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20+ Best Tennis Racquets 2021 | Intermediate & Advanced Guide

The Best Tennis Racquets for 2021

Find the perfect tennis racquet

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Are you on the hunt for the best tennis racquet? Look no further.

We have hand-selected the most complete and thorough list of the 25 best tennis racquets for 2021, organized with all the essential details you need to select the perfect frame for yourself or as a generous gift. This year, our list is better than ever!

If you’re like us, you probably can’t wait for the good stuff, so here’s a snapshot of the top tennis racquets that made our list. Click here to jump straight to our pick for the best overall tennis racquet.

RankRacquetRating
#1Babolat Pure Strike 16×198.88
#2Head Graphene 360+ Speed PMP8.75
#3Babolat Pure Aero 20198.73
#4Wilson Pro Staff 97 v138.68
#5Head Graphene 360+ Gravity Pro8.55
#6Yonex EZONE 988.54
#7Babolat Pure Drive 20218.54
#8Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Autograph8.54
#9Wilson Clash 1008.53
#10Yonex VCORE Pro 97 3108.51
View All 25 Racquets

Article Contents

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1

Racquet Index

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2

Who This Guide Is For

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3

What You’ll Get From It

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4

Tips for Using This Guide

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5

Intermediate vs Advanced

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6

How We Selected Racquets

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7

Noteworthy 2020 Updates

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8

The Best Racquet for 2021

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9

Wrapping Things Up

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Racquet Index

To jump to a specific racquet and learn more about why it made our list of the best tennis racquets, click any of the following links:

  1. Babolat Pure Strike 3rd Gen
  2. Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP
  3. Babolat Pure Aero 2019
  4. Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13
  5. Head Gravity Pro 2021
  6. Yonex EZONE 98
  7. Babolat Pure Drive 2021
  8. Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Autograph
  9. Wilson Clash 100
  10. Yonex VCORE Pro 97 310
  11. Wilson Blade 98 18×20
  12. Prince Phantom 100X 305
  13. Yonex VCORE 98 2021
  14. Prince Textreme Tour 100P
  15. Wilson Burn 100 v4
  16. Volkl V-Feel 8 Pro
  17. Prince Warrior Textreme 100
  18. Tecnifibre TFlash CES 300
  19. Head Graphene 360+ Extreme MP
  20. Tecnifibre TFight 300 RS
  21. HEAD Graphene 360+ Instinct MP
  22. Wilson Ultra 100 v3
  23. Head Radical MP 2021
  24. Dunlop FX 500
  25. Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Pro

Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!

Who Will Find This Tennis Racquet Guide Useful?

We created this guide for a broad range of player ages and levels. However, we have focused our energy on full-size tennis racquets that are at least 27-inches in length.

Recognizing this, if you’re a parent looking for a kids’ racquet (typically geared toward children ages ten and under), then we’d encourage you to jump over to our guide for kids tennis racquets.

Furthermore, if you’re brand new to the sport, you may want to check out our racquet guide for beginners. There’s still plenty for you to learn in this guide as well, but that will likely be an ideal starting point.

What You Should Get Out of This Guide

By the time you’ve completed reading this guide, you should have a solid grasp of our picks for the best tennis racquets on the market. More importantly, you’ll gain a clear understanding of the “why” behind each racquet’s ranking.

In other words, we’ve gone beyond a simple list of the best tennis racquets. We’ve taken things a step further to go deep into the attributes that make each racquet unique to bring you a genuinely useful guide that you can use as a jumping-off point for selecting a new tennis racquet.

Last but not least, you should feel confident in the quality of the racquets selected. At TennisCompanion, we have a lot of direct experience reviewing racquets, and we’re well equipped to provide recommendations, having playtested every racquet on the list.

Tips for using our guide

Hopefully, you find this list easy to use and navigate. As you review each tennis racquet, here are a few things to keep in mind.

For some more advice, in addition to what we share below, you may want to check out our guide on how to choose a tennis racquet.

Your Age, Experience Level, Technique, and Strength

Tennis racquets typically fall into four categories or types of racquets: power, control, tweener, and modern player’s frames.

Each type of racquet comes with pros and cons, with the primary goal of helping provide specific types of players with unique qualities that will maximize their success on the court.

Your Style of Play

A player’s style (or the style they’d like to develop) can influence the type of racquet a player purchases. Consider the following:

A scrappy baseliner who hits with a ton of topspin and runs down every single ball
A serve-and-volleyer who hits a big serve and follows their shots into the net to close out the point quickly

As you can imagine, the tennis racquet that will work well for each of these styles will likely differ, with each looking for specific characteristics that will align with their game and help them perform their best.

The good news is that we can evaluate each racquet across a consistent set of attributes for easier comparison to help you select the frame that best suits your preferred style. Of course, some will deliver better results in certain areas. For example, a racquet that scores high on power might not provide the best control.

However, knowing the style of play that you have or you’d like to develop will help you narrow down the racquet that will work well for your game.

Helpful Tip
If you haven’t developed a specific style or preference, then that’s fine too. It’s not a requirement to select a racquet but can be a practical consideration when sifting through the options.

Your Current Racquet

If you’re in the market for a new racquet, I always recommend you first take some time to clarify what you like and dislike about your current racquet, as it will likely be your main point of comparison.

With that in mind, I’d encourage you to jot down what’s working and what’s not working with your current racquet so you can use that information to help scout your next frame. For example, if you’re looking for more control and better feel, then you can use that data point to help guide your decision-making.

Furthermore, you can compare the specs of your existing racquet to the new racquet your considering. We’d encourage you to avoid getting too hung up on specs because what matters most is the feel, but they can serve as a useful point of context to narrow your options.

Your Opinion

While we’ve done the hard work to help narrow down the best tennis racquets, it’s important to use this article as a guide.

In other words, let it help point you in the right direction, but make sure to keep in mind the above tips and do your best to avoid being swayed by what other players are using – including the pros.

What’s the best way to develop a strong opinion? It’s simple. Demo a racquet before you buy it. I recommend demoing at least two racquets before deciding, so you have at least two new points of reference.

Many brands, online retailers, tennis clubs, and racquet shops offer demo programs, and it pays to take advantage of them. Often what you spend to demo is applied to your purchase if you end up buying with them.

Don’t Forget About the Strings

Your experience level will influence how much weight you should put into selecting tennis strings. Still, it’s important to note that the type of strings you choose and the tension you string your racquet can significantly impact your racquet’s performance.

Here are a few resources we’ve built to help you find the perfect set of tennis strings to go along with your new racquet.

Similar to finding a new racquet, experimentation is crucial to finding the right strings. However, these guides should help make selecting a set of strings you’ll love more straightforward.

Selecting the Best Grip Size

When you purchase a new tennis racquet, it’s important to choose the appropriate grip size. Doing so will provide you with comfort while also helping reduce the risk of injury.

To help make selecting the best grip size for your racquet easy, we have a handy article that will walk you through exactly how to choose the perfect grip size. Check it out to learn more.

Intermediate vs. Advanced Racquets

A common question we get is, what’s the difference between intermediate and advanced racquets? The truth is, there is a crossover, and many racquets work well for both levels of play.

With that said, when comparing the two, advanced racquets will typically have the following attributes:

  • Heavier weight
  • Smaller head size
  • Tighter string pattern
  • Thinner beam

The good news is that every racquet on our list is an excellent option for intermediate and advanced players.

Furthermore, most of the racquets we recommend in this guide come in multiple versions with adjustments to some of these variables.

When applicable, we list the various models for each racquet, so we’d encourage you to explore those if the racquet on our list doesn’t seem to align perfectly with your specific needs.

How We Selected the Best Tennis Racquets for 2021

In our attempt to provide an objective selection of the top 25 tennis racquets on the market, we’ve evaluated each racquet across a consistent set of six attributes and six strokes.

We played with each racquet and then rated its performance on a scale of 1-10 for each attribute and stroke. To calculate the overall score for a racquet, we took the average of the 12 scores.

Attributes

The following are six common attributes used to evaluate each tennis racquets’ performance, which we have used for our list.

Power

Great players can hit hard and generate power through proper technique regardless of the racquet you put in their hands. However, some racquets make generating pace significantly easier.

Powerful racquets tend to have larger head sizes, stiffer frames, and sometimes are longer and referred to as extended length.

Control

Typically, the more experienced a player becomes, the more control they’ll seek from their racquet because placement and directing the ball exactly where they want it to go becomes increasingly important.

Furthermore, a more experienced player will have developed the technique and skill required to generate their own pace. With that in mind, control-oriented racquets often have thinner beams, less stiff frames, smaller head sizes, and tighter string patterns.

Comfort

Players often associate comfort with the shock sent to their arm when striking the ball or the vibration they feel after hitting the ball.

However, a player also might associate comfort with the weight of the racquet relative to their strength.

Comfort-oriented racquets tend to be a bit heavier, more flexible, and focus additional weight toward the handle to help absorb shock.

Touch/Feel

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. Racquets that provide enhanced touch tend to be heavier, with smaller head sizes, and use more flexible frames.

Maneuverability

Easy-to-maneuver racquets tend to feel light in your hand and make it easy to change the racquet head’s direction.

This feeling often results from the racquet’s overall weight combined with the frame’s distribution of weight or balance, usually “head light” and denoted as HL. In other words, a more significant portion of the racquet’s weight falls lower on the racquet toward the handle.

Stability

Stable tennis racquets remain steady when striking a ball and help instill a positive sense of consistency and accuracy. Often, stable racquets are a bit heavier, have smaller heads, and less stiff frames.

Tennis Shots

The following are the tennis shots we used to evaluate each tennis racquet. We won’t go into great detail here on each of these, but you can check out our article on the different types of tennis shots to learn more.

  • Serves
  • Volleys
  • Returns
  • Groundstrokes
  • Topspin
  • Slice

Hopefully, you now have a good sense of how we’ve evaluated our selection of the top 25 tennis racquets. Let’s start by reviewing a few quick highlights from the past year as we roll into 2021.

Noteworthy 2020 Racquet Updates

As we look forward to the new year, we like to take a quick look back at some of the noteworthy racquet releases and highlights from 2020.

  • Wilson relaunched their iconic Pro Staff line for its 13th generation
  • Yonex unveiled a new EZONE line of tennis racquets (a refresh of the VCORE line will release January 15, 2021)
  • Babolat released their 2021 Pure Drive
  • Head introduced updates to their Prestige and Extreme lines
  • Tecnifibre updated its TFight family of racquets
  • Prince hit us with a few throwback frames like the Original Graphite and released a few new Phantom models

Stay tuned – we’ll have updates for you throughout the year. For now, let’s jump into reviewing our pick for the best tennis racquet in 2021.

What’s the Best Tennis Racquet for 2021?

In 2021, and for the fifth year in a row, we’re naming the Babolat Pure Strike 16×19 the best overall tennis racquet despite some notable new frame releases and more than 300 total on the market today.

