Are you wondering which is the best tennis racket for beginners? If you are, you must be interested in learning tennis right?
Well, you’re at the right place. We will not only give you a list of rackets that are best suited for you, but also teach you a thing or two about this beautiful game of ours.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at some rackets perfectly suited to beginner players.
Best Tennis Racquet for Beginners
1. Babolat Boost Drive
Seeing as you’re a newbie in the sport, there’s no need of going for rackets designed for pros. Choose a racket that has been designed by the gear-makers to help any beginner quickly master all the techniques instead of struggling. Like Babolat Boost Drive, for example.
This particular racket has features and specifications tilted towards your advantage. And if you think we’re exaggerating, just look at its head size. Babolat Boost Drive has a large enough sweet spot that ensures you don’t embarrass yourself around the court.
And even though this beautiful piece of equipment specifically targets young amateur players, the specifications are standardized. It’s 27 inches long just like all the other pro rackets, so you too can reach for those groundstrokes without struggling.
Is the frame any special, you ask? Absolutely! It’s fully graphite, 9.2oz light, and durable. Babolat manufacturers also added Woofer Technology to it, thus allowing slight string movement and ensuring comfort.
PROS
- Great for far-reaching shots.
- Durable
- Great aesthetics.
- Comfortable grip.
CONS
- There’s a slight arm strain for some players.
2. Babolat Aero G Tennis Racquet
This model also has a large head size, but that’s to be expected since we all know who the target audience is.
Any player who’s had the chance to try it out has talked about it in a positive light. The racket has a lot to offer especially to double players playing from the net and at the baseline. It’s lightweight, aerodynamic, and that makes slicing the ball easy.
Nadal uses this brand by the way. If you’re not familiar with that name, you will be as soon as you invest in your own racket. All we can say for now is, he’s a top athlete who’s fully mastered all the techniques of the game.
Anyway, the Aero G racket comes with AeroModular Technology, which guarantees greater spin and faster swing as a result of an increased head-speed.
You must have heard on the grapevine how every racket has to sacrifice one feature in order to improve a different feature, right? Well, we’re here to dispel the rumors and confirm that’s true. The Babolat Aero G Tennis Racket is all the evidence we need, as we’ve witnessed how it has taken a slight dip in the control department.
PROS
- Faster swing.
- Excellent spin.
- Improved speed, and maneuverability.
- Minimized vibrations due to the application of cortex technology.
CONS
- The control is great but not as great as the more advanced models in this line.
3. Head Ti S6
While shopping for an ideal racket for a beginner, you’ll have to consider the power and swing weight among other things. Head Ti S6 has an open string pattern, a head-heavy frame, and oversized head that guarantees you the right amount of power and swing weight.
Confidence is also a factor in this game. You need to feel like you know what you’re doing, if you’re going to become a better player. And you’re not going to be able to do that, if you keep making mis-hits.
Yet another reason why you need to invest in the Head Ti S6 racket. It favors maneuverability around the court thanks to the light feel provided by titanium and ultra-lite graphite.
Plus, the over-sized head is extremely forgiving, perfect for players who still miss-hit the ball on occasions.
PROS
- Very light but strong.
- Maximum power provided by the open string pattern.
- Ideal for anyone with a slow medium swing speed.
CONS
- Not the racket you should go for if you’re advancing your game.
4. Head MicroGel Radical OS Tennis Racquet
The power behind this racket is what makes it so appealing to beginners and even intermediate players. It could also be the reason why it has gained so much popularity over the years.
But this isn’t the type of racket designed for players who are more into vibrations. It has a shock and vibration dampener meant to help those who struggle with tennis elbow. So depending on your preference that could be a plus or a downside.
In the power and spin department, its oversize head will help you make great serves and cruise through your groundstrokes.
PROS
- Fair power delivery.
- User-friendly
- Will help you deal with tennis elbow.
- You get value for your money.
CONS
- It takes time to get used to it if you’ve never used it before.
