A good pro shop will ask you about your playing ability and style and will be able to explain which racquet characteristics fit your game and why. To get an idea of the kind of questions a pro shop should ask, try the Racquet Specs Generator, a small program that asks you ten questions, then gives you a set of specifications for a racquet that should suit you. Once you narrow down your choices, you can use that knowledge to help you use other resources, such as the annual Gear Guide issue from Tennis Magazine, which usually comes out in April both in print and online. Keep in mind that the Gear Guide reviews are largely subjective opinion, and they don't pay much attention to arm safety.
I would have to write a small book to cover everything you would want to know before making the best decision on a racquet. This isn't the place for a small book, so I'll just offer a few key tips that are sometimes neglected.
- Look for a widely spaced (more open) stringing pattern if you want more power and slightly more spin. The number of main strings is the key: 16 is better than 18, and there might still be a few racquets with 14.
- If you like going to net, maneuverability helps, and racquets with a head-light or even balance are usually most maneuverable. For baseliners, more weight toward the racquet head (head heavy) can provide a more solid feel, and it will also resist twisting on off-center hits more, thus better protecting your arm.
- If you're considering a racquet weighing less than 10.5 ounces, understand that the closer the weight of a racquet gets to that of a ball, the less the racquet dominates a collision between the two, and the more shock goes into your arm. The more you play and the harder you hit, the more weight you should have in your racquet to protect your arm's health.
- Try to demo racquets strung at the middle of their recommended tension range. Most pro shops will string demos this way, but the racquet you borrow from a friend might be strung very tightly or loosely, and this will have a profound effect on how it plays.
- Remember that different head sizes of the same model can play very differently.
Have fun with your new stick!
