Most racket descriptions read like a spec sheet from a chemistry lab. Here's what each number actually means for the way the racket plays, the way it feels, and the way it affects your arm.
The RA rating measures how stiff a racket's frame is. It's tested by clamping the frame and measuring how much it deflects under a fixed load. Lower RA means a more flexible frame. Higher RA means a stiffer frame.
The typical range on modern rackets is roughly 55 (very flexible) to 72 (very stiff). The Wilson Clash 100 sits near the bottom at RA 55. The Babolat Pure Drive sits near the top at RA 71. Most all-court rackets fall in the 62-68 range.
Head size is measured in square inches and refers to the area of the strung surface. Standard sizes range from 95 square inches (small, players' frame) to 110 square inches (oversized, beginner-friendly).
The 100 square inch head is by far the most common modern size — it balances the sweet spot of an oversized frame with the precision of a smaller one. Pro frames like the Wilson Pro Staff 97 use a 97 head. Beginner-friendly frames like the Wilson Hyper Hammer use 110.
Racket weight is measured in grams or ounces, with unstrung being the manufacturer's listed spec. Strung weight is unstrung plus the weight of the strings (typically 15-20 grams) and any overgrip you add.
Modern racket weights range from about 265 grams (ultra-light) to 340 grams (heavy tour frame). The recreational sweet spot is 285-305 grams unstrung.
Swing weight measures how heavy a racket feels when you swing it, not when you hold it static. It accounts for both the racket's mass and where that mass is distributed. Two rackets at identical static weight can have very different swing weights depending on whether the mass is concentrated in the head, throat, or handle.
Swing weight is expressed in kg·cm² and typically ranges from 285 (very maneuverable) to 340 (very stable). Most modern rackets fall in the 305-325 range.
Beam width is the thickness of the racket frame, measured in millimeters. Modern rackets range from about 20mm (very thin, players' frame) to 28mm (very thick, power frame).
Thinner beams flex more under load and offer better feel and control. Thicker beams are stiffer, return more energy, and produce more inherent power. Frames like the Wilson Pro Staff (~21mm) have classic thin beams. Power frames like the Babolat Pure Drive (~26mm) have thick beams.
The string pattern is the number of main strings (running from butt cap to tip) by the number of cross strings (running side to side). The two most common modern patterns are 16x19 (open pattern) and 18x20 (dense pattern).
Open patterns (16x19) have more space between strings, which lets the ball pocket deeper into the stringbed, generating more spin and a softer feel. Dense patterns (18x20) have tighter string spacing, which gives a flatter, more controlled response.
The balance point is where the racket would balance on a fulcrum, expressed in points head-heavy or head-light from the center. A racket marked "5 points head-light" balances 5 points (roughly 16mm) closer to the handle than the geometric center.
Most modern player frames are 5-10 points head-light. Tweener frames are 2-4 points head-light. Some power frames (especially light power frames) are head-heavy.
The standard tennis racket length is 27 inches (68.6 cm). Some rackets are made in extended lengths (27.25 to 27.5 inches) marketed as offering more reach and leverage.
The maximum legal length under ITF rules is 29 inches. Most retail rackets stay at standard 27 inches because longer frames are harder to maneuver and put more torque on the wrist.
Grip sizes range from 4 inches (size 0, extra small) to 4 5/8 inches (size 5, large), measured around the circumference of the handle's octagonal grip. The standard rule of thumb: hold the racket with an Eastern forehand grip, and you should be able to fit your non-dominant index finger between your fingertips and the heel of your palm.
Most adult men play 4 3/8 (size 3) or 4 1/2 (size 4). Most adult women play 4 1/4 (size 2) or 4 3/8 (size 3). Juniors play 4 (size 0) or 4 1/8 (size 1).
This is one of the most confusing parts of racket spec sheets because different manufacturers and different retailers use different conventions. Tennis Warehouse publishes strung specs (with a reference string at a reference tension). Most manufacturers publish unstrung specs. RA stiffness is sometimes given strung, sometimes unstrung.
The difference matters: strung weight is typically 15-20 grams higher than unstrung. Strung RA can be 2-3 points higher than unstrung RA depending on the string and tension.
Now that you know the specs, see which racket actually fits your game.
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