tennis racquet comparison

Although it is weighted for intermediate players, the Pure Aero transcends ability level, making it as good for the dedicated beginner as it is for the wily veteran in the market for speed and spin. Fans of the previous versions of this racquet need not worry, however. Roger Federer and Serena Williams use Wilson racquets, but they also have great racquets for juniors or beginners. The head features the companys signature Isometric square head shape, which increases the sweet spots size. However, its worth noting that a player might also associate comfort with the racquets weight relative to their strength, i.e., a racquet thats too heavy will be uncomfortable. I hope you enjoy the resources. Players who will likely enjoy Babolats Pure Strike are all-court players who like to attack the net and are looking for a well-balanced tennis racquet that performs consistently across a wide range of attributes and strokes. Maneuverability Despite its lighter weight, I found the 300 RS to perform well on returns. Compare products. Learn more. 1.10. Doing so will provide you with comfort while also helping reduce the risk of injury. With improved maneuverability over the original Wilson Burn, I found that this upgraded version performed well on returns and had respectable stability. The Girl's tournament was structured into six divisions. Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP Tennis Racquet. Full Reviews of Best Tennis Rackets for Women. The larger head size helps provide a more prominent sweet spot and increases power, while the open string pattern allows players to remain in control with plenty of topspin. To calculate the overall score for a racquet, I took the average of the 12 scores. Here are the top three reasons I love the Wilson Ultra 100 v4. The number in the tool is just the location at the center of the stringbed. 2. With a 100 in head and tighter 1618 string pattern, youd expect topspin to be a highlight, and its solid. From the head size and stiffness to the frames thicker beam, I expected the Dunlop FX 500 to generate high power levels, and it doesnt disappoint. While I felt the frame was a tad stiff at times, the biggest drawback I think players will find with this racquet is that it doesnt wow in any one area which at the same time is the racquets strength. The frame delivered plenty of power along with its 98 in head, while its 1619 string pattern helped produce fantastic spin. For the fourth straight year, the Head Graphene 360 Instinct MP, previously endorsed by Maria Sharapova and Tomas Berdych, remains a solid option for intermediate to advanced players. In a nutshell, it tells you the percent of the combined collision speed of the ball and racquet that remains after the ball leaves the strings. HEAD Speed MP Tennis Racquet 8.90. Along with essential tips, background info on my rating process, and related resources, Ill equip you with everything you need to choose a racquet confidently, regardless of age or experience. The Extreme Pros 100 in head combines its 1619 string pattern and Spin Grommet technology in the mains and Sound Grommets in the crosses to enhance string movement and increase snapback. The result is a lower 62 stiffness rating, which offers excellent comfort, especially compared to the prior model. The Yonex VCORE Pro 97 also features a unique blend of carbon graphite and an elastic material dubbed Black Micro Core at 10 and 2 oclock to improve stability when the ball contacts the upper portion of the racquets head. Combine those features with Babolats Woofer Technology, a 100 in head size, and lower flex, and you get power on top of topspin an excellent combination for the modern baseline game. At 11.1 ounces, it feels solid, but with its 4-point head light balance, it swings effortlessly. Yonex EZONE - Best All-Court Tennis Racquet 7. My list of the 24 best tennis racquets for 2023 updated from my reviews in 2022. Today famous players that use HEAD tennis racquets include Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Matteo Berrettini, and Alexander Zverev on the men's side and Ash Barty, Maria Sharapova and Sloane Stephens in the women's game to name a few. Once you identify the style of play you prefer, you can look for racquets that perform well in the areas that matter most. Relaunched in September 2020, the Babolat Pure Drive 2021 doesnt veer too far from the prior generation with a handful of iterative tweaks that remain true to this ever-popular frame. Orders over $50 will ship for free! Returns I enjoyed the power of this frame most at the baseline. To maximize spin and control try the Blade 98 with your favorite co-poly string. As a result, its a fast swinging racquet, a crucial attribute for players looking to enhance topspin. Babolat 2018 Pure Drive Team Tennis Racquet $199 10% OFF $179. And the grommets, bumper guard, and end cap are plant-based plastics to