Recommended Racquets

Updated 15 Dec 2024
I often get questions about what products I use since I pretty much test everything on the market. I call this section Recommended Racquets and I try to limit the choices as much as I can by picking one family of racquets per category.

These are our favorite racquets right now, listed in different categories. This page will expand and change, so keep checking back, subscribe to our newsletter, our YouTube channel, and Instagram, or become a Tennisnerd member. Many of the below links are affiliate links, meaning that if you use them to purchase something, we will get a small commission. There is, however, no pressure to buy these specific products. Our goal is to help players enjoy their tennis more, whether that comes from tweaking their gear, finding the right mindset, connecting with a coach, or getting inspiration to train, that is up to each individual.

If you need help choosing a racquet, you can check out our racquet consultation or ask a question on the racquet advice page.

Anyway, let’s look at our recommended racquets per category.

The Best Beginner Racquet

This category also includes lower-level intermediate players who want maximum help from the racquet. There is obviously no “best” racquet, but we picked our current favorites in each category.

HEAD Speed Team

This is my favorite lighter racquet, which I also wrote about in the best light racquet post. It has a 105 sq inch head size, a nice and comfortable feel and gives you both power and spin. Overall a great frame from the beginner to intermediate category.

Check it out from our affiliates at Tennis Warehouse (US, Canada), Tennis Warehouse Europe and Tennis Only (AU).

If you want a heavier racquet, the other racquets in the HEAD Speed silo are all excellent. Like the HEAD Speed MP for a wide group of intermediate players or the HEAD Speed Pro for more advanced ones. You can even choose cosmetic by either going with the HEAD Speed Legend blacked-out design or the standard white and black.

Two players endorsing the HEAD Speed line are Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, so you are in good company!

The Best Intermediate Racquet

There are of course loads of racquets that work for intermediate players, but we try to make it easy by picking our current favorites in each category instead of giving you loads of options. Generally, if you buy a racquet today from a main brand, you will get a good product. But, it has to feel right and work for you and that is why we suggest demoing first if possible.

Babolat Pure Aero 2023

The latest Aero introduces better dampening and a denser string pattern for control on flatter shots. Both are good things! This racquet should appeal to players who like to create a higher lift and more spin on the ball while maintaining control. If you prefer a more open string pattern with a higher launch angle, check out the Pure Aero Rafa. You can purchase the Babolat Pure Aero 2023 at Tennis Warehouse (US, Canada), Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only (AU), and Amazon.

Slightly more advanced players can try the Pure Aero 98, which is also excellent and is my current racquet of choice.

The Aero 98 is endorsed by players like Carlos Alcaraz, Arthur Fils and Holger Rune.

The Aero 100 is endorsed by Botic van de Zandschulp and Leylah Fernandez.

You can also get a lighter version of the Aero by going for the Aero Team.

The Best Advanced Racquet

There are still many control-oriented racquets on the market, but the one we see most often in some form is the Wilson Blade 98. We can also shoutout the Tecnifibre Tfight, Yonex Percept and HEAD Radical racquets, which compete really well with the Blade.

Wilson Blade 98

The Wilson Blade is an icon in the game and used by many advanced players on the world over. It is endorsed and used by pro players like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Aryna Sabalenka, Karen Khachanov, Ugo Humbert, and many more. For more forgiveness, you can go for the Blade 100 or for a lighter option, the Blade 100L.

You can watch our Blade 98 16/19 V9 Review here, which is the most popular model in the Blade family.

Check out the Wilson Blade line from our friends at Tennis Warehouse (US, Canada), Tennis Warehouse Europe and Tennis Only (AU).