Many racquet retailers or shops offer the possibility to demo racquets. But how do you demo a racquet properly?
My affiliates Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe or Tennis Only all offer this possibility, which is great.
You get to keep up to four racquets for a week, which should give you the chance to evaluate if any of them suits your game.
There are a few things to keep in mind when you demo a racquet.
* You need to give it some time. Five minutes is not enough. At least try it for an hour over 2-3 sessions to get an idea of how it plays. You must try it on different days in case you’re having the best day ever or a bad day.
* Try hit every shot in the book with the racquet. How does it feel from the baseline? At the net? While serving.
* Make sure to test the racquet in a competitive setting. How does it work for you when you get nervous or tired?
* Consider the string. Sadly, demos might not give you the time and possibility to re-string the racquet with your favorite setup. So you need to try to feel how the racquet plays anyway.
* If you have bought the racquet, give it plenty of time and try different string setups or perhaps some customization before you decide that it’s not for you.
* Beware of “honeymooning” with a racquet. You might have the best day or week on the court, but as soon as you drop your level, the racquet doesn’t perform as you want anymore. Try to be level-headed about its strengths and weaknesses. There are no perfect racquets that give you everything you want.
