Tennis · Laws of Tennis
Law 4: The Racket
1 parts · 3 tests · 30 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown
Law 4 of the Laws of Tennis and Appendix II set out what a racket must be. As with balls, the ITF rules on whether a racket complies, on its own initiative or on application, following its review and hearing procedures. The frame consists of a handle, where it is held, and a head, where the strings attach, with an optional throat between them.
The hitting surface must be a single flat pattern of crossed strings, woven over and under one another or fixed at every crossing. The pattern must be generally uniform and no less dense in the centre than elsewhere, and the racket must play the same on both sides. Strings on different planes break the rule. The racket may be no longer than 73.7 cm and no wider than 31.7 cm, and the strung area at most 39.4 cm long and 29.2 cm wide; where metric and imperial figures differ, the SI figure counts.
Devices for wear, vibration, frame weight or approved analysis are allowed if they are of a reasonable size, but batteries, solar cells and similar energy sources are prohibited. Dampers may not sit inside the crossed-string area. A player uses one racket at a time and may play on with broken strings unless the event prohibits it.
The facts below cover the frame and strings, the size limits, and attachments and devices.
4.41The Racket
The frame and the hitting surface, the size limits, attachments and energy sources, and using rackets during play.
Test 1The frame and the hitting surfaceTake a test
The throat is optional: the frame may also include one between the handle and the head.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
The head is wherever the strings attach; the handle is where it is held.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
The strings run in two directions and are woven over and under one another, or fixed to each other at every crossing, so the hitting surface is a single flat lattice.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
The Rule speaks of a pattern, not patterns, of crossed strings.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4, Case 1 · recall
Strings on different planes break the requirement for a flat hitting surface.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4, Case 2 · recall
The pattern must be generally uniform and no less dense in the centre than anywhere else.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
A racket is designed and strung to play the same on both sides.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
Rulings follow the ITF's review and hearing procedures before a racket is approved or not.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4 · recall
Flat, crossed, joined at each crossing and uniform, with no thin centre.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
Only an even, single, crossed pattern on one plane meets Appendix II.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · applied
Test 2Size limitsTake a test
No racket may be longer than 73.7 cm overall.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
The frame may be at most 31.7 cm wide.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
Measured along the line of the handle, the strung area may be at most 39.4 cm long.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
The strings may span at most 29.2 cm from side to side.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
Length runs along the handle's axis; width is taken at right angles to it.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
Where the two systems differ, the SI figure counts.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
The 73.7 cm limit applies to every racket.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · applied
29.2 cm, 31.7 cm, 39.4 cm and 73.7 cm.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
Hitting-surface width, overall width, hitting-surface length, overall length.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
A is the overall length, limited to 73.7 cm.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · applied
Test 3Attachments, devices and rackets in playTake a test
Devices for wear, vibration, frame weight or approved analysis are allowed if reasonable in size.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
Weight may be distributed in the frame only, and in a reasonable way.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · recall
Batteries, solar cells and similar energy sources are prohibited.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4, Case 6 · recall
Dampers are allowed, but not inside the crossed-string area.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4, Case 3 · recall
Play may continue with broken strings, except where event organisers prohibit it.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4, Case 4 · applied
A player plays with one racket at a time.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4, Case 5 · recall
As with balls, the ITF rules on rackets, on its own initiative or on application.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4 · recall
The first is allowed; the second breaks the damper case; the third is an energy source.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II · applied
Broken strings do not stop the point, and the racket may stay in use unless the event says no.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4, Case 4 · recall
A damper must sit outside the pattern of crossed strings, as at B.
Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4, Case 3 · applied
Questions people ask
- What is the maximum length of a tennis racket?
- No racket may be longer than 73.7 cm overall. The frame may be at most 31.7 cm wide.
- How big can the strung area of a racket be?
- The strung area may be at most 39.4 cm long, measured along the line of the handle, and at most 29.2 cm wide.
- What must the string pattern of a racket look like?
- The strings must form one flat pattern of crossed strings, interlaced or joined at every crossing. It must be generally uniform and no less dense in the centre than anywhere else.
- Is a vibration damper allowed on a racket?
- Yes, a damper is allowed, but it must sit outside the pattern of crossed strings.
- Can a racket contain a battery?
- No. Batteries, solar cells and similar energy sources are prohibited.
- Can you keep playing with a broken string?
- Play may continue with broken strings, and the racket may stay in use, unless the event organisers prohibit it.
- Can a player use two rackets at once?
- No. A player plays with one racket at a time.
Sources
ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4 with Appendix II (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Appendix II20
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 42
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4, Case 32
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4, Case 42
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4, Case 11
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4, Case 21
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4, Case 61
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 4, Case 51