M
odern tennis is not something anyone should get into lightly. It takes a lot of dogged determination, practice and a fair amount of skill. What kind of player are you? Do you see yourself as the dashing all-court all-round shot-making wizard like Federer? Perhaps you see yourself as more of an aggressive backhand returner like Djokovic? Whether you’re one, the other or someone completely different, proper tennis rackets will be needed.
As you’d imagine, there’s quite a wide variety of different tennis rackets out there to choose from. Some are bigger than others, yet some are lighter. Figuring out which is best for you is not always easy. However, there’s no reason for racket throwing or outrageous outbursts like John McEnroe or the newer hot-head Nick Kyrios.
Well, you can, but let’s save all that aggression for the court, shall we?
Instead of losing your cool, you come to your friends at Men’s Gear. That’s why we’re here, to help you find the best of the best. In this guide, we are going to use our forehand to slice through the choice and single out our seeded stars.
Before we look at the best tennis rackets of today, we’re going to look at a few key areas concerning these all-important tools of the tennis trade. You’ll learn all the fundamentals and be more than equipped to make a better decision about which of the 15 you should invest in.
Wait before you slip on your tennis shoes and head down to courtside with whatever racket you think is best. Let us help choose the one that is the best for you.
What Should Beginners Know About Tennis Rackets?
A tennis racket is the main piece of equipment used to hit a ball from one end of the court to the other. We’re guessing you knew that already. In the past, they were made from aluminum, fiberglass, steel, and even wood. However, modern rackets are made from graphite composite.
This is key to know, as these particular tennis rackets won’t be what people may expect. This is sort of a learning experience to figure out what really makes up a true tennis racket. Some of the greatest in history used the type of material we mentioned above.
Billy Jean King, one of the greatest women’s Tennis players ever, used those for example. Meanwhile, a guy like Roger Federer or Serena Williams will use the modern-day type. Overall, the new school tennis rackets hold up a lot better and often last a lot longer.
Sure, they break on occasion. Yet this is not a regular occurrence.
Think about it, Roger or Serena hit a ball over 100 mph numerous times during a tennis match. Yet the tennis rackets they use are incredibly durable despite this. That is saying something.
What Are The Different Parts of Tennis Rackets?
Although they may seem like one single item, tennis rackets are actually made up of 10 different parts that all have an important role to play. Each serves a purpose, with a few being less key to the overall racket as others. There are about eight things each racket brings to the table that can be critical, which is why we’re going to go over those below.
Check them out!
Head:
The head is pretty easy to know about. It’s the top of the racket that the strings are attached to. The size of the head varies from racket to racket. It also plays an integral part in the performance of the racket. Generally, a bigger head means more power.
While power a person has naturally will be a huge thing to consider too, those who cannot hit the ball incredibly hard can avoid the issue. They’ll simply get a bigger head on the racket. This could allow them to go from 60mph ball hits to 90mph.
Obviously, speed is key and the harder you hit something, the better.
Beam:
The beam is the thickness of the head, which varies for different types of rackets. This is probably the part of a tennis racket that is overlooked. This is in spite of the fact that essentially plays the biggest role in how well a tennis racket performs.
Overall, the user of any tennis racket will have the biggest say in how well the racket does.
However, some rackets are better than others simply because of critical additions. The beam is obviously a massive thing because thickness can play a role in how hard the ball is hit. It’s also critical to the durability of tennis rackets. Meaning, it won’t break often during competition.
Strings:
Very self-explanatory, without strings you’d not be able to play. Of course, strings are different with various tennis rackets too. The strings are obviously what you hit the ball with, so the better quality versions serve a bigger role than those of less quality.
Lesser quality strings may break often during play, especially if you went up against a top professional.
That said, quality strings are essential. Keep in mind what each does as well. Certain patterns will differ in tennis rackets, of course. However, the strings can be different in things like stiffness, tension retention, thickness, string texture, and rebound efficiency.
Since all can differ in these areas, you want to get one that does all relatively well. Of course, the way you play, as in your style of play, may also play a critical role in the type of strings you’d want too.
