7 Best Tennis Rackets For Beginners (2023)

So you’ve decided to start playing tennis. Congratulations! Tennis is a great outdoor sport to keep you active and to play with friends and family.

Whilst it can be frustrating at times, you will find it very addictive. Even after 10+ years of playing, I love stepping out onto that court!

Now there are many things you can do to improve your performance on the tennis court but first, you need a tennis racket.

That’s why I have reviewed the 7 best beginner tennis rackets in 2023 to help you on your way to becoming the next Roger Federer!

Quick Summary

Best Tennis Rackets For Beginners in 2023

1. Head TI S6

Price: $$

My pick for the best tennis racquet for beginners is the Head Ti S6.

I found it very forgiving and lightweight, making it easy to swing. It also has a large sweet spot which means it offers plenty of power.

It is also a common racket with senior players due to the large head size, making it easy to hit the ball.

Plus, for under $100, this is one of the best value-for-money rackets I have ever used.

The only downside is that the Head TI S6 has a very unique head size and weight compared to more traditional-style rackets. This means that some players may find it difficult to adjust to other tennis rackets.

However, if you only plan on playing recreationally, I couldn’t recommend the Head TI S6 enough.

Specs

2. Wilson Clash 100 v2

Price: $$$$

The Wilson Clash 100 was a huge hit when it was first released in 2019 with its great all-round performance and modern technology.

This means that the Wilson Clash 100 v2 had a lot to live up to, and somehow it has. I could generate power and spin with ease without losing control.

But my favorite part about this racket has to be how comfortable it is. No matter where I hit the ball on the racket, I didn’t feel any uncomfortable vibrations through my arm. In the past, I have had many shoulder issues which is why finding a racket that can help combat that is very important to me.

Oh yeah, and it looks awesome.

However, it is a bit on the expensive side. That being said, you can expect this racket to last you a lifetime (as long as you don’t go smashing it like Kyrgios…)

Specs

3. Head Graphene 360+ Extreme S

Price: $$$

The Head Graphene 360+ Extreme S is an easy-to-use racket that perfectly balances power and control.

Head has been known for creating the best rackets when it comes to control, and I can definitely see why. Plus, with a large head size of 105 square inches, the racket has a larger sweet spot making it much easier to create power.

At a slightly lighter weight than your standard rackets, this made it much easier for me to accelerate through the ball further adding more power to my shots.

I’d recommend this racket for both beginner and intermediate players, which is why it’s a great racket if you’re looking to improve your tennis game.

The only downside I have is the design. Personally, I’m just not a fan. However, if you like the color yellow, then you’ve found your perfect match!

Specs

4. Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Team

Price: $$$

The Babolat Pure Aero is a very popular racket amongst tennis players with the likes of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz endorsing it. That is why Babolat decided to make a beginner-entry version of this racket so you too can feel like Rafa on the court.

I found I could generate massive amounts of spin with the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Team which made it easier to control my shots. Plus, I was pleasantly surprised at how powerful it was, seeing as it’s quite a light racket.

One thing I didn’t like is that I found this racket to be quite uncomfortable on my arm after long periods of use. This is probably due to its high stiffness rating of 69. While the high stiffness rating does help generate more power, I’d rather sacrifice that power for a racket that’s a bit more arm-friendly.

However, I must admit, I am a huge fan of the design. The purple definitely stands out when you’re on the court.

Specs

5. Babolat Evoke 105

Price: $

If you’re on a budget then I’d recommend the Babolat Evoke 105.

And even though it’s very cheap. I have to say, it doesn’t perform too badly either! Its large head size made it very forgiving and could generate a decent amount of power.

Even though it may not be the same quality as some of the others on this list, you can still expect a good tennis racket that is great to use with your friends and family.

But if you’re someone that is looking to improve and play regularly, you’re better off investing in something that will last longer such as the Head Graphene 360+ Extreme S.

Specs

6. Wilson Blade Team v8

Price: $$

If control and touch is important to you, then I’d suggest trying out the Wilson Blade Team v8.

Many beginner tennis racquets focus on generating more power to help you get the ball over the net. However, if this is something you can do with ease, then you should consider a racket made for control. I found that the Wilson Blade Team v8 could control my shots a lot better than lots of the other rackets on this list.

Plus, it is arm-friendly and easy to maneuver.

However, it did lack a lot of power. Personally, I’d prefer something that was a bit more powerful, but it all comes down to what you need to improve your game.

Side note: A good way to add more spin to your game is by changing to more spin-friendly tennis strings. See my article on the best tennis strings for spin to learn more.

Specs

7. Yonex VCore 98

Price: $$$

The Yonex VCore 98 is one of the best tennis rackets for any skill level.

Whilst it has one of the smallest head sizes on this list, I still found it to be quite powerful. Yonex claims this is due to the isometric head size which increases the size of the sweet spot. However, I’m not sure how true this is.

The small head size meant I could generate loads of spin, helping me control my shots. This racket is a great investment if you’re looking to transition to an intermediate and even advanced player.

The Yonex VCore 98 is ideal for beginners who want a more traditional-style racket that they can use for many years.

Specs

How to Find the Best Beginner Tennis Racket

Choosing the best tennis racket for you isn’t easy.

Whether you’re a beginner who’s just starting or you’re a professional tennis player looking to win US Open, there are many factors you have to take into account when picking the right tennis racket for you.

But the most important factors are weight, size, and grip.

Weight

When you’re first starting out, you’ll want a tennis racket that is not too heavy. This will help you easily move around the tennis court as well as prevent injury and make sure you keep the correct form.

I’d recommend choosing a racket between 9oz and 11oz if you’re a beginner. However, sometimes you can make an exception, which is the case for the Yonex VCore 98.

For comparison, Roger Federer will add extra weight to his racket so that it is around 12.5oz. This is because they need heavier rackets to manage the power they receive from their opponent.

I use the Babolat Pure Drive which weighs 11.2oz.

Head Size

As a beginner, it is a good idea to get a racket with a slightly larger head size. This will create a larger sweet spot in the racket, so you can easily generate more power.

Most adult-size tennis rackets will be between 100 to 110 square inches with some exceptions such as the Head Ti S6 and Yonex VCore 98.

Grip

When buying a tennis racket you’ll be asked what grip size you want. Grip sizes range from 4 inches to 4 ¾ inches. This can also be shown as size 0 to 6.

I’ve included a chart that shows all the different grip sizes below:

Most adults will fit a 4 ⅜ grip size, however, you may need to adjust depending on the size of your hands.

If you purchase your tennis racket and the grip size is too small then don’t panic. You can easily fix this by adding an overgrip to the racket.

This easy-to-follow guide will walk you through how to measure your grip size:

How Much Should You Spend on Your First Tennis Racket?

Tennis can become quite expensive.

This means it is crucial you aren’t spending too much on your first tennis racket. However, you still want to make sure you are buying something that is good quality. That is why I always recommend spending between $50 and $150 on your first racket.

If you’re a recreational player that doesn’t play often, then I’d recommend buying a racket that won’t cause too much damage to your bank account.

However, if you’re looking to play often and want to advance in the sport, you may want to consider spending even more so you aren’t held back by your racket.

Tennis Racket Specification Chart

Final Words

Hopefully, you have found the perfect beginner tennis racket for you.

So what’s next?

Well now comes the easy part. It’s time to get out there and start practicing!

Image Source: Christian Tenguan