Did you know that tennis can increase your life expectancy by 9.7 years? If this makes you want to take up the sport or if you simply want to get back into tennis after a long break, follow our guide to find the best racket for you. As there are many criteria to consider (handle size, light or heavy racket, small, medium or large heads, mono-filament or multi-filament strings, etc.), some people will have trouble finding the right racket. So, trust our 4 best tennis rackets of the moment.
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Our selection
"This men's racket from HEAD will make you enjoy playing tennis. Made of titanium, it is much lighter and more resistant than steel and guarantees…"
"Want to give your child under the age of 5 the best racquet ever? Look no further, the Wilson Graphite Kids Racquet is just what…"
"Ensure great tennis with HEAD's flagship Gravity Series racquet. Weighing in at over 300 grams, this is a powerful racquet with great control."
"This Babolat racquet is well suited for experienced players. Medium weight and stiff, it offers the best compromise between the power of the strike and…"
This men's racket from HEAD will make you enjoy playing tennis. Made of titanium, it is much lighter and more resistant than steel and guarantees all the comfort sought in a racket.
125 £ on AmazonAre you just starting out in tennis, or are you already an intermediate player? Either way, this racquet will meet your needs. With a 742 sq. cm. head size, it offers great sweetspot coverage, so you won't miss many balls. It also provides a powerful, long-range shot.
Its 1 inch thick frame allows you to generate more acceleration. A length of 70.5 cm, which exceeds the standard length, enhances its performance. Made of titanium material, it is very light so it is easy to handle, especially for beginners who are still learning basic hitting techniques.
Want to give your child under the age of 5 the best racquet ever? Look no further, the Wilson Graphite Kids Racquet is just what you need.
34,68 £ on CdiscountA tennis racket must match the player's profile for a risk-free game. That's why Wilson is focusing on your kids by offering a racquet that will be totally adapted to them. A balance point on the handle will help them hit better, especially if they are new to tennis.
Thanks to an enlarged sweet spot, this racquet guarantees a fast and precise hit. Its size of 529 cm² and its length of 48 cm are perfectly suited to the small figure of a child under 5 years old. Besides that, made of graphite, it is also very light and maneuverable. There is no doubt that your child will become a tennis pro with this racket.
Ensure great tennis with HEAD's flagship Gravity Series racquet. Weighing in at over 300 grams, this is a powerful racquet with great control.
See priceThe Graphene 360+ Gravity Pro racquet is perfect for the advanced player who values their racquet's strengths. The heavy weight provides more power and stability on contact with the ball. This helps with control.
In addition, a heavy racquet emits less vibration, which allows players to enjoy a more comfortable stroke. But still, the thin 18 x 20 string beam gives you a remarkable feel that boosts your confidence. With a length of 68.6 cm, this racquet is easy to handle. Power, control and comfort are the key words.
This Babolat racquet is well suited for experienced players. Medium weight and stiff, it offers the best compromise between the power of the strike and the power deployed by the player.
250 £ on AmazonFor the most spirited games of tennis, look to this Pure Aero racquet from Babolat. The carbon fiber material is extremely durable and not too heavy or too light. As a result, this racquet combines power with ease of use.
Its 645 cm² midplus heads ize allows for more accurate ball striking. Its light head balance is a good choice for professional players with a strong and powerful swing. Given its unmatched qualities, there is no doubt that this model is ideal for competition.
Any specific needs?
The best entry-level tennis racket
The best high-end tennis racket
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| TOP OF THE LINE | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
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| OUR SELECTION |
HEAD Titanium Ti S6 Men's Racquet
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Wilson Racket Sport tennis racket for kids
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Graphene 360+ Gravity Pro HEAD Racquets
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Babolat Pure Aero Racquets
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This men's racket from HEAD will make you enjoy playing tennis. Made of titanium, it is much lighter and more resistant than steel and guarantees all the comfort sought in a racket.
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Want to give your child under the age of 5 the best racquet ever? Look no further, the Wilson Graphite Kids Racquet is just what you need.
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Ensure great tennis with HEAD's flagship Gravity Series racquet. Weighing in at over 300 grams, this is a powerful racquet with great control.
