Tennishead Racket Review: The ten best new rackets for advanced tennis players
If you are a player who knows your way around the court, has the entire toolbox of shots and needs control rather than power from a racket, then here is the selection you have been waiting for. Some of the frames featured here are similar to the ones used by the professionals, with smaller heads and heavier in weight than many on the market.
So, be honest, if you don’t play like a pro then you may be better suited to a slightly lighter racket. But if youâre up there with the best, then enjoy reading what our testers â David, Elliot, Howard and Tim – made of these beauties and see if your racket is ready for an upgrade.
All the rackets we review below are available to buy from our favourite retailer here
BABOLAT PURE DRIVE
- RRP ÂŁ185
- Head size 100sq in
- Weight 300g
- String pattern 16 x 19
- Balance 320mm
- Beam 23mm/26mm/23mm
- Length 27in
- String tension 50â59lb / 23â27kg
The iconic Pure Drive has been updated with two innovations to give players power as well as feel, thanks to FSI Power and Cortex Pure Feel. Diamond-shaped grommets also give the racket an enlarged sweet spot. David found it very powerful on groundstrokes. Howard felt it helped with his overhead smash and both testers noted that it helped them with their serves. With its almost metallic matt frame, the Pure Drive offers graceful looks as well as performance, which is nothing less than you would expect from the French family-owned brand
Now buy the Babolat Pure Drive here
DUNLOP REVO CX Tour 2.0
- RRP ÂŁ239.95
- Head size 95sq in
- Weight 315g
- String pattern 18 x 20
- Balance 305mm
- Beam 19mm/20mm/20mm
- Length 27in
- String tension 45â60lb / 20-27kg
David liked the classic look of the leather grip and black, red and metallic grey frame and the pop he got on his groundstrokes, even if he said it wasnât âa rocket launcherâ. Howard said his forehands felt ânice and smoothâ and commented that he was able to âget a good level of spin without being out of controlâ. David noted the âwhippinessâ of the frame and also felt it helped with forehands. Howard was surprised how much the racket appealed to him and said it had âgood all-round feelâ.
Now buy the Dunlop REVO CX Tour here
HEAD Prestige Pro
- SRP ÂŁ215
- Head size 95sq in
- Weight 315g
- String pattern 16 x 19
- Balance 315mm
- Beam 22mm
- Length 27in
- String tension 48â57lb / 22-26kg
HEAD has been furnishing tour-level players with rackets since 1987. The Prestige Pro features the brandâs Graphene Touch technology and offers advanced level players a combination of precision and power. Elliot said he âhad to work hard to hit hardâ and found the racket a little stiff, but said it felt great for returns. Tim found the take-back for volleys easy and both players found it good for controlling the ball. With simple black and red graphics, it is a solid choice for players prepared to swing hard. (Worth noting that the owner of Tennishead website uses this racket and loves it!)
Now buy the Head Prestige Pro here
MANTIS Pro 310 iii
- RRP ÂŁ159.99
- Head size 98sq in
- Weight 310g
- String pattern 16 x 19
- Balance 310mm
- Beam 21mm
- Length 27in
- String tension 44-62lb / 20-28kg
With its retro styling and playability, this racket appealed to our testers. Elliot found the racket âvery stable through contactâ and felt âthe heavy head would reward those strong enough to swing it.â However, he did find the grip shape âawkward with my eastern forehand grip.â Tim said it was âa good rhythmic swinging racketâ and noted that it helped with his serve. Although Tim, like some previous testers, had not been aware of the brand, he liked the racket based on this experience.
Now buy the Mantis Pro 301 111 here
PACIFIC X Force Pro No1
- RRP ÂŁ199
- Head size 98sq in
- Weight 305g
- String pattern 16 x 20
- Balance 315mm
- Beam 25mm/23mm/20mm
- Length 27in
- String tension 50-60lb / 23-27kg
While this shiny black, orange and white German-engineered racket was not a hit on an aesthetic level, our testers felt it offered a reasonable mix of power and control. Tim found it âgood for stroking volleys and power of serve.â Elliot found the weight in the head made it difficult to volley. If you choose the racket and invest in more than one, Pacificâs Zero Tolerance technology means every frame should feel the same. The Precise Grip System (PGS) allows for a more exact handle size and weight.
