How to spot a Fake Tennis Racket Online

How to Spot a Fake Tennis Racket Online (Before You Waste Your Money)

Buying tennis rackets online can save you a lot of money. Platforms like Vinted, eBay and Facebook Marketplace are full of deals that look too good to ignore.

But there’s a catch.

Fake tennis rackets are becoming more common, especially when it comes to popular high-end models. If you’re not careful, you could end up paying good money for something that performs nothing like the real thing.

The good news is that most fake rackets have clear warning signs. Once you know what to look for, they’re much easier to spot.

Here are the biggest red flags to watch out for when buying a tennis racket online.

1. The Price Is Suspiciously Low

If a racket normally sells for £260 new and someone is offering a “brand new” one for £90, alarm bells should ring.

While second-hand deals can be great, counterfeit rackets are often priced low to attract quick buyers.

A good rule of thumb:

Brand new with tags: usually 20–30% below retail

Lightly used: 30–45% below retail

Anything drastically cheaper: investigate carefully

If the price feels too good to be true, it often is.

2. Poor Quality Paint or Logos

Real rackets from major brands have extremely high manufacturing standards.

Fake rackets often have:

Slightly blurry logos

Misaligned graphics

Incorrect colours

Paint that chips unusually easily

Zoom in on listing photos and compare them with official images from the manufacturer’s website. Small differences in graphics are often the first sign of a counterfeit.

3. No Serial Number

Most genuine tennis rackets have a serial number engraved or printed on the throat (the V-shaped area above the handle).

Sellers should be happy to provide a clear photo of this.

If the listing:

Avoids showing the serial number

Has a serial number sticker instead of engraving

Refuses to provide additional photos

…it’s worth walking away.

4. The Packaging Looks Wrong

Many fake rackets try to look authentic by including packaging, but it’s often slightly off.

Look for:

Cheap plastic wrapping

Poorly printed cardboard inserts

Incorrect fonts or spelling mistakes

Missing swing tags or spec labels

Authentic rackets usually have clean, professional packaging and accurate spec labels.

5. The Seller Has Multiple “Brand New” Rackets

This is a common giveaway.

If someone is selling five or ten identical brand-new rackets, especially popular models, there’s a strong chance they’re not genuine.

Most individual sellers simply don’t have large quantities of new rackets lying around.

Check the seller’s profile and ask yourself:

Are they selling lots of identical rackets?

Do they sell only high-end models?

Are the prices unusually low?

These patterns can indicate counterfeit stock.

6. The Weight and Specs Don’t Match

Fake rackets often copy the appearance of a popular model but fail to match the actual specifications.

Common differences include:

Incorrect weight

Different balance point

Wrong grip shape

Poor string pattern alignment

If possible, ask the seller to weigh the racket. Even a small difference can reveal a fake.

7. The Listing Photos Look Suspicious

Some listings use stock photos instead of real images.

That’s a huge red flag.

Always look for:

Real photos taken by the seller

Close-ups of the frame, throat and handle

Signs of actual wear if the racket is used

If a seller refuses to send additional photos, it’s safer to avoid the purchase.

Where It’s Safest to Buy Second-Hand Rackets!?

Buying second-hand rackets can still be a great way to save money. Many players upgrade frequently, which means lightly used rackets often appear online.

Safer buying tips include:

Buying from verified sellers with strong reviews.