Tennis rackets having a primarily rectangular shape comprise a frame and string arrangement that creates a tennis racket with the advantages of a rectangular racket without the structure and weight of a purely rectangular racket. An embodiment has an outer frame with generally straight portions at a top and bottom of the outer frame. Lateral strings connected to these generally straight portions have generally the same length. A separate distal lateral member of the frame provides a connection component for longitudinal strings having generally the same length. The tennis racket having a primarily rectangular shape with separate distal lateral member creates a sweet spot that is much larger than conventional oval-shaped rackets, but is lighter and structurally stronger than rectangular rackets lacking these features.