Getting started on tennis can be an overwhelming experience. There are so many things to take in at one go. As a newbie in the game, you need to get certain things in order first. The first and foremost is understanding what type of accessories you’ll be needing.
Needless to say, you’ll need a bat to get things going for you. You might feel like getting the cheap ones that you can get your hands on, but that will be a bad decision. There are a lot of factors that go behind a tennis racquet-like tension, grip, build, head size, and others.
In this article, we will talk about 7 of the best brands of tennis racquets and their unique features to determine whether they are for you or not.
7 Best Tennis Racquet Brands To Buy
7. Dunlop
We will start our list with a classic. Dunlop is one of the earliest brands of tennis racquet. Beyond the fact that the company makes amazing racquets, it’s also surprising that the company withstood the test of time. Founded in 1889, Dunlop was initially a rubber company that developed tires which they are still famous for.
By the start of the 20th century, the company steadily made its way into the sports apparel market. I mean it was only a matter of time before a prominent rubber manufacturer would enter a market whose key elements have everything to do with rubber.
Since its inception, Dunlop has made some of the most high-quality sports material over the years. Their entrance into tennis happened through manufacturing the balls.
Over the years they have ventured into racquets as well and at their peak, the Dunlop racquets were unrivaled. Some of the greats of the game including Steffi Graf and Rod Laver used Dunlop’s racquets.
However, the company has started to lose market share to other big names like Wilson, Babolat, and Head over the years. However, the company still makes its signature CV, CX, and CZ series. The price of these ranges from 169 to 229 dollars each.
Things We Like
- Reliable
- Durable
- High directional force
My Favorite Dunlop Racquet:
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6. Tecnifibre
Founded in 1983, Tecnifibre is a French racquet brand. Though they had a much humbler start compared to what they are now. The company started by making strings for racquets.
Eventually, they moved into other tennis-related products and in 2004, they started their line of tennis racquets. Now the company makes products for a paddle and squash games as well.
Tecnifibre racquets are known for their elegant design. These are lightweight racquets that aim to find a balance between force and control. Though the company is a relatively new one, they are still gaining momentum and making a space for themselves in the market.
Notable Players to have used the Tecnifibre racquets include John Millman, Janko Tipsarevic, Daniil Medvedev, and from females, the notable players include Daria Kasatkina. All of these players are ranked within the top 100 of the ATP rating.
There are 5 different offerings from Tecnifibre. 4 of them are geared towards men and one is for women. You can get these racquets starting from $149 and going all the way up to $199.
Things We Like
- Elegant design
- Variety of choice
- Good hand balance
- Mid-range pricing.
My Favorite Tecnifibre Racquet:
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
5. Yonex
Yonex is often dubbed as the biggest brand of racquets from Asia and it’s not wrong. The Company was founded in 1969. Initially, they used to produce badminton racquets only. Over time, they venture into other products as well as tennis racquets.
Yonex racquets have a distinct strong string design making them a power hitter for the players. This somewhat hinders the control a bit but they are still one of the best in the market when it comes to raw force.
The company first came to light when it collaborated with Billie Jean King, the tennis legend. Over time, other prominent players like Monica Seles and Marcelo Rios have used their racquets.
Yonex has seen steady growth over the years and in recent times it gained momentum in tours through contracts with Nick Kyrgios, Angelique Kerber, and Naomi Osaka.
The company currently has 5 distinct racquet lines that are available to buy. Yonex racquets come with a lot of power and you’ll need strong arms to have strict control over them. Yonex racquets typically start from $169 and go all the way up to $229.
Things We Like
- Range of choice
- Comfort
- Handling
My Favorite Yonex Racquet:
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
4. Prince
Prince was one of the most notable racquets Brands throughout the 90s and early 2000s. Prince is an American sports material manufacturing company founded in 1970. The company has steadily ventured into tennis equipment and produced some of the best tennis rackets in the 80s.
Over the years just like Dunlop, the company has lost significant market share to two brands like Wilson and Babolat.
In its glory days, the company had contracts with players like Andre Agassi, Michael Chang, and Maria Sharapova. Today they have contracts with players like Lucan Pouille and John Isner.
The best thing about Prince racquets has to be the raw power output that you get from them. of course, this comes at a price, and control is compromised with their racquets but they are still a favorite of the fans.
Prince has suffered much because of this control issue in professional games. For professional players, it is not always about power-hitting.
As games become more and more strenuous, having a greater degree of control over the racquet becomes imperative and that is somewhat compromised in the long run with the Prince racquet.
However, people who are just getting started with tennis can easily consider these comparatively cheap options. Currently, Prince has 5 different racquets in their line including Beast, Premier, Tour, Phantom, Attack, and Pink Series. The pricing generally ranges from $89 to $189.
Things We Like
- Power
- Topspin
- Balanced weight distribution
My Favorite Prince Racquet:
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
3. Head
Just like corporations, in the world of tennis, there’s also a list of big threes and Head is part of the prime members of them. Head is a multinational company of American and Dutch origin with interests in a wide range of sports.
