The Effect of Different Racket Weights on Accuracy in Forehand and Backhand Strokes in Recreational Tennis Players

Öz

Purpose: Racket weight is a critical parameter influencing stroke mechanics and performance in tennis. This study aimed to examine the effects of two different racket masses on the accuracy of forehand and backhand strokes in recreational tennis players.

Methods: Twenty-nine recreational tennis players (18 males, 11 females; mean age: 22.86 ±2.52 years) participated in the study. A quantitative experimental design was employed using two identical racket models with different masses: lightweight (280g) and heavyweight (300g). Following a standardized warm-up, participants performed the Hitting Accuracy Tennis Test (HATT) for both forehand and backhand strokes in a counterbalanced order. Data were analyzed using Paired Samples t-tests to compare racket conditions and Independent Samples t-tests to evaluate gender differences.

Results: The analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in accuracy scores between the heavy and light rackets for either forehand (13.14 ±2.57 vs. 13.41 ±2.38, p = .53) or backhand strokes (13.28 ±2.14 vs. 13.41 ±2.24, p = .77). Furthermore, gender did not significantly influence accuracy performance across any of the tested conditions (p > 0.05). 

Conclusion: A 20g variation in racket mass does not significantly impact stroke accuracy among recreational players. These findings suggest that for this population, individual motor consistency is more influential than minor equipment modifications. Coaches should prioritize technical skill development over precise calibration of racket weight for amateur athletes.