Tennis Rackets UK: Tennis and Padel Racket Guides

Tennis Rackets UK explains how rackets are built and how to match one to your game, in tennis and, increasingly, padel. We don’t sell rackets, no manufacturer pays for coverage, and rules and dates are checked against primary sources such as the ITF and FIP rulebooks.

Tennis rackets

• What Are Tennis Rackets Made From?What tennis rackets are made of: graphite composite with titanium, tungsten, basalt or graphene, plus strings, grommets and grips, and how frames are made.
• How to Choose a Tennis RacketHow head size, weight, balance, stiffness and string pattern change the way a racket plays, and what to look for at each level.
• Best Tennis Racket for Beginners: What to Look ForWhat makes a good beginner tennis racket: head size, weight, balance, stiffness, string pattern and grip, with advice for adults, juniors and padel starters.
• Tennis Racket Strings: Types, Gauges and PatternsNatural gut, synthetic gut, multifilament, polyester and hybrids compared; string gauges; 16x19 vs 18x20 patterns; and how often to restring.
• Manufacturers of Tennis RacketsThe main tennis racket brands, where they come from, key dates and which ranges they are known for. Most now make padel rackets too.
• History of Tennis Rackets: From Wood to GraphiteA dated timeline of tennis racket design: natural gut strings, the steel T2000, aluminium and oversize frames, the graphite revolution and polyester strings.
• Tennis Racket Size Rules: ITF Specifications ExplainedThe official ITF limits on tennis racket length, width and hitting surface, plus string bed rules and ITF junior racket length recommendations.

Padel

• What Is Padel Tennis? The Sport Explained for Tennis PlayersPadel explained: an enclosed doubles court, underarm serve, walls in play and solid rackets. How it compares with tennis, and who runs it in the UK.
• How to Play Padel: A Beginner's GuideLearn to play padel: the court, the underarm serve, scoring, using the glass, basic shots (volley, lob, bandeja) and positioning, with a first-session plan.
• Padel Levels Explained: Playtomic 0–7 and LTA RankingsHow padel levels work: the Playtomic 0–7 level scale, how LTA Padel rankings are calculated, and a practical self-assessment for players and coaches.
• Padel Coaching Guide: Qualifications, Sessions and Equipment AdviceHow to become a padel coach in the UK (LTA Padel Instructor), plus session plans, tennis-to-padel conversion tips and racket advice to give players.
• Padel vs Pickleball: Differences in Court, Rules and EquipmentPadel vs pickleball using FIP rules and the USA Pickleball rulebook: court size, walls, net height, serve, scoring, paddle and ball specifications.
• Padel Equipment Checklist: What You Need to PlayEverything you need for padel: an FIP-compliant racket and strap, padel balls, court shoes, overgrips, frame protection and a bag, plus a coach kit list.
• Indoor vs Outdoor Padel Courts: What's the Difference?Indoor vs outdoor padel courts: FIP ceiling height rules, walls and fencing, weather, light and ball behaviour, and what players and coaches should expect.
• Padel Rackets Explained: Specs, Materials, Shapes and BalanceHow padel rackets are built and regulated: FIP size limits, carbon vs fibreglass faces, EVA vs foam cores, round, teardrop and diamond shapes, and balance.
• Padel Racket Shapes: Round vs Teardrop vs DiamondHow round, teardrop and diamond padel rackets differ in balance, sweet spot, control and power, and which shape suits your level and position.
• How to Choose the Best Padel Racket for BeginnersA spec-by-spec checklist for a first padel racket: shape, balance, core, face, weight and budget, including advice for women, juniors and tennis converts.
• EVA vs Foam Padel Rackets: Which Core Is Right?Soft EVA, hard EVA and foam padel racket cores compared for power, control, comfort and durability, plus how carbon and fibreglass faces change the feel.
• Padel Rules Explained: Scoring, Serve, Walls and Golden PointOfficial FIP padel rules in plain English: scoring, golden point and star point, tie-breaks, the underarm serve, walls and fence, and changing ends.
• Padel Court Dimensions and Specifications (FIP)Official padel court size (10 × 20 m), service lines, net height, wall and fence heights and ceiling height from the FIP rules, compared with tennis.
• Padel Balls vs Tennis Balls: What's the Difference?Official FIP padel ball and ITF tennis ball specifications compared: diameter, weight and bounce, and whether you can use tennis balls for padel.
• Padel Rackets vs Tennis Rackets: The DifferencesPadel and tennis rackets compared under FIP and ITF rules: length, width, strings vs solid faces, cores, holes, straps and weight, plus what to buy for padel.

Calculators

• Tennis Racket Grip Size CalculatorMeasure your hand and convert it to a tennis grip size in UK/European (L0–L5) and US (4 to 4 5/8 in) notation.
• Tennis String Tension Calculator (kg ↔ lbs)Convert tennis string tension between kg and lbs, calculate percentage changes and check whether you're inside your racket's recommended range.
• Tennis Racket Balance Calculator (Points Head Light / Head Heavy)Convert a racket's balance point in cm or inches to points head-light or head-heavy, for any racket length including padel rackets.
• Junior Tennis Racket Size Guide by AgeITF-recommended junior racket lengths for red, orange and green stages, a size finder by age, and how to check the fit.
• Tennis Scorer and Scoring Explained (with Padel Golden Point)Free online tennis scorer: tap to score points, games, sets and tie-breaks with advantage or golden point (no-ad), plus how tennis and padel scoring works.