9 Best Tennis Rackets for Beginners in 2024, According to Gear Experts
Just getting into the game? We’ve got you covered.
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IT'S NEVER TOO late to pick up a new sport, especially if that sport is tennis. The best tennis rackets for beginners, like most tennis equipment, are easy to find, come in a variety of price points, and are made to suit anyone’s game, whether you’re playing for the first time or you just joined a club and are looking to progress.
To help pick out right sporting equipment to begin your new hobby, we tested numerous tennis rackets across some of the biggest brands in the game. We aren’t professional tennis players, but hey, that might make our picks even more relevant. However, since we know the opinion of a legend is always a plus, we caught up with Florida-based tennis coach Rick Macci. Macci has taught the best in the game, including a certain set of sisters named Venus and Serena — ever heard of ‘em?
Best Tennis Rackets for Beginners
How to Pick a Beginner Tennis Racket
Get Your Hands on an Actual Racket (or Two)
When it comes to deciding which racket to buy, Macci recommends literally getting your hands on as many as you can. "You can grab a few rackets before you purchase one and demo them," he says. "Or you can pick up old rackets laying around your house or your friends house to see how they feel in-hand." If you can’t find a tennis store or a Dick’s Sporting Goods nearby, run to the nearest thrift shop — there are usually a handful of rackets lying around.
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Measure Your Grip
To get the best fitting racket, knowing your grip size is a must. Sizes start at 3 7/8 inches (or double zero in European sizing) and increase in increments of 1/8 inch, up to 4 3/4 inches (or size six in European). Those may not sound like dramatic leaps in sizing, but in your hand, 1/8th of an inch too big or too small can make a huge difference over the course of a match. Tennis Warehouse is a great resource if you’re looking for tips on sizing. For Macci, this is the most important factor when buying a racket. “You want to make sure that your hand can kind of handle the racket comfortably. The last thing you want to do is have a handle that's too big,” he says.
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Weigh Your Options
Like grip sizes, rackets come in a variety of weights. Rackets on the lighter side are designed for small players, juniors, and control, while heavier rackets are ideal for more experienced players who prefer a little more oomph. While the size of your body can be an easy way to determine your racket weight, Macci encourages adult players to start light and progress to heavier rackets. "When it comes to weight it's always better to go lighter because swinging the racket will be easier on your elbow and shoulder," Macci says. "However a heavier racket will give you more power, so if you're confident you can go up then you'll have those benefits." In the end, Macci admits that "Everybody likes to have more juice,” but a lighter pick will be easier on your body as it adapts to your swing.
How We Selected
When ranking the best tennis rackets for beginners, we took into account factors like size, control, power, and weight. We also considered price, as some rackets provide a lot more value for the price. Lastly, we took into account Macci's advice in our selection process, as he provided some insider tips to our editors and writers. The range of rackets below caters to all types of needs for those new to the game. Keep scrolling to learn more.
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