How to Display a Tennis Racket: Case, Placement and Protection

A racket's value rarely comes from its brand or model; it comes from the matches played with it. The first tournament, the first trophy, a gift from a coach… These rackets usually sit at the bottom of a bag or on top of a wardrobe. Moving one to the wall makes the memory visible and protects the racket at the same time. In this article we have gathered, in plain language, what to watch for when displaying a racket.

Decide first: open mount or closed case?

Hanging the racket directly on the wall is the quickest route, but it does not protect it from dust, humidity or handling. A closed display case puts the racket behind glass; the marks on the grip, strings and frame stay just as they are. If the racket will be picked up often, an open mount is the better choice; if it is a keepsake to be kept unchanged for years, a closed case is.

Why does depth matter in a case?

A tennis racket is not a flat object; the frame thickness, the grip and any vibration dampener need depth. A shallow frame presses the racket against the glass, which spoils the look and can leave marks over time. In a good case there is a gap between racket and glass, and the racket appears to float without touching the backing. That is why the case should be made after the racket has been measured.

Mounting: holding without leaving marks

Fixing a racket with glue or screws causes permanent damage. The right method is removable holders that carry the racket at the throat and grip. The racket can then be taken out of the case if wanted, with no marks left on it. When the holders are chosen in a colour that matches the backing they do not draw the eye; attention stays on the racket.

What goes next to it?

A racket holds its own, but a small addition completes the story: the match ball, a tournament pass, a wristband or a small plaque with the date and score. Restraint is needed here; more than three or four items crowds the case. The rule is simple: every piece should say something.

Light and glass

A wall in direct sunlight will fade the grip material and the printing on the racket over time. Choose a side wall rather than the wall facing the window. Anti-reflective glass makes the glazing almost invisible when viewed head-on, and UV-filtering glass slows fading. If lighting is added, choose LEDs that give off no heat and aim the light at the backing rather than at the racket.

Caring for the racket before it goes in the case

Keeping the racket as it is tends to be the right call; the signs of use are part of the memory. Still, before it goes into the case, dust it with a dry, soft cloth and wait until a damp grip has dried completely. A case closed while damp can develop odour and stains inside. If the strings have gone slack, leave them; restringing changes the racket from how it was on the day.

Correct placement on the wall

The centre of the case should be close to the eye level of someone standing. If it hangs above a sofa or console, leaving about a hand's width between furniture and case looks balanced. If several rackets are displayed, lining up cases of the same size at equal spacing looks tidier than hanging different sizes at random. On club walls, ordering by year tells visitors a story on its own.

For clubs and academies

A club's first championship racket, the founding coach's racket or a racket a player has left to the club gives the space an identity when displayed in the lobby. In series work of this kind, making the cases in the same size and with the same frame means that pieces added over the years still fit the series.

Quick summary

A case with enough depth, mounting that leaves no marks, a wall away from the sun and a restrained arrangement: that is what it takes to display a racket for years as it was on day one. If you write to us with your racket's dimensions and the wall it will hang on, we can plan the right case together.