The thought of playing in the big leagues does make you feel proud, doesn’t it? And we’re guessing you’re here because you want to learn more about the best tennis racket for advanced players? Well, you’re at the right place.
Let’s start by looking at the best tennis rackets for advanced players, and then finish off by talking about some of the factors that you need to take into account before investing in a racket.
Best Racquets for Advanced Tennis Players
1. Babolat Pure Drive - Editors Choice
We told you guys Babolat is a legend in this industry and we weren’t joking. They don’t use commercials to make themselves popular but produce high quality rackets with the best technology on planet Earth.
Babolat Pure Drive is an explosive racket made famous by three things: the HTR system, SWX Pure Feel, and FCI Power Technology.
We won’t bore you with the science, but this is what you need to know: The HTR system is a new technology that ensures the racket is more stable and offers greater energy return. The SWX Pure Feel, on the other hand, provides cutting edge vibration filtration, for all you players who hate the shock created upon impact.
The FCI Power is an advanced frame string interaction that creates a larger sweet spot for maximum power.
PROS
- Great design.
- Accurate and stable strikes.
- Tremendous spin and power.
CONS
- Not the racket for doubles.
- It’s a tad bit stiffer than other rackets.
2. Head Graphene 360 Speed Pro - Close Second
Raise your hand if you think Head’s speed line is the most popular line in the market? Yes, we do too. And that’s not going to change anytime soon seeing as it’s endorsed by the likes of Coco Gauff, and Noval Djokovic, who are by far the best athletes in the world.
The Graphene 360 speed pro has all the features that come with other Head models, plus the spiral fiber. This latest technological addition will give you that comfortable feel while creating a plusher.
PROS
- Very stable.
- Good-sized sweet spot.
- Mixes spin and power.
CONS
- White grip will get dirtier quicker than other colors.
3. Head graphene 360+ Gravity - Best Value
Tennis racket manufacturers have been busy for the last couple of months. So many of them have released new rackets lines, and Head didn’t want to be left behind. The brand surprised everybody when it announced its latest addition to the family, the Head grapheme 360+ Gravity.
And boy oh boy, this model has delivered beyond expectations. You’ve got to appreciate this racket as an advanced tennis player, as it will not only offer you that solid feel of a pro racket, but also offer accuracy and control like no other.
The Head grapheme 360+ Gravity is a lot similar to the other Head models but that extra comfort and feel is what sets it apart.
PROS
- Great at the net.
- Incredible stability.
- Excellent control.
- Comfort, comfort, comfort.
CONS
- Not ideal for amateur players.
- Not super maneuverable.
4. Wilson Clash 100 - Premium Choice
It might take you ten or even more years to become the next Naomi Osaka but with the right racket, that duration can be significantly reduced. So in as much we all agree that success in tennis is all about hard work and talent, eliminating the role played by a racket from the equation would be an injustice.
The Wilson Clash 100 doesn’t care if you’re a beginner, and intermediate, or a pro player. If you believe in it, it will ensure you score some sweet victories.
A good frame is one which absorbs power from the ball. You don’t want to find yourself on the court trying to work with something that loses flexibility every time you try to make a shot. Go for the clash 100, and all that will be behind you.
PROS
- Easy control.
- Excellent power.
- Unprecedented flexibility.
- Solid stability.
CONS
- Quite costly.
5. Babolat Pure Strike
You should know the model that we’re about to review comes from a brand that has served this industry for eons. Matter of fact, apart from Wilson, we don’t think there’s another brand out there that’s more popular than Babolat. And if there is, pick up your phone and dial us up.
Several advanced and amateur players will swear by this brand. And it’s not because they have insidious marketing strategies or anything of the sort. It’s simply because their rackets are durable, innovative, and more importantly, reliable.
Babolat Pure Strike has FSI technology that enhances power and spin by optimizing the string spacing. It’s also hard to miss the fact that the Hybrid Beam Construction provides more feel and control compared to other franchises.
PROS
- It’s a lightweight so the swing speed is decent.
- The head size is about 10 percent bigger than an average racket
- Has a stiff frame construction.
CONS
- You won’t get any whip action while striking if you’re using this racket.
- Might feel too light for an advanced player.