5. Head Geo Speed Tennis Racket
This racket is great for both male and female new players, so you should check it out before moving on to other rackets. It’s balanced, the vibrations are not that pronounced, and adds power to every hit you make.
What makes this racket particularly ideal for beginners is its oversized head, measuring in at 105″. This, in turn, provides a large and therefore a more forgiving sweet spot.
As beginners are much more likely to miss-hit the ball, this racket accounts for that and will provide you with a better chance of returning a shot, even if it’s not hit perfectly. While it’s definitely not the biggest head-size on our list, it finds the perfect middle ground in the head-size department. It provides a taste of an advanced level racket, whilst still offering the forgiveness needed in a racket for beginners,
What’s more, this racket’s head-light design helps to reduce vibrations and provide the player more stability in their shots, which is incredibly useful and important to players that are new to tennis.
PROS
- Ideal for players with weak wrists.
- Insanely beginner friendly.
- Affordable.
- Has a sturdy frame.
CONS
- It’s not as durable as other rackets.
6. Head Tour Pro
By now you must be tired of hearing everyone talk about how good Head rackets are, but you’re going to have to get used to it. This company knows how to cater to our demands, so we should be thanking them.
Let’s just look at the Head Tour Pro, for example. They incorporated Nano Titanium Technology into it so as to improve the racket’s stability. And who doesn’t love a stable racket? Can you think of anyone? Because we have no idea!
They then increased the head size to give new players more control while delivering powerful shots. And let’s not even forget about the handle that serves that sturdy feel.
PROS
- It’s aesthetically pleasing.
- Incredible sweet spot for extra power.
- Improved control.
- It’s an inexpensive option.
- Great for beginners as it’s lightweight.
CONS
- It’s construction has a couple of issues that might minimize durability.
- Not ideal for pro athletes.
7. Wilson K Zero Tennis Racket
New tennis players don’t usually know how to make powerful shots while learning how to play. And that’s okay because we all have to start somewhere, right? The K Zero Tennis Racket model will make your work a lot easier, if maximizing power proves to be a task for you.
It has an oversized head, which is a great feature for any new player looking for a racket that offers control and a large sweet spot.
Before we forget, that ‘K’ that you see engraved in that racquet stands for (K)ompact Center Technology. Roger Federer was the inspiration behind this technological feature and it’s supposed to enhance maneuverability.
And that’s not the only thing that the ‘K’ represents. It again refers to the (K)ontour Yoke technology, responsible for the magnified stability in stressful situations.
The last thing worth noting about this racket in particular is the head size. Like most other tennis rackets for beginners, the WIlson K Zero features an oversized head. This, as we’ve mentioned before, provides a larger surface area, which in turn created a more forgiving racket ideal for beginners.
PROS
- Feels great to hold.
- It’s stylish and sleek.
- Has improved stability and mobility.
- Extremely lightweight.
- Comes pre-strung.
CONS
- It needs a vibration dampener.
8. Wilson Ultra Team Tennis Racket
Yes, it’s another one from the Wilson brand and Yes, it’s one of the best tennis racket for beginners. It’s the fact that it’s fast and probably the lightest racket model makes it more primed for new and recreational players.
The Ultra Team Tennis Racket has one thick double tapered beam, giving it that crisp feeling while ensuring it retains its stability and power. It also comes with a sub -300 gram strung weight, so you can tell this racket has one of the fastest swings.
Also, things are not so bad in the groundstroke department, as its raw speed allows players to swing as fast as they can while adding spin to the shots they hit.
Some players may discourage you from going for this model due to its lightweight design, but we see that weight as an advantage. You’ll need it while playing defense.
PROS
- It’s a light racket.
- Produces powerful shots.
- Great stability.
- The graphite makes it durable.
- Comes with a multifilament string built for comfort.
CONS
- Small sweet spot.
9. Wilson Burn Series 100
Are you thinking of a racket that will help you learn the game faster and also heat it up? The Wilson Burn Series 100 is that racket. You’d be blind to miss this racket on any court. It’s classic look makes it stick out like a sore thumb.
