This is an article “A Review Of Some Of The Best Racquets Currently in The Market” by Marc Pulisci
Before anything else, let's get one thing straight. There's no such thing as the perfect tennis racquet. There may be a lot of top 10 lists out there, but even that can be subject to every other player's preferences. Now that that's out of the way, we can review some of the most efficient racquets out in the market today and weigh in on their strengths. This way, you can study the pros and cons and pick out the most suitable on-court weapon you can use in your matches.
Most tennis reviews have different criteria for every racquet they check out. For this review, let's try our best to consider each racquet's specifications and which game style they are best suitable for use on the court. Another disclaimer you should note is that not every racquet is ideal for all types of players, so don't take each review lightly and consider your game style as you read.
The essentials in picking out a racquet
Choosing the perfect racquet for your kind of game can be tricky and challenging. Relying on premium brands and pricing is not enough to determine if it works best for you on the court.
So, what essential factors should you consider when choosing the right tennis racquet?
For many professionals, it's imperative that they use the heaviest racquet that they can still manage efficiently. This consideration affects how you play on the court and how long you can carry its weight during matches.
Another thing to consider is how your racquet contributes to your shot acceleration for every stroke on your arsenal. Of course, material, grip size, and tolerance are also important. Still, the simple fact is that most championship-level players pick out the heaviest grip that can deliver them accurate power shots without being a burden during the end game.
One of the most common mistakes that beginners make in choosing their tennis racquets is giving in to the marketing hype. These commercial models focus on size, power, and other elements that don't really matter much during actual matches if they don't match your style of play.
The simple fact is there's nothing really exceptional in racquet advancement in recent years. Even the Donnay, otherwise known as the 'Bjorn Borg Special,' made of wood from the glorious 1980s, can perform better than a brand new Wilson Clash 100. That's because it all depends on who is handling the racquet. And what you should be looking for is one that can complement how you play the game.
Top 5 picks for performance
Babolat Pure Strike 16x19 (2019)
This racquet features a comfortable grip size of 4 and ⅜ and is built out of carbon fiber material, making its strung weight a bit lighter than other products at 11.3 ounces. It has a standard though shorter length at 27 inches but can deliver better stroke precision with sharper control than most racquets in the market today.
Players inclined to be more aggressive on the court can perform better with this racquet as it has a comfortable grip feel and is perfect for those wrists' follow throughs. Its standard design is simple and not intimidating with the typical red, white, and blue, but it can be a worthy weapon out on the court for most players.
Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP
Another smart purchase for tennis enthusiasts and professionals is this Head original, which belongs to the tennis racquet top tier. It supports your shots' pinpoint accuracy and provides more power for a strong volley finish.
It has a headlight balance and durable graphene spiral fibers throughout the racquet for a cleaner impact feel. Its grip size feels professional at four and ⅜ with a frame weight of 10.9 ounces. Yes, there is no superior advanced technology here, but the design of the Head Graphene 360 contributes to energy transfer for your shots and can definitely muster the wear and tear of long matches.
Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13
Belonging to the higher price-ranged racquets in the market today, this graphite winner is otherwise known as the junior to Roger Federer's Pro Staff RF97 Autograph. It is made of double braided fibers slanted at 45-degree angles to provide a superior feel and more stability.
Its denser string bed promises improved precision, while its new ergonomic butt cap that is slightly flared, modern bevel design, and grip size of ¼ make for a more comfortable feel. This racquet is best for intermediate players looking for better offense in their groundstrokes, volleys, serves, and returns. It boasts user-friendly maneuverability that even advanced players can appreciate.
Yonex EZONE 98
This deep blue tennis racquet is designed for intermediate to advanced players who want to add more power and control to their shots. It has improved shock absorption by 7.9%, increasing ball speed by around 2% more than its predecessor. Unstrung, it weighs about 10.8 ounces at 27 inches in length.
The racquet provides a solid feel and promises increased precision and slightly dialed-back power for more efficient groundstrokes, volleys, and serves. The fact that it allows a larger area for its sweet spot will give any player at any level better comfort and improved control.
Wilson Clash 100
Last but not least, this classic racquet features its proprietary FreeFlex technology with unique carbon mapping for better frame bending and stroke accuracy. It is the first of its kind as a geometrically designed racquet that allows players to enjoy ample stability while not holding back their power shots.
Intermediate players will appreciate how comfortable and lightweight this racquet is yet still able to unleash ample power and control in every shot, considering it only weighs 10.4 ounces. Though efficient in various playing styles, players looking for better maneuverability, stability, flexible feel, and spin-friendly features will benefit when armed with this racquet during a match.
Choosing the right racquet for your playing style relies more on how well you know your physics than anything else. Unless you know the law of unbalanced force, any tennis racquet you use won't really matter as much.
Review your standard momentum in every shot, determine which weight works for you the best, and pick a suitable racquet based on balance, stiffness, string pattern, and head size. Once you've done all that, all you need to do is practice, practice, practice, and enjoy every match.
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