A tennis racket face that points too far upward at contact is a common reason groundstrokes sail long or land short and floaty. The fix is usually a small change in racket angle—not a tighter grip or a completely different swing.
Knowing what an open racket face looks like can help you control topspin, slice, volleys, and serves. It can also help you decide whether your racket setup gives you the control you need. Here’s how to spot the problem and make practical adjustments.
What Does “Racket Face Open” Mean?
The racket face is the string bed. It is open when the strings tilt upward toward the sky at contact instead of facing more toward your intended target. A slightly open face can be useful: it helps lift the ball, and it is part of the contact for many slices and volleys. The trouble starts when the face is more open than the shot calls for.
“Open” does not mean the same thing as an open stance. An open stance describes your feet and body position. You can hit from an open stance with a neutral racket face, or from a closed stance with an open one.
What Happens When You Hit With an Open Face?
The racket face has a strong effect on the ball’s launch direction. If you strike a groundstroke with the strings tilted too far upward, the ball tends to leave on a higher path. It may fly long, or it may land inside the baseline with little pace and sit up for your opponent.
Racket angle is only part of the result. The direction your racket travels matters too. A low-to-high swing can create topspin, which helps pull a ball down into the court. But an open face does not create topspin by itself. If the strings point too far upward and the swing travels mostly forward, the ball can launch high without enough spin to bring it down.
An open face is useful for certain shots. On a slice, the strings are angled to send the ball on a lower, skidding path. On a volley, a slightly open face can help lift a low ball over the net. The right angle depends on the shot, the ball’s height, and the target.
Common Causes of an Open Racket Face
- Contact too low or too late: A rushed player may let the ball drop below a comfortable contact point, then tilt the face up to lift it.
- Leaning back: Falling away from the ball can make it harder to control the racket face and swing path.
- Trying to lift every shot: If you focus only on getting the ball over the net, you may add too much upward angle instead of using a smooth swing with spin.
- Grip or wrist position: A grip that does not suit your stroke, or a wrist position that changes at contact, can leave the strings facing too high. Avoid forcing your wrist into a rigid position; focus on stable contact.
- Misreading a high ball: A ball above your usual contact zone may encourage a last-second adjustment. Get into position early and choose a safe target.
How to Correct an Open Face
Check the contact, not just the follow-through
Ask a partner to watch the racket at the instant you hit, or record a few swings from the side. A high finish is not proof that the face was open at contact; what matters is the angle when the strings meet the ball. If you are consistently contacting the ball late or below waist height, work on moving your feet and meeting it farther in front.
Use a target and a safe net clearance
Pick a target several feet inside the baseline and aim to clear the net with a comfortable margin. If balls keep sailing, make a small adjustment: keep the face steadier through contact and swing more forward and up, rather than simply pushing the racket under the ball. Avoid trying to aim at the line while you are still fixing the angle.
Try a simple crosscourt drill
Rally at a medium pace crosscourt. After each shot, notice whether the ball has a controlled arc and drops into the court, or floats long. Keep your contact in front and use a steady low-to-high swing. Once you can hit five balls in a row with a safe margin over the net, move your target closer to the sideline or baseline.
For volleys, practice from close to the net with a partner feeding gentle balls. Keep the swing short and adjust the face only enough to guide the ball. If the volley pops up, check whether you are scooping under it or opening the strings too much.
Can Your Racket or Strings Help?
Equipment can affect how a stroke feels, but no racket automatically fixes an open face. Technique and contact matter most. If you are shopping for a frame, consider how it suits your swing and the kind of feedback you want. These popular options offer different playing characteristics; test one if possible, and ask a qualified stringer about a setup that fits your level.
| Racket | What it may suit | Pros | Possible drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Clash 100 v2 | Players who want a comfortable, forgiving frame | Easy to maneuver; comfortable feel for many players | Some players may want a firmer, more direct response |
| Head Speed MP (2024) | Intermediate players seeking an all-court balance | Versatile feel for baseline rallies and transitions | May not provide the extra spin response some players want |
| Yonex EZONE 100 (2022) | Players looking for a lively, powerful 100-square-inch frame | Accessible power and a generous hitting area | Added power can make control more demanding for a long, fast swing |
| Wilson Blade 100 v9 | Players who value a controlled, connected feel | Useful blend of maneuverability and feel | May feel less powerful than a more power-oriented frame |
| Babolat Pure Aero (2023) | Baseline players who use a fast swing and topspin | Designed with spin-friendly play in mind | Its lively response may take adjustment if you already hit long |
String choice and tension also affect feel and launch. A softer or looser setup may feel livelier to some players, while a firmer setup may feel more controlled—but results depend on the racket, string, and swing. If your shots are floating, change one part of your setup at a time and keep notes. A coach can also check your contact before you spend money on a new frame.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an open racket face always make the ball go long?
No. It usually sends the ball off on a higher path, but the result also depends on swing direction, spin, contact point, and target. A controlled open face is useful for shots such as slice and some low volleys.
Is an open racket face the same as an open stance?
No. An open stance refers to your foot and body position. An open racket face refers to the angle of the strings at contact. One does not require the other.
Should I change my grip to close the racket face?
Not automatically. A grip change can affect face angle, but it also changes how you swing and make contact. First check your timing and contact point. If the problem continues, ask a coach to assess your grip and stroke together.
Can a different racket fix an open face?
A racket may change the feel and power of your shots, but it cannot correct poor contact by itself. Work on face angle and swing path before choosing a frame to address a technique issue.
Final Thoughts
An open racket face is not always wrong; it is a problem when the strings tilt upward more than the shot requires. For groundstrokes, check your contact point, keep the face steady, and pair a controlled swing with a safe target. For gear, choose a racket that matches your game, but treat technique—not a new frame—as the first fix.
