Demo Tennis Rackets: How to Try Before You Buy

A new tennis racket is a big decision. The spec sheet tells you the weight, head size and string pattern, but only playing tells you how a racket feels on your serve, your backhand and your arm after two hours of doubles. That is why we run a demo service for tennis rackets.

At Central Sports, demo rackets are trial rackets you borrow to test before you buy. They are not ex-display stock for sale. This guide explains how our demo tennis rackets work, as set out on our site, and what to test while you have one.

What are demo tennis rackets?

Demo tennis rackets are frames kept specifically for players to try on court. Instead of guessing from a description, you take the racket you are interested in, play your usual sessions with it, and decide based on how it actually performs for you.

Our current demo range is made up of popular tennis rackets from the main brands, including models from the Wilson Blade and Clash families, the Head Speed and Extreme ranges, the Yonex Ezone and Percept, and the Babolat Pure Drive 98. What is available changes as new models arrive, so check the demo tennis rackets collection for the current list.

How our tennis racket demo works

1. Choose a demo racket. Browse the demo rackets and pick the one you want to try. You pay the full price upfront to receive it.
2. Delivery or collection. We deliver the racket to your address, or you can collect it from our store.
3. Play with it for a week. You get a 7-day trial period to put it through its paces on court.
4. Set it up your way. During the demo you can upgrade the strings and grip, so you can try it exactly how you would play it.
5. Swap as often as you like. Keep swapping demo rackets with us for £6 postage per swap, unless you are collecting from our store.
6. Return or buy. Send the racket back for a refund minus the £20 demo service fee, or purchase a brand new racket if you are happy with it.

The important terms

• Demo rackets must be returned within 10 working days, or the full price is charged and becomes non-refundable.
• The demo service fee is £20 if you return the racket for a refund.
• The demo service is available in the UK only.

Anything not covered here, such as which models are available at a particular shop or how a swap is arranged, ask in store or contact us and the team will help.

Why try a demo tennis racket before you buy?

• Feel beats specs. Two rackets with the same weight can feel completely different. Balance, stiffness and string pattern change how the ball comes off the strings.
• Test it in real conditions. A week is long enough to play your normal hitting partners, at your normal club, on your normal surface.
• Compare side by side. Swapping lets you try, for example, a Blade against a Speed, or a Clash against a Pure Drive, until one clearly suits you.
• Avoid an expensive mistake. The £20 demo fee is far less than the cost of a racket that sits in the bag because it never felt right.

What to test during a tennis racket demo

Go in with a plan. Hitting a few balls in the warm-up is not enough to judge a racket. Over the week, try to cover these:

Weight and balance

Heavier rackets (around 300 g and above) usually feel more stable against big hitters, while lighter frames are quicker to swing. Notice how the racket feels at the end of a long session, not just in the first rally. Our guide to tennis racket weight and balance explains the numbers.

Head size and forgiveness

A 97 to 98 sq in head generally gives more precision, while a 100 sq in head or larger is more forgiving on off-centre hits. Pay attention to how many mishits still land.

String pattern and spin

An open 16 x 19 pattern tends to help spin and power; a denser 18 x 20 gives a flatter, more controlled ball. Try heavy topspin and slice to see the difference.

Every shot, not just groundstrokes

• Serve: can you generate pace and hit your targets?
• Return: does it feel stable against a big first serve?
• Volleys: is it quick enough at the net?
• Slice and touch: do drop shots and chips feel controlled?

Comfort and your arm

If you have elbow or wrist niggles, notice vibration and how your arm feels the next day. Comfort over a week tells you more than a single session.

Your strings and grip

Strings and tension change how any racket plays. Because you can upgrade the strings and grip during the demo, use the opportunity to test the set-up you would actually use. Our tennis restringing service can help, and our tennis racket grip size guide explains sizing.

How to get the most from demo tennis rackets

• Shortlist first. Narrow down to two or three frames using our guide on how to choose a tennis racket or the racket finder quiz.
• Bring your current racket. Compare like for like in the same session.
• Play matches, not just drills. A racket that feels great in a rally can feel different under pressure.
• Keep notes. A few lines after each session make the final decision easier.
• Watch the return date. Keep the 10 working day deadline in mind so you are not charged the full price for a racket you do not want.

Top picks from Central Sports

These rackets are in stock new, and are from families that appear in our demo range, so you can try before you buy:

• Wilson Blade 98 16X19 V10 2026 Tennis Racket - Green (£200.00): a popular control frame, with a demo version in our range.
• Head Extreme Team 2026 Tennis Racket Strung - Green (£114.29): a lighter Extreme, also available as a demo.
• Babolat Pure Drive 100 300g Gen11 Unstrung Tennis Racket (£179.00): the Pure Drive family is in our demo range with the Pure Drive 98.
• Yonex Ezone 100 2025 300g Unstrung Tennis Racket (Free Restring) (£216.00): the Ezone family is in our demo range in other weights.

Demo tennis rackets FAQ

How does the tennis racket demo work?

You pay the full price for a demo racket upfront, get a week to try it, and then return it for a refund minus a £20 demo fee, or buy a brand new racket.

Can I try more than one demo racket?

Yes. You can keep swapping demo rackets for £6 postage per swap, unless you are collecting from our store.

How long do I have to return a demo racket?

Return it within 10 working days. After that, the full price is charged and is non-refundable.

Are demo rackets the same as ex-demo rackets for sale?

No. Our demo rackets are trial rackets for you to test before buying a new racket. If you want to buy, you purchase a brand new one.

Is the demo service available outside the UK?

No, the demo service is available in the UK only.

The best way to choose your next racket is to play with it. Browse our demo tennis rackets, or visit the team at Central Sports in Cardiff, Birmingham, Milton Keynes or Hereford and ask about trying a racket before you buy.