7 Best Tennis Rackets for Advanced Players (2023)

As an advanced player, you know the importance of choosing the right tennis racket to take your game to new heights.

But how do you know which are the best tennis rackets for you?

Well, don’t worry, because in this article I have reviewed the 7 best tennis rackets for advanced players in 2023. We’ve carefully selected these rackets based on their cutting-edge features and performance-enhancing qualities.

From power to control, we’ve got you covered. Find the perfect racket to match your playing style and unlock your full potential on the court.

Quick Summary

How to Choose the Best Tennis Racket for Advanced Players

When choosing the right tennis racket for an advanced tennis player, there are a number of factors you have to take into account:

Are you an Advanced Player?

First, you need to think about your game and ask yourself if you’re an advanced player.

Here is how I would describe an advanced player:

• You have been playing tennis for many years and have developed advanced skills and techniques. This involves having a high level of consistency in your shots as well as the ability to perform more difficult shots such as topspin, slice, and drop shots. You should also have a good understanding of strategy and can adjust your game based on your opponent.

If you feel like you’re not ready for an advanced racket, then don’t worry!

You can check out my guides on the best rackets for beginners and intermediate players below.

• Best Tennis Rackets for Beginners
• Best Tennis Rackets for Intermediate Players

Key Features of an Advanced Tennis Racket

Here are the most important features to look out for when choosing an advanced tennis racket:

• Head Size: This refers to the area of the racket that comes into contact with the ball. A smaller head size offers more control whereas a larger head size offers more power.

• Weight: This refers to how heavy a racket is. Lighter rackets are easier to maneuver but lack stability. Heavier rackets provide more stability but require more strength to maneuver.

• Balance: This refers to the distribution of weight throughout the racket. A head-heavy racket provides more power but is harder to control. A head-light racket offers more control but you have to generate your own power.

• String Pattern: This refers to the number of main and cross strings on the tennis racket. The most common string patterns are 16×19 (open string pattern) and 18×20 (closed string pattern). Open string patterns provide more power and spin, while closed string patterns provide more control and feel.

• Swingweight: This refers to how heavy a racket feels to swing (measured on a scale from 0 to 600). A higher swingweight offers more power and stability but requires more effort to swing.

• Stiffness: This refers to how much a racket flexes when making contact with the tennis ball. The stiffer the racket, the higher the rating. A stiffer racket offers more power and control, while a more flexible racket offers more comfort and spin.

Tennis Racket Specification Chart

What is Your Playing Style?

Your playing style can have a major impact on what the best tennis racket for you is.

• Aggressive Baseliner: If you’re someone who likes to be aggressive and hit from the baseline, you’d benefit from a racket that’s heavier, stiffer, and has a larger head size. This will help you generate large amounts of power whilst maintaining that stability and control.

• Net Rusher: If you’re someone who likes to get to the net as quickly as possible, I’d recommend a racket that is lighter and more flexible. This helps you react quicker for volleys and improve your touch.

• All-Court Players: If you’re someone who has a good all-court game then you’d want a racket that is well-balanced. This is important to help you switch between those heavy groundstrokes from the baseline, to those compact volleys at the net.

Take the time to assess your game style so you can pick the best tennis racquet for you.

What is Your Swing Style?

Swing style can also have an effect on what tennis racquet you should buy.

• Short Swing: Some advanced players have short and compact swings that accelerate fast on contact point. Typically these players hit the ball very flat which means that they’d benefit from a racket that provides more control and precision. This means looking for a racket with a smaller head size and closed string pattern.

• Long Swing: Nowadays, you’ll find that most advanced players have long, loopy swings that generate a lot of spin. A perfect description would be Rafael Nadal’s groundstrokes. These types of players would benefit from a racket that provides more power. This means looking for a racket that has a larger head size.

Reviews of the 7 Best Tennis Rackets for Advanced Players

1. Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14

Price: $$$$

My pick for the best tennis racquet for advanced players is the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14.

Weighing in at 11.7oz, the Pro Staff is incredibly stable, allowing you to easily control fast balls.

The 16×19 string pattern paired with the Paradigm Bending technology in the frame makes for excellent control and feel. Plus, the Wilson Pro Staff 97 has a swingweight of 332 which delivers an impressive pop on the ball when you hit the sweet spot.

With a head size of 97 square inches, you do have a smaller area to make contact with the ball. However, as an advanced player, you should be able to hit the sweet spot consistently.

When testing out the new Wilson Pro Staff, I was amazed by the control. The improved feel also allowed me to feel more in command of the ball, giving me the confidence to go for the lines. However, as an aggressive baseliner, I would’ve liked the racket to be a bit more spin-friendly.

Specs

2. Head Speed Pro

Price: $$$

The Head Speed Pro is one of the game’s most popular racquets due to its excellent all-around performance.

