I’m no Princess-and-the-Pea when it comes to buying tennis racquets. My sensitivity to different kinds of racquets is more on the Goldilocks level: “This one feels too heavy, this one feels too light, I’ll take this one!” That’s why I was eager to take part in a racquet testing organized by a major racquet maker at my tennis club. Maybe here I could learn how to find a racquet that would put a little wicked stepmother in my Snow White serve.
The racquet company reps asked twelve intermediate-level players to play with four racquets each. The racquets were all solid black and strung identically and the reps warned us not to discuss them while we played.
After hitting with all four, I couldn’t pinpoint the differences among A, B, C, and D. My friends seemed more discriminating. One was ready to buy racquet A but hated racquet B. Another noted small differences in power among all four.
After the test, the racquet reps revealed that this was a “repeated pairs” comparison. In the set of four, there were only two different racquets—racquet A was identical to racquet B and C the same as D. And, the two pairs didn’t differ much. They had the same body, but their composition varied slightly.
Some of my fellow testers, seasoned players, now felt hoodwinked. “All these racquets stink,” said one. And I learned that racquet testing, like much consumer testing, is part science, part guess-work. So after the test I asked pros, players, and manufacturers how intermediate tennis players like me can find the right racquet. While there are hundreds of different models out there and choosing is confusing, more than one—maybe many more—will fit you like Cinderella’s slipper. * First, do some basic research. Narrow down the possibilities by knowing the approximate head size and weight you want. Standard length or extended length? Head-heavy or more evenly balanced? * Second, get good advice. The best source is a tennis pro who knows your game. Next best: a local racquet store. Third best: Web sites and magazines that rate racquets. Worst source of advice: your friends. Try their racquets, but tune out their praises. In consumer testing, gag rules are good. * Keep it simple. Don’t demo more than three or four racquets a session. As we’ve seen, your mind can play tricks on you. * Keep playing conditions constant while you test. Play on a court you’re accustomed to with opponents you know. * Pay attention to these five factors: power, control, comfort, maneuverability, and forgiveness (the way the racquet compensates or doesn’t when you mess up). * Finally, don’t be swayed by hype when racquet makers tell you that their latest innovation makes every other model (including the ones they touted last year) obsolete.
Then again, tennis is maddeningly mental. If you truly believe a new, slick-looking, high-tech racquet will awaken your game like Sleeping Beauty, your next match could have a fairy tale ending. My racquet is a Prince.
