The modern day tennis racket is highly complex, and choosing the right tennis racket to buy is very difficult and potentially time consuming. So Sweatband.com have put together this essential tennis racket buyers guide to help you through the process and attempt to explain what to look out for dependent on levels of playing ability. High tech materials, larger heads, and longer tennis rackets have changed the way tennis is played. Given the extensive range of tennis rackets available on the market, it can be difficult to differentiate one brand of tennis racket from the next. This Sweatband.com guide is aimed at helping you through the process of selecting the right tennis racket and brand for you. At Sweatband.com we stock and supply only the best and most popular quality tennis rackets including Dunlop, Head, Wilson, Slazenger, Prince, and Karakal to ensure you are completely satisfied with every purchase you make.
When considering which tennis rackets to buy it is essential you choose the type and size tennis racket that best fits your personal game. You should consider the size of the tennis rackets, your swing, and your own ability level. As a general rule, if you are just starting out in the game or still a novice tennis player, you should look for a less technical and more versatile tennis rackets to allow extra forgiveness of shots, whereas by contrast high-tech composite tennis rackets will provide superior power with a lighter weight if you are a more advanced player.
At Sweatband.com the years of retail experience with tennis rackets (including men’s tennis rackets, ladies tennis rackets, and junior tennis rackets) mean the advice given to you is totally impartial, and purely geared around the needs of you the tennis rackets buyer. Key things to consider when choosing your tennis racket are things like the tennis rackets head size, the tennis rackets head shape, the tennis rackets weight, the tennis rackets length, the tennis rackets stiffness, the tennis rackets grip, the tennis rackets strings and so on. Consider each of these areas carefully before choosing tennis rackets that will suit your needs.
Dunlop has been manufacturing marketing leading tennis rackets for over 70 years. It has been one of the most successful sports and tennis racket brands of the 20th century with Grand Slam winners including John McEnroe and Steffi Graff using Dunlop tennis rackets, and more recently previous WTP World No. 1 and 2006 Australian Open and Wimbledon Champion Amelie Mauresmo and current Wimbledon Mixed doubles champion and British star Jamie Murray currently uses Dunlop equipment and Dunlop tennis rackets. The latest addition to the Dunlop tennis racket series is the Aerogel line that features revolutionary Aerogel technology which produces the lightest yet strongest material composite for the tennis racket frame by adding in small molecular bubbles in the frame make up to provide core strength in a lighter material. Now used by many of the top players in the World, Dunlop tennis rackets are available across a broad players market from beginner to advanced and through to top professionals, with tennis rackets to suit all.
The Sweatband.com team recommends the M-Fil 2-Hundred Dunlop tennis racket which has multi-filament composite design and technology, and a large sweet spot (the area which allows for a solid hit and return) to create a stable feel with some forgiveness, ideal for a big hitting player. The M-Fil 2-hundred Dunlop tennis racket currently retails at ₤49.00 on Sweatband.com and includes VAT and free UK mainland delivery.
Head and Head tennis rackets are a leading global manufacturer of premium sports equipment with the motto “Superior Performance Through Superior Technology”. In 1975 Arthur Ashe won Wimbledon with a Head composite tennis racket and in 1994 Andre Agassi won the US Open with a Head tennis racket. A testimony to the quality and heritage of Head tennis rackets. Head tennis rackets are made to suit most player standards, but are particularly focused on really driving great quality and highly technical cheap tennis rackets that are very forgiving, and suitable for most playing styles. Nano technology allows the core structure of the frame to be strengthened in certain areas to maintain torsional stiffness and reduce twist, whilst the lightweight design and incredible price points make them a real value for money tennis racket purchase.
The Sweatband.com team recommends the TiS6 Nano Head tennis racket which currently retails at just ₤49.00 including VAT and free UK mainland delivery. This Head tennis racket provides everything you need to get on court. The Ti S6 Head tennis racket loaded with Head’s Nano Titanium technology giving a strong, fast, and stable Head tennis racket
Prince started out as a manufacturer of tennis ball machines and has evolved into an industry leader in the innovation and manufacturing of performance tennis rackets and racket sports products now including a full tennis racket range The O3 tennis rackets are a radically new design by Prince who has replaced traditional pin-sized string holes with giant O-ports to create a super aerodynamic frame with a more responsive string bed. These revolutionary new tennis rackets are created via a one-step fusion process which utilizes the strongest structure known to man – the arch. A truly unique tennis racket experience and the example of how Prince is bringing superior technological advance to improve the game of tennis.