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This Babolat racquet is well suited for experienced players. Medium weight and stiff, it offers the best compromise between the power of the strike and the power deployed by the player.
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Lightweight
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Large sweet spot
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Powerful
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Average weight
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Powerful
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Lightweight
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Stable
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Accuracy
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Ideal for beginners
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Polyvalent
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Great maneuverability
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Power
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Choosing the right tennis racket allows the player to enjoy a safe and enjoyable game, optimal manoeuvrability and a clear improvement in technique over the long term. Here are the parameters to take into consideration when buying a tennis racket.
This parameter has a considerable impact on the maneuverability of the racket and the power of the shots. On that note, for an adult, opt for a 270 to 370 grams strung racquet. For youth and beginners, 255 to 280 gram unstrung racquets are more suitable. For intermediate players, 280 to 300 gram unstrung racquets and heavier 300 gram minimum racquets for advanced players.
Opt
for a racquet with a handle that is neither too thin nor too big for your hand to avoid tendonitis. If you find yourself between 2 sizes, choose the small one which you can increase the thickness with an overgrip.
The
stiffer a racquet is, the more power it offers but less control, and the softer it is, the more control you will have because the ball stays in contact with the strings for a long time. Be careful not to choose a very stiff racquet to avoid injury. In fact, instead of absorbing the shock, your arm will do it instead of your racquet. The flexibility and stiffness of a racquet is measured by the Rahmen Index (RA). For this purpose, a snowshoe is said to be soft when the index is between 55 and 60 RA, semi-rigid between 62 and 67 RA, and rigid above 67 RA.
For
this4th
criterion of choice, you will have the choice between 3 kinds of rackets: those balanced in the center, those heavy in the head and those light in the head. If you are just starting out in tennis, you will need maneuverability first. Therefore, opt for a center balanced racquet with a balance of about 32 cm. For intermediate players, a head-heavy racquet with a balance point greater than 20 inches is recommended as it provides power (but less maneuverability and control). For light-headed racquets, the balance point is less than 20 inches. They offer less power but more maneuverability and control and are best suited for advanced players with a powerful game. Tennis players who get up to the net a lot and volley a lot will also appreciate this type of racquet.
The
denser the stringing on your racquet, the more accurate your ball striking will be, while if it's sparse, you won't have accuracy but you'll have more recovery and power. More experienced players will be happy with a densely strung racquet. On the other hand, light strings are more suitable for beginners and children.
In
this last criterion for choosing a tennis racket, you have 3 options: a small, medium or large stringing. With a surface area of approximately 600 cm², a small head size allows the player to increase ball control but reduces hitting power and is best suited for players who have already acquired some playing precision. Conversely, large headsize racquets allow tennis players to play with more power but less control on a surface between 660 cm² and 740 cm². Large headsize tennis rackets are suitable for both beginners and professionals. Finally, medium headsize rackets have a surface area of 630 to 645 square centimeters and are suitable for all tennis players regardless of their level and style of play. If you don't know what size racquet to get, choose the medium size.
To determine the total weight of your racquet, add to the weight indicated on the racquet, the weight of the following items: between 15 and 20 grams for the string, 2 grams for the anti-vibration pad and approximately 6 to 8 grams for the overgrip.
Tennis racquet balance guidelines
To evaluate the balance of a tennis racket, the American HL or HH measurements are used as references. It is important to note that the higher the HL value, the lighter the racket's head, the higher the HH value, the heavier the racket's head.
| HL (Head Light) Value | Balance point | HH Value (Head Heavy) | Balance point |
| 1 HL | 33.97 cm | 1 HH | 34.61 cm |
| 2 HL | 33.66 cm | 2 HH | 34.93 cm |
| 3 HL | 33.34 cm | 3 HH | 35.24 cm |
| 4 HL | 33.02 cm | 4 HH | 35.56 cm |
| 5 HL | 32.7 cm | 5 HH | 35.88 cm |
| 6 HL | 32.39 cm | 6 HH | 36.2 cm |
| 7 HL | 32.07 cm | 7 HH | 36.51 cm |
| 8 HL | 31.75 cm | 8 HH | 36.83 cm |
| 9 HL | 31.43 cm | 9 HH | 37.15 cm |
| 10 HL | 31.12 cm | 10 HH | 37.47 cm |
| 11 HL | 30.8 cm | 11 HH | 37.79 cm |
| 12 HL | 30.48 cm | 12 HH | 38,1 cm |
Size of the handle according to the profile of the player
Size 0 : For children.