Babolat Pure Strike 16×19

Babolat Pure Strike 16x19 3rd Gen

In 2017, there were a few key reasons that the Pure Strike won us over to earn our badge as the best tennis racquet, and that logic remains consistent in 2021 with Babolat’s 3rd generation of this racquet.

As we’ve stated in the past, the Pure Strike’s defining feature and what sets it apart from many other racquets on our list is its broad appeal to a wide range of styles and levels of play. With its 11.4 oz strung weight and 98 in² head size, it’s a very approachable tennis racquet.

In other words, we feel the vast majority of players would pick up this racquet and enjoy the frame’s performance, as it scores well across the board. You could just as easily flip that statement and say that this racquet is unlikely to offend anyone, either.

Players who will likely enjoy Babolat’s 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.

Babolat Pure Strike 16x19Technologies

Babolat’s Pure Strike makes use of a few key technologies.

Woofer
The frame’s design allows the strings to move freely so that they can work together for a more generous sweet spot, additional power, and less shock.

Hybrid Frame Construction
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.

FSI Power
Babolat Pure Strike also uses the company’s FSI Power technology, which increases the spacing between the cross strings. The result is more power, spin, and comfort when striking the ball.

C2 Pure Feel
New to the 3rd generation of this racquet is a thin rubber material applied to the frame at three and nine o’clock to give the racquet a softer, more dampened feel.

Why We Love It

Here’s a look at the Pure Strike’s top three attributes based on how the racquet scored in our evaluation.

Maneuverability
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.

Groundstrokes
Off the ground, the Pure Strike is a delight. Along with its 98 in² head, the frame delivered plenty of power, while its 16×19 string pattern helped produce fantastic spin. Simultaneously, everything felt under control, supported by a slightly more flexible frame than some of the other racquets in the Babolat family.

Returns
With a strong rating on groundstrokes, it should come as no surprise that this highly maneuverable racquet delivered fantastic performance when hitting returns where you need to react quickly and pull back your racquet fast.

Of course, what makes the Pure Stike unique is that it maintains its high marks up at the net with volleys.

Tradeoffs

Overall, the Babolat Pure Strike left us feeling pleased across the board. However, it may leave some players longing for a bit more in specific areas of performance. In particular, baseline players who hit with heavy topspin may prefer more pop.

However, the slightly lower power delivered by the Pure Strike is offset by the precision, control, and touch that it offers to ensure it performs consistently, no matter where you’re playing on the court.

Babolat Pure Strike 16×19 Specs

Head Size98 in² / 632.26 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance4 points HL
Weight (strung)11.4 oz / 323 g
Swingweight327
Stiffness66
Beam Width21mm / 23mm / 21mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Babolat Pure Strike 16×19 Ratings

Serves 8.6
Volleys 8.8
Groundstrokes 9.2
Returns 9.2
Topspin 8.8
Slice 9.0
Power 8.6
Control 8.7
Comfort 9.0
Touch 8.8
Maneuverability 9.1
Stability 8.7
Overall 8.88

Variations of the Babolat Pure Strike

If you like what you see with the Pure Strike, you should check out some of the different racquets in the Pure Strike series. Here’s a list for quick reference:

  • 98 16×19
  • 98 18×20
  • 100
  • Tour
  • Team
  • EVO

Players Using or Endorsing the Babolat Pure Strike

  • Dominic Thiem
  • Anett Kontaveit
  • Timea Bacsinszky
  • Alize Cornet
  • Elena Vesnina
  • Mirjana Lucic-Baroni
  • Thanasi Kokkinakis

Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP

Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP

The Graphene 360+ Speed MP is the latest evolution of a popular racquet from Head, endorsed by players on the ATP and WTA tour, including Jannik Sinner, Bianca Andreescu, Coco Gauff, and many more.

As you might expect, this frame continues to deliver excellent performance from the baseline allowing for big groundstrokes with heavy topspin and exceptional maneuverability on returns.

One of this racquet’s key features has been Graphene 360, a lightweight and robust nanomaterial. You can think of it as traditional graphite on steroids. In the past, this was used only on the racquet’s throat and handle. However, with Graphene 360, Head uses the material throughout the racquet’s head at 3, 9, and 12 o’clock. The result is a little extra power with the same fantastic control.

However, for 2020, Head updated this technology to Graphene 360+, which builds upon the technology by incorporating SpiralFibers in the lower portion of the racquet’s head for optimal flex, contributing to the frame’s lower stiffness rating of 64.

As it has in the past, Graphene also reduces the racquet’s weight through the midsection of the frame, which allows Head to redistribute that weight to produce a fast-swinging racquet that’s light and maneuverable.

Consistent with past models, the Head Graphene Speed Pro still comes with a 100 in² head and 16×19 string pattern. 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.

The racquet feels light at the net and provides a crisp response that’s stable and allows for accurate placement.

All in all, the Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP 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 We Love It

Here are our top three reasons for loving the Head Graphene 360+ Speed Pro.

Groundstrokes
One of the first things you’ll notice is that the Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP feels great in your hand. At 11.2 ounces, it feels solid, but with its 4-point head light balance, it swings effortlessly.

This weight and balance result in a super fun tennis racquet that allows you to accelerate quickly through contact and take significant cuts at the ball from the baseline while also keeping things under control with excellent topspin.

Returns
Everything we loved about the Graphene 360+ Speed MP translated perfectly to our returns, and the easy maneuverability came in handy. We felt like we could be aggressive and step into our shots even when our opponent turned up the heat.

Control
While there is more than enough pop to this frame, you’ll still rely on your technique and racquet acceleration to generate power. Ultimately, this keeps you in the driver’s seat and allows you to swing confidently and hit your spots with precision.

Tradeoffs

The two areas where racquets in this class often suffer to some degree are stability and comfort. The Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP could improve in both, but in many ways, it’s nitpicky for a frame that offers such balance all-around performance.

Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance4 points HL
Weight (strung)11.2 oz / 318 g
Swingweight328
Stiffness64
Beam Width23mm / 23mm / 23mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP

Serves 8.5
Volleys 8.6
Groundstrokes 9.2
Returns 9.1
Topspin 8.9
Slice 8.8
Power 8.8
Control 8.6
Comfort 8.7
Touch 8.4
Maneuverability 8.8
Stability 8.6
Overall 8.75

Variations of the Head Speed

  • Speed Pro
  • Speed MP
  • Speed MP Lite
  • Speed S
  • Speed Lite
  • Speed PWR

Players Using or Endorsing the Head Speed

  • Novak Djokovic
  • Fernando Verdasco
  • Jannik Sinner
  • Mischa Zverev
  • Nikoloz Basilashvili
  • Bianca Andreescu
  • Cori (Coco) Gauff
  • Elise Mertens
  • Samantha Stosur
  • Monic Puig
  • Ashleigh Barty

Babolat Pure Aero 2019

Babolat Pure Aero 2019

Next up on our list is the Babolat Pure Aero, made popular by clay court king Rafael Nadal. Without a doubt, the racquet’s defining features center around its ability to generate topspin.

In 2019, the Babolat Pure Aero received a few small tweaks, including a slight reduction in stiffness that helps provide a touch more control while being slightly more comfortable on a player’s arm.

To accomplish this, Babolat reduced the stiffness rating from 69 to 67 and added its Cortex Pure Feel technology, which helps reduce shock and vibration, to the top of the racquet’s handle and the edges of the racquet’s head at 3 and 9 o’clock. To reduce twisting and improve control, the Pure Aero integrates Carbon Ply Stabilizing tech in the throat.

All in all, we enjoy hitting with this updated frame that feels a bit less harsh than the last model. Of course, no update to a tennis racquet would be complete without a fresh paint job, and for 2019 Babolat has moved away from electric or neon yellow to a more toned-down classic yellow.

As it had in the past, the Pure Aero features an open 16×19 string pattern and Babolat’s FSI Spin technology, which places more spacing between the 5th and 12th cross strings along with wider oval grommets that allow the strings to move freely and snap back into position. This combination results in the racquet’s ability to generate increased topspin.

Combine those features with Babolat’s Woofer Technology, a 100 in² head size, and stiff frame, and you get power on top of topspin – an excellent combination for the modern baseline game.

True to its name, the Babolat Pure Aero also features Babolat’s Aeromodular 3 frame design, which varies the frame’s shape and form factor at key parts of the racquet for an aerodynamic profile that allows the racquet to swing quickly through the air.

As you might imagine, players who love to hit with topspin and grind out points from the baseline tend to be an excellent fit for the racquet.

Why We Love It

Here’s a look at the Babolat Pure Aero’s top three attributes based on how the racquet scored in our evaluation.

Topspin
Without a doubt, the Pure Aero’s defining characteristic is topspin. The aerodynamic frame, mid-range weight, and head light balance make it easy to swing, helping us generate increased racquet speed and left us feeling like we didn’t have to work as hard to produce spin. Players looking to get the most out of this frame in this category should consider a polyester string if comfort isn’t an issue.

Power
Next up, this racquet performed very well when it came to power. Overall, the Pure Aero packs a punch and delivers easy access to pace when you need it, which pairs well with the frame’s heavy topspin.

Groundstrokes
We found fantastic performance with the Babolat Pure Aero at the baseline through the combination of power and topspin. Again, it felt comfortable and easy to swing, and the heavier ball that we were able to hit keeps our opponents on their toes.

Tradeoffs

While the Pure Aero excels off the ground, it did leave a bit to desire as we transitioned to the net. The stiffer frame and higher power of the racquet required extra care and focus at the net. While it certainly gets the job done, it might not be the first pick for players who like to move forward and closeout points quickly.

In the past, we’ve mentioned that while the racquet felt plenty comfortable to hit with, players suffering from arm injuries or tennis elbow will likely find its stiffer frame a bit harsh on the arm. Despite receiving a few tweaks to lower the racquet’s stiffness this year, we still recommend players look elsewhere if comfort is a priority.

Babolat Pure Aero 2019 Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance4 points HL
Weight (strung)11.2 oz / 317.51 g
Swingweight324
Stiffness67
Beam Width23mm / 26mm / 23mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Babolat Pure Aero 2019 Ratings

Serves 9.0
Volleys 8.2
Groundstrokes 9.2
Returns 8.8
Topspin 9.5
Slice 8.8
Power 9.1
Control 8.5
Comfort 8.1
Touch 8.2
Maneuverability 8.9
Stability 8.4
Overall 8.73

Variations of the Babolat Pure Aero

If the Babolat Pure Aero looks like the racquet for you, then be sure to check out the other variations on this tennis racquet. Here’s a list:

  • VS
  • 2019
  • Tour 2019
  • Plus 2019
  • Lite 2019
  • Team 2019
  • Play
  • Roland Garros

Players Using or Endorsing the Babolat Pure Aero

  • Rafael Nadal
  • Catherine (Cici) Bellis
  • Jennifer Brady
  • Danielle Collins
  • Benoit Paire
  • Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
  • Sam Querrey
  • Felix Auger-Aliassime
  • Caroline Wozniacki
  • Bethanie Mattek-Sands
  • Jack Sock
  • Johanna Konta
  • Marco Cecchinato

Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13

Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13

Long-awaited, Pro Staff fans welcomed the introduction of the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 in 2020, which eliminated the use of Countervail and turned out to be well worth the wait.