The company has been making gears for all kinds of sports including snowboarding, swimming, and skiing. The company is known for its premium material as well as superior build quality. Head first started manufacturing in 1960 and since then the company didn’t have to look back.
Andre Agassi has to be the most notable player to have represented Head along with many others. Some of the best tennis players of the current generation are also contracted by Head and the list includes Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Mateo Berrettini, and Jannik Sinner.
Head has a range of tennis racquets. Unlike most of the brands out there that focus and specialize in one distinct characteristic, Head has experimented and developed multiple traits in their tennis racquet line. Their range includes gravity, instinct, speed, extreme and radical.
All of these lines provide different and distinct characteristics which are suitable for different types of players. The price of a Head racquet starts at $129 and moves up to $229.
Things We Like
- High range of products
- Comfortable usage
- Dynamic force flow
My Favorite Head Racquet:
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
2. Babolat
Another of the big three includes Babolat. This French company started as a string maker for racquets and later ventured into making racquets itself. The company dates back its origin to 1875.
However, it took them well over a century to get started with racquets and in 1994, the company came up with their signature line.
Babolat found success in the short time when Carlos Moya won the Grand Slam with their racquet. Other prominent players who used Babolat include Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters.
Since then, the company has made many types of tennis equipment and accessories. The main feature of the Babolat racquet has to be the topspin that the racquet can provide. This makes the Babolat series racquet a perfect choice for clay courts as well as hard courts.
Currently, Babolat has three signature lines out there- the pure drive, pure aero, and the pure strike. Babolat signature racquets are not for beginners, rather they are made with intermediate and professionals in mind.
If you are a beginner, you can choose from either of their Drive, Pulsion, Evoke Aero, and Strike series. Babolat racquets start from $139 and can go up to $249.
Things We Like
- Topspin
- Handling
- Balance
My Favorite Babolat Racquet:
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1. Wilson
When it comes to tennis gear, there is one true undoubted champion and that is Wilson. The American company founded in 1913 has been making sports gears for well over a century now. In addition to tennis, the company also makes sports gear for volleyball, football, baseball, and of course basketball.
The popularity of Wilson racquets comes from their balanced nature. When in most cases we see companies focusing on a specific aspect as their signature selling point, Wilson has worked tirelessly to find a mix of all.
The racquets not only give amazing hand feels but they are perfectly balanced for topspin, force, and control. Notable players like David Goffin, Juan Martin del Potro, Gael Monfils, and Grigor Dimitrov all use Wilson racquets.
There are 4 main lines of Wilson racquets- the Blade, Clash, Pro Staff, and Ultra. Depending on the ones you’re choosing, the price starts at $139 and goes all the way up to $249.
Things We Like
- Overall quality
- The balance between handling and power
- Durability
My Favorite Wilson Racquet:
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best Tennis Racquet Brands: Buying Guide
Your Level
Choosing the right brand depends on your proficiency level in the game. If you are someone who’s a newbie, then the racquets from the professional range aren’t the ones for you.
They are designed with performance in mind and are often too heavy to be handled by a beginner. You should look for the beginner range from the brands to choose your tennis racquet.
Speed or Balance
Most of the tennis racquet brands either specialize in speed or balance. If you are a beginner, it’s better if you stick with racquets that provide a better balance rather than speed.
Price Range
This is also a determining factor for many out there. As a beginner, you do not need to shell out excess money on racquets. Rather you can get an entry-level one as shift as you progress.
Durability
A racquet is like an investment and you would want to get the most out of your investment. So, choose a brand that has good reviews and is durable in the long run.
FAQ
Is Babolat a good tennis brand?
Yes, Babolat is one of the three top tennis brands. Their racquets are some of the bests in the market and you can get them without any second thought.
The racquets are best suitable for hard surfaces so if you’re someone who plays tennis on a hard surface, you will have an amazing experience with this one.
Which is better – Babolat or Head?
Babolat and Head are two distinct types of tennis brands and it ultimately comes down to personal choice. Head has a wide selection of racquets suitable for different needs and surfaces, whereas with Babolat, the choices are limited and it is best for hard surfaces only.
Is Yonex a good brand for tennis racquets?
Yonex is the best Asian brand when it comes to racquets and of course, it is a good brand. The company has been making racquets for quite some time now and their racquets have garnered quite a bit of fan following. You can easily choose Yonex as the racquets are durable and value for money.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it, our round-up of the 7 best tennis racquet brands out there. To be honest, all of these have a unique perk that sets them apart from the rest.
So, no matter which one you are choosing, you are not losing out on anything. Depending on your preference and usability, you can choose any of these from the above list.
Read More: Best Head Tennis Racquets
My name is Reagen and I started AllTennisGear (earlier AllTennisShoes) as a way to share my humble experience and help new Tennis players. Thank you for spending a few minutes of your day here and know that your feedback is always welcome.