How do certain rackets have more control than others?

Question

im in the racket buying market and i have wondered what makes a racket more control oriented than power oriented

Answer 1

The smaller the racquet head, the more control.  The larger the racquet head, the more power.....in a nutshell.  The more open the string pattern, the more spin you can get.

Answer 2

i have no idea i guess it has to do with the tension the racket is strung at in ratio to the weight of the racket

Answer 3

Typically, a stiffer racket will have less power and more control.  Think of it in terms of a trampoline...... if you try to bounce on a stiff floor, you will not bounce high (less power), but you will be able to control yourself.... if you bounce on a trampoline, you will bounce very high (more power) but will not be in control like you would have been on the floor.  The rackets work the same way, but just not as drastically.

There are other factors involved however.  If a racket is super light, you will be able to generate much greater head speed than with a heavy racket.  This too will create more power, however it will reduce your control since you will have the racket head moving much faster.  

Your level of play will also determine how the stiff and light rackets impact your level of power.  For example, a super light flexible racket would help a lower level player generate more power than normal, yet it would not help Nadal or Federer as they create their power with their strokes.  In fact, an ultra light racket might prove totally unplayable to someone with tremendous racket speed like Nadal.

My advice is go to demo some rackets.  Pick what feels comfortable.  Don't worry about what  the racket is supposed to do for you as it will vary from person to person.

Answer 4

The stiffness of the racquet has a lot to do with it.   A racquet that is flexible, acts like a catapult.  Loose strings act like a trampoline.  Both can give you loads of power, with little swing, but very little control.  A heavier racquet will absorb more impact and will generally be more stable.  Look for a head light racquet, that is at a weight you can handle.  Head heavy racquets will give you more power (like a hammer), but may lead to arm problems (tennis elbow) for some people.  Do your research, demo the racquets on tennis-warehouse, then maybe buy one on ebay...