reduce the companys environmental impact. For comfort and power this stick pairs well with a multifilament or natural gut string. While the Wilson Blade offers a respectable level of power, some players may find it a bit more challenging to access higher levels of topspin with its tighter 1820 string pattern. Generic Racket Cover WILSON WRC701300. Head Graphene Touch Instinct MP - Best Spin-Friendly Head Racquet 6. The 100sq inch rackets do feel like huge monsters in comparison, but similar to others on here, I picked them up in the store and all seemed nice enough and swung well. Why its the best: This racquet continues to evolve and impress. First and foremost, I love the Pure Drives ability to help generate power without breaking a sweat. The racquet is solid off the ground and gave me the confidence to swing through the ball and hit my spots. Groundstrokes Here are the racquets you should be looking at across the most important categories. Like its predecessor, if you could sum up the revised Prince Textreme Tour 100P in one word, it would be balance. Across the board, the racquet delivers excellent performance for players seeking a well-rounded racquet that will be reliable from all areas of the court. The limitations of Babolat Play With all the benefits and ingenious features that Babolat Play brings, it's surprising why we don't see only tennis racquets with integrated sensors at every . You can find all of our product reviews here. The Yonex EZONE 98 is a fun and effortless racquet to hit with from the back of the court. Finally, the VCORE Pro 97 features a lock booster system that tightens the grommet spacing toward the upper part of the racquets head and grooves within the grommets channel to help secure the string and increase control. Groundstrokes Many brands, online retailers, tennis clubs, and racquet shops offer demo programs, and it pays to take advantage of them. However, Tecnifibre complements these with Dynacore HD for a softer feel while maintaining a powerful response, and its Xtreme Touch Construction (XTC) helps improve feel and stability. This experience comes from the fact that the racket 16 x 19 is more spacious, which enhances the ability to catch the ball. On the one hand, you can choose a racket that mainly offers you good control. Returns This comparison must respect some total ordering, meaning that for any two values x and y: If x is less than y, then y must be greater than x. Theres a lot to love about the Babolat Pure Drive, as its been one of my favorites for years, but here are my top three reasons. Its 11.4 oz strung weight and 98 in head size make it a very approachable tennis racquet. Although its three points lower than its predecessor, its still high and may pose a challenge for players suffering from arm discomfort. The Volkl V-Feel 8 Pro continues to use Volkls super grommet system, which allows its cross-strings to move freely to help generate power. We gather from our playtesters' firsthand experiences reviewing and playing with all the tennis gear. Its the same technology theyve slowly introduced to other lines, including the Wilson Blade, after its initial introduction to the Wilson Clash. Why its the best: Coming with strings installed, the Head Ti.S6 comes ready to play. This Gravity Pro balances comfort, control and feel, making it a great choice for players looking for a modern classic. Simultaneously, the 3D vector shaft (from the handle through the racquets throat) uses deep grooves to reduce the frames twisting and increase stability. However, skipping those steps is a recipe for disappointment. Last but not least, even though the racquet weighs in at 11.5 ounces, its 7 point head light balance allows players to generate plenty of racquet head speed necessary to produce topspin on their shots. Discussion Boards The sweet zone quoted in the table is for the area of 30 percent. Compare NEW Babolat 2021 Pure Drive Tennis Racquet $249 29 reviews Compare NEW Babolat 2021 Pure Drive Tour Tennis Racquet $259 6 reviews Compare NEW Babolat 2021 Pure Drive Plus Tennis Racquet $249 3 reviews Compare Head MicroGel Radical - Best Arm Friendly Head Racquet 5. I wont go into great detail here on each of these, but you can check out my article on the different types of tennis shots to learn more. Control and feel racquets offer good feedback, providing the player with an instant gauge of depth and placement. If you are looking for a tennis racket that is arm friendly then check out our article on the best tennis rackets for tennis elbow. As a fast-swinging frame with a 1619 string pattern, this tennis racquet allowed me to produce loads of topspin with plenty of power. Heres a look at the Pure Strikes top three attributes based on how the racquet scored in my evaluation. Based on how the Yonex EZONE 98 scored in my evaluation, heres a recap of its top attributes. Power Control One of my favorite places to hit