Tennis Racket Buying Guide
Everything you need to know to choose the right tennis racket and shoes — from grip size and head shape to strings, materials and footwear.
By Racketlon Sports
Grip Size Chart
Getting the right grip size is your first step. Use this chart as a guide:
| Grip Size | Inches | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Grip 0 | 4″ | Junior / very small hands |
| Grip 1 | 4 1/8″ | Small hands |
| Grip 2 | 4 1/4″ | Medium hands |
| Grip 3 | 4 3/8″ | Medium-large hands |
| Grip 4 | 4 1/2″ | Large hands |
| Grip 5 | 4 5/8″ | Very large hands |
💡 Tip: If you’re between sizes, adding 1 standard overgrip increases grip size by 1/16″ and adds approximately 10g of weight to the handle side.
Key Racket Characteristics
Choosing the right tennis racket is crucial for improving your game. Here are the key specs to understand:
💰 Price
| Level | Budget | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | R900 – R1,500 | Affordable and user-friendly |
| Intermediate | R1,500 – R2,500 | Performance and technology focused |
| Advanced | R4,000+ | Premium precision, power and control |
🎾 Head Size
| Head Size | Sq. Inches | Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oversized | 105 – 135 | Large sweet spot, forgiving on off-centre shots | Beginners seeking power and easy playability |
| Midplus | 98 – 104 | Balanced power and control | Intermediate players refining technique |
| Midsize | 85 – 97 | Smaller sweet spot, high precision | Advanced players who hit the centre consistently |
⚖️ Weight
- Lightweight (250–285g) — Easier to handle, less fatigue. Ideal for beginners.
- Midweight (300–305g) — Good mix of power and control. Best for intermediates.
- Heavyweight (320g+) — Greater stability and power. Suited for advanced players.
⚡ Balance
- Head-Light — More manoeuvrable, easier on the arm. Ideal for net play and control.
- Even-Balance — Versatile, suitable for all-round play.
- Head-Heavy — Generates power but less manoeuvrable. Best for baseline players.
🔗 String Pattern
- Open (e.g. 16×19) — More spin, power, and a livelier feel. Best for players looking for spin and responsiveness.
- Dense (e.g. 18×20) — More control and durability. Best for advanced players prioritising precision.
🏗️ Frame Stiffness
- Flexible Frame — Absorbs impact, offers more control but less power.
- Stiff Frame — Provides more power and a firmer response.
Racket Recommendations by Level
| Feature | Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Size | Oversized | Midplus | Midsize / Midplus |
| Weight | Lightweight | Midweight | Heavyweight |
| Balance | Head-heavy / Even | Even / Slightly head-light | Head-light |
| Why | Forgiving on mishits, easy to swing, builds confidence | Control and power for improving technique | Precision, spin and feel for advanced strategies |
Racket Materials
- Aluminium or Composite — Lightweight and affordable. Best for beginners.
- Graphite or Carbon Fibre — Strong, lightweight, offers power and control. Ideal for intermediate to advanced players.
Grip & Comfort
- Cushioned grips — Better comfort and shock absorption
- Thin grips — Better feel and control
- Overgrips — Added layer for improved grip and sweat absorption. Replace regularly for best performance.
Tennis Shoes
Tennis requires quick lateral movements and pivots, so the right shoes ensure performance and prevent injuries.
Outsole by Court Surface
| Court Type | Sole Features |
|---|---|
| Hard Court | Durable soles with good traction |
| Clay Court | Herringbone patterns to prevent clogging |
| Grass Court | Nubs for better grip on soft surfaces |
What to Look For
- Lateral support — Extra support for side-to-side movements
- Cushioning — Absorbs impact and reduces stress on joints
- Reinforced toe — Withstands dragging during serves and returns
- Durability — Tennis is tough on shoes; look for reinforced construction
Quick Reference — What Do I Need?
| I Want… | Choose This |
|---|---|
| More power | Heavier racket, head-heavy balance, stiff frame, open string pattern |
| More control | Head-light balance, flexible frame, dense string pattern, midsize head |
| More spin | Open string pattern (16×19), textured strings |
| Easy on my arm | Lightweight racket, flexible frame, head-light balance, cushioned grip |
| Beginner-friendly | Lightweight, oversized head, head-heavy or even balance, aluminium/composite frame |
Our Tennis Brands
We stock tennis equipment from the top names in the game:
- Wilson — iconic rackets trusted by pros worldwide
- Babolat — French innovation, the choice of Nadal
- Head — precision engineering for all levels
- Yonex — Japanese quality with unique isometric head shape
- Tecnifibre — premium strings and rackets for serious players
- Dunlop — heritage brand with reliable performance
- Weiss-Cannon — specialist string brand for power and spin
Shoes:
- ASICS — gel cushioning and outstanding durability
- Wilson — lightweight with great traction
- Joma — excellent balance of performance and comfort
Need Help Choosing?
Not sure which racket or shoes are right for your game? Our team can help match you with the perfect setup based on your level, playing style, and budget.
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📞 083 231 6858
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