As the name suggests, this racquet comes with a 97 in² head and features an open 16×19 string pattern. Its weight is a hefty 11.7-ounces, but with a 7 pt head light balance, it retains its maneuverability and a reasonable swingweight of 321. The beam is 21.5 mm all the way around.

As mentioned, Wilson did away with Countervail, which improved comfort and reduced vibration and fatigue, but we felt it reduced feedback and changed the feel, so we’re happy to see this update occur.

For one of the frame’s 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. It’s still braided, but Wilson has changed the weave’s angle to 45 degrees as part of their Braid 45 enhancement for improved feel and ball pocketing, and it’s a marked improvement over the prior generation.

The racquet also uses Wilson’s String Mapping Tech for a bit of added control, which tightens up the center mains for a more dense string bed and sweet spot to improve control and feel. However, since the racquet retains its 16×19 string pattern, it still offers ample spin.

Finally, as you’d expect from a Pro Staff, the racquet features Wilson’s Perimeter Weighting System at three and nine o’clock to improve stability by reducing the twisting that happens at impact.

Why We Love It

Here are the top three reasons we enjoy playing with the Pro Staff 97.

Control
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. Add to that a dose of exceptional stability, and the Pro Staff 97 is a top-notch frame for all-court play.

Touch & Feel
Along with its great control, we also love the racquet’s connected feel, excellent feedback, and response. The combined result is added confidence and precision regardless of the shot you’re hitting. At the net, the racquet performs exceptionally well.

Maneuverability
Pro Staff models have always maintained a terrific sense of maneuverability even with their heavier weight, which comes through their head light balance. For the Pro Staff 97 v13, this is particularly useful for generating the racquet head speed necessary for topspin and quickly getting the racquet into position on returns.

Tradeoffs

The Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13’s design and characteristics set out to deliver maximum control and precision, so it’s no surprise it doesn’t offer much free power, which means the player is responsible for generating pace when they need it. Of course, this is the exact formula many intermediate to advanced players are seeking out.

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.

Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 Specs

Head Size97 in² / 625.81 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance7 points HL
Weight (strung)11.7 oz / 332 g
Swingweight321
Stiffness66
Beam Width21.5mm / 21.5mm / 21.5mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 Ratings

Serves 8.5
Volleys 91
Groundstrokes 8.7
Returns 8.4
Topspin 8.5
Slice 8.9
Power 82
Control 9.3
Comfort 8.6
Touch 9.0
Maneuverability 8.1
Stability 8.8
Overall 8.68

Variations of the Wilson Pro Staff

  • RF97  v13Autograph
  • 97 v13
  • 97L v13
  • 97UL v13
  • 97L
  • 97 Countervail Black/White
  • 26 Junior

Players Using or Endorsing the Wilson Pro Staff

  • Roger Federer
  • Roberto Bautista Agut
  • Juan Martin del Potro
  • Grigor Dimitrov
  • Kyle Edmund
  • Philipp Kohlschreiber
  • Reilly Opelka

Head Gravity Pro 2021

Head Gravity Pro 2021

The Head Gravity Pro 2021 is one of the latest additions to the Head family of tennis racquets that delivers control, stability, and comfort.

A handful of specs coalesce to provide players with maximum control, including its thin 20 mm beam, tighter 18×20 string pattern, heavier 11.7-ounce strung weight, and low 62 stiffness rating. Ultimately, it’s ideal for experienced players looking to generate their own pace.

Unique to Gravity Pro is Graphene 360+, which combines Head’s specialized formula of graphite with unique SpiralFibers in the racquet’s construction at the bottom of the head to increase the frame’s flex and return energy to the ball for a responsive feel.

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.

Why We Love It

Here are the top three reasons we enjoyed hitting with the Head Gravity Pro 2021.

Control
Everything about this racquet caters to precision, and it shows everywhere on the court. Whether we were hitting groundstrokes, returns, or volleys, we felt like we could hit our spots with confidence.

Stability
Weighing in at 11.7 ounces strung, the Gravity Pro isn’t easy to push around. We felt like we could easily absorb and deal with pace from the back of the court, and the same was true when hitting returns and volleys.

Comfort
The racquet’s weight, head light balance, and super low 62 stiffness rating combine to give players tons of feel and make for an incredibly comfortable hitting experience with the frame absorbing shock.

Tradeoffs

With a control-oriented players racquet like the Head Gravity Pro 2021, it’s no surprise that you’re giving up power and maneuverability. It’s merely the tradeoff you make when you invest in this type of racquet.

Head Gravity Pro 2021 Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance6 points HL
Weight (strung)11.7 oz / 332 g
Swingweight332
Stiffness62
Beam Width20mm / 20mm / 20mm
String Pattern18 Main / 20 Cross

Head Gravity Pro 2021 Ratings

Serves 8.3
Volleys 8.7
Groundstrokes 8.6
Returns 8.6
Topspin 8.4
Slice 8.9
Power 8.0
Control 9.1
Comfort 8.8
Touch 8.7
Maneuverability 7.7
Stability 8.8
Overall 8.55

Variations of the Head Gravity

  • Tour
  • Pro
  • Lite
  • S
  • MP
  • MP Lite

Players Using or Endorsing the Head Gravity

  • Alexander Zverev
  • Andrey Rublev

Yonex EZONE 98

Yonex EZONE 98

For 2021, Yonex released an exceptional update to their popular EZONE 98, and we’re big fans of the changes they made.

The Yonex EZONE 98 won us over with its versatility, broad appeal, and exceptional performance from all areas of the court.

Of course, no tennis racquet is perfect, but the EZONE 98 delivers an incredibly balanced performance that will work well for a wide range of tennis players, and its downsides are minimal.

It’s well-suited for all-court play and performs well across the board, making it an incredibly versatile racquet that instills confidence.

The Isometric or square-shaped design of Yonex racquets increases the sweet spot’s size by 7% compared to the traditional oval shape, which is an excellent feature for a smaller 98 in² head.

Most racquets have their grommets drilled at an angle that matches the arc of the racquet’s head. However, with the latest generation of the EZONE 98, Yonex adds their Linear Tech Grommet System with many grommet holes drilled straight through to improve the racquet’s power and comfort.

Another change for the racquet’s head is the updated Shockless Grommets found at the sides and bottom, which exist to ward off the shock and vibration felt when striking a ball.

The materials integrated into a racquet’s throat can dramatically impact its performance, so Yonex has introduced an updated carbon fiber called M40X for optimal stability and flex for controllable power.

Like the previous generation, the EZONE 98 maintains its Oval Pressed Shaft. 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.

You’ll also find the 2020 version of the Yonex EZONE 98 features a revised Vibration Dampening Mesh in the handle to reduce vibration and subsequently improve comfort and feel.

Another reason the EZONE line of racquets stands out is the depth of the offering from Yonex, with over 15 models available. As a result, players who are intrigued by this racquet have plenty of options to consider.

Why We Love It

Based on how the Yonex EZONE 98 scored in our evaluation, here’s a recap of its top attributes.

Control
With a smaller 98 in² and moderate stiffness rating of 64, the EZONE 98 delivers great control without completely giving up on the power front, especially when combined with a stiffer poly.

Groundstrokes
The Yonex EZONE 98 is a fun and effortless racquet to hit with from the back of the court. It swings easily to help deliver added topspin and helps maintain precision while also offering excellent response and added pace when you’re in a position to attack.

Touch
Whether hitting groundstrokes, volleying up at the net, serving, or returning serve, the EZONE 98’s moderate 11.3oz weight and 6pt HL balance when strung makes it easy to maneuver. As a result, it’s easy to get the racquet into position quickly.

Tradeoffs

At times the racquet felt it could use a bit of added stability. However, this is likely only something advanced players would notice facing players who hit with extra pace. Plus, it’s easy enough to adjust the racquet with a small bit of customization if needed.

For the most part, the Yonex EZONE 98’s balanced performance left us satisfied. As a result, the most significant tradeoff you make with this racquet is that it will not deliver maximum performance in any specific area such as spin or control. For many, I think that’s perfectly suitable.

Yonex EZONE 98 Specs

Head Size98 in² / 632.26 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance6 points HL
Weight (strung)11.3 oz / 320 g
Swingweight317
Stiffness64
Beam Width23mm / 24mm / 19mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Yonex EZONE 98 Ratings

Serves 8.6
Volleys 8.5
Groundstrokes 8.8
Returns 8.5
Topspin 8.6
Slice 8.3
Power 8.2
Control 8.9
Comfort 8.6
Touch 8.7
Maneuverability 8.5
Stability 8.3
Overall 8.54

Variations of the Yonex EZONE

If you’re interested in the Yonex EZONE 98 but you’re not quite sure if it’s an ideal fit, be sure to check out a few of the various EZONE models available. Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s available.

  • 97 Tour
  • 98L
  • 98+
  • 100
  • 100L
  • 100+
  • 100SL
  • 105
  • 108
  • Game
  • Ace
  • Feel

Players Using or Endorsing the Yonex EZONE

  • Nick Kyrgios
  • Naomi Osaka
  • Steve Johnson
  • Anastasija Sevastova
  • Coco Vandeweghe
  • Laura Siegemund

Babolat Pure Drive 2021

Babolat Pure Drive 2021

Over the years, the Babolat Pure Drive has become an iconic tennis racquet backed by some of the game’s top players, including Andy Roddick before retiring and, more recently, Garbine Muguruza.

Relaunched in September 2020, the Babolat Pure Drive 2021 doesn’t veer too far from the prior generation with a handful of iterative tweaks that remain true to this ever-popular frame.

A high power level and easy access to topspin define the Pure Drive, making it a fantastic choice for baseline tennis players and big servers. It’s also a very approachable racquet for beginners, combined with its 100 in² head and 11.2-ounce strung weight.

If you’re just getting started with tennis and you like what you see, but the price feels a little steep, be sure to check out our list of the best racquets for beginners. Our top pick is the younger sibling to this racquet, the Babolat Boost Drive.

Of course, the Babolat Pure Drive comes loaded with various features to help you perform your best on the court. Babolat’s FSI technology combines its time-tested woofer system that increases power and the sweet spot’s size by allowing the strings to work together, while a tighter string pattern within the sweet spot aids in control.

The racquet’s elliptical geometric design reduces flex and increases the frame’s overall rigidity, further aiding in power. For added strength, Babolat also made use of its carbon-fiber GT technology in the head.

For 2021, Babolat introduces their HTR System, enhancing the hoop’s graphite to strengthen and improve the frame’s rigidity, which results in improved energy transfer and enhanced power.

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.