with Rogers Pro Staff was up at the net. Heres a list for quick reference: The Head Speed MP 2022 is the latest evolution of a popular racquet from Head, endorsed by players on the ATP and WTA tour, including Jannik Sinner, Bianca Andreescu, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and many more. Pro Staff models have always maintained a terrific sense of maneuverability even with their heavier weight, which comes through their head light balance. Comfort Power potential, on the other hand, measures the performance result of ALL properties acting simultaneously as they contribute to the rebound of the ball. While there is more than enough pop to this frame, youll still rely on your technique and racquet acceleration to generate maximum power. Maneuverability The Wilson Blades slightly smaller 98 square inch head size, tighter 1820 string pattern, stable 11.4-ounce weight, and low 60 stiffness rating combine to deliver solid control from all areas of the court. Wilson is one of the most popular brands for tennis racquets and other tennis gearin the world. So you have to find the swingweight that optimizes inherent racquet power and swing speed to produce the shots you want. I felt the Phantom 100X 305 improves quite a bit from its predecessor at the net. Topspin All in all, the Head Speed MP 2022 is a fast-swinging and easy-to-maneuver frame that allows for aggressive play with plenty of topspin from the back of the court. Why it's the best: Built with a thin beam and low flex, the Head Gravity Pro offers outstanding feel. Check Price at Amazon. However, this model enhances things further with their Anti-Torque System, which combines Texteme with the aramid Twaron to deliver added power without sacrificing stability. Multi-function racket packageIf you're thinking about taking up tennis, or you're already hitting aces - having a racket backpack is a must. Babolats FSI technology combines its time-tested woofer system that increases power and the sweet spots size by allowing the strings to work together, while a tighter string pattern within the sweet spot aids in control. We noted a slight uptick in power, but the same outstanding feel remains. Just so you know, TennisCompanion may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page to help keep this site running. The beam got just 1 mm wider, which translated into a small bump in put-away power. The first two rackets in the range are the Shift 99 300g and the Shift 99 315g, with both rackets having similar specs to the old Steam 99 tennis rackets. Wilson '13 Four BLX Tennis Racquet. Top 10 Best Tennis Racquet For Intermediate Of 2022 - Latest Review. All in all, the Gravity Pro is a fantastic racquet that will please a specific crowd of players with the strength and confidence to wield it. Further complemented by its 98 in head and 1619 string pattern, the racquet offers great topspin and control. The level of the tennis player determines the material, head size and weight of the tennis racket. From the baseline, the Phantom 100X 305 provided respectable control with the ability to generate plenty of topspin that allowed me to dictate points with accuracy. Selecting the right tennis racquet can dramatically influence your success and progression as a tennis player. Why its the best: Updated in late 2021, the Blade 98 16x19 continues to impress. I also found the racquet delivered great topspin, and there are a few factors at work to that end. The frame felt easy to maneuver, and I didnt have to work too hard to generate pace. Like many other Head tennis racquets, the Instinct MP integrates Graphene 360 technology, which helps reduce weight within the racquets shaft while boosting its power and stability through the materials used in the racquets head at 3, 6, and 12 oclock. Conclusion. You have not added any racquets to compare. The Sweet Zone Tool graphically displays the regions of the stringbed on each racquet with power potential that is greater than or equal to 20, 30 and 40 percent. Similarly, I found the Warrior Textreme to work well hitting returns, where the 6 point head light balance allowed me to quickly and easily maneuver the racquet. $97.47 Regular price $149.95 On Sale. Blade Feel 103 Tennis Racket WILSON WR083310U2. Compare. Overall, the VCORE 98 is a well-rounded tennis racquet, so it was a little more challenging to find something I felt I was giving up. If I were to miss, it was typically long, but luckily the topspin I could generate helped me strike a balance where this wasnt a significant issue as I played more with the racquet. Exclusive Offers Sent Right to Your Inbox. Players looking to hit spin-loaded balls that drop hard and explode off the court will love how fast this stick whips through contact. As with most control-oriented racquets, the VCORE Pro consists of features that first and foremost support accuracy and precision. Touch This year, Im swapping