Choosing the right tennis racket can be a minefield.
These days, you are spoilt for choice with a wide variety of models for beginners all the way through to advanced playing standards with a baffling array of specifications to understand.
On top of that, there are other variables that can be considered, namely racket length, grip size, string choice, pattern and tension (not to mention balance, swing weight, beam width and lead tape if you wanna be really specific) - which could make all a difference to your game.
Price is also part of the process, and before making that final move, you might consider the aesthetic factors and whether the racket has any star player endorsements.
You will find that tennis rackets come in three main categories:
- Beginner: These are all about forgiveness. Usually, players opt for a lighter-weight racket (approx 260-280g) and a larger racket head size (100-110sq in) to hit shots with ease.
- Intermediate: Stepping it up a notch, consider both control and power. Look in the medium weight category (approx 275-300g) and a racket head size of around 98-100sq in. These are for players who aim to hit with more power, spin, accuracy and depth.
- Advanced: Control is still important but so is feel. Heavier rackets (approx 295-325g), thinner frame beams (19-22mm) and smaller head sizes (97-100sq in) are ideal for players who are looking to hit with accuracy, spin and depth producing their own power with a long swing action.
A heavier racket produces more stability and mass, which in turn creates more power. A thinner frame beam and smaller racket head size/closed string pattern (18x20) give more stability, feel and control to a player. An open string pattern (16x19) offers extra spin and power capability.
Ashley Neaves, former UK Coach of the Year and Content Creator - The Tennis Mentor on YouTube and Instagram explains it simply: “For a player, their racket is an extension of their body and is very personal. Finding the right one can make the difference between playing with what feels like Harry Potter’s wand or Thor’s hammer.
“Using the right equipment is not only vital for your enjoyment and your performance, but also injury prevention. Rackets may seem expensive upon initial inspection, but if you find the right one, it will last years. When you compare to golfers having to invest in a set of 14 clubs, you just need one racket to play tennis (or two if you want a backup)”.
Shop our selection of some totally wicked frames to get your hands on - happy hitting!
Wilson Blade v9
- Weight: 305g
- Headsize: 98sq in
- String pattern: 16x19 and Luxilon Eco Power 125 strings used at 53.5lbs tension
- Beam: 20.6mm
One of the most popular rackets on the pro circuit has just had an interesting refresh.
The new Blade v9 frame has a glittering metallic finish with a lush deep forest green makeover showcasing cleaner and embossed graphic decals. Aesthetically, though, this does feel less unique than the copper and olive hue that we have come to know and love.
Performance-wise, the introduction of Stablefeel tech is said to increase stability, feel and control.
There is also a ‘click and go’ bumper guard and grommet system which allegedly expands the life of the racket. I don’t doubt this, but only time will tell if this is the case and if it becomes standard across the Wilson range.
So, how does this offering match up on court against the previous incarnation? Well, there is definitely a boost in stability and the racket feels more solid without any loss of fluidity. Power levels have also jumped up a notch or two with no compromise on control.
The Blade prides itself on the feel factor and whilst it ripples through your shots nicely, aficionados may notice a slightly dampened sensation compared to that of the v8. It didn’t affect the overall performance factor – as was echoed by our team of playtesters.
That said, it retains the samurai sharpness and playability as a major tour de force.
However, if the Blade doesn’t suit your match play, Wilson has an extensive offering with the Ultra for power, SHIFT for spin, Clash for comfort and Pro Staff for control in their range.
Playing Standard: Intermediate/Advanced
Star Endorsement: Emma Raducanu, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Simona Halep
Buy now £245.00, Wilson
HEAD Speed MP (2024)
- Weight: 305g
- Headsize: 100sq in
- String Pattern: 16x19 with HEAD Lynx Tour 130 strings used at 55lbs
- Beam: 23mm
So you want to emulate the new number one and rising star in the world of tennis Jannik Sinner or all-time record-breaking grand slam champion Novak Djokovic? Well, look no further than the HEAD Speed MP 2024. This racket has just been refreshed with the brand’s Auxetic 2.0 tech for an improved connected feel.
