Are you interested in taking up tennis?
It’s a great sport which has both physical and social benefits for anyone who plays it.
But the right tennis racket can make a difference to your game and give you more control, comfort and power.
This will make you feel confident when on the court and ultimately make learning the sport much easier.
What To Consider When Buying a Beginner Tennis Racket
Here are some key considerations when choosing a tennis racket if you’re just starting out in the the sport. In essence, you need something with a larger head size, but not too heavy to use.
Larger Head Size
One of the first things that beginners should consider when shopping for a new tennis racket is the head size. Larger head sizes make it a lot easier for beginners to hit the ball as they have a larger sweet spot.
Professional players use rackets with smaller head sizes.
One drawback is that they don’t offer as much control as rackets with smaller heads. Also, if the head is too large, then it may be too difficult for a beginner to swing and to control due to the increased weight.
Choose The Right Weight
The weight of the racket also plays a role in a player’s success. Rackets that are too light will cause too much of the shock to transmit to the arm, while rackets that are too heavy are much too difficult to swing and to control.
It’s important for beginners to consider how strong they are when choosing rackets that weigh slightly more or less.
Grip Size
Beginners also need to focus on their grip size.
Smaller grips can easily be fattened up, but it is very difficult to make a grip that is too large small enough to work for a beginner. Having a professional fit the grip size is a great way to choose the right size.
Larger Frame
Beginner rackets that have a larger frame are great for players who need a little additional help creating power in their shots.
Rackets for beginners are generally designed to offer more power, which is something that more advanced players don’t need. This can easily be accomplished through professional stringing that will help enhance the sweet spot.
1. Head Ti S6String Tennis Racquet
Pros
- Extra-long length makes it easy for players to stretch for the ball
- Low weight of only 8 ounces
- Titanium and graphite frame is easy to move and swing
- Graphite adds a lot of durability to the frame
- Comfortable grip is easy for players to hold for long periods of time
- Head size is 115 square inches
Cons
- Strings are a little low quality and are best replaced.
- Sweet spot isn’t very large and it can make it difficult to generate a lot of power when hitting the ball
- Frame isn’t very durable and can easily break when the ball hits the edge
2. Wilson Tour Slam Lite Tennis Racket
Pros
- The stop shock sleeves are designed to prevent trauma to the arm during intense games
- Longer main strings provide beginners with a lot more power
- 112 square inch head to be the perfect combination of power and comfort
- 27.5 inches long, which increases a player’s stretch and range
- Low weight helps to keep the racket light enough to move it quickly and easily
Cons
- Frame easily bends out of shape, especially if the player accidentally scrapes the ground
- Grip handle isn’t very durable and can easily slip off
- Design on the strings wears off quickly
3. Babolat Drive G Lite
Pros
- Weighs just 8.5 ounces so it is easy to control and move
- The graphite frame is designed to be incredibly durable without being too heavy
- Open 16×19 string pattern is great for players of all skill levels
- Made with forgiveness in mind, as it is easy to control and also light
Cons
- Graphite construction is a little bit heavier than some other frames on the market
- Can be difficult to find the right size for a beginner
4. Wilson Hammer String Tennis Racket
Pros
- Oversized head of 110 square inches is great for beginners without being unwieldy
- Offers great balance of power and control thanks to the large size
- High-quality strings are durable and provide a lot of power
- The open string pattern allows players to enjoy more spin and power on their hits
- Best for players who have medium-full or even full swings and need more control
Cons
- The handle is narrow and can be difficult for some tennis players to easily grip
- Needs to be restrung on a regular basis
- Strings tend to make a popping sound when hitting the ball
5. Wilson Junior Open Tennis Racquet
Pros
- Great for children who are 10 and under
- Aluminum racket is easy to hold and to swing
- Weighs just under 8 ounces which makes it perfect for daily use and taking on trips
- Head size of 112 square inches
- Multiple sizes available, which is great for choosing the right racket for children
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a cover to protect the racket
- Aluminum can easily dent if hit on the ground
- Grip is not very comfortable and can easily make hands cramp when using the racket for long periods of time
Summary
BEST OPTION FOR JUNIOR PLAYERS
Wilson product some great all round rackets, and for juniors this is a great overall option to get your son or daughter into playing tennis.
6. Prince Textreme Premier Tennis Racquet
Pros
- Very large head size of 120 square inches
- O3 ports ensure that users have plenty of additional string movement, which helps to really launch the ball
- Large sweet spot is great for beginner tennis players
- Features special balance in the head to keep it from being too top heavy and difficult to swing and control
Cons
- Ships without a cover, so players must make sure to purchase and provide their own
- Some buyers have reported that the racket ships unstrung, which requires professional help
- Not many color choices for players to choose from
7. Head Microgel Radical Oversize Racquet
Pros
- Head size of 107 square inches
- Tight 18×19 string pattern helps to provide extra power to the ball to make returns more difficult
- Ships with high-quality cover with a lightly padded shoulder strap for comfort and protection
- Strung at 58 pounds, which adds plenty of pressure and power to the shot
- Bright colors and attractive handle make this racket stand out on the court and ensure that players can easily find it
Cons
- Designed more for intermediate and advanced players
- Shipping weight is 1.2 pounds, but the racket weight isn’t listed
Final Thoughts
Obviously in an ideal world, you’d want to test all these rackets and see which one is right for you.
But that’s not that practical, and you’re reliant on doing your research to discover the best tennis to suit your game. Hopefully this blog post has narrowed down your list of rackets to choose from!
Which one is the most popular?
The Head ti s6 comes out way ahead of the others in terms of searches online. While this doesn’t mean it sells a lot more than the others (as I don’t have the sales figures) you can certainly see it is quite a popular tennis racket!
At a beginner level, you can’t go wrong with any of them really. But that being said, here’s what I think is the right option to go with.
Final Verdict
I believe the Babolat Drive is the best option if you’re a beginner. The head size is big enough to give you a sizable sweetspot, but smaller than other beginner rackets, which gives you a bit more control on your shots.
In fact this racket should be suitable as you improve and transition into an intermediate player, which means you won’t need to replace it for a long time.
The racket is light too, which means you should find it easy to move and swing with, whether you’re at the baseline or hitting volleys at the net. Furthermore, it’s a great option for both singles and doubles players.