I am very much a beginner at Tennis in terms of playing it, I first started playing properly when I was about 14-15 and I'm now 19. In the past I have only tended to play in the 3-4 summer months when the weathers good and things. Even then though, I maybe play 2-3 times a month and basically that means I have hardly played much tennis before in the past and I am very much rubbish and I can only just get a serve to go in the service line roflmao I usually just hit a slow slice serve everytime to make sure it goes in.

Anyway enough about how bad I am! I just wanted to ask what sort of racket head size should I be looking to have as a beginner trying to learn the game? I am very much wanting to start joining a Tennis club and play more regular in summer and winter, because you are never too old to start taking it up and i'm 19 so i'm hardly past it :P

I have been looking around for some decent rackets that aren't too pricey, I saw this one on sports soccers website that looks nice and seems quite good too...



The stats for it are...

Light weight graphite construction. Head size 110 sq inch. String pattern 16x19. String tension 55- 60lbs (25-27kgs). Grip hydro maxtour for optimum performance. Cover comes complete with adjustable shoulder strap.

Now I think that the bigger the head size, the more room for error you have when hittings shots, therefor better for a beginner like me to buy that racket and start with? I really wanted to buy Henmans currently slazenger racket that is 40 quid reduced from 100 on this website but it has a 97 inch head size and said it's for players who are at a top-level and it is a racket with good feel and precision.

Now as soon as I read that about Tim's racket, I knew that it would be too hard for me to play with as it seems the racket head size is a good 13 inches smaller than that other one. Am I right in thinking that the bigger the racket head size the better it is for me?

Any help would be appreciated :D

It's always important to have big head size... :P

On a serious note away from my earlier crude joke, I'm unsure whether small differences in head size are of that great a consequence for a beginner, i've just got my dad started playing tennis and I got him a Head Liquidmetal (made about 2-3 years ago) from JJB for £40. at the end of the day you'd hope to be contacting the ball with your racket somewhere in the central area anyway :D

My advice is to have a bit of a rummage around in a few sports shops (JJB, sports soccer, Withers is also good in Leicester) and go with your heart as to what feels right - everybody has different preferences, for instance I can't stand playing with Babolat rackets, I just can't get on with them, yet many many other people swear by them! Withers might be a good idea as they would be capable of answering any queries you have with rackets.

I'd make sure (unless you're 4ft tall and you've not told me something roflmao ) that its around 27 inches in length as you are an adult. also just pick some up, have a feel for the weight and see whether you prefer a light racket to start with or a heavier model. Lighter rackets tend to be pretty handy for beginners in my experience as you can grab more power for less effort (though the maximum power you can get is limited) and a bit more control.

Let me know if you have any other questions :D

My head size is 665 cm squared. :D

is that your racket or something you and your partner know about... :whistle: roflmao

Obviously I meant my racket (or should that be spelled 'racquet'?) :D

Thanks for your advice Sam :) That racket I showed you was on the sports soccer website... £65 reduced to 20, so thats lovely jubbly and im determined to get it :D I love the colour of it aswell, blue and white is my fave colour!

I think you will have to give me some lessons some time, seeing as you are a coach and all :ok:

The main problem I have in tennis (well, one of many) is when hitting groundstrokes to make sure the ball makes contact with the "sweet spot". Often the ball hits the strings near to the top of the frame so I either mishit or don't get the contact that I would like. It's quite a skill to get the ball making contact in the right place consistently.

Yeh i have that problem with my one handed backhand chris, hits the frame a lot, but I think that's just down to us being beginners, and also it's a lot down to hand-eye coordination too I think. I have good hand-eye coordination but my single handed backhand is poor, not an easy shot to master though for a beginner! Takes a lot of practice.

My racquet head is huge :lol:

It's a oversize Dunlop it seems roflmao

My mum said that when she had tennis lessons at school, the teachers would threaten them with detentions if they were ever caught hitting a 2 handed backhand. :D

So that'd be all the school then roflmao

Well I think it was drilled into them that a 2 handed shot was not allowed, under any circumstances. :P

It's a shame as you don't see it that often nowadays, that's why I enjoy watching the likes of Henin play when she hits that backhand.

Henman has a one handed backhand but no one ever mentions it :huh: I like his one handed backhand, very good technique on it :ok: But a lot of players use a two handed one now, I think a one handed backhand is harder to do than a two handed backhand.

Is your mum JHH ? :P

dunlop heads are huge but you gotta time it good to time the sweet sport [i use one pretty good atm]

Yes, I'm 23 years old and she gave birth to me when she was 2.