If you are looking for the best tennis racquets for 2017 you came to the right place.
In order to play at your highest level you need to pick this piece of equipment correctly. There’s a lot to think about and I’ll show you what to consider before purchasing – you’ll see my top choices for the year too.
Ready?
Contents
- 1 How To Select The Perfect Racquet
- 2 Head TiS5 Comfort Zone Racquet
- 3 Babolat AeroPro Drive With Cover
- 4 Wilson Juice 100 Racquet
- 5 Babolat AeroPro Drive French Open Racquet
- 6 Wilson Pro Staff 97
- 7 Head Graphene XT Speed Pro
- 8 Prince Triple Threat Thunder Bandit
- 9 Gamma RZR Bubba
- 10 Head TiS6 Racquet
- 11 Babolat Drive Max 110
- 12 Prince Warrior 100L ESP Racquet
- 13 Head Ti Radical Racquet
- 14 Wilson Tour Slam Racquet
- 15 Don’t Play With Low Quality Equipment!
How To Select The Perfect Racquet
There’s a few things to keep in mind before deciding on a racquet and the most important factors are:
- Picking the right size
- Knowing the differences in style
- Being aware of your own skill level, athletic ability and power
It’s important to pick a properly sized tennis racquet. Grip is usually between 4 inches to 4 and 5/8 inches and normal length is between 27 inches and 28 inches. Longer products generate more power and are suited for more advanced players.
After you determine the right size, shift your attention to the type of racquet you need. There are a few different styles and they are:
- Power/game improvement racquets: These are a favorite of people learning the game and intermediate tennis players. They tend to be over-sized (bigger head, little extra length) and very lightweight.
- Control racquets: These are for more skilled players and feature a small head and a heavier frame. They give you a little more accuracy and, like the name suggests, more control.
- In between racquets: This product is designed to be an intermediate step between game improvement and control racquets. They’re the perfect middle ground and for any one looking to become more skillful.
Lastly, you need to be mindful of your own skill level and athletic ability. If you are a large, powerful person you don’t need a racquet designed for maximum power – you’ll generate enough. You should focus on one that gives more accuracy; vice versa for smaller players.
Here’s a video that goes a little more in depth into the selection process:
So now that you know exactly what to consider before purchasing, let’s take a look at my top picks.
Head TiS5 Comfort Zone Racquet
Company: Head
Price: $$
Rating: 4.8/5
The Head TiS5 Comfort Zone is perfect for beginners and intermediate players. It has a larger than average head to give you a forgiving sweet spot and less inaccurate shots – you’ll have an easier time keeping the tennis ball between the lines. Some other awesome features include:
- Titanium frame and technology to ensure an even, fluid swing
- Nice length (27.75 inches) which adds a little extra power
- Open string pattern which allows for spin
This is a very stable and light weight piece of equipment too. If you are looking to make the jump from entry level to more advanced, you should definitely consider this product.
Take A Closer Look At The Head TiS5
Babolat AeroPro Drive With Cover
Company: Babolat
Price: $$$$
Rating: 4.9/5
If you are an absolute beginner you should avoid the Babolat AeroPro Drive; this is reserved for intermediates and the advanced. This racquet does two things well: It delivers power and control. It comes with:
- Cortex technology that redistributes energy back to your hand giving you pin point accuracy
- Graphite construction for added durability
- Firm yet flexible
It’s also very comfortable and delivers smooth swings. This is a product you will love and that will last many matches.
Take A Closer Look At The Babolat AeroPro Drive
Wilson Juice 100 Racquet
Company: Wilson
Price: $$$
Rating: 4.9/5
Wilson is well knwon in the sports world (they make great tennis shoes too). Their Juice 100 is a power racquet which allows you to snipe and finesse shots; it comes with a large sweet spot as well. You’ll love that this piece of equipment features:
- Spin Effect technology that adds zip to your shot
- Ampilfeel which allows for more responsiveness
- Excellent balance
Your opponent will have a hard time returning your serves if you play with this racquet. It delivers high performance without completely breaking the bank.
Take A Closer Look At The Wilson Juice 100
Babolat AeroPro Drive French Open Racquet
Company: Babolat
Price: $$$$
Rating: 4.8/5
Here we have another Babolat racquet that should be used by more skilled and advanced tennis player. It can be a little pricey and can cost anywhere from $150 to $200. If you can afford that, though, you should consider it. It has a lot going for it and comes with:
- Cortex Active Technology that enhances the feel and durability of the product
- Graphite construction for extra strength
- Woofer Technology which improves contact time, giving you more accurate shots and placement
There are many Babolat racquets on this list and this is one of their top ones!