At first glance, the frame doesn’t shout have the loud or snazzy colours that we’ve come to expect thanks to models like the Boom, Radical or Extreme range, but it still holds court with the HEAD signature black and white blocking. The matt black finish has a premium silky-smooth touch with clean decals.
Performance-wise is where the Speed MP hits top gear. Acceleration is key and that’s when the racket jumps into action. Watch out though, if you are not used to a head-heavy weighted racket, this may not gel well with your game and take a bit of bonding time.
I had my early battles with this that resulted in muscling the ball but, after a short period, I loosened up and let the racket fly with a variety of different strokes. The racket allowed me to deliver ripping point plays with cheeky touch shots giving a soft but sensational feel.
Results from our playtest team pointed out superb all-court performance which especially shone close to the net. The sheer fluid manoeuvrability on the volley produced unrivalled control.
Whilst this model is created for tournament players, the Speed line offers easy-to-use options to suit all levels. Now, I know what Sinner and Djokovic feel like on the big stage.
Star Endorsement: Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic
Buy now £218.90, Tennis Point
Yonex EZone
- Weight: 300g
- Headsize: 100sq in
- String pattern: 16x19 with Yonex Poly Tour Strike 125 strings used at 53lbs tension
- Beam: 23.5-24.5-19.5mm
Having a few big names like Andy Murray, Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios behind the EZone is without a doubt an excellent head start. But will this be the perfect pick in your hands?
To kick off with, the lush angular frame is something to behold - incorporating an aero-shaped tapered design for extra softness and an oval pressed shaft, which increases flex and dwell time on ball impact. We also applauded the ice-cool blue finish whilst twiddling and spinning the racket.
During our test drive, we enjoyed this feisty but friendly character throwing in a catalogue of topspin and slice. Not only that, but experienced a delightful fluidity at the net.
The baseline groundstrokes dished out silky smooth shots with an awesome dose of power. Tracking and targeting overheads seemed to be executed well with controlled acceleration.
This range from Yonex is slightly more forgiving than the VCore range and centres on a bit more oomph. Hitters who regard themselves at the upper intermediate and advanced level should size this one up.
Playing Standard: Intermediate/Advanced
Star Endorsement: Naomi Osaka, Nick Kyrgios, Andy Murray
Buy now £179.90, Tennis Point
Babolat Pure Aero
- Weight: 300g
- Headsize: 100sq in
- String pattern: 16x19 with Babolat RPM Blast 130 strings at 54lbs
- Beam: 23-26-23mm
So, you like to put some deadly spin into your game? Well, look no further than the 8th gen Pure Aero 100. This racket unleashes maximum sting when it comes to slice and top spin, together with its cool angular aerodynamic frame and wasp-like colour block finish.
Fans of Carlos Alcaraz will happily boast about this gem from Babolat all day long and for years to come, as it is endorsed by the man himself and youngest world number one in ATP history.
Aimed towards hitters who can handle mixing up their shots and tactics consistently in full tilt game mode, it will certainly make some positive moves on court and be a treasured delight in your tennis bag. When armed with this beast, I produced some quite frankly ridiculous revolutions, throwing opponents toward the back fence. Sure, I had to get some control issues locked in, but that all fell into place fairly quickly.
I seemed to hit a completely new level of execution and creativity. The ball gave me stupendous bite feedback off my strings and kept extremely low off the ground on slice. Serves kicked up a real storm, especially when whizzing in wide angles on the deuce court. I can see why Alcaraz loves this line so much.
Playing Standard: Intermediate/Advanced
Star Endorsement: Carlos Alcaraz
Buy now £190.00, Pro Direct Tennis
Babolat Pure Strike 100
- Weight: 305g
- Headsize: 100sq in
- String Pattern: 16x19 hybrid strings
- Beam: 21-23-21mm
Before hitting with this control frame, I was aware of its popularity with upper intermediate/advanced players. So, naturally, I was inquisitive about the long-awaited and hyped new Pure Strike Gen4 version (as used by our very Cameron Norrie).
This particular racket has a history of being rigid and hard to handle, but the introduction of NF2- Tech, according to Babolat, will reward the player with improved feel and comfort.
