9 Best Beginner Tennis Racquets

As a beginner, tennis is by far the most difficult sport to learn. Players can take lessons for years and still be considered a beginner.

Those just starting need to find ways to stay as encouraged as possible. The best way to do so is to buy the appropriate equipment. Certain racquets cater towards beginners, and once a player progresses, they can go to something else.

With hundreds of racquets out on the open market, it’s tough to narrow things down when just starting out. A good way to get everything squared away is to start with one of the 9 racquets listed below. Each one brings something slightly different to the table, and once they are tried out, even beginners will know what they should be looking forward to help their game out.


1. Babolat Boost Drive

There’s no denying the fact that Babolat as a company has really exploded over the last couple of decades. They have some of the most popular racquets on tour and at the recreation level.

Babolat have three main lines, which currently are the Babolat Pure Strike, the Babolat Pure Aero and the Babolat Pure Drive. All of them bring something slightly different to the table, but all of those racquets might be a little too much for a beginner to handle.

That is where the Babolat Boost Series comes in the play. Consider these to all be beginner options of the three lines listed above. They are going to be very easy to move around since they are so lightweight, and beginners will notice how easy it is to put some pace on the ball without having to be precise with every stroke.

Control is important for any beginner, and Babolat did as much as possible to put control features in this racquet to help out. A more seasoned player might find themselves swinging too quickly, but this is perfect for beginners to understand just how much of an impact their swing makes on every single shot. You can read our full review in this post.

Pros

  • Easy pace
  • Spin opportunity
  • Above-average sweet spot

Cons

  • Pre-strung
  • Too light and powerful for some

2. Babolat Drive G 115

If 105 square inches of head to work with is not enough, this might be a better option for certain players out there. The Babolat Drive G 115 was upgraded in 2018, allowing players to have a racquet that is very fast to swing while also being stable.

Recommended for beginners who are on the older side, a person doesn’t have to swing particularly fast to get added power. It is a very comfortable racquet to use in both singles and doubles, improving the chances of a person having a lot of success playing the game.

An extended racquet sometimes becomes too much for certain players to handle, but it is such a lightweight racquet that most people are going to be just fine. If it does prove to be a bit of an issue, check up on the racquet a little bit during volleys and everything should be just fine. 

All in all, most beginners will be able to use either this racquet or the one above from Babolat and be just fine. They both stylistically look very similar, and there is always the option to jump to the Babolat Pure Strike later on.

Pros

  • Huge head size
  • Length allows for easier serves
  • Great for volleys

Cons

  • Hard to adjust to smaller racquet later
  • Tricky to maneuver for new players

3. Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3

The Hyper Hammer 5.3 has been around for seemingly forever, and although not everyone will benefit from it, it is a really popular option amongst beginners. Not only is it huge with a 110 square inch head size, but it provides a little more controllable power so players feel like they know what they’re doing.

Wilson has made some version of this racquet for several years now, and there are a lot of reasons to like this racquet overall. For starters, the head size is great, but it is very easy to swing as well. It has a very low swing weight, and it weighs just 9 ounces.

Older players will love the comfort level of his racquet when playing singles or doubles. Many players go for a bigger head size as soon as they start to lose a step, so this fits right into that demographic. For the older player, this might be a beginner racquet that also is used even if a lot of progress is made.

Pros

  • Classic feel and form
  • Open string pattern built for spin
  • Head heavy set up allows for easy power

Cons

  • Vibrates a little too much
  • Tough racquet to transition from later

4. Wilson Blade 104

This is the only racquet to make the list that is also endorsed by a professional player currently on tour. In fact, both Serena and Venus Williams use some variation of this racquet, and it is very hard to argue with all of those Grand Slams between the two of them.

What makes this a friendly racquet for beginners is that it is one of the largest head sizes a person will find from a performance racquet. At 104 square inches, there is a nice sweet spot for people to work with. It feels like a racquet that will allow players to learn as they go without spraying balls all over the place.

The great thing about using a racquet like this is that there is less of a transition if a beginner wants to upgrade. If this racquet is good enough for Grand Slam champions, it certainly is going to be good for a recreational player, regardless of their skill level.

It’s a little on the expensive side for the first racquet a person might be purchasing, but look at it as a long-term investment. Those people who are committed to learning how to play the game the right way should consider buying.

Pros

  • A true player’s racquet (model used by Serena and Venus)
  • Great serve power and control
  • Handles all groundstrokes well

Cons

  • Can be overwhelming for some beginners
  • Expensive

5. Head Ti S.6

Old school players will really like the Head Ti.S 6 racquet that has been around forever. Chances are, going to the local club will show at least one order player using the racquet to this day. Not only is it good for older players who have a hard time generating their own power, but it is a perfect beginner racquet as well.

This is very comparable to the Wilson Hammer, with 115 square inches of head size and extended length. It weighs in at just under 9 ounces, so it’s a pretty heavy option to deal with. This is one of the stiffest racquets on the market, which will help with stability in all the different strokes.

Some beginner players are going to benefit from a huge sweet spot. It might not be the most realistic way to play tennis once a player graduates from beginner level, but it makes things much easier and fun. Players can take pretty good rips at the ball and still keep the ball in the court, which is always nice for beginners.

