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. As an intermediate to an advanced player, you should pay close attention to the type of string you choose, the tension you string your racquet, and your stringing frequency. Combined with a heightened sense of touch, it gave me the feeling that I was in control when I approached the net. Maneuverability Touch/Feel This combined with the arm friendly nature of the racket will mean that it will suit a wide range of players and . The Clash features a forgiving 100 in head size, an open 1619 string pattern, and a 24.5 mm flat beam for moderate power and plenty of access to topspin. Discussion Boards For players with flatter mechanics, a dense string pattern can help with control. 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. Control The Yonex VCORE Pro 97 is yet another fantastic control-oriented tennis racquet, which is unique in that it offers a high level of control without giving up too much power or weighing too much. However, within one racquet family, the brand also offers options for different . HEAD currently offers six different racquet lines: Prestige, Gravity, Radical, Speed, Instinct, and Extreme. 1. However, Yonex also refines its drilling of the holes for the outer main strings with its Linear Tech to widen the sweet spot and enhance string movement. At 11.2-ounces strung, it swings fast for generating higher levels of racquet head speed. Its 100 in head combined with the open 1618 string pattern allowed for plenty of grip, with the topspin coming very naturally, especially when paired with a polyester string. If you're looking for a new tennis racquet, we can help. The second type of racket is known as the Tweener Racket. Its heavier 11.8 oz weight and 6 pt HL balance result in a meaty swingweight of 327 to stand up to whatever your opponent throws at you. Innegra technology is the best technology for tennis racquets. Maneuverability VCORE - Spin. The Phantom 97P has plenty of characteristics of a classic control racquet, but it also appeals to modern players with its speedy swing and access to spin. Released in 2021, the TF-X1 is part of one of two competition-level tennis racquet lines that Tecnifibre offers, which delivers exceptional power and features designed to help minimize shock and vibration. Although its not the most spin-friendly racquet on the market, it does surprisingly well. True to its name, the Babolat Pure Aero also features Babolats Aeromodular 3 frame design, which varies the frames shape and form factor at key parts of the racquet for an aerodynamic profile that allows the racquet to swing quickly through the air. 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. These are the main reasons I loved playing with the Wilson Burn 100 v4. The heavy weight of this racquet helps generate power and increases stability on volleys and returns. The addition of SpiralFibers in the bottom portion of the frames head aims to improve the racquets feel while providing a better overall response. With a moderate weight of 11.2 ounces, this racquet comes with a 100 in head and a 1619 string pattern, allowing for excellent access to topspin. Head Graphene Touch Instinct MP - Best Spin-Friendly Head Racquet 6. You can add control to your current racquet by increasing string tension and/or selecting a firmer string. In other words, most players would pick up this racquet and enjoy the frames performance, as it scores well across the board. We hope you love this article. Head Graphene 360 Radical MP. The control was not sacrificed. I hope you enjoy the resources. Take a. Plus, its easy enough to adjust the racquet with a small bit of customization for those players needing it. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. Compare Racquets; Power; Sweet Zone Size; Plow-through; Shot Speed; Hittingweight; Racquet Contribution; Shot Trajectory; Vibration; Experiments. Normally these two characteristics are in contrast to each other in tennis. The fact that it comes pre-strung for under $100 makes this starter stick hard to beat. Rising intermediates looking for the pop of a modern players racquet minus the stiff feel should give this stick a test drive. For one of the frames most distinct changes, the Pro Staff 97 now features an update to their time-tested braided graphite and Kevlar construction, which runs throughout the frame. Heres a table highlighting some of the differences. The market of available rackets is overwhelming and choosing the best tennis racket and tennis strings is time consuming. These include power potential, sweet zone size, and vibration frequency. With the Prince Textreme Tour 100P, youll get balanced performance, but you also wont be wowed in any particular area. Some comparison among the different types of tennis rackets available may help you solidify a decision. As it