Bumper Guard:
There’s a guard at the top of the racket that protects it from any impact it makes with the ground during those tricky groundstrokes. Made from plastic, these need to be replaced regularly. This is a pretty critical thing to have in tennis rackets as protection for your tennis racket is pretty huge.
Bumper guards often help in hitting by avoiding the “shock” feeling as you go down lower with those ground shots. That said, not all will have great bumper guards. However, due to needing to be replaced regularly, you can always replace with better and better versions.
Throat:
The throat of a tennis racket starts at the top of the handle and separates into two sections. This then extends outwards to either side of the head. The center is hollow to reduce the weight of the racket, helping you swing easier. This is also the part where most of the flex comes from.
Quality throats on tennis rackets can make or break how the racket holds up in competition or even practice. If this sucks, you might as well throw it out and start all over.
Handle:
Of course, the handle of tennis rackets is self-explanatory, to say the least. It’s interesting to note that when brands want to make longer rackets to give more power and leverage, they lengthen the handle. The reason for lengthening is most likely due to the amount of power a larger racket has versus a smaller one.
Many theorize bigger is better.
This is not always the case, of course. However, in objects used to hit other objects, larger things can be more of use. If nothing more than for power alone. This is also key in leverage because the bigger handle allows you to have more of a swing with each hit.
Overall, this gives more momentum and power, which is all a leverage thing.
Grip:
This is simply the covering on the outside of the handle. As the name suggests, this aids your grip of the tennis racket. Meanwhile, it also protects your hand from the harsher surface of the handle underneath. It also provides a secure connection between the butt and handle of the racket.
Of course, proper grips give you more control. When trying to hang onto something slippery, you’ll suffer. You’ll see it slip out of your hand often. Grips come into play to ensure a proper grip, even in rainy conditions. Since grips promote control, you’ll also see accuracy improve.
Due to control having a say in how you hit something, it ultimately affects your entire game.
Types of Racket:
There are typically three different types of racket – power, control, and tweeners. Power rackets are better for beginners as they generate a lot of power. This is self-explanatory but nonetheless important to point out.
Meanwhile, control rackets are better for skilled amateurs and professionals.
This is likely due to having more overall ability to do whatever you like with these rackets. In essence, having more control over what it does. Of course, tweener types are as they sound. They fall somewhere in-between control and power and have a bit of a balance with the two.
How do you Choose a Tennis Racket?
Now that we’ve discussed racket basics, it’s time to look at how you choose a tennis racket from the selection available. We realize it’s tough to choose between them, as they all seem like they are exactly alike. They don’t look much different right? This isn’t exactly true.
That said, we have a lot to discuss below that will surely help enlighten you a bit.
This will be useful to check out before we show any of the tennis rackets to you. Mainly because you’ll understand key things you may not have realized. Check these out.
Think About Budget:
Budget is important, but there’s no need to spend a lot when you’re purchasing a racket. It can be tempting to spend out on an incredibly expensive one. However, unless you’re ATP-ranked and/or a seasoned pro, you really don’t need a flashy, all-singing and dancing racket.
You need to also be careful not to throw good money away on cheap and inferior rackets too. Some of those rackets come disguised as a bit expensive to make you think they are better than they actually are. When in fact, a cheaper version is far better.
It’s best to test out any tennis racket that interests you or even check with friends to see what they use.
Head Size:
As a beginner, you’re better opting for a racket with a large head. This will ultimately provide you with a bigger sweet spot. The sweet spot is in the middle of the strings and offers the most power and the better hit each time. It’s ideal for a beginner because you’re still developing your technique.
This means you’ll hit the ball more often than smaller heads would allow. While smaller heads might be used by professionals a lot, they’re not called pros for no reason.
Weight:
Lighter rackets are better for beginners, as it’ll enable you to swing easier and play tennis longer without tiring so quickly. Heavier rackets are harder to maneuver, as you’re still developing the necessary muscles for the game. Lightweight rackets should feel effortless to swing.
This may make you more interested in the game too.
After a while, you can always switch to a heavier tennis racket. Be sure that you’re careful not to buy a racket that’s too light, as you may develop bad habits and techniques, such as flicking the wrist. Trying the wrist thing with heavier rackets will possibly tear stuff in your wrists or even break/fracture things.
