How to choose your first tennis racket

The rule for an adult beginner: a racket weighing 270–290 grams with a head size of 100–105 sq in and a head-heavy balance. That's enough to not go wrong. Now the details.

Don't buy a racket before your first lessons

For the first 5–10 sessions, use a rental: you don't know your style yet, and within a couple of lessons your coach will figure out what suits you — and save you money.

What the specs mean

• Weight. Light (255–270 g) — easier to swing, but less stable. Heavy (300+ g) — for developed technique. For a beginner, the golden middle.
• Head size. A bigger head means a bigger sweet spot and more forgiveness on off-center hits. 100–105 sq in (roughly 645–680 cm²) is a sensible start.
• Grip. Wrap your hand around the handle: the index finger of your other hand should fit between your fingers and palm. For most men that's size 3, for women — 2.

Kids' rackets — by height, not age

First, what "racket length" even means: it's measured simply — from the butt of the handle to the top edge of the head frame, i.e. the racket's full "height" if you stand it upright on the floor. A standard adult racket is 27 inches (68.5 cm).

Quick in-store check: the child stands with the racket upright at their side — the butt of the handle should be roughly level with the palm of their lowered hand.

What it costs

A decent starter racket runs 6,000–12,000 ₽. A beginner doesn't need anything over 20,000 ₽: you won't feel the difference until you've played for at least a year.

What else you need besides a racket — short list.