Both racket and racquet are correct spellings for the strung piece of equipment used in tennis. Racket is the simpler and more widely useful choice, while racquet is an established alternative that remains common in parts of the tennis industry.
There is no difference in the equipment itself. A tennis racket and a tennis racquet are the same thing, the words are pronounced the same way, and neither spelling indicates a different size, material or level of quality.
Racket vs Racquet at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is racket correct? | Yes. It is the spelling used in the current international Rules of Tennis. |
| Is racquet correct? | Yes. Major dictionaries recognize it as a variant, and it is common in tennis publishing and retail. |
| Do the words describe different equipment? | No. They refer to the same item. |
| Is one spelling strictly American or British? | No. Both appear on both sides of the Atlantic and in international tennis. |
| Which spelling does Tennis Overload use? | Racket, for consistency and clarity. |
Is It Racket or Racquet?
The direct answer is that either spelling is acceptable. Merriam-Webster lists racquet as a variant of racket, while the Cambridge Dictionary uses racket as its main entry and also recognizes racquet.
Modern tennis organizations demonstrate the same flexibility. The current international Rules of Tennis use racket, the USTA regularly uses racquet, and ATP material contains examples of both spellings. That makes this a style choice, not a rules issue.
If you are writing a general tennis article, product description or school assignment, racket is usually the safest default. If a publication, retailer or organization has an established house style, follow that spelling consistently.
Why Do Both Spellings Exist?
The English word traces back through the French raquette. Over time, English developed both the shorter racket form and the more French-looking racquet form.
The two spellings now function as alternatives for the sports implement. Racket also has unrelated meanings, including a loud noise and an illegal scheme, but context normally makes “tennis racket” completely unambiguous.
The spelling does not reveal anything about the frame. If you want to understand how the equipment changed from wood to modern graphite constructions, The Evolution of Tennis Rackets covers the development itself rather than the terminology.
Which Spelling Is Used in Official Tennis Rules?
The 2026 international Rules of Tennis use racket. Rule 4 is titled “The Racket,” and the equipment appendix uses the same spelling.
That official usage is a strong reason to choose racket for an international audience, but it does not make racquet incorrect. Governing bodies, tours and national associations can use different editorial styles without changing the laws of the sport.
This distinction is useful when reading What Is Tennis? An Intro to the Sport or any rules guide: the spelling may change between sources, but the object and its legal function remain the same.
Is Racquet the American Spelling and Racket the British Spelling?
That rule is too simple. Racquet is highly visible in North American tennis, including USTA material, but American dictionaries also accept and often lead with racket. British dictionaries likewise recognize both forms.
| Context | Spelling you may commonly see |
|---|---|
| International Rules of Tennis | Racket |
| USTA articles and programs | Often racquet |
| ATP editorial and commercial material | Both forms appear |
| British and American dictionaries | Both forms are accepted |
| Tennis retailers and manufacturers | Depends on the brand and market |
The better conclusion is that spelling depends more on the organization, publisher or brand than on a strict national boundary.
Does the Spelling Matter When Buying a Tennis Racket?
No. Searching for “tennis racket” or “tennis racquet” leads to the same equipment category. Retailers may choose one spelling in a menu and the other in product copy, but that does not signal a technical difference.
The details that matter are head size, length, weight, balance, string pattern, grip size and intended player. Tennis Racket Size Guide: Length, Head Size and Weight explains the measurements that actually change how a frame fits and performs.
Model names should still be copied exactly. If a brand or retailer uses racquet in an official title, preserve that wording when quoting the title, even if the surrounding article uses racket.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Use racket unless you have a reason to follow another style. It is correct, concise, used in the international rules and easy to apply consistently across tennis, badminton and squash content.
Use racquet when it is part of an official name, when you are writing for a publication that prefers it, or when you are matching a retailer’s established terminology. Do not alternate between the two spellings randomly within the same article.
For Tennis Overload, the editorial choice is racket. That spelling is used throughout the Ultimate Tennis Racket Buying Guide, equipment reviews and selection guides.
Final Answer
Racket and racquet are both correct in tennis. Choose racket for a clear international default, use racquet when a house style or official name calls for it, and remember that the spelling has no effect on the equipment.
Once the terminology is settled, selection should be based on specifications and player needs rather than the word on the page. Common Tennis Racket Myths helps separate other familiar equipment claims from the factors that deserve attention.
Common Questions About Racket and Racquet
Is racquet an old-fashioned spelling?
No. It is an established modern variant and remains common in tennis organizations, stores and publications.
Is racket a misspelling when talking about tennis?
No. It is a standard dictionary spelling and the form used in the current international Rules of Tennis.
Are racketball and racquetball the same word?
No. Racquetball is the standard name of a separate sport. That fixed sport name does not determine how you must spell tennis racket.
Should an article use both spellings repeatedly?
Usually not. State the difference when it is relevant, then choose one form and use it consistently. Preserve the other spelling when it appears in an official name or a passage that must be quoted exactly.