This is due to long-term use, as the flicking wrist isn’t useful for heavier rackets. They actually hinder the progress of the ball once you hit it. Don’t develop this habit and you’ll be fine. Your wrist will thank you later.
Grip Size:
The right grip size is important to the tennis racket you buy. If it’s too small, you’ll squeeze the handle too much, tire your muscles and lead to injury. If it’s too large, it’ll be harder to use and change through grip styles easily.
It needs to feel comfortable while you play with a full range of motion in your forearm and wrists.
If a grip isn’t comfortable, it means you bought the wrong racket. You can easily correct this before buying by paying attention to the type of grip you’ll think you need. Every pro differs, which is for good reason. The grips are different for everyone as it’s something unique to you as a player.
If for some reason you do not want to spend the money to buy a new tennis racket, you can always overgrip or regrip them too. Speaking of this…
How do you Grip and Regrip Tennis Rackets?
As noted earlier, the grip of a tennis racket is not just how you hold it, but the outer coating around the handle. This needs to be replaced or altered over time, as it wears away. This is normally known as a regrip. However, if you need to enhance your hold on the handle or want to try a slightly different playing style, you might need to invest in an overgrip.
What Differentiates a Regrip from an Overgrip?
There are a few differences between the two. Regrips are replacement grips that are directly applied to the handle and feature a sticky backing and provide cushioning. However, overgrips do not have any sticky backing.
While regrips are used to complete re-grip your tennis racket, overgrips are used to either provide a tacky surface for better grip or absorb sweat. One of the biggest advantages of overgrips is that they are generally a lot cheaper and therefore easier to replace more often.
They’re also available in various colors.
Why Choose a Textured Grip?
A textured grip, one with large perforations or contours, are the go-to choice for people who like something to hold in their fingers and feel the control benefits. Although they do not have as much impact on how a racket feels, they do provide more absorption and cushioning.
This can be a key addition to tennis rackets, as you’ll be using it a lot. During a given match, you’ll be swinging that sucker over one hundred times most likely. Having something to absorb some impact and cushion things a bit can be a massive help.
1) Babolat 2018 Pure Aero Tennis Racket
We decided to go big with the first item on our product with a tennis racket endorsed by the one and only King of Clay, Rafa Nadal. If he’s the man you aspire to be when you hit the court, whether it’s clay, hard, or grass – this could be a great option.
This is technically a replacement for the incredibly popular AeroPro Drive.
It comes with an improved aerodynamic beam along with much higher swing weight. There is a real sense with these tennis rackets that you could really smash the ball. You’ll do so almost like it’s nothing.
Along with this, it’s incredibly comfortable to use. This is obviously a key thing to have in tennis rackets of today. It’s able to do this thanks to the longer holes for the grommets. This enables the racket’s strings to absorb more of the vibrations.
The FSI Spin Technology used by Babolat gives the racket wider spaces between the cross strings.
This produces extra bite and improves the level of comfort due to the more comfortable and open string bed. It will help you win those baseline plays and as well as those points at the net. However, it’s your serves that will definitely benefit.
This is especially true if you are looking to drive home some easy winners or throw your opponents off with serious spin.
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2) Wilson 2018 Ultra 100 Countervail Tennis Racket
Feliciano Lopez swears by this Wilson Ultra 100 Countervail tennis racket. Known for his powerful serves and baseline plays, he is also confident with any serve, volley, or play at the net. With this, the 2nd Gen of the impressive Ultra 100, you get a whole lot of precision, spin, and power.
We’re not necessarily saying you’ll become the next Lopez, but it’ll at least get you halfway there. Intermediates will love the light feel of its 11.2-ounce weight, which will help you to easily swing it to devastate your opponent.
Martin from the Sales team better keep one eye open at all times, that’s all we’re saying.
The addition of the Countervail mentioned in the name provides it with greater comfort. This material tech helps to lighten the load on your muscles and tendons. These tennis rackets also feature Uncontaminated Design. This means it has the same simplistic design and almost-velvety paint finish that can be found in their Blade and Pro Staff lines.
