Racquet Power Potential

Power Potential Tool

Choose Racquets To Compare
Racquet A Racquet B

— Test Point Locations —
Vertical: 16, 19, 21, 23, 25 in. from butt.
Horizontal: 0, -3, -2, 2, 3 in. from center.

Spec
Length (in)
Headsize (in²)
Weight (g)
Balance (cm)
Swingweight (kg*cm²)
Flex (RDC)
Twistweight (kg*cm²)
Vibration (Hz)

What Is Power Potential?

A racquet's power potential is determined in the lab by measuring ball velocities and calculating the ratio of the ball's outgoing bounce speed to its impact speed. The impact speed is defined as the combined speed of the racquet and ball just prior to collision.

Impact speed = ball speed + racquet speed

For a given hitting location the power potential is always a fixed percentage of the impact speed, is a different percentage for each location, and generally varies from racquet to racquet.

For example, if the power potential is 40% in the center of the racquet, then the ball will bounce from the racquet at 40% of the impact speed.

Bounce speed = power potential x impact speed

The speed of this bounce is determined by the "local" weight, frame stiffness, and stringbed stiffness at the impact location.

However, the bounce speed is only one component of the final shot speed. The other component is the swing speed. The bounce occurs off a racquet that is already traveling at a given speed. The bounce speed is added to the speed of the racquet from which it bounces to get the shot speed:

Shot speed = bounce speed + racquet speed