Prince has sponsored some of the game’s biggest stars to play with Prince tennis rackets including Jennifer Capriati, Patrick Rafter, Jimmy Connors and Martina Navratilova. More recently, in 2006 Maria Sharapova signed a lifetime endorsement with Prince to play with Prince tennis rackets and use Prince tennis products, and currently uses the Prince 03 White tennis racket. Both of the female finalists in this year’s mixed doubles final at Wimbledon played with the 03 Red Prince tennis rackets. A true testimony to the quality and perception of the Prince tennis rackets today among professionals.
The Sweatband.com team recommends the Prince O3 Hybrid Hornet tennis racket, currently retailing at only ₤69.00 including VAT and free mainland UK delivery.
For almost a century Wilson and Wilson tennis rackets has been at the heart of sports history producing legendary classics and earning world-wide legitimacy. As No.1 in the tennis racket market, Wilson is in constant pursuit of innovative tennis racket technologies and cutting edge design, with Wilson’s mission to develop breakthrough products that enhance the performance of tennis players and tennis rackets from the beginner to the professional. In 2007 WTP World No. 1 Justine Henin was using Wilson tennis rackets, as were both Wimbledon winners Venus Williams and Roger Federer, who used the K-Six One tour Wilson tennis racket to secure a fifth consecutive Wimbledon Title. Wilson is firmly at the top of the tree in terms of brand leader in tennis rackets, and the latest K Factor tennis racket range is used by many top male and female players around the World. Now with a very comprehensive range, Wilson tennis rackets appeal to most player types and capabilities, and manufacture high quality, technically excellent and top performance tennis rackets at incredible price points.
The Sweatband.com team recommends the [k] Six-One Lite Wilson tennis racket, part of the new 2007 [k] Factor tennis racket range, which utilises their next generation frame engineering technologies. The [k] Six-One Lite Wilson tennis racket currently retails on Sweatband.com for only ₤94.99, and includes VAT and free UK mainland delivery.
Slazenger tennis and Slazenger tennis rackets have one of the longest and most distinguished histories in sport. Slazenger have been official supplier of tennis balls to every Wimbledon Championship since 1902 and have also designed tennis rackets for some of the best players in the world including British No. 1 Tim Henman. A traditionally British brand, Slazenger tennis and its tennis rackets are very price aggressive, with a highly technical tennis racket range that are manufactured to suit a more entry level tennis racket budget. Slazenger tennis rackets
The Sweatband.com team recommends the Slazenger Pro X4 tennis racket with a free 3 tennis racket thermo. The Pro X4 Slazenger tennis racket is recommended for game improvers looking for a powerful but super light tennis racket which provides quality performance with a striking design. Currently retailing at just ₤39.99 including VAT and free UK mainland delivery, this is an excellent example of the range and quality of price sensitive tennis rackets Slazenger offers.
The Karakal brand was started in Belgium in 1978 with the ethos of quality and value for money. Their mission is to provide superior quality tennis racket sports products with the very best in innovative ideas, design, and technology. Karakal tennis rackets with Sweatband are focused mainly on the mini tennis lines and Karakal mini tennis is arguably the most popular range of mini tennis rackets due to its incredible price points, product offering, and compatibility to the Lawn Tennis Association Official Mini tennis traffic lights scheme for age groups.
The Sweatband.com team recommends all of the Karakal mini tennis racket range, an example being the Karakal Mini Red 21 tennis racket which offers excellent value as a junior tennis racket. Made from light-weight aluminium and with a re-enforced throat this junior tennis racket conforms to the L.T.A traffic light scheme. Currently retailing at ONLY ₤10.99 this junior tennis racket offers excellent value and performance for the junior tennis player and the price includes VAT and free UK mainland delivery.
Key things to consider when purchasing tennis rackets
Buying tennis rackets can be a daunting task especially with the wealth of brands, technologies and designs on the market today. Perhaps the best place to start, before moving on to more description of what to look for in making your tennis racket purchase, is with the basics of the tennis racket – What each part of the tennis racket is.
