A sports racquet extending along a longitudinal axis. The racquet includes a head portion and a handle portion. The head portion defines a string bed area. The handle portion has a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the handle portion is coupled to the head portion. The handle portion has a length and an outer surface. The handle portion includes at least two spaced apart channels. Each channel inwardly extends into the outer surface and extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis from the distal end of the handle portion and over at least a portion of the length of the handle portion. Each channel is configured for receiving at least one string and for guiding the string along at least a portion of the length of the handle portion.