out the Volkl V-Feel 8 with the V-Feel 8 Pro, a fun tennis racquet that offers a surprising blend of power, spin, maneuverability, and comfort. Over the years, precision and control have remained a defining characteristic of the Pro Staff family of racquets, and the Pro Staff 97 v13 is no exception. Despite the frame delivering plenty of topspin, it lacks in this department but will work well for players that prefer to flatten the ball out. Although there are general guidelines for grip sizes, factors like the shape or feel of a racquets butt cap will vary to some degree. In particular, the racquets heavier weight can make it tricky for some players to manage, and it doesnt offer easy access to power. Topspin With all that power, the good news is that the Babolat Pure Drive also provides excellent access to topspin to help control your shots and keep the ball in the court. Finally, the Pure Drive takes its Pure Feel technology, a thin layer of rubber within the graphite, a step further by increasing its coverage within the shaft to improve its feel. Even with its lower 11.5-ounce weight, the VCORE Pro 97 delivered excellent feel off the ground and played well up at the net, where volleys felt crisp and under control. With its 11.5-ounce weight, mid-range stiffness rating of 66, and head light balance that keeps the weight in the handle, the Textreme Tour 100P did a great job at absorbing the shock and vibrations that come with each shot and provided great comfort. Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 - Best Tweener Racquet 6. Its well-suited for all-court play and performs well across the board, making it an incredibly versatile racquet that instills confidence. New to the 3rd generation of this racquet is a thin rubber material applied to the frame at three and nine oclock to give the racquet a softer, more dampened feel. Some racquets provide a crisp and clean feel (such as the Wilson Six. As you might expect, the Dunlop FX 500 is also highly maneuverable. The frames design allows the strings to move freely so that they can work together for a more generous sweet spot, additional power, and less shock. When you buy a tennis bat for a child, the height of the child and the size of the tennis racket are very important. For the most part, the Yonex EZONE 98s balanced performance left me satisfied. I enjoy hitting with this updated frame that feels less harsh than the last model. Dit stelt je in staat om veel kracht aan je spel toe te voegen. The 100 in head, combined with the open 1618 string pattern, gave me plenty of bite and allowed me to generate more topspin on my shots without having to work too hard. With tennis great Rafael Nadal collaborating on the Pure Aero series, this racquet delivers as an incredibly user-friendly, ultra-lightweight racquet with some added spin. For power, the racquet uses a 100 in head size and a unique frame geometry with a rounder head, grooves within the bumper, and specially reinforced sections called Isoflex. The Head Prestige Tour 2021 is my favorite within the Prestige line because it balances the classic feel I love with small refinements to suit the modern game better while appealing to a broader audience. Overall, the Burn 100 v4 is a well-balanced tennis racquet that produces excellent topspin and fantastic performance off the baseline and with returns. With that in mind, control-oriented racquets often have thinner beams, less stiff frames, smaller head sizes, and tighter string patterns. Feel Product Range Head. Dunlop Sports Nitro Adult Tennis Racket, 27" Length. Comparison Table of Top Class Tennis Racket for Slice. The latest model matches the prior models weight at 11.5 ounces and has a near-identical swingweight of 324. Comfort Babolat Pure Strike - Best Overall 2. The result helps enhance the racquets power, control, and feel. $309.99 . However, it did receive an updated cosmetic. Next up, the racquet features Volkls VSENSOR handle, which contains REVA, a dense rubber-like material thats EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) combined with a compound and resin that significantly reduces vibrations and improves feel. However, players who prefer to hit with lots of spin will likely be right at home with it. As a result, its a strong performer from the baseline. HEAD currently offers six different racquet lines: Prestige, Gravity, Radical, Speed, Instinct, and Extreme. Helpful Tip 16L/1.28mm: Medium gauge found in Luxilon strings; best for competitive players looking for . Also, its comfort wasnt up to par with some of my past V-Feel favorites, but overall, its a well-rounded tennis racquet. This version of the Burn features Wilsons rigid Carbon Fiber Graphite and a thicker variable-width beam for a crisp and responsive feel with plenty of power. Here are a few of the top reasons the Head Radical MP 2021 made my list this year. Some Restrictions Apply. Spin I could