This Wilson model will appeal to any new player, especially if you’re the kind of player who battles from the baseline, and has impressive groundstrokes.
The larger sweet spot is one of the features that make it ideal for beginners but what you need to focus on is the Parallel Drill Technology. It offers a forgiving response and consistency to any player willing to learn how to make perfect shots.
Changing grips will be super easy when you’re playing with the Wilson Burn Series 100. And that’s because it has a rounded grip, courtesy of the X2 Shaft Technology.
PROS
- Guarantees easy power.
- Has a great spin.
- It’s also got an impressive solid, crisp feel at the net.
CONS
- It’s stiffer than most rackets.
10. Yonex Ezone Ace
One question that we’re asked all the time is, “what’s the best cheap tennis racket for beginners?” and today we’re here to tell you, it’s the Ezone Ace.
This model is affordable, durable, and delivers high comfort to any new, recreational, and intermediate player looking to make easy shots. Even though it’s an oversized racket, it’s still more powerful than most rackets that the market has to offer and guarantees great control on full swings.
What of the stability? It has a head heavy balance, so if you’re comfortable using rackets in that weight category, you’ve got yourself one racket with impressive stability.
PROS
- Easy to use on groundstrokes.
- Has isometric head shape that offers a generous sweet spot.
- It’s powerful.
- Offers great spin.
- Affordable.
CONS
- Maneuverability is not that great.
How To Choose a Beginner Tennis Racket
Weight
You know, a lot of the time we’re normally asked, “Why is it that when a pro starts talking about choosing a racket, they spend half the time explaining why weight is important?” Here’s why:
When playing tennis, you have to feel like the racket is part of your body. If it doesn’t feel like an extension of your arm, learning about the techniques or strokes will be an uphill battle. Secondly, the weight is what dictates what amount of power gets generated during play.
That being said, a heavier racket will always be superior to a lighter racket. Let’s throw in a hypothetical and think of the rackets as professional boxing fighters. Would you throw a lightweight fighter in the same ring as a heavyweight?
But then again, it also depends on the person holding the racket. You could have a lighter racket but have the physical strength to produce powerful shots. So when you get on the court, even if the opponent has a heavier racket, it won’t matter that much.
And that’s not all. As we said, the weight is everything when it comes to rackets. Any player who insists on using a heavy racket that doesn’t suit their style of play will be susceptible to injuries.
For a beginner, it will act as a lesson. But for a pro, that would mean that they’d have to sit out and not participate in any one of the major competitions. So the question that you need to be asking yourself is, “Is rolling that dice worth the risk?”
Ideally, a normal adult male should find it easy handling a racket that weighs 7.9-11.3oz regardless of the skill level. An adult woman can use anything that falls under the 7.2-11oz range.
Don’t listen to your ego. Just because many of the pro athletes prefer heavier rackets to lighter ones doesn’t mean that those are the best rackets on the market. They too started training using lighter rackets and then upgraded to heavier ones.
We recommend you pick something that won’t strain your arm or cause your fatigue. But if you think you have the strength for a heavier racket, we say go for it.
Head Size
Every racket has a head, a throat, and a handle. The head size refers to the entire section of the head that’s strung up. And since it’s a flat surface, it’s often measured in square inches.
You’ll also hear a lot of players talk about the sweet spot. We didn’t get a chance to define it earlier on, so we’re going to do it now.
First off, whatever racket you choose will have a sweet spot. The difference is, some sweet spots are larger than others. The sweet spot will be found at the center of your racket’s hitting surface. It’s not something that’s visible, so you’ll have to use the basic knowledge of physics to figure it out.
With time you’ll be able to tell how big or small the sweet spot of a racket is, just by testing it. But for now, let’s focus on the basics.
This whole discussion about the sweet spot came about because we felt like you needed to understand not every racket that has a larger head size automatically has a bigger sweet spot. Most of them do, but not all of them.
We don’t want to flood your brain with a lot of information, so we’ll keep it all simple.