6. Babolat Pure Aero
It’s hard to miss a Pure Aero racket on any court. It’s a very popular racket that offers huge amounts of power and spin. Also, if you’re an avid tennis fan, you already know it’s the racket synonymous with none other than —Rafael Nadal.
Babolat Pure Aero is somewhat of an upgrade because all the other previous versions provided less comfort on impact. They were unusually stiff and that affected the play of so many players.
Baseliners prefer this racket model for one reason—if you know how to handle it, you can unleash fire and fury upon the ball.
PROS
- Huge power and spin potential.
- Great head speed.
- Suits intermediate through to advanced players.
CONS
- Not the racket you’d typically go for if you struggle to flatten the ball out.
7. Yonex EZONE 98
Should we start this racket’s review with the Isometric head shape designed to increase your sweet spot? Or should we just talk about the modern technology used to stiffen its frame? We’re obviously spoilt for choice, and that is enough to tell you how awesome a racket this is.
Yonex invested heavily on this racket, as they also introduced new innovative technologies like the Hyper Mg meant to reduce the frame bending and the Micro Offset Layout, meant to deal with the vibrations upon impact.
You’ll find players change brands as soon as they go pro, not because they want to, but because they have to. They know the level of play found in the big leagues demands quality. The kind of quality that only top brands can deliver.
Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about all that when playing with Yonex EZONE 98. It’s suitable for players on all levels as it offers great precision, power and spin.
PROS
- Has great precision.
- For a racket with a low swing weight, it’s decent at the net.
- Easy maneuverability.
- Generates good spin.
- Large sweet spot.
CONS
- Wouldn’t recommend it to someone who loves heavier, control-oriented rackets.
8. Wilson Blade 98 V7
The subtle improvement added to this model is what makes it unique. For example, it has a dynamic dampening effect and grip-string technology meant to improve control in a more aggressive environment.
Another significant improvement is the distinct string pattern. It also works to improve the racket’s control and offers more power.
This last one might not be something you look for in a racket but we’ll mention it anyway. The Blade 98 V7 features a sleek new finish. So you know you’ll be winning while looking good around the court.
PROS
- Incredible stability and maneuverability.
- Reliable power.
- Huge shock absorption.
CONS
- Could be too pricey for some players.
9. Yonex Vcore Pro 97
The VCore Pro 97 has to be the most popular model that this brand currently offers because we’ve heard of it one too many times. It’s also popular among recreational users, since it has incredible spin, maneuverability, and control-oriented.
Yonex VCore Pro 97 comes in two versions. We have the 310 and the 330, but weight is the only factor differentiating the two. The former guarantees easier maneuverability while the latter is all about control and power.
PROS
- Excellent maneuverability.
- Reliable power.
- Huge shock absorption.
CONS
- Not beginner friendly.
10. Prince Phantom 100
We don’t know why, but for some reason, this racket reminds all of us of the Ozone Tour and O3 tour models. It has great spin, a muted feel, and very flexible. Unfortunately, the control-power department is lacking and that’s not good at all.
We also love the thin frame that comes with it. You don’t want to go out there with a racket that screams ‘Stone Age!’ It looks classy and the leather grip compliments it’s aesthetic appeal.
The final feature that we would love to talk about here is the Anti-Torque system. Prince felt the need to stabilize their frames, so they applied this technology to improve that department.
PROS
- Improved spin.
- Has a comfortable feel.
- Comes with polyester string, hence greater spin potential.
- Durable
CONS
- Not for recreational use.
How to Choose a Tennis Racket for Advanced Players
Before we even talk about some of the factors that you ought to consider while choosing a racket as an advanced player, there’s something we feel you should know. Over the years, we’ve seen pro athletes use intermediate level rackets, not because they don’t want to use advanced level rackets, but because they can’t handle the weight at that level.
So even though these factors will give you an inkling of which racket you need to choose, it ultimately depends on you as a person/athlete. If you’re not comfortable playing with an advanced level racket, there’s no shame in admitting it.
Don’t choose something that will make you struggle on the court just because you don’t want to hurt your ego. Remember, a racket needs to feel like the extension of your arm.
It’s not just some piece of equipment meant to help you win a game. So if you feel like it’s not tailor-made for you, you’re doing it all wrong, buddy.
Anyway, moving on to our first item on this list—the racket weight.