had in the past, the Pure Aero features an open 1619 string pattern and FSI Spin technology. Comparators. With that in mind, the latest generation of the RF97 maintains the same specs as the prior generations because Federer hasnt changed them. Tennis Racket Comparisons, Wilson. Vibration dampening mesh remains present in the handle to help reduce vibration by 30% and, in turn, increase comfort. Considering the frames power level, its higher levels of topspin helped maintain control. I was even more delighted when I approached the net, as the racquets flexible frame helped maintain control and direct the ball where I needed. Groundstrokes Wilson Clash 100 - Best Flexible Racquet 4. Below are currently the best Wilson tennis racquets available. Order with confidence. When you choose a tennis racket, you actually have two options. 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. Advanced players will likely find the Wilson Clash 98 v2 or Clash 100 Pro v2 appealing. When you buy a tennis bat for a child, the height of the child and the size of the tennis racket are very important. Maneuverability By rounding the corners of this section of the frame, Yonex seeks to deliver ideal flex while enhancing dwell time for better control and spin. Its also a very approachable racquet for beginners, combined with its 100 in head and 11.2-ounce strung weight. The Wilson Blade 98 1820 v8 also takes advantage of parallel drilling, which is simply the process of drilling specific grommet holes parallel independent of the frames arc. The Girls team placed first in their division; the Boys team placed 10th. I enjoyed the power from the back of the court, where the racquet felt perfectly suited for trading big groundstrokes with my opponent. Energy Flow and Return Between a Tennis Ball and Stringbed, Free-standing vs Hand-held Racquet Testing. For players with flatter mechanics, a dense string pattern can help with control. VIAL has cut back on its TikTok use and is playing a wait-and-see game, she says. Join the conversation with other members of the community. With a control-oriented players racquet like the Head Gravity Pro 2021, its no surprise that youre giving up power and maneuverability. The first racquet to make the list is the Head Graphene 360 Radical MP, endorsed by players . The Isometric or square-shaped design of Yonex racquets increases the sweet spots size by 7% compared to the traditional oval shape, which is an excellent feature for a smaller 98 in head. This guide will give you an overview of my picks for the best racquets on the market, but more importantly, Ill do my best to provide you with a summary of the why behind each racquets selection and ranking. Not only is the racquet easy to maneuver, but it packs a punch up at the net, which helped me to put away my shots as I moved forward. Maneuverability Juniors Pro tip: Spin comes primarily from your racquets speed and angle at contact. The Head Speed MP has a 100 in head and 1619 string pattern consistent with past models. The Burn 100 v4 racquet also takes advantage of Wilsons parallel drilling, in which all grommet holes are drilled parallel to the frame to increase the size of the sweet spot while delivering a more forgiving feel. 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. The beam of a tennis racquet is the thickness of the racquet head. 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. To reduce the racquets stiffness from 67 to 65 compared to the prior 2019 model, Babolat added its NF technology, which incorporates flax (yes, like the plant) into the racquets handle and the upper portion of the racquets head to absorb shock for a more comfortable response. Wilson Tour Slam Lite Tennis Racket. To help you navigate this resource, Ive included links for all the racquets that Ill discuss. Its well-suited for all-court play and performs well across the board, making it an incredibly versatile racquet that instills confidence. Each series contains tennis racquets for both men, women and children. Players with elbow/shoulder issues should look at softer racquets ( 66RA) 8. The net result is an approachable tennis racquet that should appeal to a broad range of players looking for an easy-to-manage frame that provides excellent power and topspin. FortyFive enhances the frames vertical and horizontal flex to complement the modern swing path without giving up stability. This combination gave me confidence when hitting and helped me dictate points and keep my opponents on their heels. Why it's the best: Players looking for a power-loaded racquet that also puts a priority on comfort will find that elusive combination in the Clash 100. A great choice for players seeking a more powerful racquet with increase comfort. Every time you purchase or upgrade your tennis racquet, its important to ensure youre selecting the