Why We Love It

There’s a lot to love about the Babolat Pure Drive, as it’s been one of our favorites for years, but here are our top three reasons.

Power
First and foremost, we love the Pure Drive’s ability to help generate power without breaking a sweat. The 100 in² head provides a generous sweet spot, and the lighter 11.2-ounce strung weight makes it easy to swing. There’s no need to muscle this racquet to generate pace. It delivers pace easily and makes for a fun racquet off the baseline.

Spin
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. Again, the frame’s 100 in² head and 16×19 string pattern help deliver that topspin, which we found came easily and helped us keep our opponent on their toes.

Serves
We continue to love serving with the Babolat Pure Drive – it’s one of the best in this arena. We could easily generate the pace we desired on our first serve and found that our kick serves received some added pop that helped keep it well out of our opponent’s strike zone.

Tradeoffs

Players who enjoy a heavier, control-oriented tennis racquet will likely find the lower weight and higher power associated with the Pure Drive to be overbearing. Of course, it’s those same characteristics that make it perfect for other players.

One thing to keep in mind is that Pure Drive is one of the stiffer frames on the market, so players with tennis elbow should carefully consider that before purchasing this racquet.

Babolat Pure Drive 2021 Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance4 points HL
Weight (strung)11.2 oz / 317.51 g
Swingweight320
Stiffness71
Beam Width23mm / 26mm / 23mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Babolat Pure Drive Ratings

Serves 8.9
Volleys 8.3
Groundstrokes 8.6
Returns 8.4
Topspin 8.8
Slice 8.3
Power 9.1
Control 8.4
Comfort 8.2
Touch 8.3
Maneuverability 8.7
Stability 8.5
Overall 8.54

Variations of the Babolat Pure Drive

  • Plus
  • Tour
  • Tour Plus
  • Team
  • Lite
  • 107
  • 110
  • Wimbledon
  • Play

Players Using or Endorsing the Babolat Pure Drive

  • Fabio Fognini
  • Lucas Pouille
  • Karolina Pliskova
  • Amanda Anisimova
  • Julia Goerges
  • Sofia Kenin
  • Garbine Muguruza
  • Dominika Cibulkova

Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Autograph

Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Autograph

A modern twist on a classic, the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Autograph, is Roger Federer’s signature version of the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13.

With that in mind, the latest generation of the RF97 maintains the same specs as the prior generations because Federer hasn’t changed them.

However, it did receive an updated cosmetic. It reverts to the all-black paint job, has grey and silver racing stripes, and showcases the frame’s braided graphite construction under a polished resin finish.

Without a doubt, this racquet’s central and enduring feature is control, resulting from a time-tested formula with unique attributes common to Pro Staff models.

The racquet uses a braided graphite construction, thin beam, and head light balance, then tops it off with Wilson’s classic torsion control or Perimeter Weighting System that places extra weight on the sides of the racquet head at 3 and 9 o’clock.

Add to that a smaller 97 in² head and one of the industry’s heaviest strung weights of 12.6 ounces, and you end up with a control-oriented tennis racquet that rewards intermediate to advanced players who can confidently swing it.

Why We Love It

While the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Autograph was a strong performer across the board, here are the top three reasons why we loved it.

Control
Many tennis racquets offer control – however, the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph delivers it with a genuinely unique and weighty feel. Whether we were serving, hitting groundstrokes, approaching the net, or hitting volleys, the racquet felt incredibly stable and lent itself to consistent shot-making with a high level of accuracy.

Volleys
One of our favorite places to hit with Roger’s Pro Staff was up at the net. It felt solid in our hands and allowed us to hit crisp and controlled volleys with little effort. Combined with a heightened sense of touch, it gave us the feeling that we were in control when we approached the net.

Slice
Another area in which the RF97 stood out to us was hitting with slice. Whether it was a forehand, backhand, or approach shot, it felt controlled, and the racquet’s weight and stability offered a level of plow-through that allowed us to take the air out of the ball and neutralize the point even off of an aggressive topspin shot.

Tradeoffs

While we love the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph, its heavier weight can make it feel challenging to maneuver at times, especially if you’re coming from a lighter racquet. Sound technique and excellent preparation will help cut down on this for many players, but it’s worth noting for beginners or early-intermediate players with an eye on this racquet.

Similarly, players may debate its power level. On the surface, it doesn’t provide the easy-to-access pace that other racquets provide because its power derives from its weight combined with sound technique. True to its style, the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Autograph is a timeless player’s racquet that delivers for players who can handle it.

Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Autograph Specs

Head Size97 in² / 625.81 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance9 points HL
Weight (strung)12.6 oz / 357 g
Swingweight335
Stiffness68
Beam Width21.5mm / 21.5mm / 21.5mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Wilson Pro Staff RF97 v13 Autograph Ratings

Serves 8.3
Volleys 9.1
Groundstrokes 8.7
Returns 8.2
Topspin 8.4
Slice 8.7
Power 8.0
Control 9.3
Comfort 8.4
Touch 9.0
Maneuverability 76
Stability 8.8
Overall 8.54

Variations of the Wilson Pro Staff

  • RF97  v13Autograph
  • 97 v13
  • 97L v13
  • 97UL v13
  • 97L
  • 97 Countervail Black/White
  • 26 Junior

Players Using or Endorsing the Wilson Pro Staff

  • Roger Federer
  • Roberto Bautista Agut
  • Juan Martin del Potro
  • Grigor Dimitrov
  • Kyle Edmund
  • Philipp Kohlschreiber
  • Reilly Opelka

Wilson Clash 100

Wilson Clash 100

The Clash 100 is a unique tennis racquet from Wilson that offers a dramatically lower stiffness rating that’s easy on a player’s arm while maintaining excellent stability and feel.

The racquet’s high level of flexibility comes from a combination of FreeFlex and StableSmart technologies. FreeFlex enables an exceptional level of flexibility in the frame, while StableSmart works with the frame’s geometry to maintain power and stability. Together these technologies combine to lower the racquet’s stiffness and increase comfort while maintaining a crisp, controlled feel.

The Clash features a forgiving 100 square inch head size, which also helps deliver added power. Combined with a low strung weight of only 11 ounces, it makes the racquet easy to maneuver and an excellent option for intermediate players.

All in all, the Clash 100 is an exciting development in frame technology from Wilson that has built a considerable following virtually overnight and is worth a demo to experience yourself.

Why We Love It

Here are the three reasons we love the latest addition to Wilson’s line of performance tennis racquets.

Comfort
With its incredibly low stiffness rating of 55, the Wilson Clash is one of the most arm-friendly racquets on the market. At first, the unique feel takes a little time to adjust, but you start to appreciate the difference after 30 or so minutes of hitting.

Maneuverability
The Clash 100 weighs in at only 11 ounces strung with a 7 point head light balance. The result is an easy to swing and highly maneuverable racquet, which we enjoyed on our returns and up at the net.

Spin
With its 100 in² head, open 16×19 string pattern, and head light balance, the Clash swings fast and allows you to generate tons of topspin without changing up your stroke.

Tradeoffs

While the racquet’s construction helps it maintain stability on contact, we still found a desire for a bit more control that would come with a heavier racquet. We found we could compensate with extra topspin to a degree, but it’s worth noting if considering this racquet.

Wilson Clash 100 Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance7 points HL
Weight (strung)11 oz / 312 g
Swingweight312
Stiffness55
Beam Width24.5mm / 24.5mm / 24.5mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Wilson Clash 100 Ratings

Serves 8.3
Volleys 8.4
Groundstrokes 8.6
Returns 8.5
Topspin 8.4
Slice 8.6
Power 8.5
Control 8.4
Comfort 9.1
Touch 8.6
Maneuverability 8.8
Stability 8.2
Overall 8.53

Variations of the Wilson Clash

  • 98
  • 100
  • 100 Tour
  • 100L
  • 100UL
  • 108

Players Using or Endorsing the Wilson Clash

  • Nicole Gibbs

Yonex VCORE Pro 97 310

Yonex VCORE Pro 97 310

As we move into 2021, the Yonex VCORE Pro 97 310 remains a top racquet, and it’s received a few modifications since the last model to help with spin potential and increase comfort.

The Yonex VCORE Pro 97 remains a well-balanced tennis racquet that delivers across the board as an excellent option for all-court players who love to hang out on the baseline, enjoy moving around the court, and coming to the net.

Overall, the VCORE Pro will suit a broad range of players looking for control without the extreme weight that often comes with control-oriented tennis racquets. Its specs – a weight of 11.5 ounces, a 97 in² head, and a 7 point head light balance – remain identical to its predecessor for an easy to maneuver package, tour-level control, and plenty of power.

Of course, coming from Yonex, this racquet doesn’t skimp on unique technologies to deliver an excellent hitting experience. With this update, Yonex has revised the racquet’s throat to improve the potential for topspin and added a vibration dampening mesh to the handle to reduce vibration by 30% and, in turn, increase comfort.

The head features the company’s signature Isometric square head shape, which increases the sweet spot’s size. Simultaneously, the 3D vector shaft (from the handle through the racquet’s throat) uses deep grooves to reduce the frame’s twisting and increase stability.

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 o’clock to improve stability when the ball makes contact with the upper portion of the racquet’s head.

Finally, the VCORE Pro 97 features a lock booster system that tightens the grommet spacing toward the upper part of the racquet’s head and grooves within the grommets’ channel to help secure the string and increase control.

Why We Love It

Our top three reasons for loving the Yonex VCORE Pro 97 include control, groundstrokes, and touch/feel.

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. At 7 points headlight, that translates into a maneuverable racquet that’s easy to swing and generate racquet head speed for reliable and well-placed groundstrokes.

Groundstrokes
Overall, we had the most fun with this racquet at the baseline, where we found terrific placement and the confidence to go for our shots while hitting our targets. We also enjoyed our backhand slice, which felt solid. The frame felt stable enough and allowed us to move the racquet head through the ball for a crisp shot.

Touch/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.

Tradeoffs

Not surprisingly, the most significant tradeoff with the Yonex VCORE Pro 97 is easy-to-access power. As with most control-oriented racquets, the VCORE Pro consists of features that first and foremost support accuracy and precision. However, the good news is that it doesn’t give up power like other control-oriented tennis racquets.

One item we’d like to address is the stability of the racquet. Compared with the previous model, we would say Yonex has improved this weakness, and it wasn’t much of a thought in our playtest. Kudos!