Weight
You’re now considered an advanced player because you’ve been playing tennis for quite some time, and managed to master most of the techniques. All that’s left, is to sharpen some of those skills and continue to grow.
But don’t get ahead of yourself. We first have to be sure that you understand how weight influences the different aspects of the game.
The weight is and has always been an important factor worth taking into account when choosing a racket. Especially at an advanced level, where nearly all players are chasing that ultimate prize. You’ll never experience any hiccup at any point of your career if you know how to pick the right racket weight.
But pick the wrong one, and you’ll find yourself stuck on the bench with a nasty injury, cheering on other players. Kind of sad, don’t you think? Okay enough of all that. Let’s get into the nitty-gritties.
And the first question here is, ‘What’s a racket’s weight?’
Well, we could define it scientifically, but we don’t want to scare you. So we’ll try to explain it the way we would explain it to a first-grader.
It’s simply how much that particular racket weighs on a scale. And it’s actually the most important spec that advanced players mostly pay attention to. You probably know this already, but for the sake of other players we’re going to list all the three categories.
Your racket will fall under one of these:
- Lightweight.
- Medium.
- Heavy.
Lightweight rackets
At what age did you start playing tennis? Don’t you remember? That’s okay. But we’re certain what you do remember is how light that racket felt compared to other rackets in the store, right? That’s because you were using a lightweight racket, which is ideal for newbies.
Lightweight rackets often weigh 285g/10.5oz or less, and they’re designed to give the player more power. But as an advanced player, you wouldn’t want to use them as they’re also known to offer little to no control, in addition to being less maneuverable.
Medium Rackets
Now in this category, you might find a racket or two that suits your style of play. A standard medium-weight racket will fall between 285 and 325 grams (10.5-11.5oz), and they’re best suited for intermediate players and some advanced level players. They also come with an incredible control-power balance, on top of that decent maneuverability.
Heavy Rackets
If you’re reading this article because your coach just told you it’s time to consider a new weight class, welcome to the big leagues, pal. You’ll like it here.
But don’t be cocky, because there’s still a lot that you don’t know. For example, did you know heavy rackets weigh 325 grams/ 11.5oz or more? Oh, you did?
Okay, but did you also know that even though they offer great control, most of the power generated while playing comes from you?
You didn’t know that one, did you? See? You still have a lot to learn.
Here’s the weight chart in case you need a reference or something:
| Head Light | Balanced | Head Heavy | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Maneuverability |
High |
Medium |
Low |
|
Control |
High |
Medium |
Low |
|
Power |
Low |
Medium |
High |
|
Weight Focus |
Grip |
Evenly Distributed
|
Head |
Head Size
If you could just take a minute to go through all these factors before choosing a racket you’ll realize all of them contribute to your style of play one way or another. They all affect the racket’s power and control. So learn how, if you haven’t.
On matters head size, any racket with a head size that’s above 102 square inches is an oversize. Oversize rackets are ideal for beginners, old players, and advanced players who are still working on an injury, trying to shake off some dust after taking some time off.
They happen to be more forgiving while striking the ball and generate more power courtesy of their larger sweet spot.
However, just like any other racket out there, they too have a downside. This isn’t the type of racket a pro athlete would go for since it offers less control and accuracy around the court.
You really don’t need an oversize if you’re an advanced player. Your timing should be perfect at this stage.
Go for a racket that has a smaller head size, preferably less than 100 square inches. It will help you deliver the best groundstrokes, control all your shots, and produce a finer touch at the net—The kind of techniques that define an advanced player.
What’s the downside to using a smaller head size?
We’ll start with the most obvious one—they offer little to no power at all. Secondly, if you’re having a bad day, or if it’s been a while since you last played, hitting the ball with your frame becomes a thing.
And that’s because the smaller head size offers a smaller sweet spot. Hitting that spot will be difficult if your game is off.
Elite athletes normally use head sizes that are less than 100 square inches because they’ve perfected their craft. Generating power is not a problem. Just think about it! Ever seen a physically weak player at the top level? All they need is control, and that comes with the racket.
| Size | Inches | Power | Control | Sweet Spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mid |
85-97 |
Low |
High |
Small |
|
Mid-Plus |
98-104 |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|
Oversized |
105+ |
High |
Low |
Large |
Grip Size
When it comes to tennis, believe it or not, we all have different playing styles. And the grip size plays a role in that.