As a beginner, when you’re choosing a racket, pick an oversized racket. An oversize racket is a racket that has a large head size. It’s a lot more forgiving, so you won’t be mis-hitting shots around the court. It will provide you with a small power boost as well.
| Size | Inches | Power | Control | Sweet Spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mid |
85-97 |
Low |
High |
Small |
|
Mid-Plus |
98-104 |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|
Oversized |
105+ |
High |
Low |
Large |
Balance
A racket’s balance influences what we call the ‘swing weight.’ Basically, the swing weight is how heavy the racket feels while it’s swinging in the air. The balance is mostly measured in points, so if the point happens to be halfway up your racket’s frame, we say that the racket is ‘evenly balanced.’
There’s a method that you can use to measure the balance of a racket, but an advanced player can tell how balanced a racket is just by holding it. It’s one of those tricks you pick up along the way, as your game improves.
When you hold it and somehow feel like the mass is concentrated in the head section, that racket is head-heavy. If it’s concentrated towards the handle, it’s head-light.
A head light racket is less powerful and stable compared to a head heavy racket. However, it has great maneuverability and that’s why pro players love it.
Grip Length
Why’s the grip such a huge deal? Oh, you mean other than the fact that it provides you comfort around the court? Well, it will also ensure that you don’t injure your wrists or strain your forearm.
Playing with a small grip means that you’ll have to try to overcompensate by holding your racket firmly. Consequently, you’ll strain your arm and expose yourself to painful blisters whenever you rotate and twist it around the court.
You’ll also be sweating so much and if indeed the grip is too small, it won’t stop slipping from your hands.
We all have different physical attributes, and that includes our different hand sizes.
Therefore, before you invest in a racket, confirm your grip size. We know as a beginner, you won’t have an idea of what size is more appropriate for you, and that’s why you should test every racket in the store, before making the purchase.
Keep trying until you find that one racket that makes you feel like you’re ready to make your debut.
Measuring the grip size of any racket is a walk in the park. Take your ruler, and measure the length between your ring finger and that second line on your palm. That measurement, which is in millimeters, will be equivalent to the circumference of your racket’s handle. That’s all!
And if you find yourself in doubt, choose a smaller grip size. Rectifying a larger grip size is a lot harder compared to a smaller one, as you can easily buy an overgrip to add a bit more size.
String Pattern
More spin, power, and control. These are the three things that your racket can accomplish if you have the right string pattern. So you can see why even though it’s not a factor that you’d ordinarily see on top of any list, it’s still essential.
Stringing the racket will give you a grid, also known as a string pattern. Conventionally, the rackets pattern will be either dense or open. An open string pattern takes the form of 16×19, while the dense one will be 18×20. Those numbers represent the main and cross string, by the way.
The primary difference between these two patterns is, in the open pattern the ball penetrates deeper than usual. For that reason, it’s always attacked harder, causing the strings to wear much faster.
But that’s the only negative as far as that goes because rackets with open string patterns are often more supportive with spin, regardless of whether it’s a serve, slice, or topspin.
A dense string pattern is great for players looking for more control and joint protection. The ball won’t obviously go that deep upon impact, and that’s why the vibrations or shock felt by the player is at a minimum.
Of course, you also have to factor in the racket’s head size because if you take an oversized racket and combine it with a denser string pattern, the string won’t be as tight as you’d like them to be.
And that takes us back to what we talked about earlier on. All these factors are correlated in a way. You really can’t pay more attention to the ones you’re interested in, and ignore the rest. You’ll basically be doing nothing.
Side note: For optimal performance, you need to change your strings frequently. If you’re the type of player who plays every single day, try to change them at least twice a week.
Popular Tennis Racket Brands for Beginners
Yonex
Yonex is one of the most popular tennis brands that has withstood the test of time. A lot of people are always surprised when we say this, but facts are facts. It’s one of those Japanese companies that have dominated the world.
This thing about Asian countries producing substandard products is a misconception. If that were true, this brand wouldn’t be where it is today. And they don’t just manufacture the best beginner tennis racket, as we’ve seen them produce some of the best golf equipment.