Size 1 : For teenagers or women with small hands.
Size 2: Standard size for women and men with small hands.
Size 3: Standard size for medium men and women with large hands.
Size 4 and 5: For men with large hands and over 6 feet tall.
Materials of a tennis racket
Aluminum is the most suitable material for beginners and children because although it weighs more than graphite, it is much lighter and allows for easy handling of the racket.
Graphite offers more lightness and power
Titanium offers the racquet more rigidity and better vibration absorption
Fiberglass provides more flexibility
Carbon fiber provides comfort and flexibility to the tennis player
The average life of a string is 20-25 hours. After this period, think about changing it because a string that is under tension or has lost its tension is dangerous for your arm. As for the lifespan of a tennis racket, it is 5 to 6 years for the less regular players and 2 years for the intensive players.
Depending on the stringing, there are four categories of tennis rackets: gut stringing, multi-filament, mono-filament and hybrid rackets.
These are tennis rackets whose strings are made of several hundred natural materials from the small intestines of cattle.
Benefits:
Disadvantages :
Who is it for?
This type of racket is mainly intended for children and seniors with weak arm power, players with arm pain, players with fairly flat strokes, without much spin, regular players (1 to 2 times a week) and players looking for power.
These
are the tennis rackets that are closest in performance to those with gut strings. Their stringing is made of hundreds of synthetic micro-filaments assembled together and protected by a protective sheath.
Advantages:
Disadvantages :
Who is it for?
This type of racquet is suitable for players with low arm strength, players with arm pain, players with fairly flat strokes, without much spin but looking for power, regular players (1 to 2 times a week) and players who break regularly (10 and 20 hours of play)
The
stringing of this type of racquet is made up of a single polyester or co-polyester thread. It should be noted that co-polyester provides more comfort and elasticity than single polyester.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Who is it for?
This type of racquet is suitable for physically strong players who play with effect, for very good players who break frequently (less than 10 hours of play) and for tennis players who play intensively 3 times a week or more.
As
the name suggests, the stringing of this type of tennis racket is made up of two types of materials. These include a soft, powerful string assembled with another stiffer string allowing the racket to provide more hitting power.
Advantages :
Disadvantages :
Who is it for?
This type of racket is suitable for players who break regularly (between 10 and 20 hours of play), for players looking for power, spin and a good level of comfort and for tennis players who play intensively 3 times a week or more.
It's normal to have uncertainties when starting out in tennis. You want to start off gently, but you're aiming high and want to improve quickly over the long term. So you're wondering which one is right for you: heavy or light racquets? Follow our short comparison to help you make your choice.
For more power, opt for a heavy tennis racket. However, you should still consider your strength so that it doesn't become a handicap. By absorbing shocks well, it allows you to adapt your game by developing advanced techniques.
Generally speaking, lightweight racquets offer the advantage of being very easy to handle when most of their weight is not distributed in the head of the racquet. However, the lightness of the racquet puts the player at a disadvantage in that his shots lack power.
In addition, a lightweight racquet will have difficulty absorbing the shock and vibration of shots, which can cause injury to the player. This is not at all the case with heavy rackets, which are safe and powerful.
In terms of playing technique, light rackets have the disadvantage of developing bad movement habits in novices, whereas heavy rackets allow you to acquire a good technique over time.
In conclusion, going for an ultra light racquet at all costs is not a good idea if you plan to progress easily in tennis. Instead, choose a racquet that is neither too heavy nor too light.
To be able to play at any time
With a tennis racket in your possession, you can play in your tennis court at any time of the day. You can avoid having to subscribe to a club and comply with pre-planned schedules. You can also play during the holidays.