Yonex VCORE Pro 97 310 Specs

Head Size97 in² / 625.81 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance7 points HL
Weight (strung)11.5 oz / 326 g
Swingweight318
Stiffness64
Beam Width20mm / 20mm / 20mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Yonex VCORE Pro 97 310 Ratings

Serves 8.3
Volleys 8.3
Groundstrokes 8.7
Returns 8.4
Topspin 8.6
Slice 8.6
Power 8.3
Control 8.9
Comfort 8.5
Touch 8.7
Maneuverability 8.5
Stability 8.3
Overall 8.51

Variations of the Yonex VCORE Pro

  • 97 (310)
  • 97 (290)
  • 97 (330)
  • 97HD 18×20
  • 100 (280)
  • 100 (300)

Players Using or Endorsing the Yonex VCORE Pro

  • Stanislas Wawrinka
  • Hyeon Chung
  • Pierre-Hugues Herbert
  • Frances Tiafoe

Wilson Blade 98 18×20

Wilson Blade 98 18x20

Over the years, the Wilson Blade has undergone a few transformations. Still, at its core, the Wilson Blade is a control-oriented player’s racquet that weighs it at a reasonable 11.4 ounces – up from 11.3 ounces on the prior generation.

Technologies include a braided graphite and basalt construction, which increases the racquet’s flex, improves feel, and ultimately delivers more control. Basalt is a volcanic rock that manufacturers can use to produce fibers with characteristics similar to fiberglass.

In addition to the racquet’s unique composition, the racquet now uses Wilson’s new FeelFlex technology to replace Countervail, making the frame more flexible and increasing stability.

The Wilson Blade 98 18×20 also takes advantage of parallel drilling, which is simply the process of drilling specific grommet holes parallel independent of the frame’s arc. 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.

Why We Love It

Here are our top three reasons for loving this frame.

Control
The Wilson Blade’s slightly smaller 98 square inch head size, tighter 18×20 string pattern, stable 11.4-ounce weight, and low 62 stiffness rating combine to deliver solid control from all areas of the court.

Stability
Wilson’s strategic use of materials produces a stable frame and helps ensure consistent and reliable contact with the tennis ball for an authentic feel of a classic player’s racquet.

Comfort
The Wilson Blade 18×20 also delivers comfort with its unique balance of material construction, weight, and flex rating. Overall, the racquet has a dampened, low-vibration feel, making for a pleasant and comfortable hitting experience.

Tradeoffs

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 18×20 string pattern. Of course, the topspin potential is there, but you might need to work a little harder for it.

Wilson Blade 98 18×20 Specs

Head Size98 in² / 632.26 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance4 points HL
Weight (strung)11.4 oz / 323 g
Swingweight334
Stiffness62
Beam Width21mm / 21mm / 21mm
String Pattern18 Main / 20 Cross

Wilson Blade 98 Ratings 18×20

Serves 8.4
Volleys 8.6
Groundstrokes 8.6
Returns 8.3
Topspin 8.0
Slice 8.6
Power 8.2
Control 8.8
Comfort 9.0
Touch 8.6
Maneuverability 8.3
Stability 8.6
Overall 8.5

Variations of the Wilson Blade

  • 98 16×19 v7
  • 98 18×20 v7
  • 100L v7
  • 104 v7
  • SW102 Autograph

Players Using or Endorsing the Wilson Blade

  • Stefanos Tsitsipas
  • David Goffin
  • Milos Raonic
  • Alex de Minaur
  • Damir Dzumhur
  • Karen Khachanov
  • Pablo Carreno Busta
  • Serena Willams
  • Simona Halep
  • Kiki Bertens
  • Elina Svitolina
  • Lauren Davis
  • Jelena Ostapenko
  • Barbora Strycova

Prince Phantom 100X 305

Prince Phantom 100X 305

The third generation of the Prince Phantom 100 received some welcome upgrades in 2020 while maintaining the core characteristics that made it popular. Overall, it’s an excellent improvement on a frame that continues to get better with each new release.

With its 100 in² head, the Phantom provides ample surface area to make a clean connection with the ball and avoid mishits while also featuring an open 16×18 string pattern that provides access to generating topspin without working too hard.

One significant change to the frame vs. the prior model is its thicker, more powerful beam, increasing the stiffness rating from 54 to 58. Despite the change, the racquet weight remains the same at 11.4-ounces strung and will continue to suit players looking for a control-oriented racquet that’s arm-friendly.

One unique aspect of the Phantom 100X 305 is that it maintains stability without a dramatic increase to its stiffness rating through the use of Textreme, Prince’s ultra-thin carbon that’s baked directly into the frame. 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.

Like the previous version, the Phantom 100X 305 takes full advantage of the Constant Taper System (CTS) that transitions from a thinner 18 mm shaft for flexibility and feel to a thicker 22 mm head to maintain a bit more power for a responsive racquet that delivers pace when you need it.

All in all, with a slant toward intermediate to advanced players, we feel Prince has done a great job continuing to evolve the Phantom, which maintains its spot on our list of the best racquets.

Why We Love It

Here are the three key reasons we enjoyed the Phantom 100X 305.

Control
From the baseline, the Phantom 100X 305 provided respectable control with the ability to generate plenty of topspin that allowed us to dictate points with accuracy. We were even more delighted when we approached the net, as the racquet’s flexible frame helped maintain control and direct the ball where we needed. We felt the Phantom 100X 305 improves quite a bit from its predecessor at the net.

Maneuverability
Keeping most of the weight in the handle at 6 points head light, the Phantom 100X 305 also maintains plenty of maneuverability despite its mid-range 11.4-ounce weight. The head light balance was particularly beneficial up at the net, where we never felt like we were forcing the racquet into position. It just came along for the ride.

Comfort
The Phantom 100X 305 is one of the most comfortable racquets that we’ve played with, making it an excellent option for players in need of an arm-friendly companion.

Tradeoffs

Overall, the Prince Phantom 100X 305 is a well-rounded tennis racquet that will likely suit various styles of play. Some players may find the racquet lacks in the power department, but it’s a tradeoff you’ll be making for the added control the frame delivers.

Prince Phantom Pro 100X 305 Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance6 points HL
Weight (strung)11.4 oz / 323 g
Swingweight321
Stiffness58
Beam Width22mm / 120.5mm / 18mm
String Pattern16 Main / 18 Cross

Prince Phantom Pro 100X 305 Ratings

Serves 8.1
Volleys 8.7
Groundstrokes 8.6
Returns 8.4
Topspin 8.7
Slice 8.5
Power 7.8
Control 8.3
Comfort 9.0
Touch 8.8
Maneuverability 8.6
Stability 8.2
Overall 8.48

Variations of the Prince Phantom

  • 97P
  • 100P
  • 100x 305
  • 100X 290
  • 100X 18×20

Yonex VCORE 98 2021

Yonex VCORE 98 2021

For 2021, the VCORE 98 (305) makes our list, and we’re super excited for what the updated racquet brings to the table while still delivering the same speed and spin we loved in the prior model.

For starters, Yonex has fitted the 98 in² head with a new open string pattern to push the limits on topspin.

The racquet also comes built for speed. Its relatively thin beam, 6 point head light balance, and integrated Aero Fin technology at the top of the frame’s head and just above the racquet’s throat reduce air resistance and subsequently helps players increase racquet head speed.

Of course, Yonex didn’t stop there. It also introduced its new Aero Trench grommet system for the main strings at the top of the racquet’s head, hiding the grommets and reducing air resistance, resulting in even faster swings to generate more topspin.

As far as materials go, the VCORE 98 (305) features 2G-NAMD Flex Force graphite, giving the racquet a unique flex and snapback to further increase spin and power. The result is a 66 stiffness rating, which offers acceptable comfort, although we wouldn’t consider it a true arm-friendly racquet.

As with all Yonex models, it features the Isometric head shape to increase the sweet spot by 7% compared with typical rounded frames. However, the manufacturer also refined its drilling of the holes for the outer main strings with their Linear Tech to make the sweet spot even wider and allow for more significant string movement.

This updated version also maintains its 3D Vector Shaft, which incorporates grooves through the racquet’s throat to reduce frame twisting.

Overall, like the VCORE that came before it, this model packs a punch and delivers a strong performance worthy of consideration.

Why We Love It

The following are the top three reasons for adding this frame to our list of the best tennis racquets.

Groundstrokes
At the baseline, this frame delivered, and we felt like we could swing through the ball and hit our spots confidently. On contact, the frame felt more stable than its predecessor and helped us generate plenty of power and topspin for a heavy ball that stayed deep in the court.

Topspin
Everything about this racquet is engineered for generating spin and on the court, and it shows. We were able to create tons of racquet head speed easily, and together with the more open string pattern, it helped us produce a considerable amount of topspin that would leap off the ground and made for a super fun playtest.

Volleys
We enjoyed making our way up to the net with the VCORE 98. As we mentioned, it felt more stable than the prior model and had a reliable feel that helped us direct the ball while having enough pop to put away shots.

Tradeoffs

Overall, the VCORE 98 is a well-rounded tennis racquet, so it was a little more challenging to find something we felt like we were giving up.

However, we’d say that at times we felt a bit less control and a bit less comfort, particularly on off-center groundstrokes.

Yonex VCORE 98 (305) Specs

Head Size98 in² / 632.26 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance6 points HL
Weight (strung)11.4 oz / 323 g
Swingweight325
Stiffness66
Beam Width22.5mm / 23mm / 21mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Yonex VCORE 98 (305) Ratings

Serves 8.4
Volleys 8.6
Groundstrokes 8.6
Returns 8.6
Topspin 8.9
Slice 8.3
Power 8.6
Control 8.5
Comfort 8.1
Touch 8.3
Maneuverability 8.3
Stability 8.4
Overall 8.47

Variations of the Yonex VCORE

  • 95
  • 98
  • 98L
  • 98+
  • 100
  • 100L
  • 100+
  • Game
  • 25 & 26

Players Using or Endorsing the Yonex VCORE

  • Denis Shapovalov
  • Denis Kudla
  • Radu Albot
  • Kamil Majchrzak
  • Angelique Kerber
  • Eugenie Bouchard
  • Donna Vekic
  • Caroline Garcia
  • Sabine Lisicki

Prince Textreme Tour 100P

Prince Textreme Tour 100P

Players who have previously considered the Prince Textreme Tour 100P and are back on the hunt in 2021 will be delighted to find this racquet has received a few tweaks while remaining true to the original design.

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.

Prince’s Textreme line of tennis racquets features its unique Textreme material. This super-thin carbon fiber fabric integrates directly into the tennis racquet’s shaft (handle and throat) to enhance stability and control.

However, this is where one of the tweaks to this model comes into play, as Prince has doubled down on the Textreme formula, introducing Textreme X that incorporates Twaron woven into the frame for extra vibration dampening and comfort.

The latest model matches the prior model’s weight at 11.5 ounces and has a near-identical swingweight of 324. Combined with a 100 in² head size, 18×20 string pattern, and stiffness rating of 66, it’s clear this racquet’s design caters to a wide range of players.

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.

All in all, the Prince Textreme Tour 100P remains an approachable tennis racquet that’s perfect for players seeking all court performance.

Why We Love It

Here are the top three attributes that we enjoyed while hitting with the Prince Textreme Tour 100P.

Control
Out on the court, all of Prince’s ingredients come together nicely and deliver great control. The racquet is solid off the ground and gave us the confidence to swing through the ball and hit our spots.

Comfort
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.

