What Is Racquet Stiffness (RA Rating)? A Complete Guide for Tennis Players

If you've ever stared at a list of racquet specs and wondered what the RA rating actually means and whether it matters, this guide is for you. It's one of the most overlooked numbers in tennis, and one of the most important.

What Is the RA Rating?

The RA rating measures how much a tennis racquet frame bends on ball impact. The higher the number, the stiffer the frame. The lower the number, the more flexible it is. Most modern rackets fall between RA 54 and RA 74.

Stiffness Categories

How Stiffness Affects Your Game

Power. Stiff frames deflect less on impact, returning energy to the ball faster for a snappier response. Some players seek this out for easy power, and it works, but only if you're already generating significant swing speed. For most club players, that explosive response is harder to control than it seems.

Control and feel. Control comes from feel and feel comes from dwell time: how long the ball stays on the strings. Flexible and mid-flex rackets bend slightly on impact, giving the ball a fraction of a second longer in the string bed. More dwell time means more feedback, and, for most players, more control, not less.

Arm health. This is where stiffness matters most. When a stiff frame doesn't bend, it doesn't absorb shock, your arm does. That vibration travels up the shaft into your wrist, elbow, and shoulder on every single shot. Over time, this is one of the leading contributors to tennis elbow and chronic arm pain. Flexible frames absorb a portion of that shock within the frame itself, significantly reducing the load on your joints.

Popular Rackets by Stiffness Category

We selected some of the most popular racquets to show you how they fall in the RA spectrum. 

Note: Values received from the manufacturers. 

Don't Forget: Strings Matter Too

Stiffness doesn't exist in isolation. A flexible frame strung tight with a stiff poly will play stiffer than its RA suggests. A stiff frame strung loose with natural gut or a multifilament will feel considerably more forgiving. For arm-sensitive players, the best setup combines a lower RA frame + softer string + moderate tension — each element compounds the comfort benefit.

Which Stiffness Is Right for You?

Go flexible (below RA 63) if you have tennis elbow or arm pain, you prioritize feel and touch, or you're an advanced player who generates your own pace.

Go mid-flex (RA 63–67) if you want the best all-round balance of power, control, and comfort — this is the sweet spot for most intermediate to advanced players.

Go stiff (RA 68+) if you have a fast, full swing, no arm concerns, and you specifically want that explosive, powerful response.

When in doubt, mid-flex is the safest starting point. It covers the most ground and gives you room to adjust from there.

Browse our full selection of tennis racquets at Do It Tennis and if you're not sure where to start, our team is always happy to help.

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