The Speed Pro has a head size of 100 square inches, creating a larger sweet spot. This allows you to generate more power and spin. Paired with the 18×20 string pattern that is designed for precision, you have a great combination of power, spin, and control.

With the new 2022 edition, Head has made the racket slightly lighter so you can accelerate faster on your strokes.

I would’ve liked this racket to be a bit more powerful on groundstrokes. However, overall the Head Speed Pro is a solid option that won’t disappoint.

Specs

3. Babolat Pure Drive

Price: $$$

The Babolat Pure Drive is an excellent racket for advanced players who are looking to add more power to their strokes.

The Pure Drive has been used by many pros over the years such as Fabio Fognini, Garbine Muguruza, and even Andy Roddick. It has a 100 square inch head size which is larger than most advanced-level rackets. This helps to generate the explosive power that this racket is known for. This racket is also incredibly spin-friendly thanks to its 16×19 string pattern.

The Babolat Pure Drive weighs 11.2oz making it one of the lightest advanced rackets on this list. While this improves acceleration and maneuverability on your groundstrokes, it sacrifices stability when receiving high-powered shots.

The Babolat Pure Drive has been my racket of choice for a while now. I love the easy power you can generate on the ball. Some people may have difficulty controlling the power, but when combined with a control string, you have an outstanding racket.

Specs

4. Wilson Blade 98 v8

Price: $$$

The Wilson Blade 98 v8 is a great racket for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players.

The Wilson Blade 98 is one of the most popular rackets on the pro tour, with the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas, Karen Khachanov, and Emma Raducanu all endorsing it. The 98 square inch head size paired with the 16×19 string pattern makes for a good balance of spin and control.

The new Blade was released in 2021 and it was clear Wilson had comfort in mind when redesigning this racket. This racket features Wilson’s new FortyFive technology which increases the stability and flex of the racket. This is the reason why the stiffness rating is only 61.

I found that the Wilson Blade 98 v8 provided excellent control and was very arm-friendly. However, I did find that it lacked a lot of power.

If you’re looking to add more topspin and control to your game, then you can’t go wrong with the Wilson Blade 98.

Specs

5. Head Gravity Pro

Price: $$$$

In 2023, Head released an updated version of the Gravity Pro that is great for advanced players.

This racket features an 18×20 string pattern which generates loads of spin, helping you control the ball. It also has a teardrop-shaped head which creates a more responsive contact point allowing you to get more pop on the ball.

Head’s Graphene 360+ technology is used in the frame, which is known for its stability and comfort. Paired with the Auxetic technology in the throat, you have a racket that is easy on the arm if you can handle the weight. At 11.7oz it has excellent stability but is harder to maneuver.

I loved how easy it was to control the ball with the Head Gravity Pro. However, I did find it tiring on the arm after long periods of use and quite difficult to generate power.

Specs

6. Yonex VCORE Pro 97

Price: $$$

If you’re looking for an arm-friendly racket that offers excellent power and control, then I’d recommend the Yonex VCORE Pro 97.

The VCORE Pro has a 97 square inch head size, which is on the smaller side. This helps to improve your control of the ball so you can hit more precise shots. This racket also features Yonex’s unique isometric head shape, which creates a larger sweet spot and a more forgiving feel.

In the new 2021 model, Yonex has increased the thickness of the frame for extra pop and stability.

With a stiffness rating of 60, the VCORE Pro 97 is one of the most arm-friendly rackets I’ve ever tested. However, I did find it quite head-light which meant it struggled with stability when returning serves. That being said, this does improve the control and make it easier to maneuver.

Specs

7. Dunlop FX 500

Price: $$

If you’re looking to add more pace and spin to your game, you may want to consider the Dunlop FX 500.

The FX 500 has a 100 square inch head size and 16×19 string pattern, allowing for an excellent combination of power and spin. Dunlop has also added their Sonic Core technology which helps to improve the feel and shock absorption of the ball.

Weighing in at 11.3oz, the FX 500 is great for accelerating on your groundstrokes and reacting at the net.

While Dunlop has improved the flex of the racket compared to previous models, I still found it quite stiff meaning it wasn’t the most comfortable to use. However, a high stiffness isn’t always a bad thing because it improves racket stability. Once again, it all comes down to what is important to you.

Specs

Final Words

Selecting the right tennis racquet is crucial for advanced players looking to elevate their game.

By considering factors such as power, control, maneuverability, and spin potential, we have identified the top rackets that can unlock your true potential on the court. Whether you’re an aggressive baseliner or a tactical net rusher, there is a racket on our list that will complement your style and help you achieve greatness.

But remember your tennis racquet isn’t the only thing that can have a huge impact on your performance, strings can play a major role too.

Check out my guide on the best tennis strings to learn more.

Featured Image: Alicja Gancarz