Touch and Feel
The same combination of specs and materials that help deliver solid control also provides a terrific feel. We felt connected trading groundstrokes, and up at the net, we were delighted with our ability to direct the ball with a high level of accuracy.

Tradeoffs

With the Prince Textreme Tour 100P, you’ll get balanced performance, but you also won’t be wowed in any particular area.

For example, there were times when we would have preferred a bit of extra on-demand power or topspin. Depending on your preference, that may be a drawback that may drive you to look elsewhere.

Prince Textreme Tour 100P Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance7 points HL
Weight (strung)11.5 oz / 326 g
Swingweight325
Stiffness66
Beam Width22mm / 23mm / 20mm
String Pattern18 Main / 20 Cross

Prince Textreme Tour 100P Ratings

Serves 8.2
Volleys 9.0
Groundstrokes 8.5
Returns 8.3
Topspin 8.5
Slice 8.8
Power 7.3
Control 9.1
Comfort 8.6
Touch 8.7
Maneuverability 8.3
Stability 8.4
Overall 8.47

Variations of the Prince Tour

  • 95
  • 95 (2015)
  • 100P
  • 100L (260)
  • 100 (290)
  • 100 (310)
  • 100P (2015)
  • 100L (2015)
  • 100T (2015)

Wilson Burn 100 v4

Wilson Burn 100 v4

The Wilson Burn 100 v4 is a revised version of the original Wilson Burn, geared toward a wide range of intermediate to advanced tennis players.

Overall, the Burn 100 v4 is a well-balanced tennis racquet that produces excellent topspin and fantastic performance off the baseline and with returns.

This version of the Burn features Wilson’s rigid Carbon Fiber Graphite and a thicker variable-width beam for a crisp and responsive feel with plenty of power. At 11.2-ounces strung, it swings fast for generating higher levels of racquet head speed.

The Burn 100 v4 racquet also takes advantage of Wilson’s 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.

One of the things we love about the latest update to the Burn is its minimalist approach to racquet design. Wilson has removed countervail, and there aren’t many bells and whistles, but what you get is a terrific racquet that’s particularly well-suited for intermediate players.

Why We Love It

These are the main reasons we loved playing with the Wilson Burn 100 v4.

Groundstrokes
Off the baseline, the Wilson Burn 100 v4 excelled. Compared with the original Wilson Burn, the swingweight is relatively balanced, coming in at 3 point head light strung vs. the original at 5 points head light. Add to that a strung weight of 11.2 ounces, and it made for an easy-to-swing racquet that consistently delivered on power and topspin.

Returns
With improved maneuverability over the original Wilson Burn, we found that this upgraded version performed well on returns and had respectable stability. This security gave us the confidence to swing through the ball while allowing us to block or slice back some of the bigger serves we returned.

Topspin
On both our groundstrokes and returns, we enjoyed the topspin that the Burn 100 v4 provided. Its 100 in² head combined with the open 16×18 string pattern allowed for plenty of grip, with the topspin coming very naturally, especially when paired with a polyester string.

Tradeoffs

The Wilson Burn 100 v4 higher power level may leave some players wanting to tone things down a bit, but that is offset to a degree by its excellent topspin – so your style of play is a factor here.

Another thing to keep in mind is that this racquet is on the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to stiffness. Players may find a little less comfort, but it’s an improvement over the first generation of Wilson Burn.

Wilson Burn 100 v4 Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance3 points HL
Weight (strung)11.2 oz / 318 g
Swingweight328
Stiffness71
Beam Width23.5mm / 25mm / 23.5mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Wilson Burn 100 v4 Ratings

Serves 8.4
Volleys 8.6
Groundstrokes 8.7
Returns 8.4
Topspin 8.5
Slice 8.5
Power 8.6
Control 8.4
Comfort 8.0
Touch 8.5
Maneuverability 8.5
Stability 8.4
Overall 8.46

Variations of the Wilson Burn

  • 100 v4
  • 100S v4
  • 100LS v4
  • 100ULS v4

Volkl V-Feel 8 Pro

Volkl V-Feel 8 Pro

This year, we’re 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.

Weighing in at a reasonable 11.2-ounces strung, with a 100 in² head, 16×18 string pattern, and a moderate flex rating of 67, we found the Volkl V-Feel 8 Pro to be a versatile tennis racquet.

At the racquet’s core, you’ll find a trifecta of Volkl’s V-Feel Technologies. First up, VCELL is a unique cellulose carbon fiber that helps cut down on weight while also delivering strength to the frame for added response and feel while simultaneously reducing unwanted vibration.

Next up, the racquet features Volkl’s VSENSOR handle, which contains REVA, a dense rubber-like material that’s EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) combined with a compound and resin that significantly reduces vibrations and improves feel. Top it off with VTEX, a silicone polymer applied to the butt cap, for even greater dampening and a solid feel.

The Volkl V-Feel 8 Pro continues to use Volkl’s super grommet system, which allows its cross-strings to move freely to help generate power.

Finally, the racquet uses a mid-sized beam construction to find that sweet spot for precision and power.

Why We Love It

Here are the top three reasons we loved this frame.

Maneuverability
One of the first things you notice when you pick up the Volkl V-Feel 8 Pro is how easy the racquet is to maneuver, resulting from its 6-point head light balance that keeps the weight toward your hand for speedy reaction times when returning and quick reflexes up at the net.

Topspin
With a 100 in² head and tighter 16×18 string pattern, you’d expect topspin to be a highlight, and it’s solid. Its strong maneuverability allows you to generate plenty of racquet head speed, a key ingredient for topspin, while the super grommet system allows the strings to move freely. Considering the frame’s power level, its higher levels of topspin helped maintain control.

Power
The V-Feel 8 Pro isn’t a high-powered tennis racquet. However, its power level is respectable, considering its specs, and allowed us to generate plenty of pace when needed.

Tradeoffs

As with other racquets, you might expect a little bit of give and take along the way, and the Volkl V-Feel 8 Pro is no exception.

We did find that control suffered a bit with the ball getting away from us here and there. If we were to miss, it was typically long, but luckily the topspin we could generate helped us strike a balance where this wasn’t a significant issue as we played more with the racquet.

Also, its comfort wasn’t up to par with some of our past V-Feel favorites, but overall, it’s a well-rounded tennis racquet.

Volkl V-Feel 8 Pro Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance4 points HL
Weight (strung)11.5 oz / 318 g
Swingweight316
Stiffness67
Beam Width22mm / 24mm / 22mm
String Pattern18 Main / 20 Cross

Volkl V-Feel 8 Pro Ratings

Serves 8.5
Volleys 8.2
Groundstrokes 8.7
Returns 8.5
Topspin 9.1
Slice 7.8
Power 8.7
Control 7.6
Comfort 8.6
Touch 8.3
Maneuverability 9.1
Stability 8.3
Overall 8.45

Variations of the Volkl V-Feel

  • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
  • 1 Pro
  • 1 MP
  • 1 OS
  • 8 Pro
  • 10 (300)
  • 10 (320)

Prince Warrior Textreme 100

Prince Warrior Textreme 100

The two attributes that best describe the Prince Warrior Textreme are power and spin. The 100 in² head, open 16×18 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.

This updated version of Prince’s Warrior 100 integrates Textreme, a specialized ultra-thin carbon fiber fabric that increases strength and rigidity without adding considerable weight. The result helps enhance the racquet’s power, control, and feel.

With a strung weight of only 11.4 ounces, less weight in the racquet head at 6 points head light, and a lower 320 swingweight, it’s a user-friendly tennis racquet that most players should find easy to maneuver.

Overall, the Prince Warrior Textreme 100 is a great tennis racquet that errs on the side of power while providing balance in other areas such as control and feel to appeal to a wide range of tennis players.

Why We Love It

The following are the top three reasons we loved hitting with this tennis racquet.

Power
When it came to playing with the Warrior Textreme, power came easily through a combination of attributes blended by Prince. We enjoyed the power from the back of the court, where the racquet felt perfectly suited for trading big groundstrokes with our opponent.

Spin
The 100 in² head, combined with the open 16×18 string pattern, gave us plenty of bite and allowed us to generate more topspin on our shots without having to work too hard.

Groundstrokes
Without a doubt, our favorite area of the court to play with the Prince Warrior Textreme 100 was from the baseline, where the racquet delivered power and spin. Similarly, we found the Warrior Textreme to work well hitting returns, where the 6 point head light balance allowed us to quickly and easily maneuver the racquet.

Tradeoffs

While the Warrior Textreme certainly isn’t overbearing when it comes to power, it may leave some players longing for a bit more control. In particular, that control could come in handy up at the net, where we had to maintain some extra focus.

Prince Warrior Textreme 100 Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance6 points HL
Weight (strung)11.14 oz / 315.81 g
Swingweight320
Stiffness66
Beam Width24mm / 25.5mm / 22.5mm
String Pattern16 Main / 18 Cross

Prince Warrior Textreme 100 Ratings

Serves 8.5
Volleys 8.2
Groundstrokes 8.6
Returns 8.5
Topspin 8.6
Slice 8.4
Power 8.7
Control 8.1
Comfort 8.2
Touch 8.3
Maneuverability 8.6
Stability 8.4
Overall 8.43

Variations of the Prince Warrior

  • 100
  • 100T
  • 100L
  • 107
  • 107T
  • 107L Pink

Players Using or Endorsing the Prince Warrior

  • John Isner

Tecnifibre TFlash CES 300

Tecnifibre TFlash CES 300

The TFlash, one of two lines of men’s competition-level tennis racquets that Tecnifibre offers, remains a solid option for players in 2021.

This 100 in² fame packs easy-to-access power and topspin, all in a maneuverable package that weighs 11.3 ounces, which should appeal to a broad range of tennis players.

New to this model is Tecnifibre’s CES (cubic edge shaft) section and slightly higher swingweight to increase stability. The TFlash also uses Tecnifibre’s Progressive String Pattern, which decreases the space between the center mains for more control and increases the density toward the edges for more comfort on off-center shots.

Furthermore, the racquet incorporates Tecnifibre’s silicone HD Fuse Grip for decreasing shock and improving comfort.

At the top of the frame’s head, the TFlash CES 300 maintains Tecnifibre’s durable and reinforced Armor Cap+ bumper guard to help protect and extend the racquet’s life.

Finally, the frame incorporates Tecnifibre’s unique grommets at the tie-off point for the strings, which are larger and flatter to reduce wear and tear.

Overall, the Tecnifibre TFlash CES 300 is a well-balanced and frame that offers plenty of power and spin designed for a wide range of players, especially those who love to trade big strokes at the baseline.

Why We Love It

These are the three reasons we loved the Technifibre TFlash CES 300.

Power
With the TFlash 300’s 100 in² head and high stiffness rating of 72, the racquet delivered plenty of power that came rather effortlessly but, at the same time, didn’t feel overbearing.

Groundstrokes
We enjoyed the power of this frame most at the baseline. We settled in quickly with the racquet and found we could trade big shots and play great offense with plenty of topspin, taking advantage of the open 16×19 string pattern.