Pros

  • Easy for true beginners to hit the ball
  • Very lightweight
  • Balance allows for power on shots

Cons

  • Too big for some
  • Very stiff

6. Head Graphene 360 Speed Lite

The Head Graphene 360 Speed Lite is very popular these days, and it comes in a variety of different weights. This is the latest model, coming in at just under 10 ounces. This allows for a lot more maneuverability, while also mastering all the basic strokes without feeling like the racquet is too much.

Players who are beginning to play the game should always be looking for something that is very friendly to use on their arm at all times. Some people my feel like it is a bit overwhelming, but the Head Graphene 360 Speed Lite makes things a little easier.

Everything about this racquet allows a player to play at a very high level. Even though a person is just starting out, it doesn’t mean that they have to be limited by the amount of power a racquet can provide. This plays a lot like the heavier version of the racquet, with just a little bit of a hit on overall plow through on tough shots.

It is very easy to upgrade from the Head Graphene 360 Speed Lite to the standard Head Graphene 360 Speed if a person wants to. This is the natural progression for a lot of beginners, and since they are so similar, it isn’t too much of a challenge.

Pros

  • Plays consistently for beginners and intermediate players
  • Easy to upgrade to the standard model
  • Built for all-around play

Cons

  • Not a long term racquet solution for new players
  • Tough to generate power

7. Head Graphene 360 Instinct Lite

This is another beginner-friendly racquet for players just starting out in tennis. It is light enough that it never feels overwhelming, and it also allows for quite a spacious sweet spot to work with. With plenty of quality technology that is used in the highest levels of tennis, it’s a great tool for beginners looking to play like a pro.

Out of all the racquets listed in this article so far, this might be the absolute best at offering controllable power. Not only do players have a chance to hit the ball with a lot of authority, but it is easy to control. Balls are not going all over the place, which is a step in the right direction for any type of new player.

Even though the head size isn’t the biggest out of all the racquet in this article, it certainly has a very easy sweet spot to rely on. That is why a lot of doubles players love this racquet, even if they have them playing for years. There is something about having a lot of power without having to create it.

This is definitely one to demo if considering a few different options. Many people will love the fact that they are able to put the ball where they want to, all while learning the proper strokes and not feeling like they are rushed on certain shots.

Pros

  • Oversized head size provides large sweet spot
  • Slightly extended for a better reach
  • Balanced racquet

Cons

  • Provides too much power at times, hurting control
  • Tough to maneuver in doubles for beginners
  • Expensive

8. Yonex EZONE Feel

A typical Yonex racquet might look a little weird to beginning tennis players. That is because they have a slightly different head shape, but it is actually done to help develop a bigger sweet spot. That is great news for any beginner, because hitting the shots correctly is sometimes a bigger challenge than people realize.

Some people might be worried about the lack of stability on this racquet, but it is actually a very easy racquet to control at all times. There are too many beginner players who put themselves in vulnerable positions by trying to use a racquet that is a bit too much for them.

The racquet is a little heavy compared to the rest of the racquets in this article, but not to the point that it is overwhelming. It also has a pretty light swingweight, so most people are going to be just fine controlling things.

Pros

  • Right amount of weight for easy power
  • Built for players looking to grow their game
  • Remarkably large sweet spot for a 100 square inch racquet

Cons

  • Unique head shape isn’t for everyone
  • Lacks in control a little

9. Prince Textreme Warrior 100L

The Prince Textreme Warrior 100L is designed for beginner players who need a racquet they can handle. The advanced models are probably a little too heavy to maneuver around the court, but this one is perfect for those trying to learn.

Other than weight, this racquet plays a lot like a performance model a lot of pros use. It has the same head size and length as a lot of common racquets, and the stiffness is around the same as well.

What a lighter racquet does for beginners is allow them to hit with a little more confidence, and buy themselves a little more time. It also helps to fight any type of arm issues that might pop up. Players feel like they are actually playing with a performance racquet, and not something that is designed to be somewhat similar to a grown-up kids racquet.

The balance on his racquet is very good for beginners, as it really helps with overall stability. It also has an open string pattern that allows for players to experience a little bit of spin. Experiment with it a little and see how much can be developed.

All in all, this is probably the best overall option for people who want to buy a print bracket for a beginner. The one below is also solid, but this is going to be one that mimics a professional racquet a little more.

Pros

  • Plays heavier than it is
  • Good balance and stability
  • Controllable power

Cons

  • Open string pattern leads to more broken strings
  • Power must come mostly from the player

Final Thoughts

After just one practice or demo session, even beginner tennis players should have a pretty good understanding on whether or not the racquet works for them. If it is feeling like the wrong fit, or causing pain, stop using it immediately and continue searching. You can read more about how to choose tennis racquet in this post.

Remember that as a play progresses, they will likely grow out of all the racquets listed above. There are performance racquets at the highest level that benefit players with more refined strokes. As soon as the racquet feels too limiting, start searching for a worthy upgrade.

For your convenience, here are all the racquets I recommended above

  • Babolat Boost Drive
  • Babolat Drive G 115
  • Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3
  • Wilson Blade 104
  • Head Ti S.6
  • Head Graphene 360 Speed Lite
  • Head Graphene 360 Instinct Lite
  • Yonex EZONE Feel
  • Prince Textreme Warrior 100L

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *