How to choose a Beach Tennis Racket

One of the most common dilemmas you will have as a beach tennis player, whether you're a complete beginner or an absolute superstar, will be choosing a beach tennis racket. We've all been there; Trying to decide "which paddle is the best and why?". This post will hopefully provide you with some clarity on what you should be focusing on when making that decision for yourself. We've asked a number of top professional beach tennis players to give their view on what's most important when deciding what paddle to play with, and created a video that will provide some insight on what they look for.

Speaking of which, I'd like to thank Tommaso Giovannini (ITA), Antomi Ramos Viera (ESP), Ali Colmenares (VEN), Lady Correa (VEN), Carolina Hannes (USA) and Nadia Johnston (USA) for their time and knowledge.

"In beach tennis, one size (racket) does NOT fit all"

Link to above video

It is very tempting to choose a paddle purely on the attractive design - but that would be a decision you would probably regret later on once you get on court and start hitting some balls. The main factors you should take into consideration should be the following:

• Weight of the paddle

• Length (47-50cm)

• Balance (Neck, Head, Center)

• Thickness

• Material

Depending on your level and style of play, the variables for the above factors would change and ideally, you would look for something that fits your game 100%, although that might not be possible most of the times. Unfortunately, its impossible to have every possible combination of these factors in the paddle retail market, so you might have to compromise with something that gets as close as possible to what you're ideally looking for. An option you could explore would be to customize your paddle according to your wants and needs.

Weight

The normal weight range of beach tennis rackets is from 320 grams to 360 grams. Although 40 grams sounds negligible, any weight variation actually has a significant impact on the feeling of the ball. Heavier rackets tend to be more powerful. Lighter paddles can provide a quicker reaction time but will need a bit more power behind a strike for optimal speed. It is recommended to choose a paddle with a weight you can 'manage'.

Weight Balance / Distribution

However, when looking at the weight of the paddle, you also need to take into account the weight balance. Sometimes a lighter racket might feel as heavy as a heavier paddle if for example the weight balance is on the head (top) of the paddle, making it lean forward towards the ground. Make sure to choose a weight and weight balance which allows you to maneuver the racket with ease during game-play. Rackets that are top-heavy produce more power, whereas rackets with the weight distribution closer to the handle are ideal for better control, precision and feel of the ball. The weight balance will also have an effect on your wrist. Rackets that are top-heavy will bear more intensely on your wrist.

Surface

Another thing you should make a decision on is whether you would like a smooth (glossy) finish or grainy (gritty) finish to your paddle. If you're looking for a racket that provides a higher amount of control and spin, you should definitely choose a paddle with a coarse surface. In case you already have a paddle with a smooth finish but would have preferred a coarse surface, do not worry - there are treatments available for paddles in order to give it a coarse surface (we will discuss where you can get these treatments on another blog post).

Material

The material from which the racket is made of, will also affect the characteristics of the racket such as weight, flexibility, and stiffness. The materials used range from carbon, graphite, fiberglass, kevlar, among others, as the outer material. The material of the core is usually hardened foam, and it plays a significant role in the stroke force and elasticity of the racket.

Length

The current regulations by ITF allow a maximum length of 50 centimetres. Rackets will usually range from 46cm to 50cm. The longer reach of a longer racket provides a substantial advantage during serve. On the other hand, a shorter racket will usually be easier to handle and maneuver, improving your agility. Most players tend to use a 50cm racket to gain as much advantage as they can on the serve.

Generally, recreational players tend to benefit from lighter rackets for better comfort and a more enjoyable game. The more advanced players will lean towards medium weight and heavy rackets for more speed. The above statement however does not apply to every player.

It is your choice to make...

In summary, the most important thing to remember is that each player has different preferences which suits his own unique style of play. It is recommended to try out several rackets before making a decision, to make sure you are comfortable with your choice and will not regret it further down the line, as it is a significant investment for you as a beach tennis player, regardless of whether you're a complete beginner or a professional.

Personally, I've teamed up with Solar to manufacture a racket that suits my style of play and what I specifically like, as I've described in the video; I've tried playing with several paddles of a specific brand (another brand), yet I could not find a paddle that would meet most of my requirements. It aall comes down to your specific requirements.

Hopefully this post has helped you in some way. If you have any questions, I'd be glad to try and help out, so feel free to contact me through the Contact Me page on the Menu.

And above all...have fun!

Click here for the ITF Beach Tennis Rules and Regulations