Take A Closer Look At The Babolat AeroPro Drive French Open
Wilson Pro Staff 97
Company: Wilson
Price: $$$
Rating: 4.9/5
The Wilson Pro Staff 97 is for tennis players with a lot of ability – the price reflects this too (around $170). This product is extremely lightweight and is a favorite of Roger Federer, arguably the best tennis player of all time. I know he likes this comes with:
- Spin effect technology to help you move around better
- Kevlar and graphite technology
- Synthetic leather grip
This racquet will give you soft touches and help you snipe shots all over the court. Here’s a video that goes a little more in depth:
Take A Closer Look At The Wilson Pro Staff 97
Head Graphene XT Speed Pro
Company: Head
Price: $$$
Rating: 4.8/5
The Head Graphene XT Speed Pro is for anyone looking to add a little quickness to their swing without giving up much power. My favorite part about this product is:
- The light weight and durable design
- ASP technology which lets you customize your string pattern
- A responsive grip
This racquet will cost $140+. It’s not necessary to spend this type of cash if you are just starting – in this case buy something cheaper and develop your game until your ready to spend more. However, if you are competitive or wish to be more competitive, this piece of equipment is what you need.
Take A Closer Look At The Head XT Speed Pro
Prince Triple Threat Thunder Bandit
Company: Prince
Price: $$
Rating: 4.7/5
The Prince Triple Threat Thunder is a little cheaper than the last few products you’ve seen and is geared towards beginners and lower intermediates. It’s not a bad product by any stretch of the imagination, it’s just better for that skill level. Some top features include:
- Expanded sweet spot for accuracy
- Triple Threat Technology for added stability
- Balanced design and weight distribution that increases control
I wish I had a racquet like this when I was starting out; it would have made things a lot easier, that’s for sure.
Take A Closer Look At The Prince Triple Threat Thunder
Gamma RZR Bubba
Company: Gamma Sports
Price: $$$$
Rating: 4.8/5
The Gamma RZR Bubba comes with the largest head you can possibly have; this means better shots. Best suited for skilled players, this racquet features:
- A forgiving and not too stiff design
- RZR Advanced Aerodynamics which allows you to be more mobile
- Will add a little pace to your game
This isn’t a cheap product and will cost around $200. If you value skillful shots and high performance it’s worth the investment.
Take A Closer Look At The Gamma RZR Bubba
Head TiS6 Racquet
Company: Head
Price: $$
Rating: 4.7/5
The Head TiS6 is a very inexpensive racquet and is perfect for beginners still learning the game. You don’t need to be an absolute novice but intermediates and advanced players may want to look else wear. I know you’ll love:
- The many different grip sizes you can choose from
- ShockStop Technology that reduces vibrations
- Mixture of titanium and graphite that has a certain stiffness to it
If you stick with tennis, this won’t be last the racquet you own – as you progress you’ll need something more advanced. However the TiS6 is a great starting point.
Take A Closer Look At The Head TiS6
Babolat Drive Max 110
Company: Babolat
Price: $$$
Rating: 4.8/5
The Drive Max 110 is the cheapest Babolat product on this list and it’ll cost you around $110 – not bad for Babolat quality. A few of my favorite aspects are:
- The Elliptic Geometry frame that makes this racquet 20% more stiff
- Cortex handle that eliminates painful vibrations
- Syntec soft grip that is extra comfortable
I’ve played with a lot of racquets that felt weird when serving the ball. That won’t happen with this piece of equipment; it’s a delight to play with!
Take A Closer Look At The Drive Max 110
Prince Warrior 100L ESP Racquet
Company: Prince
Price: $$$
Rating: 4.8/5
The Prince Warrior 100 L is another racquet with a large sweet spot; that means crisper serves and less out of bound shots. Besides that, it comes with:
- Resipro grip that is one of the most comfortable on the market
- ExQ3 technology to lessen distracting vibrations
- Ultra responsive
This is an excellent product for intermediates and will cost around $100.
Take A Closer Look At The Prince Warrio 100 L ESP
Head Ti Radical Racquet
Company: Head
Price: $
Rating: 4.7/5
The Head Ti Radical is one of the cheapest product on this list and will only cost around $40. Obviously you can’t expect the highest level of play from the Ti Radical but it is a useful tool to learn with. Beginners will like:
- The Titanium technology that helps smooth your swing
- Oversized head to help keep shots in bounds
- That it’s good for mobility
This is a nice racquet for the price.
Take A Closer Look At The Head Ti Radical
Wilson Tour Slam Racquet
Company: Wilson
Price: $
Rating: 4.7/5
This Wilson racquet is the cheapest on the list and shouldn’t be played by anyone more advanced. It’s for someone that’s trying tennis out to see if they like it or just likes to play once in a blue moon. There’s a few nice features, including:
- Open string pattern for a little power
- Light head
- Best for short, compact swings
Some people feel this product is a little heavy for a young child or anyone elderly. Any other beginner should get good use out of the Tour Slam.
Take A Closer Look At The Wilson Tour Slam
Don’t Play With Low Quality Equipment!
Tennis is truly a game of inches. One inch to the left and you just served an ace; one to the right and you just faulted and are down 15 love. Having a good racquet will improve your game tremendously and make life much easier. No matter your skill level or budget, there’s a product here for you.
If you have any questions about what you’ve read, comment below and I’ll make sure to respond as fast as possible. You can let friends and family see by sharing on social media too.
Are you ready to have some tough-returning shots this year?