Tennis Rackets – the basics
Now you know what each part is, what to look out for when buying tennis rackets:
Matching your tennis racket to your ability level
It is important to identify your ability level and purchase appropriate tennis rackets. Otherwise you will end up with a tennis racket not suited to your game and you will end up disappointed and disenchanted. Generally speaking, the entry level player should look for tennis rackets with a larger head size, thicker frame design and larger sweet spot to maximise power, and increase the level of forgiveness of the tennis racket. The better the player, the smaller and thinner the tennis rackets head size and frame, the greater the control and feel. However the above tennis racket information is very dependent on the nature of your natural game and not entirely your natural ability level. The bigger, wider and longer the swing, the more power you create, so the more controlled tennis racket you need. The more compact and short the swing, the less natural power you generate so generally the greater frame and head sizes will assist better here.
The Tennis Rackets Price
This point has been added in early because just because tennis rackets appears to be “cheap tennis rackets” does not necessarily mean it is! It could be a cheap tennis racket because companies like us have bought a large quantity to promote a great tennis racket at a great price and give the consumer an incredible deal. Considering the price of the tennis racket is important as there is always a budget, but often by buying the previous year’s model you can get the same or similar tennis rackets at a better price, or buying two tennis rackets together normally works out cheaper as well. Also keep an eye out for FREE extra’s like tennis racket thermo bags, tennis balls, clothing, or add on savings on other promotional lines at the time of purchase! You may be able to pick up a gift or a bargain at the same time further saving you money. So whilst really cheap tennis rackets or a budget tennis rackets may not necessarily suit your game, do not assume you have to buy very expensive tennis rackets to get the best model for you either. The key is to make an informed decision based on your game style. Finally it is worth checking that the price you see on a tennis racket is the price you pay for that tennis racket. More common now, retailers are advertising great price tennis rackets or what appears to be bargain tennis rackets, but when you actually go to buy it at the checkout you find you have to add on VAT and delivery costs etc. At Sweatband.com all of the prices shown on the tennis rackets are including VAT and are delivered to any UK mainland address.
The Tennis Rackets Head Size
The size of the tennis rackets head affects power and control. Generally speaking the bigger the tennis rackets head, the more powerful the shot that can be created. This is because with a larger racket head on a tennis racket, the sweet spot is enlarged, the strings are stretched out over greater distance to give extra flex, and the frame thickness will be wider. All of this leads to a more sturdy, flex based tennis racket head to add power to a compact player swing. The smaller the tennis racket head, the more control you have but the less natural power it creates. Thinner frames and smaller heads give the user greater feel over the shots, but do not have the rigidity or generic stiffness and weight through the moment of inertia on the ball off the tennis racket head to create the power. The more compact tennis rackets design is geared to those players who create great natural power through a bigger swing, but want to add greater control and feel to the shots. Getting the right size to the racket will ensure it suits your swing and style so you do not get unnecessary power or control in your game. MP tennis rackets have a medium head size and are the most common purchase, whereas OS stands for oversize, and features a larger head size for a greater sweet spot
The Tennis Rackets Head Shape
There are two main tennis racket head shapes: oval and tear drop. What is important when considering tennis racket head shape is the sweet spot: the area which allows for a solid hit and return. The larger the tennis racket head, the bigger the sweet spot. Oval shaped tennis rackets have a sweet spot in the bottom half of the head. The sweet spot on the tear drop tennis racket is almost the entire face of the tennis racket. This is important to consider when looking at the consistency of shot making you play with, and tennis rackets can really help you achieve the best results. Again the more consistent player will be more comfortable with the oval head shape tennis rackets for added control, whereas the more erratic striker (often more commonly beginner level) will be better suited to a tear drop design for a larger sweet spot, extra forgiveness of shot making and compensation for erratic play.
The Tennis Rackets Weight
Heavy tennis rackets are going to be more powerful powerful, stable, and absorb shock. Lighter tennis rackets are generally more agile and faster through the air, and generally better for touch and feel. Most entry level and entry - mid price tennis rackets incorporate a mid weight of around 280 grams to allow the power to be created, but with the element of control and forgiveness. Lightweight tennis rackets now come in at generally between 240 - 280 grams, and offer greater sensitivity through the tennis rackets frame to add the touch, and the heaver tennis rackets come in at 320g + to add extra weight to the shot for more power. It is important to get a good balance of tennis racket frame size, tennis racket head size and tennis racket weight that suits your needs.
