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The racket is the tool with which you perform, so you'll need to select one that you feel very comfortable with and one that feels as much
as possible like an extension of your arm and hand. Try to play with a
few rackets before you buy, so that you have a good idea of its feel.
Many retail shops will let you try out rackets before you buy.
Choosing a good quality racket, even if it means paying a little more.
will help to protect yourself from injuries like tennis elbow. Most
standard adult rackets are about 69cm long, with head sizes of between
237 to 275 square cms. The advantage of using a racket with a large head
is that the 'sweet spot' (i.e. the centre of the racket which propels
the ball the the most) is larger. However, rackets with larger heads
tend to be more difficult to quickly maneuver to the ball. Most of the
professional players use rackets with smaller heads, so they can
generate quicker racket speeds.
 Lighter rackets can be easy to swing
and therefore can be maneuvered quickly to the ball but they also may
make it more difficult to control the ball when the shot is played, if
the weight isn't sufficient. Most racket grips sizes are between 11.25
and 11.875cm. You should be able to fit your index finger into the gap
between your thumb and the two middle fingers. If the grip is not large
enough, you can increase its girth with overwrap tape.
The type of strings and their tension are also important. Most
professional players use natural gut but these are rather expensive.
Recreational players tend to use synthetic strings. Multi-filament
strings have a softer feel when hitting the ball. If you are
experiencing pain in your arms when you hit the ball, try a slightly
lower tension. On the other hand, if you are losing control of the ball
too often, a higher tension may be required.
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