Maneuverability
At 11.3 ounces and with a 6 points head light balance, this lightweight frame is easy-to-maneuver, afforded us excellent preparation on our groundstrokes, and delivered easy handling up at the net.

Tradeoffs

As a frame with a mid-range weight and head light balance that’s very easy to maneuver, we did find the Tecnifibre TFlash CES 300 to provide a bit less stability, particularly when returning bigger serves.

At the same time, we felt that the stiffer frame, which helps provide the racquet’s power, lacked at times in the comfort department and required us to work a bit harder to find that effortless touch up at the net.

Tecnifibre TFlash CES 300 Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance6 points HL
Weight (strung)11.3 oz / 320 g
Swingweight320
Stiffness72
Beam Width25mm / 26mm / 26mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Tecnifibre TFlash CES 300 Ratings

Serves 8.2
Volleys 8.4
Groundstrokes 8.4
Returns 8.2
Topspin 8.6
Slice 8.3
Power 8.6
Control 8.2
Comfort 8.1
Touch 8.1
Maneuverability 8.7
Stability 8.2
Overall 8.33

Variations of the Tecnifibre TFlash

  • 270 CES
  • 285 CES
  • 300 CES

Head Graphene 360+ Extreme MP

Head Graphene 360+ Extreme MP

Last year, this frame showed up on our list of the best tennis racquets for the first time, and this year it remains a contender.

The Head Graphene 360+ Extreme MP is a mid-weight racquet geared toward intermediate to advanced players who like to hit with topspin and authority. It also happens to be the stick of choice for Frenchman Richard Gasquet and Matteo Berrettini.

At 11.2 ounces strung and with a 325 swingweight, this racquet offers a reasonable and approachable weight. It also has a middle-of-the-road stiffness rating of 66, which won’t deliver the highest comfort level but shouldn’t cause most players issues.

The Extreme Pro’s 100 in² head combines with its 16×19 string pattern and 360 Spin Grommet technology, allowing for more significant string movement and increasing snapback. The net result is a racquet that can deliver substantial topspin along with considerable pace.

Last but not least, this racquet features Graphene 360 to reduce weight in the racquet’s midsection while reinforcing the head of the racquet at 3, 9, and 12 o’clock on the racquet’s head to increase power. However, the latest edition, Graphene 360+, takes this tech to the next level with SpiralFibers in the racquet’s lower head for improved feel and response.

If you’re looking for a spin-friendly tennis racquet that doesn’t skimp on power while also being user-friendly, then the Head Graphene 360+ Extreme MP is worth checking out.

Why We Love it

Here’s what we dig with the Graphene 360+ Extreme MP.

Groundstrokes
Based on the description, it’s probably no surprise that this tennis racquet is well-suited for the baseline. The racquet swings fast, delivering excellent spin and loads of power, and it’s surprisingly stable for its weight. Overall, it’s perfect for the modern game.

Power
While the Graphene 360+ Extreme MP isn’t the most powerful racquet out there, it holds its own and rivals some of the best in this category. You won’t have to try too hard to turn things up a notch, but we didn’t find it overbearing. On serve, the power is ideal.

Topspin
We also loved the topspin we could produce with this racquet. Not only did it feel solid at impact, but it gripped the ball and gave us the confidence to swing big with a high margin for error, knowing the ball would drop back in the court.

Tradeoffs

Although we didn’t have much issue with it, some players will find this racquet’s power a bit overbearing, and if you like to flatten out the ball, it’s not going to be the racquet for you. However, players who prefer to hit with lots of spin will likely be right at home with it.

Head Graphene 360+ Extreme MP Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance3 points HL
Weight (strung)11.2 oz / 318 g
Swingweight325
Stiffness66
Beam Width23mm / 26mm / 21mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Head Graphene 360+ Extreme MP Ratings

Serves 8.2
Volleys 8.3
Groundstrokes 8.6
Returns 8.1
Topspin 9.0
Slice 8.3
Power 9.1
Control 7.9
Comfort 7.5
Touch 8.0
Maneuverability 8.4
Stability 8.2
Overall 8.30

Variations of the Head Extreme

  • Extreme Pro
  • Extreme MP
  • Extreme Lite
  • Extreme PW
  • Extreme S

Players Using or Endorsing the Head Extreme

  • Richard Gasquet
  • Matteo Berrettini
  • Jan-Lennard Struff
  • Svetlana Kuznetsova

Tecnifibre TFight 300 RS

For the second year in a row, Tecnifibre’s TFight series makes an appearance on our list of the best tennis racquets.

This year the TFight 300 RS makes the cut as a slick-looking and approachable mid-weight racquet that performs from all areas of the court while providing plenty of access to topspin and power.

For starters, the 300 RS comes with a 98 in² head and a manageable 11.2-ounce weight. It also offers an open 16×19 string pattern, which, when combined, ensures a fast swinging racquet that grips the ball for generating loads of topspin.

New for this model, Tecnifibre introduces a unique frame design or RS Section, which has five sides at strategic angles for added stability and improved response and comfort.

The frame’s power derives from a combination of its stiffness rated at 66 and beam, which help return substantial energy to the ball. 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.

The 300 RS also features ArmorCap+, Tecnifibre’s second-generation bumper system, a unique grommet system that absorbs shock and helps increase power, and their EZ Lock knot tie-off feature for easier string installation and protecting the racquet’s grommets.

Overall, Tecnifibre’s TFight 300 RS is a super well-rounded tennis racquet whose lighter weight and all-court performance are sure to please a wide range of tennis players.

Why We Love It

Here’s why we love the Tecnifibre TFight 300 RS.

Groundstrokes
The Tecnifibre TFight 300 RS had plenty of pop from the baseline, which we were able to control with quick racquet head speed and topspin. Simultaneously, the 98 in² head and a slightly thinner beam gave us the control we desired to direct the ball and hit our spots.

Volleys
Not only is the racquet easy to maneuver, but it packs a punch up at the net, which helped us to put away our shots as we moved forward.

Returns
Despite its lighter weight, we found the 300 RS to perform well on returns. Its low weight and 4 point head light construction made it quick to bring the racquet back and take a strong cut at softer serves while staying reasonably solid through contact to handle bigger serves.

Tradeoffs

While we felt the frame was a tad stiff at times, the biggest drawback we think players will find with this racquet is that it doesn’t wow in any one area – which at the same time is the racquet’s strength.

Players looking for a highly controlled, heavier racquet or a more powerful frame will want to look elsewhere, while players looking for a balanced, well-rounded racquet will be right at home with the 300 RS.

Tecnifibre TFight 300 RS Specs

Head Size98 in² / 632.26 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance4 points HL
Weight (strung)11.2 oz / 318 g
Swingweight320
Stiffness69
Beam Width23mm / 23mm / 22.5mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Tecnifibre TFight 300 RS Ratings

Serves 8.1
Volleys 8.4
Groundstrokes 8.5
Returns 8.1
Topspin 8.4
Slice 8.1
Power 8.1
Control 8.3
Comfort 8.1
Touch 8.4
Maneuverability 8.8
Stability 8.3
Overall 8.3

Variations of the Tecnifibre TFight

  • 295 RS
  • 300 RS
  • 305 RS
  • 315 RS

Players Using or Endorsing the Tecnifibre TFight

  • Daniil Medvedev
  • John Millman
  • Jeremy Chardy
  • Aljaz Bedene
  • Denis Istomin

HEAD Graphene 360+ Instinct MP

Head Graphene 360+ Instinct MP

For the third 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.

With a moderate weight at 11.2 ounces, this racquet comes with a 100 in² head and a 16×19 string pattern, which allows for excellent access to topspin. When combined with the 4 points head light balance, it makes the racquet easy enough to swing fast.

Like many other Head tennis racquets, the Instinct MP comes with Graphene 360 technology, which helps reduce weight within the racquet’s shaft while boosting its power through the materials used in the racquet’s head at 3, 6, and 12 o’clock.

However, like many other updates to Head’s latest generation of racquets, the Instinct gets an upgrade with Graphene 360+, which integrates SpiralFibers into the bottom portion of the head for improved feel and better overall response.

All in all, it’s 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.

Why We Love It

Here’s why we loved playing with the Head Graphene 360+ Instinct MP.

Groundstrokes
Our favorite place to hit with the HEAD Graphene 360+ Instinct MP was off the ground. As expected, it swings fast with its 4 points head light balance, which helped generate topspin, and it packed plenty of power to match while also offering up plenty of comfort.

Topspin
As a fast-swinging frame with a 16×19 string pattern, this tennis racquet allowed us to produce loads of topspin with plenty of power. This combination gave us confidence when hitting and helped us dictate points and keep our opponents on their heels.

Maneuverability
At 11.2 ounces and featuring a 4 point head light balance, the Head Graphene 360+ Instinct MP moves with ease. Whether you’re bringing your racquet back for a groundstroke, serving, or approaching the net for a volley, it’s easy to maneuver and get into position.

Tradeoff

As a racquet with a mid-range weight that will appeal to a wide range of players, we felt that the most significant tradeoff was the overall feel and stability of a heavier frame. At times we wanted the extra mass on our returns and slice to help the racquet move more easily through the ball, which you can address by adding some lead tape.

HEAD Graphene 360+ Instinct MP Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance4 points HL
Weight (strung)11.2 oz / 318 g
Swingweight314
Stiffness64
Beam Width23mm / 26mm / 23mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

HEAD Graphene 360+ Instinct MP Ratings

Serves 8.1
Volleys 8.5
Groundstrokes 8.5
Returns 7.9
Topspin 8.6
Slice 8.0
Power 8.6
Control 8.2
Comfort 8.1
Touch 8.0
Maneuverability 8.7
Stability 8.3
Overall 8.29

Variations of the HEAD Instinct

  • Instinct MP
  • Instinct Lite
  • Instinct PWR
  • XT Instinct S

Players Using or Endorsing the HEAD Instinct

  • Thomas Berdych
  • Maria Sharapova

Wilson Ultra 100 v3

Wilson Ultra 100 v3

The Wilson Ultra 100 v3 is the third generation of this series. A racquet designed to appeal to a wide range of players, this lighter 11.2-ounce frame provides players with a forgiving 100 in² head and offers easy access to power and topspin.

Like the previous model, the upgraded version of the Wilson Ultra 100 maintains Wilson’s Parallel Drilling technology, which increases the size of the sweet spot and provides a more forgiving stringbed. However, the racquet features a few updates as well.

New for this model, Wilson eliminates their Countervail technology but adds a new few new upgrades. First, you’ll find a High-Performance Carbon Fiber as the core material, which, along with a thicker beam, delivers exceptional power without sacrificing stability.

Next, the racquet now features Wilson’s Power Rib construction within the racquet’s throat – its unique geometric design helps maximize stability.