At first, I had a series of blips with its handling and unlocking its potential. Some frames take a bit more playtime to understand, but once you find yourself on the same page, it will be worth the wait.
The directional control and creativity on sweeping groundstrokes and deft slices is something to behold. I found the return of serves (especially pouncing on slower second serves) and mid-court crushers a dream to set up and the result was always a winning shot.
Serves produced fabulous dipping spin, depth and angles with a decent peppering of power, while on the volley, it is stable and a joy to kill the point off with.
One of our play testing team had been using the 2019 version for several years and in comparison, found the new Gen 4 more forgiving.
You’ll receive a seamless connection from racket to arm and a devastating amount of mass to unleash at pinpoint accuracy, providing you hit the sweet spot with effortless timing.
Be warned as balance-wise, there is a slightly head-heavy drop to assist with its fierce swing path – which is more suited to experienced hitters.
The 100sq 16x19 in my opinion is the top dog in its line, the dynamics produce an excellent launch angle (not too high or low) from all corners making this way more playable than I thought.
This Babolat baby also boasts an attractive white and orange colourway with embossed Japanese manga-style lettering neatly positioned along the throat of the racket.
So, before you next step on the tennis court, are you ready to (pure) strike?
Other rackets in the brand’s range include the ever-popular Pure Drive, Pure Aero Rafe Origin, Evo and Boost – which cater for a wide spectrum of playing abilities.
Buy now £223.90, Tennis Point
Wilson Clash v2
- Weight: 295g
- Headsize: 100sq in
- String pattern: 16x19 with Luxilon Smart 125 strings used at 46lbs tension
- Beam: 24.5mm
There has been some positive talk about the Clash in my tennis club recently, so we wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Here we have the brand’s 2.0 version stealing the show with its fiery metallic red and matt black colourway and embossed logo.
Wilson has also created a dynamite range of special editions in collaboration with Roland Garros, Brazilian Artist Britto and The Minions to name a few.
Essentially, this piece is aimed at the all-rounder. However, there are quite a few advanced players who also adore it.
Once I got to grips with the racket, I could see why. Firstly, it’s well balanced and easy to take a huge cut on the ball without hurting your arm. Some may notice that it has a slightly stiffer feel on rapid groundstrokes than its predecessor.
The large sweet spot is forgiving, yet yields tremendous potential to put away shots in a blink of an eye. Swatting pretty much every shot in the book can be a accomplished with pure enjoyment - even if you are on the back foot.
This awe-inspiring line ranges from a more precise 98sq in head size through to a whopping 108sq in. So, will naturally attract a wide variety of players.
Playing Standard: All-rounder
Buy now £220.00, Wilson
Yonex VCore 98
- Weight: 305g
- Headsize: 98sq in
- String pattern: 16x19 and Yonex Poly Tour Spin strings used at 53lbs tension
- Beam: 23-23-21mm
From the first ball, we could tell that the new VCore 98 provided outrageous spin thanks to Yonex’s signature engineering and open string pattern. From that point on, we knew we were in for a ball!
The isometric head has a larger - and more forgiving - sweetspot for any off-centre shots and produces a balanced blend of control, power and feel.
Players of high intermediate to advanced standard will be lured in by the incredible all round mobility.
Yonex claims on this model that new Aero Fin technology creates a faster, thinner frame for increased ball-pocketing. It certainly delivers the goods on court and is a pleasure to hit with.
The scarlet/blue finish will also add a splash of colour to your shot-making for extra measure.
This VCore in our estimation fits inbetween the more control-orientated 97 VCore Pro (310g), which is due for refresh in August 2023 and the powerful yet plush EZone 98 (305g) within the brand’s range.
One of our doubles and volley specialist hitters, Chris A, who has never used this brand before remarked at “how well weighted and balanced the racket is with outstanding aspects of control, power and spin”.
Yonex has an unrivalled reputation on precision build quality and they continue to impress both in the lab and on the court.
Playing Standard: Intermediate/Advanced
Star Endorsement: Denis Shapovalov/Caroline Garcia
Buy now £200.00, Pro Direct Tennis
HEAD Radical MP
- Weight: 300g
- Headsize: 98sq in
- String pattern: 16x19 and HEAD Lynx Tour strings used at 54lbs tension
- Beam: 20-23-21mm
Ok, you want to be the centre of attention and are seeking a little extra statement design while you strut your stuff on the court. Look no further than the aptly dubbed ‘People’s Racket’ with its all-star makeover.