It’s important to know and understand what a racket’s grip size means to a player as it will help you avoid serious injuries, and impact your ability or style of play. Around the court, you’ll be communicating with it. You two will obviously not speak the same language, but the grip will translate and relay the directions.
Some advanced tennis players use smaller grips while others prefer larger ones. Know your size. If it’s too small, chances are you’ll end up getting tennis elbow. And during the game, most of your concentration will be directed to the handle, hence making it difficult to produce spin, speed, and power with every shot you make.
We’ve witnessed advanced players complain about how fast rackets wear out these days when in actuality, they are the ones making the wrong racket choices. Keep that in mind the next time you go out shopping, will you?
How do you measure the grip size?
Hold the racket in your dominant hand. Do you see that distance between your palm and middle finger? If it’s too big, the grip size is too large for you. Go get a better racket. If it’s too small, you still have to get a different racket because that means you’ll be straining while playing.
Alternatively, you could use a ruler. The distance between that intersection of your thumb and fingers to your ring finger should be your ideal grip size.
Pre-strung
A pre-strung racket is a racket that already has all the strings strung or fitted. Advanced players already knew this, but we had to start this segment with a simple definition for the sake of other readers.
Pros love unstrung rackets because strings lose tension quite often, and when exposed to different climate conditions, they wear too fast.
To be clear, we’re not saying that manufacturers often produce low-quality strings so that they can wear fast and force you to get a second racket. The string quality is great, but it’s normally exposed to different temperatures in storage. And that’s where the problem sets in.
Price
First off, when you’re looking for a racket, don’t use the word “buy.” Replace that word with “Invest.” Buying a racket makes it sound like tennis is a chore or something. Let them know how passionate you are, and that’s why you feel the need to invest in a racket.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s look at the pricing.
The pricing mostly depends on the material used to make the racket. The best tennis racket for advanced players has been designed using carbon fiber or high grade graphite technology, so naturally, it’ll be pricey in comparison to rackets made of alloy or aluminium.
The games played at an advanced stage are more aggressive. For this reason, if you’re going for the best advanced tennis racket, go for a high quality racket.
Popular Tennis Brands Used by Advanced Players
Yonex
Without a shadow of a doubt, Yonex is one of the best racket brands around the world. But a lot of the players shy away from it because they find it way too costly compared to what the market currently offers.
But we’re the glass-half-full kind of people, so we won’t focus on the negative. Like we said before, when it all comes down to the best tennis racquet for advanced players, we’re not buying but investing. So if you’re an advanced player still looking to take your game to the next level, Yonex is a brand worth considering.
Since this is a buyer’s guide, we’ll look at a few pros and cons in this section as well.
PROS
- High quality brand.
- Have incorporated graphite technology in their rackets.
- Rackets have enhanced stability with the help of a black micro core.
CONS
- Even though you get value for your money, it’s still kind of costly.
Head
The second brand on our list of popular racket brands is Head. Head is a unique brand in that their rackets cater to players across the board. You’ll never come across a situation where a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player is struggling to find a model that suits their style of play.
Head produces high quality rackets, and you should know that because finding a bent Head racket anywhere is next to impossible. All those frames have been reinforced with graphite fiber and titanium.
PROS
- Suitable for most players.
- Offers more stability and strength.
- Has multiple grip size options.
- Tend to be affordable.
CONS
- The wires can be a tad bit too stiff for some players.
Wilson
Wilson is a household name as well. It’s one of the most common brands out there since we know guys who’ve heard of it even though they aren’t passionate about tennis. And no, it’s not because they make great commercials. Their racket designs are just marketing themselves.
They’ve invested a lot in their research and development department and it’s evident because the type of engineering techniques used here is out of this world. Every Wilson racket ever produced to date exudes power and stability. If you think we’re kidding, stop whatever you’re doing and go check out the different models on their site.
PROS
- Great shock pads for comfort and grip.
- Elongated strings to provide more power.
- Uses Volcanic Technology.
CONS
- Might not be the right racket for some new beginners.
Back To You
So what do you think?
Will you be able to find a racket tailor-made for you in this list of the ‘best tennis racket for advanced players?’ We sure do hope so. Because we want you to unleash your full potential and bring home that Gram Slam.
