What're the attributes of a good quality racket? I read an
article recently about tennis racket - it says a heavier, but
head-light racket is good. The lightest racket is only a fade,
and if it's head heavy, it would be a good cause for tennis
elbow.

Any thoughts?

for starters, what's a tennis elbow?

Tennis Pros (General) Preference

Flexible
Head Light
Heavy weight

Badminton Pros (in general and Badminton Central self-proclaimed wannabe pro's (includes myself)) Preference:

Stiff (extra stiff)
Head Heavy
Lightweight


There is also a trend in going for Long racquets more so in badminton than tennis

Why stiff? People talk about graphite shaft (at least a few years
ago, and hey, maybe I'm at least a few years off), and its flexibility
(i.e. not stiff). A flexible shaft allows you to play whippy and snappy
shots, more profound in Asian games.

hi,
i think once u reach a professional/advanced level u do not depend much on the racket for power.it comes from ur technique.an extra stiff or stiff shaft gives u more control(high tension does that too)becoz there is not much vibration in the shaft.

To me and most of the people I play with, we prefer the following:

- Even Balance
- Heavy weight ( 2U is ideal )
- Stiff - extra Stiff shaft.

This are particularly applicable to people who have been playing for substantial period of time and have a certain degree of development in their arm and wrist strength. Guess control seems a lot more critical after a while just like in tennis.

The following are personal to some people only:

- Isometric Head
- Long
- Oval shape over isometric

I really have no preference nor dislike for the above last 3 actually.