Its striking appearance will have eyes popping from the clubhouse and beyond. Flashes of bright orange are complimented by matt blue making this leagues ahead of any other frame in the HEAD range - and there’s a fair amount of competition.
It has a fluid feel, making this new Radical easy to pick up and play. It’s even more accessible than the HEAD Speed MP and the Wilson Blade in our humble opinion.
HEAD have plugged in a new Auxetic construction which as they say “increases the racket’s optimal impact feel and gives highly accurate feedback”. This ran true in our play tests where we found a lot of joy in digging out a wide variety of shots from tramline to tramline. It cut the mustard nicely at the net too. Overhead shots may take a bit of getting used to due to differences in balance.
Intermediate to advanced hitters should be on high alert, this is an attractive proposition for their gameplay. Although some (advanced) players might find the softness of the beam and forgiving sensation upon ball impact a bit of turn-off. Others will be bouncing at its versatility.
I can see why this racket has such a cult following and is an all-round bestseller.
Playing Standard: Intermediate/Advanced
Star Endorsement: Taylor Fritz, Diego Schwartzman
Buy now £202.90, Tennis Point
Babolat Pure Drive
- Weight: 305g
- Headsize: 98sq in
- String pattern: 16x19 with Babolat RPM Blast 130 and Xcel 130 strings at 44.5lbs tension
- Beam: 21-23-21mm
Originally introduced in 1994, Babolat’s Pure Drive is still going strong and enters its 10th generation phase. In keeping with its roots, the familiar blue tones are still evident, but have been jazzed up with a cool bit of metallic glitz and glamour.
I previously tested an early Pure Drive (when it first launched) and was curious to see now if its solid foundation for huge groundstrokes and serves remains.
Here we go then! The racket feels light in hand, comfortable and ultra-fast in every swing, creating devastating and effortless power. The 98sq in head keeps things in complete cruise control.
On the volley, I was interested to find out if it could match performance on groundstrokes - and I’m pleased to say it duly delivered. A strong contender at the net, it also sparkled on low tricky air balls hovering around the service line.
For players who enjoy smashing down serves and overheads with gusto, this racket doesn’t disappoint. It’s a firecracker. Just remember not to get too over-excited.
Playing Standard: Intermediate/Advanced
Star Endorsement: Garbine Muguruza
Buy now £213.90, Tennis Point
Tecnifibre T-Fight 305 Isoflex
- Weight: 305g
- Headsize: 98sq in
- String pattern: 18x19 with Tecnifibre Razor Soft 125 strings used at 52.5lbs tension
- Beam: 23-23-22.5mm
The racket of choice for Daniil Medvedev has a cleaner, more minimalistic look than the brand’s TF-40 305. The French Tricolore colours remain front and centre, as does the exquisite feel and ball pocketing - albeit with a slightly stiffer beam.
According to the lab boffins at Tecnifbre, the new Isolflex innovation provides “an evolving stiffness around the frame associated with each string [...] to increase tolerance and stability to impact”.
Our playtest found direction and control is where it really shines with great plough through (how the racket pushes the ball through the court). You will need to produce your own power and utilise a full-flowing swing.
Once you have mastered that, challenging yourself to hit ridiculous targets and angles within the lines will be the game to play, no matter your opponent. The 18x19 tight string bed will be your trusty co-pilot for this and (hopefully) keep those restringing costs down.
I’d usually expect a slight drop in comfort with these kinds of advanced rackets. However, this new stick (much like the TF-40 305) doesn’t shudder through the arm or elbow. The sensation is smooth and the performance is spot on. You may also notice the higher price point too.
Club players looking for a more all-round performer should check out the Tecnifibre TF-X1 family, you’ll experience wicked power, playability in your hands, plus cool control together with substantial stability. There’s also a vibration-dampening system positioned within the butt to reduce shock and fatigue. Clever stuff huh!