This is definitely a weapon for the intermediate and advanced players. If you’re like Lopez and love a good attack from the baseline, you’ll do some real damage with these tennis rackets.
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3) Babolat Pure Strike 100 Tennis Racket
Babolat is back, this time with their Pure Strike 100 tennis racket. This racket provides a particularly nice mix of maneuverability, control, and spin. Obviously, all three are drastically important.
All intermediates will enjoy the weight in their hand and the fact it still retains the Hybrid Frame Construction. However, it features key points along the beam that have been thickened for improving its precision, stability, and power.
These tennis rackets were notably used at one point by the Austrian powerhouse Dominic Thiem, an aggressive baseliner. Interestingly, this actually provides an awesome amount of spin thanks to the FSI Power tech which sees the upper cross strings having wider spacing.
Thiem has moved onto other Babolat tennis rackets, but it doesn’t mean you have to. The Babolat Pure Strike 100 is the perfect option if you’re looking for an old-school racket feel and control combined with the modern precision, spin, and speed.
This is definitely not a racket for beginners.
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4) Yonex EZONE DR 100 Tennis Racket
The Yonex EZONE DR 100 tennis racket is tremendous. Considering the EZONE DR range has a champion in Nick Kyrios as an ambassador, you know you’re onto a winner with this weapon. The layup of the racket has been infused with the new Nanometric DR.
This is essentially premium-quality carbon graphite that enhances the racket’s ball repulsion.
Alongside two pieces of tech that Yonex faithful will be familiar with, the iconic Isometric head shape yields a more forgiving sweet spot. Meanwhile, the Oval Pressed Shaft gives extra dwell time and flex.
At the baseline, the EZONE DR 100+ will feel powerful, stable, and accurate. This will provide you with the tool necessary to hit those heavy spinners that’ll send your opponents into a spin. All you aggressive and big servers looking for free points will find the Yonex EZONE DR 100+ a dream.
However, you must be careful what you wish for. This is only for those who really can handle that power. Don’t just assume you can either, as you truly need to know first.
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5) Volkl V-Sense 8 300G Tennis Racket
Due to the combination of comfort, spin, and sheer power, the versatile V-Sense 8 series from Volkl has gained a loyal fanbase. In the middle of the new line sits the 300G stick. These tennis rackets feature the brand-new C3 material that’s a clever mixture of different materials to provide a stiffer frame.
Despite this, it still offers a lot of give when using it.
This makes it perfect for intermediate adults and strong beginners who are looking to increase their pace. To give the racket the feel of a ‘classic Volkl’, it features a much less angular construction in the beam.
Strong baseliners will enjoy how easily the racket cuts through the air to give you a nice bit of spin and speed on your shots. It’s far from a faultless tennis racket if we’re honest with you here.
However, if you’re a player on the up and looking for the precision and spin that modern play revolves around so often, yet you don’t want the weight of modern rackets, this is ideal.
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6) Head Ti.S6 Tennis Racket
It’s quite funny that because of the quality tennis rackets in our guide is so high, this is the first Head racket we’ve listed. Head has and will always be one of the top manufacturers of tennis rackets. There’s no surprise really that this is not a heavy stick.
It’s made from a Titanium and graphite composite after all.
The widebody and straight beam does feature a heavy head but is under 9-ounces. However, despite its weight, it still provides more power than the Ti.S5. It’s also more stable and easier to control than the Ti.S7 that’s now been discontinued.
This is perfect if you’re an intermediate player with a very compact or even medium stroke style that’s also looking for a bigger sweet spot. This is due to the fact that it matches the power it produces with a very open string pattern. Quick note, open-string pattern equals spins sophisticated and stunning spins.
If that’s what you’re looking for in a tennis racket, this is the right one for you.
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7) Babolat Pure Drive 2015 Tennis Racket
Annnd we’re back again with Babolat for an updated take on one of their most popular and versatile rackets, the awesome Pure Drive. Thanks to its ability to deliver a mixture of mobility, precision, and power, this is a great stick for both beginners and the seasoned pros alike.
Those reading this will see that the Pure Drive 2015 will appeal to most are those aggressive baseliners. This will give them one of the best tennis rackets for their style, and offer a lot of fun. Stand up and be counted, you know who you are!