appropriate grip size. View All V-Feel Rackets Pro and Classic Volkl has some brilliant classic and pro frames to choose from. Why Is String Stiffness So Important To Power? The aerodynamic frame, mid-range weight, and head light balance make it easy to swing, helping me generate increased racquet speed and leaving me feeling like I didnt have to work as hard to produce spin. Product Range Head. Another reason the EZONE line of racquets stands out is the depth of the offering from Yonex, with over 15 models available. Like the previous generation, the EZONE 98 maintains its Oval Pressed Shaft. It offers superb control while creating a heavy spin and fast swing. Not surprisingly, the most significant tradeoff with the Yonex VCORE Pro 97 is easy-to-access power. 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. You can add more spin to your current racquet by selecting a stiffer string with a low coefficient of friction and/or increasing your reference tension (which will enable you to swing faster). and/or increasing your reference tension (which will enable you to swing faster). The latest generation of the Dunlop FX 500 pairs up a 100 in head with an open 1619 string pattern and weighs in at 11.2 ounces strung with a 4 pt head light balance that results in a highly manageable swingweight of 314. Finding the right racquet for your game is important to optimize your game, minimize risk for injury and allow yourself to enjoy the game with full spirit. We offer 100% Price Protection for 7 days on all orders. The main criterion by which Babolat racquets are divided is the racket weight: men's from 280 grams to 320 grams, women's and for juniors from 255 grams to 285 grams. Maneuverability The Girl's tournament was structured into six divisions. If youre just getting started with tennis and you like what you see, but the price feels a little steep, be sure to check out my list of the best racquets for beginners. Why it's the best: Recently updated, the VCORE PRO 97D continues to put an emphasis on precision with its dense 18x20 string pattern and 97-square-inch head size. THE BEAM. Weighing in at a reasonable 11.2-ounces strung, with a 100 in head, 1618 string pattern, and a moderate flex rating of 67, I found the Volkl V-Feel 8 Pro to be a versatile tennis racquet. 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. The frame is on the stiffer end of the spectrum with an RA or stiffness rating of 71 and a thicker 24 mm beam. Wilson Blade 98 The materials integrated into a racquets throat can dramatically impact its performance, so Yonex has introduced an updated carbon fiber called 2G-Namd Speed for optimal feel and flex for controllable power. One item Id like to address is the stability of the racquet. Overall, this racquet is an excellent option, especially for intermediate players who have struggled with arm discomfort. In particular, that control could come in handy up at the net, where I had to maintain some extra focus. Beam Width The Ezone 100has a beam width of 23.5mm / 26mm / 22mm while the Vcore 100 has a beam width of 25.3mm / 25.3mm / 22mm. Of course, the topspin potential is there, but you might need to work a little harder for it. Power Ultimately, this keeps you in the drivers seat and allows you to swing confidently and hit your spots precisely. Power . My groundstrokes were much more accurate and felt much more powerful than my old racquet. The result is more power, spin, and comfort when striking the ball. Babolat Pure Drive 2021Babolat Pure AeroYonex VCORE 100, Head Prestige Pro 2021Yonex VCORE PRO 97D. FSI Power From serves to volleys, the racquet is quick and something I appreciated on returns. Find more on our Control Racquets Gear Guide, Read our Best Comfort Racquets Gear Guide. Groundstrokes The 100 in head provides a generous sweet spot, and the lighter 11.2-ounce strung weight makes it easy to swing. Although its three points lower than its predecessor, its still high and may pose a challenge for players suffering from arm discomfort. Another thing to keep in mind is that this racquet is on the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to stiffness. For 2021, Head gives this racquet a lower flex rating for a more arm-friendly feel. Some Restrictions Apply. The Wilson Blade 1820 also delivers comfort with its unique balance of material construction, weight, and flex rating. Stay Connected. Babolat 2018 - Pure Drive Tennis Racquet. With improved maneuverability over the original Wilson Burn, I found that this upgraded version performed well on returns and had respectable stability. Its okay you dont have a racquet for comparison. However, the good news is that it doesnt give up power like other control-oriented tennis racquets. Control If youve enjoyed this article, I encourage you to bookmark it and share it with your friends, family, and