Specs guide
Tennis Racket Stiffness Guide
Racket stiffness affects how firm the frame feels at impact, how much free power it gives, and how comfortable it may feel over long hitting sessions.
What stiffness means
Stiffness is often shown as an RA rating. A higher number usually means the racket bends less at impact, which can make the response feel firmer, livelier, and more direct.
Lower stiffness: comfort and pocketing
More flexible rackets often feel softer and more arm-friendly. They can help players who want comfort, better ball pocketing, or a less harsh response on off-center contact.
Higher stiffness: power and crisp response
Stiffer rackets can return more energy to the ball and feel powerful from the baseline. The tradeoff is that they may feel too firm for players with arm, wrist, or elbow sensitivity.
How to choose by comfort need
If comfort is a priority, compare stiffness together with weight, string setup, and stability. A soft racket is not automatically perfect, but it is usually a safer starting point than a very stiff frame.
Find an Arm-Friendly Match