6 TIPS FOR TESTING A RACKET BEFORE BUYING

Testing a racket before buying it is a crucial step. Where should you go? What changes should you make? Which racket should you choose? We answer your questions.

The transition between two racquets can be difficult for many players. Power or control? What weight? What string? Here are some tips to help you optimally test a racquet before buying.

1/ OPTIMIZE TEST PREPARATION

This is the most important part! To get a racket that meets your expectations, you need to be very meticulous in preparing for the test. Before starting the actual test, you yourself must meet several criteria.

First, consider the length of time since your last game. To be clear, it's strongly advised against testing if you haven't played for a long time. Several weeks without playing and your loss of feel can throw everything off. So make sure you maintain a consistent practice routine to get as close as possible to your usual feel.

The second major point is where to find rackets to test? The best place to start is by asking your coach. Your club often has a partnership with a retail store that can lend you demo rackets. Furthermore, because of the close relationship your club has with this store, the specialist will be more likely to give you advice.

Finally, when you go to the venue, you'll need two key pieces of information in addition to your preferred playing style: your preferred racket weight and the frame shape (round or square) best suited to your style. To obtain this information, contact your coach, who will be able to provide it. Don't hesitate to ask your coach for this valuable information.

2/ START OF THE TEST: THE FIRST SENSATIONS

This is the foundation of every racquet test: finding the right feel! In such a situation, be persistent and kind to yourself. If you feel discomfort from the very first strokes, don't give up immediately. Even when aiming for a feel similar to what you experienced with your old racquet, you will inevitably feel some differences. Ideally, allow yourself 15 minutes before commenting on how the racquet feels. After this time, if you continue to experience unpleasant sensations, the racquet is certainly not for you. Conversely, don't rely solely on those initial impressions, even if they happen to be positive. Indeed, a racquet that seems perfect at first glance won't necessarily be the one you ultimately choose. To ensure a racquet is the right one, it's wise to practice with it several times. It's always best to confirm a first impression.

3/ TEST WITH DIFFERENT PHASES OF PLAY

To ensure a racket suits your game, it's important to test it in different scenarios. First, don't just test your new racket through practice rounds. Your new companion must also, and above all, suit you in high-pressure situations, which you'll only encounter in a match. The pressure is different due to the scoring system, so your perception of the game might be altered. The key is to have confidence in your equipment so you're not afraid to hit an attacking forehand at 5-5 in the third set, for example.

It's also important to review your entire range of shots. Backhand, serve, return, volley, smash, shots at full stretch… Everything should be covered. This will allow you to refine your feel for the game (especially shots while moving). Ideally, you should find a racket with which you feel comfortable in all aspects of your game!

Don't hesitate to ask your partner or coach for a critical perspective. An outside opinion is always welcome to validate your choice.

4/ MAINTAIN THE SAME PLAYING CONDITIONS

Although your test should take you a considerable amount of time, be careful not to get sidetracked. Certain game settings must remain the same.

FIRST MAIN FOCUS: THE PARTNER

To ensure your test runs smoothly, you need the same ball quality on each racket tested. To achieve this, try to play with your usual partner whenever possible. Another factor to consider is the playing conditions. You need to play in a consistent environment. This includes the weather conditions and the playing surface. For example, if you start the test on an indoor hard court, make sure you remain in those conditions until the end of the tests.

5/ TEST WITH YOUR USUAL CORDING AND TENSION

It's very important to test a new racquet with your usual strings and tension. If you try a racquet with a different string and like it, the feel will be completely different when you string it with your own. So don't hesitate to ask the shop to restrett the racquet before you try it.

6/ Prioritize quality over quantity

One last piece of advice for conducting a thorough racket test before buying: make a very selective choice of the rackets you want to try. The idea isn't to go in with the mindset of "I'm testing, so I can try as many as possible." Why? The reason is quite simple. If you start accumulating a large number of rackets during a test, you could easily become overwhelmed and lose track of what you want or what's best for you. To avoid this, as mentioned earlier, ask for advice from your local specialist shop. Start with 2-3 rackets, in addition to your own, and don't hesitate to do a second round of testing if the first rackets offered don't suit you.

IN SUMMARY, HERE IS THE RIGHT PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW TO PROPERLY TEST A RACECAKE BEFORE BUYING IT

• Ask your coach for advice on the type of racket and also on where to buy one.
• Go to the store to make a precise selection of rackets.
• Do a first session (with your stringing and tension on each racket).
• Return to the store and ask for rackets similar to the one(s) you liked (if you still have doubts after the first test).
• Try a second test.
• Choose the one you prefer.
• Complete further training sessions to validate your choice.