The Tennis Rackets Length
The appropriate length of your tennis racket is determined by your own height, and what style of game you play. Longer tennis rackets give more reach on ground strokes, extra flexibility on serves, more power, and generally suits the taller player. Traditional length tennis rackets provides a combination of power and control and is easier to handle for smaller players.
The Tennis Rackets Stiffness or Flexibility
The stiffness or flexibility of tennis rackets is more important for advanced players, but beginners and intermediate players should also consider the tennis rackets flex when making a decision. Stiffness affects the energy returned to the ball and the control and power of the shot. The stiffer the tennis racket, the less energy absorption takes place and the more the inertia is imparted back on to the ball in the shot to give power By contrast the more flexible the tennis racket, the greater the impact is absorbed and the less it is imparted back on the ball, producing less power but much greater feel and control in the shot.
The Tennis Rackets Grip
The tennis rackets grip size affects the control and performance of the tennis racket in the hand. Getting the right grip size means the tennis racket will sit properly in the hand and allow you to maximise your shot making ability, however every player is different and so the guide may not apply to every person. As a general rule, grip size can be determined by holding the tennis racket in your normal forehand grip and being able to squeeze a finger in which touches both the end of your fingers and your palm of your hand. See the image below as an example of how to measure the normal expected grip requirement.
The following table shows the tennis rackets grip sizes and the actual measurements of each one. Children or small hands normally require a tennis racket with a 0 or 1 grip size; Female Grip size is most commonly 2 & 3; Male grip size is most commonly 3 & 4; Large hands requires grip size 5
Grip Size 0 = 4 inch circumference
Grip Size 1 = 4 1/8 inch circumference
Grip Size 2 = 4 1/4 inch circumference
Grip Size 3 = 4 3/8 inch circumference
Grip Size 4 = 4 1/2 inch circumference
Grip Size 5 = 4 5/8 inch circumference
The Tennis Rackets Technology
The technology and structure of tennis rackets is very important when considering which type of tennis rackets to buy. Getting tennis rackets that feels and acts right will not only allow you to play better shots more consistently, but it will also be a huge mental boost and a positive effect on your game. Each manufacturer has their own unique technologies to alter the balance of tennis rackets, the performance of the frame under tension, the weight of tennis rackets, and the size of the sweet spot and so on. Wilson’s latest tennis rackets feature Karophyte, a new metal composite that maintains greater torsional stiffness under duress, and coupled with the Peripheral weighting system in the head produces a very stable but agile tennis racket range. Head have a series of Flexpoint / Metallix and Microgel tennis rackets which actually act to dampen the impact of the ball on the head to give greater feel to a solid frame, and generally allow the player greater control over shots. Prince tennis rackets feature technologies such as 03 frames, which have totally unique string mounts to create a greater sweet spot, lighter frame and a faster more aerodynamic head speed. Dunlop’s latest technology is Aerogel, which is a new molecular compound in the frame that allows the racket to be made much lighter but without compromising the integrity, stiffness or durability. So when looking at the technology of the tennis racket always attempt to fit the benefits of the tennis racket to your game, and be honest with yourself! If you are more of a touch player but believe you are the most powerful hitter in the World, choosing a control racket will probably only be detrimental to your game.
The Tennis Rackets Strings
Pre-strung tennis rackets are targeted at beginners and recreational players up to most club and county level players, as the racket has a pre-set common tension and string in it suitable for most styles and levels of play. Unstrung tennis rackets are for intermediate to advanced players whereby the player commonly knows what string they prefer to have the tennis rackets strung in, be it aluminium string, titanium string, gut string, or a mixture thereof, and to what tension the tennis racket is strung, to allow it to be totally customized to their game style. Furthermore, open string patterns on tennis rackets (bigger squares) offer greater ball rebound as there is more flex in the strings when playing. Denser string patterns by contrast inevitably result in less rebound for the exact opposite reasons of less flex and so less responsiveness. Players who want greater control but not necessarily power will seek denser string patterns, while those who hit with greater spin and control naturally will prefer the open string pattern.
