Law 4: The Racket

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

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

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