Tennis Racket Mirror: The Backing Trick That Locks It Flat
A round mirror glued straight to racket strings will eventually sag and pop out — a rigid backing disc is the only thing that keeps it flat and secure for years.
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Old wooden tennis rackets show up at thrift stores for a couple bucks because nobody wants to actually play with them, but the oval frame is basically a ready-made mirror surround. The mistake most people make is gluing a round mirror directly onto the loose strings, which flex every time someone bumps the wall and eventually crack the glass or drop it. The fix is cutting a thin plywood or hardboard disc that sits behind the strings and gives the mirror a rigid, flat surface to adhere to — the strings become decoration, not structural support. Get that backing disc right and this becomes a genuinely sturdy, conversation-starting wall piece instead of a mirror waiting to fall.
What You'll Need
- Wooden tennis racket, thrifted, $2-5
- Round mirror, diameter slightly smaller than racket head, $8-12
- Thin plywood or hardboard scrap, for backing disc, $2 or scrap
- Mirror mastic or construction adhesive, $6
- Jigsaw or coping saw, to cut the backing disc
- Sandpaper, 150-grit, for smoothing edges
- Picture wire and screw eyes, $3
- Clear spray sealant, optional, $6
How to Build It
- Trace the inside opening of the racket head onto your plywood scrap to size the backing disc correctly.
- Cut the disc out with a jigsaw, staying just inside the traced line so it fits snugly against the frame's inner edge.
- Sand the disc edges smooth so it seats flush without gaps or splinters catching the strings.
- Test-fit the disc against the back of the strings before gluing anything, adjusting the shape as needed so it sits flat.
- Glue the backing disc to the underside of the strings using construction adhesive, applying even pressure around the perimeter.
- Let the adhesive cure fully overnight before adding any weight to the frame.
- Attach the mirror to the front of the backing disc with mirror mastic, centering it within the racket head.
- Install screw eyes and picture wire on the racket handle or frame back, then hang on a wall stud or anchor rated for the combined weight.
Pick a racket with wide, flat wooden edges rather than a slim aluminum frame — the extra surface area gives the backing disc more glue contact and makes the whole piece feel intentional instead of flimsy. If the strings are frayed or missing in spots, leave a few gaps unglued and thread thin leather cord through for a woven accent that peeks around the mirror's edge.