compensate with extra topspin to a degree, but its worth noting if considering this racquet. However, the Pure Stike is unique because it maintains its high marks up at the net with volleys. Wilson claims up to a 27% increase in the sweet spot by taking this approach, which is a welcome addition to the frame, considering its smaller head size. The frame swings easily and offers moderate power that relies on the players skill and technique, an ideal setup for an intermediate to advanced player. Touch, or feel, is a bit nuanced and frequently tied to a sense of control and connectedness, especially when hitting volleys and finesse shots like drop shots. Furthermore, you can compare the specs of your existing racquet to the new racquet youre considering. Whether I was hitting groundstrokes, returns, or volleys, I felt like I could hit my spots with confidence. No matter where you are on the court, the Head Radical MP 2021 moves easily to ensure your racquet is in position. All in all, its a well-rounded tennis racquet that stands to be an excellent fit for intermediate players looking to make a move to a frame that offers speed, control, and playability without completely sacrificing power. Volleys Easy-to-maneuver racquets tend to feel light in your hand and make it easy to change the racquet heads direction. Digital, tabletop and floorstand stringing machines for stringers of all levels & price points. As weve stated in the past, the Pure Strikes defining feature and what sets it apart from many other racquets is its broad appeal to a wide range of styles and levels of play. The first on the list is Wilson Blade 98 1619 v7 and Head Radical MP 2021 . Here are the three racquets you should be looking at. The heavy weight of this racquet helps generate power and increases stability on volleys and returns. Maneuverability When it came to playing with the Warrior Textreme, power came easily through a combination of attributes blended by Prince. With its 100-square-inch head, the racquet has an ample sweetspot, while its rounder shape allows a bit more access to spin than some other 18x20 string patterns. Although minor, Im enjoying the changes they made, and it continues to win me over with its versatility, broad appeal, and exceptional performance from all areas of the court. With its 100 in head, the Phantom provides ample surface area to make a clean connection with the ball and avoid mishits while also featuring an open 1618 string pattern that provides access to generating topspin without working too hard. Plus, its easy enough to adjust the racquet with a small bit of customization for those players needing it. All in all, with a slant toward intermediate to advanced players, I feel Prince has done a great job continuing to evolve the Phantom, which maintains its spot on my list of the best racquets. The Clash 98 v2 is an excellent tennis racquet for intermediate and advanced players. To that end, Ive created dedicated reviews for many of the racquets already, and Im diligently working on releasing new articles all the time. The width of the top: 9.5". The 100 in head, open 1618 string pattern, and a slightly higher flex rating of 66 combine to produce plenty of pop and more than enough grip to enhance your topspin. Of course, its okay if the racquet you end up with is the same as the one your favorite player endorses after doing your homework. Tennis racquets typically fall into four categories or types of racquets: Each type of racquet has its pros and cons but seeks to provide specific players with unique qualities to maximize their success on the court. In stock. Without a doubt, my favorite area of the court to play with the Prince Warrior Textreme 100 was from the baseline, where the racquet delivered power and spin. Head Titanium Ti.S6 Why it's the best: Coming with strings installed, the Head Ti.S6 comes ready to play. Your email address will not be published. In the final analysis, however, the property that is most specific to choosing a racquet is swingweight. Helpful Tip Players often associate comfort with the shock sent to their arm when striking the ball or the vibration they feel after hitting the ball. 1 review. Of course, coming from Yonex, this racquet doesnt skimp on unique technologies to deliver an excellent hitting experience. Volleys HEAD Speed Kids Tennis Racquet - Beginners Pre-Strung Head Light Balance Jr Racket - 23 Inch, Yellow. For example, player B might look for a racquet that offers a smaller head size for optimal control and precision and a bit of extra weight for stability. All in all, the Prince Textreme Tour 100P remains an approachable tennis racquet thats perfect for players seeking all court performance. Page. If youre in the market for a new racquet, I always recommend you first take some time to consider what you like and dislike about your current racquet, as it will likely be your main point of comparison.