should provide effortless access to power for players looking to turn up the pace. Off-centre contact should also prove no problem, given the gargantuan head size of 115 square inches.
Wilson Clash 108
Head size: 108 square inches
Strung weight: 10.4 ounces
The Clash is Wilson’s most forgiving stick, and with 108 square inches of head size to work with the tennis ball should be tough to miss. The flexibility of the racquet makes it arm-friendly for those not looking for a super stiff response upon contact. Boasting extended length, the Clash should also prove useful at the net where you might be able to reach balls previously beyond you for point-ending volleys.
Tweener
Babolat Pure Drive Team 2021
Head size: 100 square inches
Strung weight: 10.6 ounces
Fans of Andy Roddick’s in the aughts will find this paintjob comfortingly familiar. That said, this version of the American’s favoured weighty stick will be more fitting in the hands of most recreational players. As you generate power and spin with its stiff construction, no one will be able to tell the difference.
Modern Player’s Racquet
Babolat Pure Aero
Headsize: 100 square inches
Strung weight: 11.2 ounces
Those reaching for this yellow-hued stick will likely have shouted “vamos” while cheering on Rafael Nadal at the French Open over the years. While fans of the Spaniard might struggle to replicate his ridiculously spin-heavy shot (3200 rpm on average, absolutely insane when considering that Fed hits around 2500 rpm,) they’ll have incredibly easy access to topspin on their groundstrokes with this French stick. Just don’t expect Rafa’s famed endurance.
Traditional Player’s Racquet
Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph
Headsize: 97 square inches
Strung weight: 12.6 ounces
For a long time, Roger Federer was a devotee to obscenely small racquets. Playing with the Wilson Pro Staff 85 throughout his youth, before switching to a Wilson Six One 90 at his peak, Federer’s dominance at the top level was sometimes unexplainable given the unforgiving nature of his racquet’s sweet spot. That he won so many Grand Slams with an effortless playing style just about beggars belief. But in 2014, Fed finally made the switch to a more modern head size, which he says has benefited his famous one-handed backhand (itself a stroke not for the faint of heart, given the importance of footwork for proper execution.) Now in its thirteenth iteration, Fed’s signature Wilson racquet comes with a wicked blackout paintjob that will attract seasoned veterans and dilettantes (me) alike. While the head size is forgiving, the rest of the stick’s specs are decidedly not. To harness the impressive plough-through capabilities and surgical control on offer, you’ll have to be adept in your preparation, meaning early backswings and swift footwork. Once you’ve adjusted to the increased prep time, you’ll find that you’ll often be the one doing the pushing rather than the other way around. The weight will mean consistent depth on your groundstrokes and impressive stability at the net on volleys. Demo this one before springing on it just to be sure.
Happy hitting!