As has been highlighted, the task of choosing appropriate tennis rackets can be difficult and demanding. The key points identified above will help you to make the right choice from among the range of excellent value and quality brands available at Sweatband.com.
Dunlop has been manufacturing marketing leading tennis rackets for over 70 years. It has been one of the most successful sports and tennis racket brands of the 20th century with Grand Slam winners including John McEnroe and Steffi Graff using Dunlop tennis rackets, and more recently previous WTP World No. 1 and 2006 Australian Open and Wimbledon Champion Amelie Mauresmo and current Wimbledon Mixed doubles champion and British star Jamie Murray currently uses Dunlop equipment and Dunlop tennis rackets. The latest addition to the Dunlop tennis racket series is the Aerogel line that features revolutionary Aerogel technology which produces the lightest yet strongest material composite for the tennis racket frame by adding in small molecular bubbles in the frame make up to provide core strength in a lighter material. Now used by many of the top players in the World, Dunlop tennis rackets are available across a broad players market from beginner to advanced and through to top professionals, with tennis rackets to suit all.
Head and Head tennis rackets are a leading global manufacturer of premium sports equipment with the motto “Superior Performance Through Superior Technology”. In 1975 Arthur Ashe won Wimbledon with a Head composite tennis racket and in 1994 Andre Agassi won the US Open with a Head tennis racket. A testimony to the quality and heritage of Head tennis rackets. Head tennis rackets are made to suit most player standards, but are particularly focused on really driving great quality and highly technical cheap tennis rackets that are very forgiving, and suitable for most playing styles. Nano technology allows the core structure of the frame to be strengthened in certain areas to maintain torsional stiffness and reduce twist, whilst the lightweight design and incredible price points make them a real value for money tennis racket purchase.
Prince started out as a manufacturer of tennis ball machines and has evolved into an industry leader in the innovation and manufacturing of performance tennis rackets and racket sports products now including a full tennis racket range The O3 tennis rackets are a radically new design by Prince who has replaced traditional pin-sized string holes with giant O-ports to create a super aerodynamic frame with a more responsive string bed. These revolutionary new tennis rackets are created via a one-step fusion process which utilizes the strongest structure known to man – the arch. A truly unique tennis racket experience and the example of how Prince is bringing superior technological advance to improve the game of tennis. 
For almost a century Wilson and Wilson tennis rackets has been at the heart of sports history producing legendary classics and earning world-wide legitimacy. As No.1 in the tennis racket market, Wilson is in constant pursuit of innovative tennis racket technologies and cutting edge design, with Wilson’s mission to develop breakthrough products that enhance the performance of tennis players and tennis rackets from the beginner to the professional. In 2007 WTP World No. 1 Justine Henin was using Wilson tennis rackets, as were both Wimbledon winners Venus Williams and Roger Federer, who used the K-Six One tour Wilson tennis racket to secure a fifth consecutive Wimbledon Title. Wilson is firmly at the top of the tree in terms of brand leader in tennis rackets, and the latest K Factor tennis racket range is used by many top male and female players around the World. Now with a very comprehensive range, Wilson tennis rackets appeal to most player types and capabilities, and manufacture high quality, technically excellent and top performance tennis rackets at incredible price points. 
Slazenger tennis and Slazenger tennis rackets have one of the longest and most distinguished histories in sport. Slazenger have been official supplier of tennis balls to every Wimbledon Championship since 1902 and have also designed tennis rackets for some of the best players in the world including British No. 1 Tim Henman. A traditionally British brand, Slazenger tennis and its tennis rackets are very price aggressive, with a highly technical tennis racket range that are manufactured to suit a more entry level tennis racket budget. Slazenger tennis rackets 
The Karakal brand was started in Belgium in 1978 with the ethos of quality and value for money. Their mission is to provide superior quality tennis racket sports products with the very best in innovative ideas, design, and technology. Karakal tennis rackets with Sweatband are focused mainly on the mini tennis lines and Karakal mini tennis is arguably the most popular range of mini tennis rackets due to its incredible price points, product offering, and compatibility to the Lawn Tennis Association Official Mini tennis traffic lights scheme for age groups.
