Choosing a tennis racquet is almost as important as choosing a name for your first born. Well not quite, but if you're going to kick your partners ass you're going to have to step up your game. If your paramour is a tennis junkie and you’re new to the game, you’ll need to get yourself a racquet so you can partake in the fun.

First you'll need to find the right grip size. Adult grip sizes range from 4 to 45/8. This is measured from the middle crease in your palm to the top of the ring finger. Hold the racquet in one hand and slide the index finger of the other hand in between the tips of your fingers and the base of your palm. If there isn't enough room for your index finger, the grip is too small.
If there is a lot of extra room, the racquet grip is too large.

Next up you'll need to figure out the head size. If you're a beginner you'll want a bigger head; more surface area means it's easier to hit the ball. You'll forgo maneuverability and stability, but you’re more likely to actually make contact with the ball.

Most racquets are made from lightweight graphite, making them perfect for any beginner. Other racquets apt for novices are made from aluminum or titanium, as these also offer decent power but a better feel for the ball when striking it. Forget old-school wood racquets, they will not help your game.

You’ll also want to take the racquet weight into consideration. Racquets can be “head-heavy", (more weight in the head), or "handle-heavy" (more weight in the handle). Handle-heavy racquets are easier on the arm and offer greater control, but if you’re a beginner you should go for a head-heavy racquet as a handle-heavy one will require you to generate more power. 

Lastly you’ll want to consider the string tension. Most racquets are strung with the strings at the middle of their tension range, but you can get racquet strings adjusted depending on what you're trying to achieve. Tighter strings mean more control, so they are better if you're trying to improve accuracy. Looser strings mean more power but less control.

Now what are you waiting for? All that grunting is not just for the bedroom! Take your new racquet out for a spin on the court!