Smart Buying

Racquet Science

With the latest gear, you get blistering power and perfect placement.

By Jessica L. Anderson, Associate Editor

From Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, May 2005

Picking a tennis racquet was once an exercise in extremes or compromise. Power players preferred one type, and finesse players preferred another. Racquets in the middle were middling -- you could never find one that would deliver both Pete Sampras muscle and John McEnroe volleys. But Bill Mountford, the director of tennis at the U.S. Tennis Association's National Tennis Center, in Queens, N.Y., says those days are over, because both power and control have been blended into some of today's best racquets.

At the center, which hosts the U.S. Open every year, Mountford rubs elbows with the tournament's top players, as well as amateur players who attend clinics there. Of course, lessons and practice make the player, but Mountford says the right racquet can help you turn the tables on your opponent, turning defensive shots into pinpoint power attacks. "You can be dangerous from any area of the court."

Although the racquets he recommends are used by top pros, Mountford cautions against buying a model just because Andy Roddick or Venus Williams uses it so well. Test a racquet on the court at least three times before buying. (Most pro shops charge about $5 per racquet to take it for a spin, but your money goes toward buying the racquet you choose.) Any new racquet may feel good the first time you put it to the test because it's different from what you are accustomed to using, Mountford says. "But if it feels good for three straight sessions, you have a racquet you can trust."

Testing racquets can also help you avoid buying one with features that you may think you want -- the lighter and longer the better, right? -- but that might actually hurt your game. Racquets that are too light don't deliver much power, and they're harder on your elbow. Longer racquets (generally those more than 27 inches in length) increase something called swing weight. They may lengthen your reach, but they are harder to move quickly and are better suited for strong power players than for serve-and-volley types, Mountford points out.

Just as longer isn't always better, neither is bigger, when it comes to head size. A bigger head may suit a less experienced player, Mountford says, because the larger sweet spot is more forgiving. But the bigger the head, the less maneuverable the racquet, so more skillful players should gravitate to a smaller head. Manufacturers tend to make racquets lighter (the average racquet weight is about 10.5 ounces) as they increase the head size, making them easier for less powerful players to swing. But generally, you should use the heaviest racquet you're comfortable with.

Ace choices

Mountford's racquet picks work for players at every level and are not among the most expensive on the market. "The differences are subtle between a $130 racquet and a $250 racquet," he says.

Given its reputation as a rocket launcher, you might be surprised that one of Mountford's choices for both power and control is the Babolat Pure Drive (compare prices; prices generally are for the frame only -- stringing typically adds $20 to $70). Andy Roddick, the number-five men's player, clocked the fastest serve in history -- 155 mph -- with this racquet.

But this is not a one-trick pony, Mountford says. Although its extra-large sweet spot favors power seekers, especially on ground strokes and serves, its strings are set in a unique way to harness that power while allowing excellent control. Mountford likens the racquet to a slingshot: The strings pull back on impact then send the ball screaming back across the court.

The Pure Drive comes in two lengths: standard (27 inches) and plus (27.5 inches). Both come with a 100-square-inch head; the plus length is also available with an oversize head (110 square inches).

For players with a moderate swing -- meaning that they don't get the racquet back completely before starting the forward stroke -- Mountford likes the Wilson nTour (compare prices). Used by top-ranked Lindsay Davenport, it's designed for this more abbreviated swing, and its maneuverability is matched by its durability.

Take your pick of two head sizes (95 and 105 square inches), both available on racquets that are a bit longer than standard. Skilled players should like the smaller head and slightly above-average weight (close to 11 ounces) of the nTour 95.

Control yourself

If you're looking to rein in your wild shots, Mountford recommends the Head Flexpoint Radical (

The standard-length Radical comes in three head sizes (98, 100 and 107 square inches). The Radical's frames run heavy.

• Print
• Comments
• Email
• RSS