Tennis rackets

The complete guide to choosing your adult tennis racket

Choosing a tennis racket is a science in itself. Weight, head size, balance: every parameter has a direct impact on your feel and your performance on court. To help you see things more clearly, our experts break down the key characteristics you need to consider before making your choice.

The major tennis racket brands

Every manufacturer has developed its own signature and its own iconic ranges, favoured by many of the game's leading players. Whether you are loyal to one name or curious to try something new, here is an overview of the major brands you will find in our range.

Head covers every playing style, from the control-focused Prestige and Gravity ranges to the power-driven Boom, Instinct and Extreme frames, with the Radical and Speed ranges offering an all-round compromise between the two. Within each range you'll find several variants suited to everyone, from advanced competitors to club players and juniors starting out. Head is the brand of choice for several top professionals, including world number one Novak Djokovic.

Wilson is one of the most iconic names in tennis, with ranges to suit every kind of game. Players chasing control turn to the Pro Staff or Blade, while the Ultra and Burn ranges are built for power, and a more flexible, comfort-oriented range covers players who want an all-round feel. The brand has a long list of professional ambassadors, including Roger Federer and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Babolat is best known for the Pure Aero, the spin-friendly range made famous by Rafael Nadal, alongside the power-oriented Pure Drive, the control-focused Pure Strike and the more classic VS range for players who prioritise feel and touch.

The Japanese brand Yonex is built around advanced frame technology, with the all-round EZONE range, the spin-oriented VCORE range and the precision-focused VCORE Pro for players who want maximum control. Yonex is the choice of several tour professionals, including Casper Ruud and Nick Kyrgios.

Dunlop is a historic name in racket sports, offering the comfort-oriented CX range, the spin-friendly FX range and the more precise, tour-level SX range. The brand has long been associated with players who favour an aggressive, all-court game, including Gael Monfils.

Solinco made its name with its polyester strings before extending that same expertise to frames, with the powerful, spin-friendly Whiteout range and the more control-oriented Blackout range. It's a popular choice among players who already swear by Solinco strings and want a frame that matches that same feel.

Prince offers a wide spread of playing profiles: the powerful Beast range, the versatile Tour range, the touch and control of the Phantom range, and the manoeuvrable Legacy range.

Pro Kennex stands out for its Kinetic vibration-dampening technology, which makes its frames some of the most comfortable on the market and a common recommendation for players managing arm or elbow discomfort.

Tecnifibre has built its reputation on the T-Fight range, which offers an excellent balance between control and power, alongside the TF-X1 range for players who want extra pop on their shots. The French brand counts several tour professionals among its players, including Daniil Medvedev and Richard Gasquet.

The different criteria to consider when choosing your frame

Weight: the racket's engine

Expressed in grams (unstrung), weight affects power, manoeuvrability and stability. A heavier racket (over 300g) generates more power and absorbs shocks better, but demands more physical effort from the player. A lighter racket (under 285g) is easier to manoeuvre, ideal for accelerating the racket head through the ball. Weight is the first criterion to consider when looking for the right balance between your physique and your technique.

Head size: the sweet spot zone

The string bed surface (measured in cm²) determines how forgiving and how precise a frame feels. A large head (over 645cm²) forgives off-centre hits more easily and creates a trampoline effect that boosts power. A smaller head (under 645cm²) gives a more direct, precise response, favoured by players with an established technique who are looking for maximum control.

Balance: the conductor

Measured in centimetres from the base of the handle, balance defines how a racket feels in the hand. A head-heavy balance (over 32.5cm) adds power to your shots. A head-light balance (under 32cm) favours manoeuvrability and control. A neutral balance offers the best all-round versatility.

String pattern: the spin generator

The string pattern refers to the number of vertical strings (mains) and horizontal strings (crosses), such as 16x19 or 18x20. An open string pattern (for example 16x19) has wider gaps between the strings. The strings move more freely, bite into the ball better and maximise spin potential and power, at the cost of faster string wear. A dense string pattern (for example 18x20) has tighter spacing, offering a better sense of control and improved durability, at the expense of power and spin potential.

