The standard length of a tennis racket is 27″ (68.6 cm) . Michael Chang was one of the first professional players to use an extended 28″ tennis racket. He said this racket allowed him to gain about 10 mph on his serve, more first serves in and more aces without hindering the rest of his game  However extended rackets have been slow to catch on. XTD rackets are usually 27.5″ and XTD plus 28″. Since 2007, both Williams sisters started using 27.5″ Blade 104 rackets. Around 2017 they experimented with 28″ leading to the release of the 2020 Wilson Blade SW (28″).

In 1984 Puma released an adjustable racket “Boris Becker Winner” after he won Wimbledon! Some months later they revised the color as this good looking Boris Becker Super. Both featured the almost unique screw mechanism that would shorten the racket to 26.5″. Why it wouldnt lengthen it, I dont know! W

Other Pros such as Diego Schwartzman use an extended length tennis racket (HEAD IG Radical MP XL 28″) which gives him good control from the 18×20 string pattern, but also some power and leverage from the extended length and high swing weight. David Nalbandian’s started his career with a Prince Graphite OS Longbody that he used until 2004, when he switched over to Yonex RDS 001 also in 28.” Even Djokovic uses as extended rackets….but wait for it….its 27.1″ 🤣 Hey it works for him!

Advantages of Extended Tennis Rackets

Extended tennis rackets offer several potential benefits:

• Power Gain: Increased swingweight can lead to more power (power = length x mass)
• Serve: Extended rackets provide a bit more height for serves which makes a real difference
• Reach: Extended rackets provide a bit more reach for all shots, particularly on alleys/dropshots
• Handle Space: More space on the handle benefits players using a two-handed backhand.

Disadvantages of Extended Tennis Rackets

While extended racquets have advantages, they also come with potential drawbacks:

• Reduced Maneuverability: The increased length can make the racquet harder to maneuver quickly
• Loss of Swing Speed: Extended racquets may result in slower swing speeds reducing spin
• One-Handed Backhands: More difficult to execute one-handed backhands, especially on high balls.
• Adaptation Period: Players may need time to adjust their swing rhythm and placement relative to the ball.

Pros Using Babolat XTD Rackets

Babolat Aero Pro Drive Plus 27.5″	Thanasi Kokkinakis
Babolat Pure Aero Plus 27.5″	Rafael Nadal
Babolat Pure Drive Plus 27.5″	Albert Ramos Vinolas
Babolat Pure Drive Plus 27.5″	David Ferrer
Babolat Pure Drive Plus 27.5″	Edouard Roger Vasselin
Babolat Pure Drive Plus 27.5″	Julien Benneteau
Babolat Pure Drive Plus 27.5″	Marcin Matkowski
Babolat Pure Drive Plus 27.5″	Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo
Babolat Pure Drive Plus 27.5″	Victor Estrella Burgos

Pros Using Other XTD Rackets

Andreas Seppi	Andy Roddick	Benoit Paire
Caroline Wozniacki	Daniel Hantuchova	Tommy Robredo	David Nalbandian
Diego Schwartzman 28″	Dudi Sela	Elina Svitolina	Eugenie Bouchard
Fabrice Santoro	Jelena Ostapenko	Jo-Wilfred Tsonga	John Isner
Juan C. Ferrero	Juan M. Del Potro	Jurgen Melzer	Justine Hénin
Kei Nishikori	Mardy Fish	Maria Kirilenko	Marion Bartoli
Nikolay Davydenko	Novak Djokovic 27.1″	Pablo Andujar	Philip Kohlscreiber
Richard Gasquet	Sam Querrey	Serena + Venus Williams 28″	Thanasi Kokkinakis