This is sublime for those powerful spin-shots.
Also, if you’re a hot-head that looks good in pink, you may enjoy this racket a lot. No, we don’t mean the hot-headed Italian, Fabio Fognini.
Fognini has continued to play with this tennis racket for a number of years and had a reasonable run of success. With the addition of FSI Technology, the sweet spot is lifted. Meanwhile, the upper cross string spaces are tightened to give a much more responsive zone for contact.
This is a definite favorite among the Men’s Gear staffers.
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8) Prince Textreme Tour 100P Racket
The Prince Textreme Tour 100P Racket might remind you of tennis rackets formerly known as another racket. However, they are excellent and well worth the investment.
The dense 18 x 20 string pattern helps to give control to the speed you’d expect from a modern racket. This Prince Textreme Tour 100P is definitely made with intermediates, advanced players, and touring professionals in mind.
The Textreme in the name refers to the special substance used to reinforce the layup to give a nice and tasty boost of both stability and flexibility. Similarly to the Textreme Tour 95, this racket has appealing playability and awesome feel.
With such a low flex rating the string bed does not feel off-center, even when absorbing any and all impacts. It won’t let you down on the groundstrokes either. On top of this, these tennis rackets have the added bonus of feeling particularly robust, despite its weight.
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9) Babolat Boost Strike Tennis Racket
Back again with Babolat. Before anyone moans about so many Babolat rackets making the final draft, it’s with good reason that they repeatedly show up.
They get the job done and so many people use them. Rafa, Dominic Thiem, the Bryan Brothers, Fabio Fognini and Sam Querry. All big hitters, all big winners – need we say more? This Babolat Boost Strike tennis racket sounds impressive and to be perfectly honest, it delivers what it promises.
What does it promise? To be a nice first full-size racket for the juniors and beginners moving up in the world.
If you’ve been perfecting your back-hand slice or your volley shots and feel capable of taking on something a bit meatier, this is for you. For under $100, you’re actually getting a pretty sweet deal, considering the brand and their prestige.
At just 10.4-ounces, it’s very light yet it has enough strength behind it to give you the power you need. Of course, this is useful in making those winning shots, without losing the forgiveness you need when you’re still on your way up.
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10) Wilson Blade 98 16×19 Countervail Racket
The newer Blade 98 has a much sleeker and silky finish, akin to the Pro Staff series. Compared to the 18×20 model, you’ll get a lot more spin and power for your buck. This comes with all the feel and precision we’ve come to expect from the Blade range.
The Countervail, previously noted in this guide, is a new addition and helps to provide a special layer of carbon. This enhances the dampening in the layup. As noted by Wilson, this is able to reduce muscle fatigue and increase arm protection.
Another key component that makes this a beautiful beast is the parallel drilling used. This improves the string bed’s ability to transfer additional energy into the ball when it absorbs vibration.
You’ll find on your groundstrokes that this stick offers controllable power and a very smooth feel. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for those big swings you’ll be rewarded with spectacular amounts of spin and driving depth.
Even with this racket being lightweight and fast, you still have a large enough head to keep it stable and steady. This is perfect for redirecting a big serve back and dealing with heavy balls.
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11) Babolat AeroPro Team Tennis Racket
From Babolat, the AeroPro Team tennis racket occupies a nice ground between the lighter AeroPro Lite and the heavier AeroPro Drive. This has a very balanced feel that’s not too heavy or even too light. It gives you enough drive and power to hit those big shots without losing control.
This is an especially good option for doubles players, particularly if you enjoy time at the net. This is due to being very quick and responsive. For a much smoother and enjoyable feel, it has the updated version of the Active Cortex Dampening System.
This is another extremely popular model from the master crafters at Babolat. If you’re wanting to get the benefit of Babolat’s craftsmanship and technology, without paying an exceptionally high price. Perhaps you’re just looking for something that’s not too heavy or too light if so, this is a great place to look.
It’s ideal for improving beginners and intermediate players who want a good mix of control and power.
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12) Wilson Pro Staff 97 Tennis Racket
The Wilson Pro Staff 97 tennis racket is tremendous. This is perfect if you’re an intermediate or even an advanced player looking for a great deal of feel and precision from a racket.