String tension: the power or control setting

Tension, expressed in kilograms, is the force with which the strings are pulled into the frame. A low tension (around 22 to 24kg) creates a more pronounced trampoline effect: more power, more comfort and a touch more forgiveness, at the cost of direct control. A high tension (around 25 to 27kg) makes the response crisper and more precise: control and accuracy come first, but comfort and power drop off. Strings lose tension over time and with use, which is why it's worth restringing regularly depending on how often you play. Tension is a personal setting that lets you fine-tune the behaviour of the same frame to suit your feel.

Frame material: graphite or aluminium

The material a frame is made from shapes both its behaviour and its price bracket. Graphite (or carbon), sometimes combined with composite fibres, is used in the vast majority of mid-range and premium rackets: it combines controlled stiffness, low weight and excellent feel. Aluminium, heavier and less precise, is found on entry-level and very affordable frames suited to occasional play. If you want to progress over the long term, a graphite-dominant frame remains the benchmark choice.

Stiffness (RA): how firm the frame feels

The stiffness of a tennis racket is its capacity to flex on contact with the ball. It is measured using the RA index (Rahmen), a standardised value used by manufacturers and specialist testing labs. The higher the index, the stiffer the frame: it flexes less on impact, which favours a powerful shot but reduces comfort and precision. Conversely, a racket with a low RA index (under 62RA) will be more flexible, absorbing more of the ball's energy to provide greater control and comfort, but with less power. This is an essential criterion for choosing a racket suited to your level and to the feel you're looking for on court. Players suffering from tennis elbow should look towards a very flexible frame such as the Wilson Clash range, or a frame with effective vibration-absorbing technology such as the Pro Kennex Kinetic range.

Beam profile: how thick the frame is

The beam profile of a tennis racket is the thickness of the frame, measured in millimetres. It is a decisive factor because it directly influences power, control and comfort. A thick beam (typically 24 to 26mm) generally offers more stiffness, and therefore a powerful, dynamic shot, ideal for players who want extra depth without having to generate all the power themselves. A thin beam (18 to 21mm), on the other hand, is more flexible and favours control, precision and a better feel at impact, at the cost of some power. Mid-range beams (22 to 23mm) offer a compromise between power and precision. Choosing the right beam profile lets you match the racket to your style of play, whether you favour raw power or finesse.

Swingweight: the feeling of weight in motion

Not to be confused with static weight, swingweight measures how heavy a racket feels when you swing it through a forehand. A high swingweight (over 290, unstrung) means the racket is harder to get moving, but once it's swinging it delivers stability and real power on contact. This suits powerful players who like to drive through the ball. A low swingweight (under 275) makes the racket very easy to manoeuvre and accelerate, ideal for quick reactions and players looking for fast racket-head speed, though it will feel less stable against heavy incoming shots.

Twistweight: the anti-mishit shield

Twistweight measures how stable a racket is against twisting when a ball is struck off-centre. A high twistweight means the racket will barely rotate if you catch the ball outside the sweet spot. The result is less loss of power and control, and better comfort on those mishit shots. It's a direct indicator of how forgiving and comfortable a frame is overall, and it's particularly important for players who don't always find the centre of the string bed.

Frame length: the 68.5cm standard

The vast majority of adult rackets measure 68.5cm (27 inches), the reference standard length. Some models offer a slightly longer frame for extra reach and serving power, at the cost of a little manoeuvrability. Junior rackets, on the other hand, are shorter (roughly 43cm to 66cm) and should be chosen according to a child's height and age rather than these adult criteria.

