10+ Best Women’s Tennis Racquets 2019

We hope you love this post on women’s tennis racquets and it’s helpful in selecting the perfect fit! Just so you know, TennisCompanion may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page to help keep this site running.

There’s a trend in many sports to focus on the men’s side and practically ignore the women’s.

This isn’t the case with tennis. Greats like Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, along with newer players like Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka, get lots of media attention. Beyond that, women’s tennis is incredibly entertaining and addicting to watch and play.

You can be a part of that world, too. If you’re starting out in tennis and you’re wondering which racquet to buy, our guide to the best women’s tennis racquets will help you. Even if you’re already an intermediate or seasoned player, you’ll benefit from the up-to-date information on the best tennis racquets for ladies in 2019.

Here’s a quick recap of what we’ll cover. Click any of the links to jump to that section in the article:

• Does my racquet choice matter?
• 3 questions to ask yourself
• Types of tennis racquets
• Grip size considerations
• Strings for your racquet
• Women’s vs men’s racquets
• The Top 10 racquets for women

In addition to helping you select the perfect racquet, here’s a quick snapshot of the frames we’ll cover in this article.

Does my racquet choice really matter?

A certain tennis racquet isn’t going to make you a better player. But there are different aspects to consider that can make your gameplay more powerful, controlled, or comfortable.

If you’re a beginner, you can either start out with a more affordable racquet or jump right into a higher-priced purchase.

Technically, you don’t need to spend more than $40 on a starter racquet. If you end up not playing as often as you thought you would, you haven’t lost hundreds of dollars.

But if you discover that you can’t get enough tennis, you can ditch your starter racquet for a pro model that can keep up with your growing skillset.

3 questions to ask yourself

These three questions will help guide you as you choose a racquet.

What type of swing speed and stroke style do you have?

Beginners and older players tend to have slower strokes and more compact swings. If you fit into this category, you might want a racquet with a larger head size that offers you more power, increases your margin for error, and is easier to maneuver.

Advanced players often tend to have faster strokes and full swings. Heavier racquets with smaller, more controlled head sizes work well for these players.

Which play style do you have?

The two primary styles of play are:

• Aggressive baseliner: you like to hang out on the baseline and hit with a ton of topspin.
• Net rusher: you’d rather move to the net and hit volleys to close out points.

Different types of racquets are more conducive to these styles of play, but any racquet can be used for both.

What is your long-term goal as a tennis player?

Knowing your long-term goals are can help you choose the right racquet. Are you looking to get proficient enough to join a local league? You may want to choose a high-quality racquet that you can grow into as your skills evolve.

On the other hand, if you mostly play casually with friends, you may want to stick to a less expensive frame.

Types of tennis racquets

Let’s do a quick review of the three types of tennis racquets: power, control, and tweener.

Power racquets

The primary focus of these racquets is to give players plenty of hitting power. Because of their larger margin for error and lighter weight, power racquets are ideal for beginners. They generally have:

• Large head size: the head of a racquet is where the strings create the racquet face. A larger head size affords you more margin for error.
• Stiff frame: a stiff frame gives you extra power because it is rigid, deflecting more energy connecting with the ball. In frame stiffness ratings (typically between 60 – 75), lower numbers indicate a more flexible racquet, while higher numbers represent a stiffer racquet.
• Open string pattern: an open string pattern allows the ball to sink deeper into the string bed, returning more energy to the ball when it makes contact.
• Lightweight: power racquets will often be lighter and easier to manage than control racquets, with weights typically falling between 8 and 9.5 ounces.

Control racquets

Designed to give players maximum control, these racquets have:

• Smaller head size: a smaller head size gives players more maneuverability and control.
• Flexible frame: usually rated at 63 or below, a flexible frame is easier on a player’s arm and helps control the player’s natural power.
• Closed/tight string pattern: in addition to lasting longer because the ball hits more strings each time (versus an open string pattern where the same few strings are hit over and over), closed strings create a firmer space for the ball to make contact with. This gives you more control over your shot.
• Heavier weight: because you must have the strength or skill to maneuver a heavier racquet, control racquets — which typically weigh in at 11 ounces or more — are often better for advanced players.

Tweener racquets

As the name suggests, tweener racquets are the middle ground be-“tween” power and control racquets. They feature:

• Mid-sized head
• Balanced flexibility
• Open string pattern
• Mid-range weight, generally around 10-11 ounces

Tweener racquets are ideal for players who want both power and control — but not too much focus on either.

Grip size considerations

Another attribute to consider before you buy a tennis racquet is the ideal grip size for you. Grip size is the measurement of the handle’s circumference, and it’s important to pick the right size based on your personal preference and the size of your hand. Our guide to grip size can help you choose.

