by Ariana D’Avanzo
The game of tennis is not just winning and losing, keeping score or having an amazing serve, but outsmarting your opponent. The fundamentals of tennis are extremely important; this sport is one of accuracy and being able to always think one step ahead of your rival.
There are many factors that play a role in a given match. In this column, the focus will be on the importance of the grip and head size to a player’s racquet.
First, the size of the racquet head must be determined; there are different sizes for different age groups.
Young adults and adults tend to play with a surface area of around 85 to 105 square inches. Beginners can play with a larger surface area of around 105 to 130 square inches, while children tend to play with a head size between 21 inches and 23 inches.
The smaller the head size, the more stability; however, with small heads comes a rise in the power a player must generate. The larger the head size, the larger the sweet spot, which results in less out-of-control hits.
When choosing a head size, you will also be choosing the overall length of your racquet. Standard tennis racquets are around 27 to 28 inches, but you can also get ones up to 29 inches in length. (These tend to be used more by professionals.) The length of the racquet allows for leverage on your swing, which will result in a more powerful, faster shot.
Along with choosing head size, grip size will also need to be chosen. The grip size is important; it determines how strong or weak your hits will be, along with their accuracy.
Grip sizes for adults and young adults rang from 4″ to 4 ⅝”. When gripping the handle, make sure the bottom of your palm (right before your wrist begins) is on the bottom of the handle. You always want to hold the racquet at the bottom of the grip; this is where you will get the most control.
One method of choosing your grip is to hold the racquet in your dominant hand and place the index finger of your other hand in between your palm and fingers: if there is not enough space for your finger to touch the grip of the racquet, then it is too small, and it is too large if there is enough room to fit two fingers.
When deciding between two different sizes, always go with the smaller one. This is because you can always enlarge the size of the grip with grip tape, which will add width and padding for comfort.
Your racquet is filled with many elements that contribute to your overall game and score. A great player needs a great racquet, and a great racquet needs a great player.