5. Tension. Even if you find the perfect racket, you likely won’t be able to just pick it up and start playing. The strings of the racket are just as important as the racket itself—the tension of the strings can change how you hit the ball. Every racket usually has a recommended tension level for the stringbed printed on the side. Tension level, however, is a matter of personal preference and depends on your style of gameplay. Lower tension means the strings are more flexible and will allow the racket to generate more power. Tighter tension means stiffer strings, which will grant you more control but force you to provide more of your own power.