For a personalization at your convenience
The quality of the sports accessories influences the performance of a player. The same is true for the tennis racket. When you buy a tennis racket, you can personalize it with inscriptions, colors, etc.
To get the right size
To provide an easy and comfortable grip, a tennis racket should be measured in centimeters, including the length of the handle. The weight should also correspond to the standards required for the proper practice of the sport. If you buy your own tennis racket, you are sure to make the right choice. Having a good tennis racket also helps to find stability on the court. If it has a flaw, you will never be able to concentrate on your game.
To be able to change at the right time
There are many good reasons to change your tennis racket. If you notice repeated injuries or a weakening performance, your racket is no longer suitable. A racket has an end of life. It may be worn out. It's time to get a new one.
To excel
Even if you have one tennis racket, buying a new one can sometimes help boost your motivation to play sports. It's like a fresh start. It allows you to regain the desire to play tennis when it has faded a little. Carbon fibre rackets, for example, are a great option if you are looking for good performance and an easy-to-handle accessory.
In our opinion, the best brands of tennis racquets in 2022 are :
Head, this American company founded in 1950, specializes in the design and development of ski and tennis equipment. The company is known for its extensive experience in the handling of aluminium and plastic. And recently, its great discovery is the titanium racket head which has caused a sensation in the tennis world in terms of quality and durability.
This brand is one of the best in the world of tennis. The original kevlar Pro Staff racquet, known to have been chosen by Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, is proof of this. Since 1989, Wilson Staff has prided itself on designing the best performing tennis racquets on the market.
Babolat is a French brand that designs and develops tennis accessories and equipment. It released its first tennis racket in 1994 and since then it has made a name for itself in this field. It is a serious brand with a reputation for high quality.
This brand is one of the top brands of tennis rackets. It matches the quality of Wilson, Head, Babolat and Technifibre very well. Dunlop is owned by SRI Sports Limited which is well known for its product range in the sports world. With its slogan "performance in everyday life" the brand has a very good reputation.
Stability and a comfortable feel are the words that sum up the rackets of the Technifibre brand. This brand is one of the giants of tennis and competes very well with brands like Wilson Staff and Head. Its products are constantly innovated and since its creation, this brand is among the best on the market.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Store your tennis racket properly
In order to stay clean and in good condition, your tennis racket should be stored in a waterproof thermobag. Not only does this bag keep your racket safe from temperature changes that could deform it, but it also protects it from moisture and various shocks.
Remember to change Grips or Surgrips
You should re-grip your racket every time it gets too dirty or damaged. Indeed, this device improves your grip, thus your shots, and prevents the early formation of blisters. In addition, they absorb perspiration to prevent the racket from slipping, which is essential in a match. To do this, remove the old ones and put a new one back on while applying pressure to keep it taut.
Use an anti-vibrator
Think about placing an anti-vibrator on the string of your tennis racket. In addition to dampening vibrations and thus preventing some injuries, this little item has the ability to make the sound effect less irritating for players. In addition, available in various designs and colors, it brings a stylish touch to your racket.
Work on your playing techniques during a practice
It is during a practice that you have to work and refine a technique until it is perfect. In the real match, it's no longer the time to try to perfect a technique. All you have to do is give it your all and apply everything you've learned with your own racquet.
Analyze the opponent's game
As soon as you warm up, it's important for you to analyze your opponent's game. Quickly locate his strengths and weaknesses, as this will allow you to effectively counter his attacks and get the better of him.
In our opinion, the best tennis racket for most people is the Babolat Pure Strike Team. To find out more, read our buying guide.
Not necessarily. These weights are given as an indication, nothing prevents you from taking lighter or heavier weights if you feel comfortable when handling the racket.
To find out, take the time to test the racquet. If you have muscle or joint pain in your arm or shoulder, the snowshoe is too stiff for you.
If you play tennis infrequently, once a week, consider changing your string once a year. However, if you play three times a week, change your string at least three times a year, even if the string is not broken.
Your racquet should be changed once you no longer feel comfortable using it, especially if you feel you have to make abnormal efforts to find power in your shots.
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