Playing Standard: Advanced
Star Endorsement: Daniil Medvedev
Buy now £189.90, Tennis Point
Artengo TR960 Control Tour
- Weight: 305g
- Headsize: 97.6sq in
- String Pattern: 18x20
- Beam: 22 mm
Do you want a top-drawer control-orientated tennis racket with a stellar name attached to it and rather not shell out a boatload of cash? You’re in luck.
Artengo has teamed up with show court favourite, flying Frenchman Gael Monfils to create a cracking high-performance frame for under £100.
The paint job might not be the highest quality finish, but as a platform product straight off the shop shelf, it has the makings to be stiff competition against the brand leaders in how it performs on the court.
When I say platform product, I mean the racket requires a little customisation (adding weight to increase its stability). You can use either lead tape or better still, the copper version.
Don’t get me wrong, it still performs well in all departments without any tinkering - I found it resembled the Wilson Blade - but applying some personal specs will take this racket to another level.
Yes, this may be a slight hassle, but once it’s done, you should find it boosts directional control, stability and power.
For any top club-level players on the hunt for a brand new beam on a budget, this could be bang on target. More forgiving options are available in their range with the likes of the TR930, which possesses the ability to unleash spin shots at will or for power meets comfort, look no further than the TR500.
Playing Standard: Advanced
Star Endorsement: Gael Monfils
Buy now £99.99, Decathlon
Wilson Ultra v4
- Weight: 300g
- Headsize: 100sq in
- String pattern: 16x19 with factory standard strings and tension
- Beam: 24-26.5-24.25mm
Looking for dynamite in your hands whilst playing tennis? Well, here is something explosive in the form of the revamped and popular Ultra. Kicking on from the previous version, the v4 has a supremely more solid feel and an improved all-court shot-making boost.
My natural game is focused on going on the offense and pinning players into a defensive position looking for that winning shot into the open court or forcing them into an error (where and when I can) - and that’s exactly where this weapon excels. The sheer force you can gain whilst swiping forehands, backhands and overheads is venomous. The bite you get from baseline to baseline is on another level and will have your opponent (or friend) stuck to the back fence.
While power is the key factor, control thankfully has not been left by the wayside. Comfort is also a major player here. The Ultra v4 is arm-friendly and easy to handle - which provides you with immediate confidence. This was expertly tested by my 80-year-old dad, who doesn’t stop raving about his exploits on court.
Don’t be fooled that this is just a perfect fit for seniors. A host players of across all levels will enjoy playing with the Ultra v4. Pro player Maria Sakkari (currently World ranked #6 on the WTA singles tour) endorses this line, among many others.
What’s more, the plush iridescent ocean blue and purple haze colourway is something to behold and cherish - and prepare to cue the compliments as you unleash this ruthless beauty out of your trusty court bag.
Playing Standard: All-Levels
Star Endorsement: Maria Sakkari, Borna Coric, Ajla Tomljanovic
Buy now £220.00, Wilson
HEAD Speed Team L
- Weight: 265g
- Headsize: 100sq in
- String pattern: 16x19 with HEAD Lynx 130 strings used at 55lbs tension
- Beam: 23mm
The Speed series has been around for many years and it has mostly kept to its distinctive and minimal black and white pattern right through to the modern day. Look closely and you’ll admire the clean white gloss and matt black cosmetic with copper details.
The Speed Team L uses ‘Auxetic’ materials which stiffen the frame on fast swinging groundstrokes, giving more stability and softening slice and drop shots for more flexibility, ultimately giving a ”sensational” feel, according to HEAD.
This racket leans towards power on the brand’s scale metric and would suit a junior or casual player seeking a baseline boost. It’s easy to handle, very light on the arm but packs a high playability rating producing an outstanding mix of power, spin and control.
Playing Standard: Beginner/Casual Enthusiast
Star Endorsement: Novak Djokovic
Buy now £114.90, Tennis Point
Wilson Burn v5
- Weight: 300g
- Headsize: 100sq in
- String pattern: 16x19 with factory standard strings and tension
- Beam: 23.5-25.23.5mm
There are two main features that you will notice about the Wilson Burn v5 before even hitting a ball. The fiery burnt orange paint job will get set your pulse racing, while the cosmetic finish is electric and will have you burning to hit the court.