Now buy the Pacific X Force Pro No1 here
PRINCE PHANTOM 100
- RRP ÂŁ220
- Head size 100sq in
- Weight 310g
- String pattern 16 x 18
- Balance 310mm
- Beam 20mm/18mm/16mm
- Length 27in
- String tension 48-58lb / 22-26kg
After playing with this racket Elliot said: âI used to love Prince and I might do again.â He liked the control the racket offered, saying it gave him âhuge confidenceâ. David and Howard also liked the feel of the racket. From a control point of view, David said: âIt feels like you shouldnât miss.â The strokes our testers felt it assisted? David said volleys, Howard ground strokes and Elliot âeverythingâ. David felt it was âa good all-rounder.â This new slim-framed range from Prince is definitely worth a look.
Now buy the Prince Phantom 100 here
TECNIFIBRE T-Fight 300 DC
- RRP ÂŁ190
- Head size 98sq in
- Weight 300g
- String pattern 16 x 19
- Balance 320mm
- Beam 23mm
- Length 27in
- String tension 49-62lb / 22-28kg
Players who reach for this French-designed racket will, according to Tim, âdo most of the work as the racket head is light with little momentumâ. Our testers found it generated a moderate amount of power. Howard found âenough controlâ in the racket and said it felt âgood, fairly solidâ and was surprised by the consistency that made it feel âsimilar on every shotâ. Players looking for a lighter feeling performance racket should look at this offering from Tecnifibre. Tim felt it is âfor intermediate useâ.
Now buy the Tecnifibre T-Fight 300 here
VOLKL V Feel 9
- RRP ÂŁ179.99
- Head size 100sq in
- Weight 310g
- String pattern 16 x 19
- Balance 320mm
- Beam 24mm/26mm/23mm
- Length 27in
- String tension 50-60lb / 23-27kg
Opinions of this racket varied, possibly more so than for any of the rackets in this category. Both David and Howard said that it generated lots of power but disagreed about how much control they managed to find. David said âpretty goodâ; Howard said âa bit erratic.â David found it good off the ground âalthough less so for volleysâ. Howard said that while he knows Volkl as a good brand, âI couldnât get on with itâ. Davidâs contrary view: âI was surprised what a good contender it isâ. Overall verdict – try it.
Now buy the Volkl V Feel 9 here
WILSON Pro Staff RF 97
- RRP ÂŁ230
- Head size 97sq in
- Weight 315g
- String pattern 16 x 19
- Balance 310mm
- Beam 21.5mm
- Length 27in
- String tension 50-60lb / 23-27kg
Universally popular among our testers. The matt black frame generated âplenty of powerâ for Howard, David and Tim. Howard said there was âplenty of good whip and I didnât have to work too hard.â David agreed about the power and also noticed, along with Howard, how much control he had. David also found âdecent levels of feel without being soft.â Although Tim found the racket a little rigid, âit was balanced.â Howard said it helped with forehand, volley and serve, David with volleys and Tim said it was âgood all roundâ. Definite shortlist.
Now buy the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 here
YONEX E zone 98
- RRP ÂŁ195
- Head size 98sq in
- Weight 305g
- String pattern 16 x 19
- Balance 320mm
- Beam 23mm/24mm/19mm
- Length 27.5in
- String tension 45-60lb / 20-27kg
Yonex say their trademark isometric head shape has been updated, resulting in a slightly larger sweet spot in the Ezone 98. The strings also soak up more vibration thanks to a re-tooled grommet system. Our testers unanimously said this racket helped their serve. Tim said he found it slightly rigid and heavy (putting it down to his age), but recognised nice balance and great feel. Elliot found it a little unforgiving in terms of control. Overall though the testers felt this to be a quality racket. We recommend you try it for yourself.
Now buy the Yonex E Zone 98 here
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