You’ll also find a Sweet Spot Channel at three and nine o’clock on the racquet’s head, which increases the length of the cross strings in the mid-section and enhances string movement for added power. Wilson’s Perimeter Weighting System, which adds stability, can be found in the same section of the racquet.

Finally, the racquet uses Wilson’s Crush Zone grommet system, which compresses and rebounds when striking the ball for extra power and dwell time.

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 maximum power and topspin.

Why We Love It

Here the top three reasons we love the Wilson Ultra 100 v3.

Power
As you may have noticed, much of this racquet’s design and feature-set gears toward providing players with the ability to generate maximum power with minimal effort. On the court, that power is prevalent, and it’s by far the racquet’s most distinct feature, which was apparent from our first stroke – especially when paired with the frame’s sizeable sweet spot.

Topspin
We also enjoyed the Wilson Ultra 100 V3’s ability to generate topspin. The racquet’s lower 11.2-ounce weight and 312 swingweight make it easy to swing and create the racquet head speed necessary. The frame’s 100 in² head and open 16×19 string pattern enhance your swing, allowing for the strings to move and snap back into place to help make topspin even more effortless.

Groundstrokes
The combination of power and topspin made groundstrokes our favorite stroke with the Ultra 100 v3. The frame felt easy to maneuver, and we didn’t have to work too hard to generate pace. Overall, you can expect the frame to deliver a consistent response while at the same time benefiting from a larger sweet spot, which means you’ll get a bit more out of your off-center shots.

Tradeoffs

While the increased power potential may be desirable for some players, it may leave other players wishing for control. We found this to be more apparent during our playtest when we looked to be aggressive with our shots. Ultimately, it forced us to be a bit more conservative, hit with lots of topspin, and aim for larger targets to keep the ball in play.

Another point to bear in mind is the frame’s higher stiffness rating of 73, which is high and may have a tendency to lead to arm discomfort.

Wilson Ultra 100 v3 Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance4 points HL
Weight (strung)11.4 oz / 295 g
Swingweight296
Stiffness68
Beam Width24.5mm / 26.5mm / 23.5mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Wilson Ultra 100 v3 Ratings

Serves 8.4
Volleys 8.2
Groundstrokes 8.5
Returns 8.3
Topspin 8.5
Slice 8.0
Power 8.6
Control 7.8
Comfort 8.0
Touch 7.9
Maneuverability 8.5
Stability 8.2
Overall 8.24

Variations of the Wilson Ultra

  • 100 v3
  • 100L v3
  • 100UL v3
  • 108 v3
  • 95 Countervail
  • 25 v3 Junior
  • 26 v3 Junior

Players Using or Endorsing the Wilson Ultra

  • Kei Nishikori
  • Borna Coric
  • Feliciano Lopez
  • Madison Keys
  • Kristina Mladenovic
  • Victoria Azarenka
  • Maria Sakkari

Head Radical MP 2021

Head Radical MP 2021

The Head Radical MP 2021 is a solid option for intermediate to advanced players.

The racquet weighs in at an 11.2-ounces strung and offers a 4pt HL balance. When combined, they result in a 326 swingweight that’s easy to swing. Further complemented by its 98 in² head and 16×19 string pattern, the racquet offers great topspin and control.

This model’s latest generation from the Radical lineup uses Head’s Graphene 360 technology in the shaft and at 3, 9, and 12’oclock in the frame’s head for optimal stability and power.

Head tops it off with their Dynamic String Pattern, which decreases the spacing between the eight mains at the racquet’s center for improved control without giving up the benefits of its 16×19 string pattern.

Why We Love It

Here are a few of the top reasons the Head Radical MP 2021 made our list this year.

Groundstrokes
If we were to pick a single area where this racquet excels, it would be hitting groundstrokes. The frame swings easily and offers moderate power that relies on the player’s skill and technique, an ideal setup for an intermediate to advanced player.

Topspin
Although it’s not the most spin-friendly racquet on the market, it does surprisingly well. Again, it swings fast, a key ingredient for generating topspin, and the 16×19 string pattern delivers plenty of grip.

Maneuverability
No matter where you are on the court, the Head Radical MP 2021 moves easily to ensure your racquet is in position. From serves to volleys, the racquet is quick and something we appreciated on returns.

Tradeoffs

Although the Head Radical MP 2021 isn’t a lightweight racquet, at 11.5 ounces and featuring a 6pt HL balance, it feels light in hand, and we found it to lack stability. Combined with its mid to upper-end stiffness of 68, it’s not the most comfortable.

Head Radical MP 2021 Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance4 points HL
Weight (strung)11.2 oz / 318 g
Swingweight326
Stiffness65
Beam Width20mm / 23mm / 21mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Head Radical MP 2021 Ratings

Serves 8.3
Volleys 8.2
Groundstrokes 8.4
Returns 8.2
Topspin 8.5
Slice 8.0
Power 8.9
Control 8.3
Comfort 7.8
Touch 7.8
Maneuverability 7.9
Stability 8.6
Overall 8.19

Variations of the Radical

  • Radical Pro 2021
  • Radical MP 2021
  • Radical S 2021
  • 360 Radical Pro
  • 360 Radical MP
  • XT Radical MP
  • XT Radical S
  • MicroGEL Radical MP
  • MicroGEL Radical OS

Players Using or Endorsing the Radical

  • Andy Murray
  • Taylor Fritz
  • Diego Schwartzman
  • Sloane Stephens

Dunlop FX 500

Dunlop FX 500

The latest generation of the Dunlop FX 500 pairs up a 100 in² head with an open 16×19 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.

You’ll also find a higher-end stiffness rating of 71 and a thicker variable with beam that’s 23 mm at the throat, 26 mm at the sides of the head, and 23 mm at the top of the frame.

The frame’s construction is a mix between graphite and Sonic Core Infinergy, an expanded thermoplastic polyurethane placed at ten and 2 o’clock on the racquet’s head to improve the racquet’s response while decreasing unwanted vibrations.

Dunlop adds their Power Grid Stringbed, which increases the cross strings’ density toward the middle of the stringbed and decreases the spacing between the crosses for the upper half. The modification aims to improve spin, power, and comfort for the section at the top while improving control at the middle.

Additional tech includes FlexTouch Resin found in the shaft for comfort and Power Boost Groove, enhancing string movement for added power and a bit of extra cushion.

Why We Love It

Here’s what stands out with the Dunlop FX 500.

Power
From the head size and stiffness to the frame’s thicker beam, we expected the Dunlop FX 500 to generate high power levels, and it doesn’t disappoint. Our favorite shots to hit with this frame were on groundstrokes and serves where you could turn up the pace.

Topspin
We also found the racquet delivered great topspin, and there are a few factors at work to that end. The racquet’s reasonable weight makes it so you can swing fast, and the larger head and open string bed combine with their unique stringbed layout for added grip that’s apparent.

Maneuverability
As you might expect, the Dunlop FX 500 is also highly maneuverable. On returns, you can get the racquet back quickly, and at the net, the head is responsive to your movement, and on serve, it swings fast.

Tradeoffs

Although Dunlop has added some tech to reduce the shock and vibration associated with this high-powered frame, its stiffness and lower weight result in a less comfortable hitting experience.

The frame also lacks a bit in the stability department, so if you’re dealing with a heavy-hitting opponent, particularly on serve and at the net, you’ll want to keep that in mind.

Dunlop FX 500 Specs

Head Size100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance4 points HL
Weight (strung)11.2 oz / 318 g
Swingweight314
Stiffness71
Beam Width23mm / 26mm / 23mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Dunlop FX 500 Ratings

Serves 8.4
Volleys 8.2
Groundstrokes 8.3
Returns 8.2
Topspin 8.5
Slice 7.8
Power 8.7
Control 7.8
Comfort 7.7
Touch 7.9
Maneuverability 8.6
Stability 8.0
Overall 8.18

Variations of the Dunlop FX

  • FX 500
  • FX 500 Tour

Players Using or Endorsing the Dunlop FX

  • Qiang Wang

Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Pro

Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Pro

The Prestige line of tennis racquets offers a classic feel with smaller head sizes and heavier weights intended to provide players with maximum control and precision from all areas of the court.

The Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Pro is our favorite within the Prestige line because it strikes a balance between the classic feel we love with small refinements to better suit the modern game while appealing to a broader audience.

For starters, the racquet offers a 95 in², 11.8 oz strung weight, and 22 mm beam, giving it many of the ingredients for delivering the performance that strong intermediate to advanced players demand.

However, for optimal spin, the racquet uses a 16×19 string pattern, and its RA rating of 65 helps provide a bit of extra pop. Head also integrates Graphene 360+ for stability, power, and feel.

Overall, you won’t find too much fancy tech within the Prestige family, but that’s part of the magic for players who appreciate it.

Why We Love It

Here are a few reasons we dig this particular racquet.

Control
Hands down, our favorite quality delivered by the Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Pro is the control it offers. On groundstrokes, it puts the player in the driver’s seat by demanding sound technique and clean ball-striking to achieve a higher level of precision. Add to that sufficient topspin for a bit of extra margin for error, and it works well in this area.

Stability
Stability is a mainstay of the Prestige line, and the Prestige Pro delivers as expected. 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. However, despite its extra weight, it remains reasonably easy to maneuver relative to other racquets in its class.

Feel
All of the Prestige Pro’s attributes combine for a racquet that delivers excellent feel from all areas of the court, especially at the net. We felt connected with the ball and confident in our approach, enabling us to hit with finesse and direct the ball with accuracy.

Tradeoffs

Despite the Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Pro’s well-balanced performance, there is some give-and-take.

In particular, the racquet’s heavier weight can make it tricky for some players to manage, and it doesn’t offer easy access to power. However, one surprising area where we see an opportunity for improvement is comfort, which fell below our expectations for its class.

Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Pro Specs

Head Size95 in² / 612.9 cm²
Length27 in / 68.58 cm
Balance6 points HL
Weight (strung)11.8 oz / 335 g
Swingweight327
Stiffness65
Beam Width22mm / 22mm / 22mm
String Pattern16 Main / 19 Cross

Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Pro Ratings

Serves 8.1
Volleys 8.2
Groundstrokes 8.1
Returns 8.0
Topspin 8.0
Slice 8.2
Power 8.1
Control 8.5
Comfort 7.9
Touch 8.4
Maneuverability 8.0
Stability 8.4
Overall 8.16

Variations of the Head Prestige

  • Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Mid
  • Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Midplus
  • Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Tour

Players Using or Endorsing the Prestige

  • Marin Cilic
  • Gilles Simon

Conclusion

There you have it! Our list of the 24 best tennis racquets for 2021 – updated from our reviews in 2020. If you’ve enjoyed this article, we encourage you to bookmark it and share it with your friends, family, and teammates who might find it useful.

We’ll update and refresh this content every year to consider the latest and greatest tennis racquets top racquet brands are releasing.

Have a question about the tennis racquets on our list, or want to recommend another frame for our community to check out? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

Home > Gear > Racquets > Best Tennis Racquets 2021

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