Then you got the price point, which sits at under £150. Now, for a brand new tennis racket, this is an extremely enticing prospect.
Usually, this is where things fall apart, you take your first swing and find that its user-friendliness is way below average to reflect the cost. Think again.
The Burn v5 plays out great and has a likeness to Wilson’s Ultra range. For power, it packs a decent punch in the arms of a medium to fast full-swing player and produces a lively spin. The latter is due to parallel drilling technology which Wilson says generates extra spin, and power and reduces vibration.
After an extensive run out with our test hitters, we agreed our groundstrokes felt fluid on both the fore and backhand. Moving up towards the net resulted in lively and versatile volleys. Overhead shots (serving and smashes) seemed to flow with a devasting impact on the fly.
As an advanced player, the shots, at times, seemed to somewhat trampoline out of the string bed pocket and we experienced a few control issues. However, Wilson’s Burn v5 is geared towards beginners and thus, most players in this category should not be affected by this.
The frame is quite stiff and looking at the specs, could potentially turn players away who suffer from elbow or arm injuries. Surprisingly, I did not encounter any problems and enjoyed a comfortable all-round drive.
Wrapping up, this model is a great mid-range value-for-money option. With prices rocketing up, snapping up a quality bargain comes very welcome.
Playing Standard: Beginner/Improver
Buy now £139.90, Tennis Point
Tecnifbre Tempo 270
- Weight: 270g
- Headsize: 100sq in
- String pattern: 16x19 with Tecnifibre TGV 135 strings at 54lbs tension
- Beam: 24.2-26-25.4mm
This stylish racket is predominantly aimed at the female player and forms part of a range recommended by Iga Swiatek. It could easily be a unisex option for juniors, new starters and improvers alike.
Most adult rackets tend to be a length of 27in. You can move to a + size (up to 29in) which will offer more on serve and hitting from the backcourt, but perhaps be a bit trickier to pounce on volleys.
Here, we have a unique 26.5-inch version, which can hold its own from all areas and be extra agile when moving forward.
Performance-wise, it proved to be a real delight, being on balance between delicate and devilish. The open 16x19 string pattern with its 100sq-in head size benefits this model with marvellous access to power and spin (without that, I fear a player would need to work really hard for each point). Thankfully, this isn’t the case and you can pep up your skills technically with this compact beauty.
Tecnifibre has quite clearly engineered and mastered a finely tuned choice here, which will appeal to the masses.
Playing Standard: Beginner/Improver
Star Endorsement: Iga Swiatek
Buy now £128.00, Pro Direct Tennis
Babolat Evo Drive
- Weight: 270g
- Headsize: 104sq in
- String Pattern: 16x17 with Babolat RPM Power 130 strings at 58lbs tension
- Beam: 23-26-23mm
The first thing you might notice about this offering from Babolat is the massive 104sq head. It gives the player the opportunity to slap balls left, right and centre with pure ease. I honestly felt like I couldn’t miss a shot! You’ll hardly notice your racket in your hand either due to its lightweight nature.
The Evo Drive can muster up absolute turbo serves. Monster groundstrokes are on also hand, together with explosive spin and the potential to execute that killer slice you desire.
This attractive blue, black and white toned racket has got a real rocket booster feel about it - which is down to the advanced SWX Evo Feel technology (used in the aerospace industry) dampening vibrations in three key areas of the frame.
If you searching for something with power and comfort at an affordable price - this could be right up your street.
Playing Standard: Beginner/Improver
Buy now £109.99, Amazon
Dunlop FX JR 21
Fans of rising British pro player Jack Draper will love this!
A premium junior tennis racket made from aluminium is an outstanding value-for-money choice perfect to introduce kids from 4–6 years old (21” version) and assist with their development of the game.
This range is available also for a spectrum of other ages, so you can learn, and grow into the full adult version when you are good and ready!
The blue and black frame finish is the very same as the full adult beam - so having big fun on the court and dreaming of playing like Jack Draper is in your grasp.
Playing Standard: Juniors (4-12 years old)
Buy now £25.90, Dunlop