Grip size: the direct link between your arm and the racket

The handle is the only point of contact between you and your racket, and its size is a criterion that's often underestimated, yet essential for comfort and injury prevention. Grip sizes run from L0 to L5: L0 and L1 suit smaller hands (and many women players), L2 and L3 suit average-sized hands, and L4 and L5 suit larger hands. To check your size, try the finger test: hold the racket as if hitting a forehand, and you should be able to slide the index finger of your other hand into the gap between your fingertips and your palm. If the finger doesn't fit, the grip is too small; if there's extra room, it's too big. A grip that's too thick or too thin forces your muscles to work harder than they should, which can lead to arm pain or tendinitis (tennis elbow) over time. If in doubt, it's best to choose a slightly smaller size, which you can easily build up with an overgrip. To go further, see our guide to choosing the right grip size for your tennis racket.

Pre-strung or unstrung?

A pre-strung racket is delivered already fitted with strings at a standard tension: it's ready to play straight away, with no extra step or cost. It's the ideal choice for beginners or casual players who want simplicity above all. An unstrung racket (delivered as a bare frame) leaves the choice of strings and tension entirely up to the player, allowing the behaviour of the frame to be fully customised. This is the option for demanding players who already know which string and tension suit their game. If in doubt, a pre-strung racket is a safe way to start, and you can always fine-tune your set-up the next time you restring.

Each of these characteristics is interconnected and influences the others. Choosing the ideal racket is therefore a search for balance between all of these parameters, to find the combination that matches your style of play, your physique and your feel on court.

Frequently asked questions about tennis rackets

How do I choose my tennis racket?

The right choice depends on your level, your style of play and your personal feel. For a full breakdown of every criterion (weight, head size, balance, stiffness, string pattern and more), see the sections above, or get in touch with our team for personalised advice.

What is the best tennis racket for a beginner?

A beginner needs ease of use and forgiveness above all. We recommend a lighter racket (between 260g and 285g) with a large head (over 645cm²), ideally pre-strung so you can start playing straight away. Browse our selection of beginner-friendly rackets to find the perfect model to get started.

I have tennis elbow, which racket should I choose?

For arm pain, comfort is the absolute priority. Look for flexible frames (a low RA stiffness rating) that absorb as much vibration as possible. Our ranking of the most comfortable tennis rackets, based on our own lab measurements, is your best ally for protecting your arm.

What is the best tennis racket?

There's no such thing as the "best racket" in absolute terms, only the best racket for YOU: the one that matches your game. Every player is different, so rather than chasing a single winner, focus on finding the frame that fits your level, your physique and your feel. To help you, we've put together our ranking of the best tennis rackets by category (power, control and more) so you can find your ideal match.

Should you play with the same racket as the pros?

Not necessarily. Rackets used on the professional tour are very often deeply customised frames: specific moulds, precise lead weighting, and weight and balance adjusted to the gram for an exceptional physique and technique. The retail model sold under the same name often shares little more than the paint job. Choosing a racket purely because it carries a champion's name is a common mistake: it's far better to pick a frame that's genuinely suited to YOUR level, your physique and your feel.

Are there rackets specifically designed for women?

There's no strictly gendered category of tennis rackets. A racket is chosen on objective criteria (weight, head size, balance, stiffness and grip size) based on each player's build, strength and style of play, not their gender. A powerfully built woman with an aggressive game will feel perfectly at home with a heavy, demanding frame, while a player looking for manoeuvrability, of any gender, will lean towards a lighter racket. What matters is the match between the racket and the player, regardless of gender.

Jérôme's expert opinion

As a player and a tester, I see far too many players choose their racket based purely on their idol's frame, or on a single spec such as weight. That's a mistake. A racket is an extension of your arm, a piece of chemistry. Real performance comes from the overall balance: a racket can be light, but if it's head-heavy, it will demand more effort from you than a heavier frame that's better balanced for your game. My advice: use our lab data to make a first shortlist, but never ignore your own feel. The best racket in the world is the one YOU feel confident enough with to really go for your shots.

Jérôme, equipment expert, French national ranking 15

Extreme Tennis's commitment: expertise and advice

Extreme Tennis is more than just a shop: we're your partner on court. Behind this website is a team of experts, along with physical stores where you can come and talk through your options and get personalised advice on choosing your tennis racket. Don't hesitate to get in touch: our passion is at your service.