Most adult tennis racquets come in varying grip sizes, so once you find a racquet you like, be sure to measure for the appropriate size.

Strings for your racquet

There are two categories of racquet string: natural gut and synthetic. Check out our comprehensive guide to racquet strings, which includes a breakdown of string tension and replacement techniques as well as our top picks.

You can also purchase a pre-strung racquet, often a great choice for beginners.

What’s the difference between men’s and women’s tennis racquets?

So where does the difference between men’s and women’s racquets come in?

Here’s the secret: virtually all racquets are unisex. That said, women and men may prefer different characteristics in a racquet. For example, many women will opt for a lighter frame and smaller grip size, but that’s not always the case. It’s common for men and women to use the same racquet.

There is one notable exception: Tecnifibre makes a tennis racquet specifically geared towards women. We’ll take a closer look at it in a moment.

The 10 Tennis Racquets for Women

Below you’ll find our top picks of women’s tennis racquets for 2019.

Babolat Pure Drive

Weighing in at just over 11 ounces, this racquet is perfect for aggressive players. It will help you deliver excellent power and plenty of spin. Dominika Cibulkova makes use of the extended length version – Babolat Pure Drive Plus.

Head Graphene 360 Speed MP

While less powerful than the first two tennis racquets, this is a fast swinging racquet that delivers balance across a wide range of attributes, helping players perform well from all around the court. In the racquet’s name, MP refers to a midplus head size.

Babolat Pure Strike 100

An all-around great racquet for singles and doubles. It’s plenty maneuverable up at the net and delivers excellent topspin from the baseline.

Babolat Pure Aero 2019

If you love playing aggressively from the baseline, you’ll likely enjoy this stick. It delivers a combination of spin and power. Caroline Wozniacki makes use of the Babolat Pure Aero Plus, which is a half-inch longer.

Wilson Blade SW104 Autograph v7

With a midsized head and tighter string pattern, this racquet helps provide extra margin for error when hitting — without giving up too much control. At the same time, it’s 28-inch (71.12 cm) length provides you extra power and reach.

For the version Simona Halep uses, check out the Wilson Blade 98 16×19 v7.

Yonex EZONE 98 (305g) Blue

For a little extra control and precision, check out this racquet. With a combination of slightly smaller head size and a relatively open string pattern, it delivers controlled power and plenty of topspin.

Yonex VCORE 100 (300) Galaxy Black

For an easy-to-swing racquet that delivers plenty of topspin, try this stick. It’s a perfect fit for intermediate or advanced players.

Yonex VCORE 100 (300)

Do you prefer a flashy color? Try the red version of the Yonex VCORE 100 (300g).

Tecnifibre T-Rebound Tempo

This racquet — designed for women — stands out because of its shorter length. At 26.5 inches (a half an inch shorter than a typical adult racquet) and 10.5 ounces, this racquet still delivers on maneuverability, but it’s a fantastic balance of power, comfort, and control.

Wilson Burn 100S

The unique, tight-gripping spin effect technology of this racquet helps you deliver effortless spin. In the Wilson Burn 100S, the ‘S’ stands for spin — and you’ll find it surprisingly easy to generate.

Head Graphene 360 Instinct MP

With its relatively arm-friendly stiffness rating and lighter weight, this is a fantastic racquet for intermediate players who like to swing big and play hard.

3 additional racquets for beginners

The following racquets come all-around great picks for beginners with lighter weight and larger head sizes.

Babolat Boost Drive

For a racquet with a forgiving head size, look no further than this stick — the ultimate beginner racquet.

Babolat Boost Aero

Beginners or kids who are transitioning into adult racquets will enjoy playing with this frame: it’s light and easy to learn to use.

Wilson Ultra 110

With its ultra-large head size, this racquet is perfect for beginners — and also for committed doubles players looking for a quality frame at the net.

Tips for choosing the best racquet

If you’re a beginner, head to a tennis shop or club and test out different racquets. Ask about their specs. Compare the racquets to some of those in this article. If you’re intermediate, ask fellow players which racquets they recommend based on your needs — and then test them out.

You can also watch videos of players using the racquets you’re thinking of purchasing: for example, Serena with her Wilson Blade SW104 Autograph v7. Note their style of play and how the racquet works for them.

And as always, you have the option of starting with a less expensive racquet. You can always move to another racquet later on.

Questions?

If you have questions or need help picking out a tennis racquet, drop us a note in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.

1. Tennis ›
2. Gear ›
3. Racquets ›
4. Women’s Tennis Racquets