teammates who might find it useful. I recommend demoing a minimum of two racquets before deciding on a racquet to buy, so you have multiple points of reference. On the flip side, this racquet won't feel quite as stable as our other top intermediate arm-friendly pick. Players looking to attack the ball with full swings will get the most out of this racquet. Without a doubt, this racquets central and enduring feature is control, resulting from a time-tested formula with unique attributes common to Pro Staff models. Why its the best: The entire Phantom line is built around a buttery feel and pinpoint accuracy. New Lower Price. Some racquets provide a crisp and clean feel (such as the Wilson Six. The frame uses square and elliptical shapes in strategic locations to offer a unique blend of control and power that is highly responsive with excellent feel and precision. Though it is a measure of power, it is much more than that. While it certainly gets the job done, it might not be the first pick for players who like to move forward and close out points quickly. As a result, its a strong performer from the baseline. Without a doubt, the Pure Aeros defining characteristic is 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. Wilson Clash 98 V2 and V1 Tennis Racquet Comparison Review RacquetGuys 1.53K subscribers 13K views 9 months ago Welcome to our Wilson Clash 98 V2 and V1 Tennis Racquet Comparison Review. It reverts to the all-black paint job, has grey and silver racing stripes, and showcases the frames braided graphite construction under a polished resin finish. In other words, I go beyond a simple list and dive deep into the attributes that make each racquet unique to bring you a practical guide that you can use as a jumping-off point for selecting a new tennis racquet. On contact, the racquet felt more stable than its predecessor and helped me generate plenty of power and topspin for a heavy ball that stayed deep in the court. Groundstrokes Slice These are the three reasons I loved the Technifibre TF-X1 300. 2. I also enjoyed the Wilson Ultra 100 v4s ability to generate topspin. Head MicroGel Radical - Best Arm Friendly Head Racquet 5. Check Price at Amazon. Why its the best: This racquet continues to evolve and impress. Ive done my best to keep my selection of tennis racquets as objective as possible, which should help point you in the right direction and narrow down a few options for further research and consideration. Some players may find the racquet lacks in the power department, but its a tradeoff youll be making for the added control the frame delivers. 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. That speed is the combined result of weight, balance, swingweight, twistweight, length, headsize, flex, beam width, string pattern everything. Comfort-oriented racquets tend to be a bit heavier, more flexible, and focus additional weight toward the handle to help absorb shock. Undoubtedly, the racquets defining features center around its ability to generate topspin. Players looking to get the most out of this frame in this category should consider a polyester string if comfort isnt an issue. Control Theyve also adjusted the shaft design just above the handle for better stability and a slight improvement in power. Well touch on those characteristics shortly in an upcoming section. Although it lacks the massive power of the first two racquets, the exceptional control will enable you to keep the ball in play no matter how big you swing (think confidence). Home > Gear > Racquets > Best Tennis Racquets 2023, Improve your game alongside our community of tennis players. Add a dose of exceptional stability, and the Pro Staff 97 is a top-notch frame for all-court play. Again, the frames 100 in head and 1619 string pattern help deliver that topspin, which I found came easily and helped me keep my opponent on their toes. These sizes are usually measured in . For many, thats perfectly suitable. Overall, like the VCORE that came before it, this model packs loads of spin and delivers a strong performance worthy of consideration with noteworthy improvements to the frames flex and comfort. Head Graphene 360 Radical MP - Best Controlled-Power Head Racquet 3. On the surface, it doesnt provide the easy-to-access pace that other racquets provide because its power derives from its weight combined with sound technique. There you have it! Topspin Babolat Pure Drive Tennis Racquet. However, theres no substitute for developing your own opinion by hitting with a racquet of interest and experiencing it first hand. 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. At 11.4 ounces and clocking in a swingweight of 327, the Pure Strike is delightfully easy to maneuver, which makes bringing the racquet back for groundstrokes effortless and transitioning to the net to hit a setup volley loads of fun.