What Racquet Should You Buy? A Coach's Guide by Level
Quick answer
To choose a tennis racquet, match it to your level and swing, not to what a pro uses. Beginners and improvers want a lighter, more forgiving frame with a larger head. Stronger players want more weight and control. Only four specs really change how a racquet plays, and the only way to decide is to demo two or three. Then stop researching and go play.
On this page
Why the racquet question feels impossible
Search for a racquet and you drown in numbers: weight, balance, swingweight, stiffness, head size, string pattern. The truth is that for most players, the frame matters less than the strings and the fit, and far less than the hours you put in. The goal is to land on a sensible frame for your level and stop agonizing.
Choose by level first
- Beginner: a lighter frame, larger head around 100 to 110 square inches, and a higher launch for forgiveness and easy power.
- Improver at 3.0 to 3.5: a balanced 100 square inch frame in a medium weight, the most popular all-court category for a reason.
- Advanced 4.0 and up: more weight and a slightly smaller head for control and stability against pace.
The four specs that actually matter
- 1Weight: heavier is more stable and controlled but more tiring. Most adults do well from about 295 to 310 grams strung.
- 2Balance: head-light frames feel more maneuverable, head-heavy frames add free power for slower swings.
- 3Swingweight: how heavy the racquet feels in motion. This drives plow-through and is the spec most people ignore.
- 4Stiffness: stiffer frames add a little power and a lot of harshness on the arm, which matters if you have any elbow history.
Do you really need a new racquet?
Often the honest answer is no. A fresh set of comfortable strings at the right tension changes how a frame plays more than most players expect, and it is far cheaper. If your current racquet is roughly right for your level and your arm feels fine, spend the money on lessons or a structured plan instead. That is usually the better upgrade, and it is what online coaching is built around.
Always demo before you buy
Specs narrow the list. Hitting decides it. Demo two or three frames in your category back to back, on the same day, with similar strings, and pick the one that feels most solid on contact and most forgiving when you are slightly late. Trust the feel over the review.
The short version
Pick a frame for your level, check weight, balance, swingweight, and stiffness, then demo two or three and choose by feel. Strings and lessons often beat a new frame.
Frequently asked
What tennis racquet should a beginner buy?
A lighter, forgiving frame with a head size around 100 to 110 square inches. It gives easy power and a bigger sweet spot while you build technique. You can move to a heavier control frame as your swing develops.
Does an expensive racquet make you better?
Not really. Beyond a sensible frame for your level, comfortable strings at the right tension and consistent practice matter far more. Pro-level frames are often harder to use, not easier.
How often should I buy a new racquet?
Only when your level or your arm needs change, or the frame is cracked. Many players upgrade their strings far more often than the frame, because fresh strings change the feel more cheaply than a new racquet.
Sources and further reading
Written by
Bolor Enkhbayar
Tennis coach and founder of CoachesNote
Bolor coaches serious juniors and adult competitors. She builds every weekly plan, reviews the video and match notes, and decides the next job, in person and remotely through CoachesNote.
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