In order to prevent cheating and players from using new technologies that may provide an unfair advantage, the International Tennis Federation created rules governing tennis rackets for legal play. In addition to the racket, the ITF set rules for the string pattern used in a racket. Using a few, quick measurements will help you determine whether you are using a legal tennis racket.
Length
A tennis racket may be no longer than 29 inches. The standard length for most tennis rackets was 27.5 inches. During the 1980s, racket manufacturers began making 27-inch rackets to help recreational players get more power from a longer swing and more racket head acceleration.
Width
The frame of the racket is limited to a maximum of 12.5 inches. The frame does not include the head of the racket, in which resides the strings. The frame at its widest part includes the throat of the racket, which connects the handle to the head.
Head Size
The head size of a racket is limited to 15.5 inches in length and 11.5 inches in width, or a total size of 178.25 square inches. The largest head size on most mass-produced rackets is 135 square inches.
Cheating
The ITF rules mandate that you may not put anything on a tennis racket that changes its playing characteristics, such as shape, weight distribution or moment of inertia. The ITF has even gone so far as to prohibit communications devices on rackets that allow a player to get coaching.
String Pattern
The racket must be made so that when strung, the string pattern has only one set of strings, has a "generally uniform" pattern and plays the same on both sides. The term "generally uniform" has led to the question of what happens when a string breaks. Some tournaments do not allow a player to continue playing with a broken string because the string pattern is no longer "generally uniform." The United States Tennis Association specifically allows players to continue play with a broken string unless match organizers specifically prohibit otherwise.
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