But Yonex didn’t start off making tennis rackets. It used to be all about wooden corks before it transitioned into badminton rackets. They did that for a couple of years and then got into the tennis racket business with their first racket, which was made of aluminum.
Yonex has a bright future. We know that for a fact because some of the top tennis players still compete using their rackets. Pro players who endorse this international brand include Angelique Herber, Naomi Osaka, Belinda Bencic, Nick Kyrgios, and Stan Wawrinka.
Yonex released a different line of rackets in 2019. We now have Junior, Astrel, VCore, VCore Pro, Ezone. They aren’t as costly as other brands, and they’re known to offer a lot of power and control. But you have to be physically fit to play with one, as they’re a tad bit heavier than your traditional racket.
Babolat
The adoption of Babolat strings by Henri Cochet and Suzzanne Lenglen could be what propelled it into the world of tennis to be honest. It’s one of the oldest brands in the market, as it dates back to 1875.
We don’t know why, but Babolat sure did take it’s time to launch its first racket. And when it finally did, it quickly gained popularity thanks to one Carlos Moya. He was an elite athlete at the time, and won a Grand Slam with one of the rackets.
A lot has changed since then. Babolat decided to branch out and started making clothing, shoes, and even endorsed several other pro athletes who went on to win major tournaments using their rackets.
Players who’ve used or are still using Babolat are the type of players who perform exceptionally well on clay courts. Being a newbie, you might not be aware of this but clay courts usually demand more topspin from players. Something that Babolat rackets are known to provide.
Who are some of the top seeded players using Babolat to date? We’ll just name a couple of them because if we decided to list everybody, we won’t learn anything about the next two brands.
So we have Garbine Muguruza, Felix-Auger Aliassime, Jack Stock, Fabio Fognini, Caroline Wozniacki, Benoit Pliskova, Kristina Pliskova, Dominic Thiem, Johana Konta, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and the legendary Rafael Nadal.
Intermediate players usually go for Pure Strike, Pure Drive, and Pure Aero lines, but the Pulsion, Drive, Evoke, Aero, and Strike are more geared towards newbies like you. Their large head sizes make them ideal for new players looking to learn the sport.
Wilson
When Wilson got into the industry, it introduced itself as the best string manufacturing company. That was back in 1914, before it diversified. The first tennis player to represent this brand was Jack Kramer, who was the top ranked player at the time.
Even though Wilson always strives to perfect their rackets, they’re always on a mission to help pro athletes reach their true potential. And we feel like they’re doing quite a good job since we’ve witnessed different athletes improve their style of play while working under this brand.
Some of the best beginner tennis racquets are found under this brand. Their rackets are not only iconic, but also simple, reliable, strong, and aesthetically pleasing.
And if you’ve done your due diligence, you’ve by now noticed Wilson is synonymous with not just tennis, but several other sports as well. We only associate it with tennis because tennis is the root of the company.
Head
The first thing that comes to mind when the brand Head shows up on our screens is the time they built that aluminium tennis racket, that sealed their spot on the list of top brands in the country. It was the first-ever metal racket, and it made other brands look bad.
But we all knew Head was a force to reckon with back in the day when it signed Andre Andre and Steffi Graf to represent the brand. It’s popularity drastically increased, and made several other top ATP pros want to be part of their program.
Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray two of the top players currently representing them but the kind of technologies that they keep using is what sets them apart. We don’t know how much you know but FlexPoint, MicroGel, Graphene 360, and Spin Grommets are all examples of innovative technologies associated with the brand.
Final Thoughts
Do you now have an idea of which racket is the best tennis racket for beginners? Great. All that remains is you going out there and making history.
We’d like to wish you good luck, but luck’s for losers. Now, go show the world what you’re made of.
Related Reading:
- Best Tennis Racket Under $100
- Best Tennis Racket for Intermediate Players
- Best Tennis Racket for Advanced Players
- Best Tennis Racket for Women
- Best Junior Tennis Racket
