The present invention relates to a direct contact racquet or “DCR.” In order to enhance the feel experienced by the player, the DCR is designed to maximize the contact between the player's hand and the ball, while still making use of a string-bed or other form of contact to provide a strike surface for the ball. In particular, a gripping surface for a player's hand is provided behind the string bed. The gripping surface may be shaped in various ways so that a player can comfortably grip it. In addition, the gripping surface may provide a clearance from the string bed when striking a ball. Therefore, the DCR places a user's hand directly behind the string bed surface used to strike the ball.