No specific tennis racket is designated specifically for women. Finding a racket that suits your game style, physical attributes and stroke production is a highly subjective process. OS rackets -- oversized rackets with greater string surface area -- provide more power and control with less effort. OS rackets are suitable for many women who may not be as strong as their male counterparts.
OS Basics
Oversized rackets are often referred to as game improvement rackets, helping players generate power and maintain control while forgiving imperfections in stroke form. Oversize rackets have a racket head surface area of 100 to 115 square inches, providing a larger sweet spot compared to the midplus-sized rackets with up to 105 square inches of surface area. Popular tennis racket brands such as Head, Wilson, Babolat, Prince and Wilson have many options in the oversize racket category for women.
Beginner's Rackets
Beginner's rackets are designed to help a player build confidence in getting balls over the net and in the court. The Head Liquidmetal 8 is a good beginner's racket that grows with you as your game develops to intermediate levels. The racket is light at 9.3 oz., with more control than other lightweight rackets. The Prince EXO3 Silver has a large sweet spot designed for beginning players who lack power. Unlike the Head Liquidmetal, the Prince EXO3 Silver helps players manipulate balls with spin more effectively. Wilson offers the K Factor KZero model for beginners. This is the lightest racket Wilson offers in the K Factor line, the line endorsed by Roger Federer, boasting power and control.
Intermediate to Advanced Players
As a player improves, she is better able to manipulate the racket and adjust it during the course of a stroke. Players are more focused on control, using spins along with power to direct play more aggressively. The Babolat Pure Drive is a graphite composite giving players balanced swings. The Dunlop Aerogel 4D 500 is recommended for players moving up into advanced play. While the racket remains light, it still absorbs the shock created at contact. Volkl Power Bridge 8 similarly helps players transition to higher levels of competition, increasing spin control.
Choosing One for You
A tennis racket can cost anywhere from $50 to $400. With such a pricey investment, it is important to find the one that best suits your game. The highest-rated rackets won't guarantee improvement for you. Ask friends to play with their rackets so you can try different ones and narrow down choices that suit your game style. Sporting goods stores and tennis pro shops also have rackets you can rent for a day or week, allowing you to test the latest technology and see how it improves your game.
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