Tennis Equipment Q & A - Are lightweight rackets a good idea?

Q. Is a lightweight racquet a good idea?

A: Tennis elbow is a big concern when you discuss lightweight rackets. Light, stiff and head-heavy racquets are bad for tennis elbow, so you should steer clear of them. A heavy racket with a light head is best for avoiding tennis elbow while maximizing performance. A light racket with a heavy head gives the opposite effect. Sum it up this way:

Heavy racket, light head = GOOD
Light racket, heavy head = BAD

Here is another way to look at it. In a car accident between a heavy SUV and a small compact car, who comes out better? The heavy SUV, right? The little car gets crushed. Think of the collision between racket and ball the same way. A heavy racket (i.e., the heavy SUV) will survive the impact better than a light racket (i.e. the compact car).

Here are three downsides to a really light racket. First, you have to swing it harder and faster to generate the velocity needed to counteract the oncoming momentum of the ball. These violent strokes are harder to control. Second, when you have to reach for the ball you are out of position to wind up and take a full swing. The result is a weak shot when you use a really light racket. Third, going back to the SUV and compact car illustration, a light, fast racquet will slow down on impact and transfer stress to the arm rather than power through the ball and carry the load, as do heavier rackets.

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