The Best Tennis Rackets for Every Type of Player

Beginner Tennis Rackets

When it comes to choosing the right tennis racket for a beginner player, there are a few key factors to consider. The ideal beginner racket should provide easy access to power, a large and forgiving sweet spot, and a design that won’t limit the player’s development as their skills improve. Three rackets stand out as excellent options for beginner players:

Wilson Ultra 100L – This racket features a 100 square inch head size and 280-285g weight, providing a user-friendly balance of power and control. Its 16×9 string pattern and thick beam help stabilize the frame and expand the sweet spot.
Babolat Pure Drive Team – Another 100 square inch, 280-285g racket, the Pure Drive Team offers a similar blend of power, forgiveness, and potential for improvement as the player’s game develops.
Yonex Ezone 100L – Like the other two, the Ezone 100L has a 100 square inch head and 280-285g weight, making it easy to generate power while still providing control and stability.

The key for beginner players is finding a racket that will help them get the ball over the net, while also guiding them towards better technique and an eventual transition to more advanced frames. Rackets that are overly powerful or forgiving can actually hinder a beginner’s development by rewarding poor form.

Intermediate Tennis Rackets

As players progress from the beginner stage, they can start to target more specific playability characteristics in their racket. There are three main categories of intermediate-level frames to consider:

Power Rackets

For players who have enjoyed the user-friendly power of beginner rackets like the Ultra 100L, Pure Drive Team, and Ezone 100L, the natural progression is to move up to the 300g weight class. This added heft provides more stability, control, and overall performance, as long as the player has developed the strength to swing a heavier frame. Some top options include the higher-weight versions of those same models:

Wilson Ultra 100
Babolat Pure Drive
Yonex Ezone 100

Spin Rackets

As intermediate players refine their strokes and start hitting with more topspin, a spin-friendly racket can be a great complement to their game. Two excellent choices in this category are:

Babolat Pure Aero 100 – This 300g racket features Babolat’s renowned spin-enhancing technology, helping generate heavy topspin without sacrificing control.
Yonex Vcore 100 – Another 300g spin-friendly option, the Vcore 100 combines power and spin potential in a user-friendly package.

All-Around Rackets

For intermediate players who want a more well-rounded racket that can handle a variety of playing styles, the Head Speed MP is an excellent choice. At 300g, it blends power and spin characteristics, while maintaining a level of control and stability that makes it highly versatile.

The key for intermediate players is finding a racket that complements their developing style and strengths, without being so advanced that it becomes difficult to control. Staying in the 300g weight range and focusing on user-friendly features is generally the best approach.

Advanced Tennis Rackets

Once a player reaches the advanced level, they can start to tailor their racket selection to their specific playing style and preferences. Here are some of the top options for different types of advanced players:

Serve-and-Volley Rackets

While the classic serve-and-volley game has become less common in modern tennis, there are still some great racket options for players who excel at this style of play. The key features to look for are a small head size (90-95 square inches), a head-light balance, and a relatively heavy weight (around 330g) for stability at the net. Some top choices include:

Yonex Vcore 95 – This 95 square inch, 330g racket has a quick, maneuverable feel that is well-suited for serve-and-volley tactics.
Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14 – The traditional Pro Staff design, with a 97 square inch head and 315g weight, provides the classic “point-and-shoot” control that serve-and-volley players crave.
Yonex Percept 97H – At 330g, the Percept 97H offers excellent stability and precision for net play, while still maintaining a relatively quick feel.

Counterpunching Rackets

For defensive-minded players who rely on consistency and control to outlast opponents, a counterpunching racket is the way to go. These frames typically feature a tight string bed, soft flex, and thin beam for maximum control. Some top options include:

Head Prestige Pro – The classic Prestige design, with its small 98 square inch head and ultra-tight string bed, provides the ultimate in control and precision.
Wilson Blade 98 18×20 – This modern take on the control racket offers a 98 square inch head and 18×20 string pattern for consistent, high-percentage shots.
Head Gravity Pro – Combining the control of an 18×20 string bed with a more forgiving 100 square inch head size, the Gravity Pro is an excellent choice for counterpunchers.
Head Speed Pro – For counterpunchers who want a bit more power and spin potential, the Speed Pro is a great alternative to the pure control-focused options.

Aggressive Baseliner Rackets

Players who thrive on powerful, spin-heavy groundstrokes from the baseline will want a racket that excels at generating pace and topspin. The latest “modern player” frames are ideally suited for this style of play:

Yonex Ezone 98 – This 98 square inch racket blends power, spin, and control in a highly versatile package.
Babolat Pure Aero 98 – Babolat’s renowned spin technology is taken to new heights in the Pure Aero 98, making it a top choice for aggressive baseliners.
Head Extreme Tour – With its aerodynamic frame shape and open string pattern, the Extreme Tour is designed to help players generate massive amounts of topspin.

All-Court Rackets

The most versatile players are those who can excel from all areas of the court – the “all-courters.” For these players, a well-rounded racket that can handle a variety of shots and playing styles is ideal. Some excellent all-court options include:

Head Speed MP – As mentioned earlier, the Speed MP’s blend of power, spin, and control make it a great choice for players who need to cover the entire court.
Tecnifibre T-Fight 305 – This underrated frame offers impressive feel and touch for net play, while still providing the power and spin for baseline rallies.
Wilson Blade 98 16×19 – The latest iteration of the iconic Blade series delivers fantastic all-around performance, with a focus on control and maneuverability.

Ultimately, the “best” racket for an advanced player will depend on their specific strengths, weaknesses, and playing style. But the options outlined above represent some of the top choices for serve-and-volley, counterpunching, aggressive baseline, and all-court players.

Conclusion

Choosing the right tennis racket can make a significant difference in a player’s development and performance on the court. By understanding the key characteristics and target player profiles for beginner, intermediate, and advanced rackets, tennis enthusiasts can find the perfect frame to complement their game.

Whether you’re just starting out, looking to take your intermediate skills to the next level, or refining your advanced playing style, the racket recommendations in this post should provide a great starting point for your search. Remember to also check out the Rackets & Runners website and social media channels for more expert insights and product information.