A tennis racket comes down to five specs that matter more than the brand: weight, head size, length, grip and string pattern. Here's what each one means, and what retailers and equipment guides actually recommend for someone just starting out.
How heavy should a first racket be
Adult tennis rackets generally weigh between 200 and 360 grams, depending on how they're strung. By category: Super Light around 252 g, Light 255–269 g, Medium 272–295 g, Heavy 298–309 g, Very Heavy above 312 g. A heavier racket flexes less on impact and sends fewer vibrations into your arm, so it's more stable, but it takes more strength to move in time. A lighter one is easier to swing, at the cost of power off the strings. The usual advice for beginners is to stay under 280 grams, so you can complete the full swing without stalling halfway through from the weight — advanced players typically move up past 300 grams.
A bigger head forgives mishits — but only up to a point
Head size splits into categories: Midsize 548–593 cm² (80–93 sq in), Midplus 594–677 cm² (94–105 sq in), Oversize 678–740 cm² (106–115 sq in), Super Oversize above 741 cm² (116+ sq in) — the most commonly used rackets sit between 600 and 700 cm². A larger head gives a more forgiving hitting zone, the sweet spot, and more power off the strings for the same swing. A smaller head is aimed at advanced players chasing control rather than extra power. That's why larger heads get recommended to beginners and below-average players, who need a wider margin for error.
Standard length is 27 inches — and a few extra centimetres matter more than they look
The standard length for an adult racket is 68.57 cm (27 inches); anything shorter is built for juniors. Extended lengths exist, up to around 73.65 cm, but the difference between 68.57 and 71.11 cm is barely noticeable, and anything longer than 71.11 cm isn't recommended, especially for a beginner — a longer racket adds serve power but costs manoeuvrability compared to a standard-length one.
Grip size is measured with a finger, not guessed
The most common adult grip size is L3. To find yours, hold the racket with a normal grip and slide the index finger of your other hand between your palm and the fingertips wrapped around the handle: if it fits exactly, the size is right; if it won't fit, the grip is too small; if there's a gap, it's too big. Most players lean toward the smaller of two close sizes, since it feels more secure — a grip that's slightly too small can be built up later with an overgrip, but one that's too big can't be made smaller.
Balance shows where the racket's power sits
Balance describes whether a racket's weight sits closer to the head or the handle. A handle-heavy (head-light) racket is more manoeuvrable but less stable, and it's the usual choice for advanced players who need quick reactions at the net. A head-heavy racket became especially popular among recreational players, because it helps generate pace without needing as full a swing — the trade-off is extra stress on the elbow and shoulder.
String pattern — spin against control
String pattern is described by the number of main (vertical) and cross (horizontal) strings. An open pattern, 16 by 18, lets the strings flex more on impact, creating a trampoline effect that helps spin — the downside is it wears out faster, since the strings rub against each other more. A dense pattern, 18 by 20, doesn't flex as much, holds up longer, but produces less spin; it's the choice of players after control and deep, flat shots rather than spin.
Frame material, and the racket's link to tennis elbow
Nearly all adult rackets today are made from graphite composite — aluminium rackets are cheaper but come with excessive flex and inadequate weight, which makes them a poor fit if you're planning to play regularly and improve. Racket choice genuinely matters for the elbow: a heavier racket absorbs impact shock better, which lowers the risk of an injury like tennis elbow, but tires the shoulder faster, and a head-heavy balance adds extra stress specifically on the elbow and shoulder. That's part of why a larger head also gets recommended to players who already have elbow pain. Tennis elbow itself is mostly caused by repetitive gripping and wrist-extension motion — it's classically linked to racquet sports, but shows up in people who don't play at all too, typically between ages 35 and 60, and it's usually diagnosed from symptoms and a physical exam rather than imaging. Nothing is proven to change how it runs its course — exercises, a brace, ice or heat, and medication only help with the symptoms. If elbow pain doesn't go away, that calls for a doctor, not just a different racket.
Three mistakes people make buying their first racket
The first is buying too heavy a racket on the assumption that more mass makes a better player — in practice, the arm tires out faster than the results improve. The second is the wrong grip size: a handle that's too thick or too thin hurts control no matter how well the other specs are chosen. The third is trying to copy a professional's exact racket — a frame built around a pro's swing speed and power isn't automatically the right fit for an amateur playing at a different level.
Sporta MD doesn't sell equipment — it covers football, basketball, volleyball and tennis, enough to quickly find who to play with and where in the city. What you carry onto the court is still your own call.