The members of this particular racket family tend to have more flexibility in the beams than the likes of the Ultra and Burn lines. Ultimately, this gives them that classic butter-smooth responsiveness. Control has also been enhanced by having a smaller head.
The most notable thing about the Pro Staff line is the fact that Roger Federer himself helped develop it. If that isn’t enough to get you to try this one out, nothing will!
Although it only has a weight of 11.7-ounces, it’s still capable of withstanding and returning those bigger blows from heavy-hitting aggressive players. If you’re a net technician, you’ll appreciate the balance it provides as well as the maneuverability.
This is a very sophisticated racket, despite how it looks and in the wrong/right hands can be a devastating shot maker.
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13) Head YouTek Graphene Instinct MP Tennis Racket
Are you looking for the power and versatility in your game like Czech player Tomas Berdych? You should look to his go-to racket known as the Head YouTek Graphene Instinct. Thanks to its special design, you’re able to generate a lot more power.
However, the added bonus of less effort and weight will help to never hold you back. Graphene is used in the shaft which gives it a heavier bottom and tip, making the above possible.
This tennis racket is one that feels incredibly solid regardless whether you’re taking or making shots from on court. However, it delivers exceptional devastation from the baseline. If you’re an intermediate or even an advanced player and have a medium-long swing, you’ll find a lot to love with this racket.
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14) Wilson Federer Tennis Racket
Yet another Wilson tennis racket comes up to bat, but this version stands out because of something in particular. It has been made with the great Roger Federer himself in mind. Not really for him, but for players looking to emulate even just a tiny bit of his class and style.
It has a nice 11.5-ounce weight so it’s great for hitting shots with the depth and power you need to win a point from anywhere in the court. Sound like someone we know? They’ve really worked on stabilizing their sturdy frame by using their Arc Technology.
When you consider the work put into it and the tweaks, this has a very lively string bed and capable of greater control. Considering the ridiculously low price, this is an awesome deal.
While the racket is important, Roger Federer became who he is today due to practice, patience, and perseverance. A fancy racket didn’t get him there. If you’re a beginner, start with this and work towards something else. Though you’ll still need a sweet tennis racket to do all of that with.
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15) Wilson Tour Slam Lite Tennis Racket
This is another budget-priced tennis racket that will give you a good start in the game if you’re just looking to get on the court. Wilson made these tennis rackets with a reasonably large head, allowing you to generate a lot of power. However, they will also be comfortable to play with, if you’re not used to using your arms.
Really, when you’re starting out you want to see balls actually return and stay in play. It can be disheartening if anything else but that happens.
The Tour Slam Lite enables you to attack balls with exceptional momentum for a beginner and it’s also easy to control the spin and power. It also benefits from Power String Bridge technology.
It won’t turn you into Djokovic, but then we’re not sure there’s any racket that could actually do that. Sorry, dude!
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Game, Set and Match!
Tennis has definitely progressed into quite an elite sport. However, the basics of the game are perfect for just about anyone with patience, determination, and a decent level of fitness overall to get into.
Therefore, if you’re just starting in the sport, you’ll find it challenging. Yet with the right weapon in your hands, you’ll be able to start making some impressive shots. The tennis racket you choose should complement and deliver what you need for your own unique playing style.
If you haven’t developed a playing style yet, beginner rackets are best. Remember, it’s not a good idea to just get the cheapest. You want a racket with a good sweet spot, and one that’s very forgiving that’ll essentially do most of the hard work for you.
When it comes to style, the more advanced players know if they are a drop-shot volleyer or a baseline bruiser.
That said, we should seek to be like them in the beginning stages and figure out the style that suits us best. You’ll know if you have a devastating forearm or a masterful backhand smash. Know your style, and it’ll be easier to pick between amazing tennis rackets on the market.
In this guide, we found some great Babolats, Wilsons, a Head, and a few other notable rackets well worth anyone’s well-earned money
Remember the tips we’ve given about grips and what to look for in a tennis racket. Doing this will help you pulverize your enemies and bring you to victory. Of course, victories are also won by those who make the impressive shot too.
