9 Best Tennis Racquets For Control
Every single shot in tennis needs some level of control for a player to reach their full potential. Some racquets out there provide players with plenty of added power, but lack the type of control needed to put the ball in the right areas. Fortunately, plenty of racquets focus specifically on control, so people who are struggling can get exactly what they need on all of their strokes.
These are the 9 best tennis racquets for control on the market right now. Even after hitting with them for a short amount of time, people can notice the type of difference they make. Once a person tinkers with strings, tension, lead tape, and more, they can have the perfect setup for balls to go where they need to as much as possible.
1. Babolat Pure Strike 16 x 19
It seems like Babolat has hit the sweet spot with the third generation of the Babolat Pure Strike. Ever since it was first released, there have been many people singing the praises of the racquet overall. It seems like it gets a lot right from an all-around perspective, but people looking for some help with control will certainly find it beneficial.
With the Pure Aero and the Pure Drive not exactly providing the best of the best with control, the Pure Strike takes that part of the game to another level. People will need to drop a little bit with the head size coming in at 98 in.² for inches, but that is a minor change for a lot of people.
One of the great things about the standard 16 x 19 version is that the string pattern is still fairly open. This means there is plenty of power and spin potential with a little added control.
Sure, players will not be able to take huge cuts at the ball and see it react the same as the other Babolat racquets, but it is still a high-quality, all-around performer. You can read our full review in this post.
Pros
- Added stability
- Surprising maneuverable
- 16 x 19 string pattern still offers speed and spin potential
Cons
- Not as lively as other Babolat racquets
- Sweet spot shrinks a bit compared to 100 in.² racquets
2. Babolat Pure Strike 18 x 20
For even more control, a person can opt for the 18 x 20 string pattern. This is going to help out a lot more than most people realize. The dense pattern ensures that a person hits the ball and has excellent control overall. It is pretty low-powered, so players do need to create their own juice, but most players looking for a control racquet already do exactly that.
It really can’t be stressed enough just how comfortable this racquet is compared to the previous version. Those who have had arm troubles in the past should give this racquet a try, as it might be in the running for the most comfortable racquet overall in the game today. You can read our full review in this post.
Pros
- Extremely comfortable
- 18×20 string pattern increases control even more
- Gives players more confidence at the net
Cons
- Power zapped even more than with the 16 x 19 version
- Spin potential is reduced
3. Wilson Blade 98 18 x 20 v7
The three calling cards for any Wilson Blade option is precision, stability, and plow-through capabilities. With the V7 version, it now can have comfort added to the mix. This is by far the most comfortable Wilson Blade racquet in the history of the line, as they have ditched Countervail to provide something that works even better in FlexFeel.
Players at all levels will notice that their arm feels much more refreshed than ever before, and they do not have to change anything in their game to get to that point.
The 18 x 20 string pattern really helps with some of the best precision on the market today. People need to sacrifice a little bit of spin potential with an 18 x 20 string pattern, but there is still an opportunity to kick into serves and groundstrokes. You can read our full review in this post.
Pros
- Great stability
- Solid amount of power
- Outstanding position
Cons
- Spin potential is lower compared to 16 x 19 string patterns
- Racquet takes a little bit of time to adjust when coming from something else
4. Wilson Blade 98 16 x 19 V7
A slight variation of the Wilson Blade 98 is a 16 x 19 version. It plays very similarly to the 18 x 20, but it is for people who may not need quite as much control when hitting shots. Make no mistake, this is still a control-oriented racquet, but going with a 16 x 19 setup means that a person can get a little bit more power and spin.
Some modern players will look at the 18 x 20 string pattern and feel like it is a bit limiting overall. It is certainly not for everyone, but those who need the most help with control will see a benefit.
Instead of going all-in with control, this is a happy compromise for a lot of players. 16 x 19 is a little more open, and players can relax with their approach to hitting the ball as well.
Some people will only view this as an all-around racquet instead of one that is control-oriented, but the smaller head size and somewhat condensed string pattern still apply. Do not overlook everything that it brings to the table, and consider it as a possible option to purchase when shopping around. You can read our full review in this post.
Pros
- All-around good
- Spin
Cons
- Takes time to get used to
5. Wilson Pro Staff 97
Anything that seems a little under 98 in.² is thought of as too small in today’s game. Some tennis players do not want to have anything to do with that, but the Pro Staff 97 might switch a person’s feelings.
People notice that there really is not that much difference between a 97 in.² head and 98 in.² head. People will get pretty much the same exact sweet spot, and just a little bit more precision overall. Part of that is the head size, and part of that is the Pro Staff layout overall.
Simply put, if a player can handle everything else about the racquet, the Pro Staff will provide all the control a person can ask for. It might be more for advanced players only, but those who fit in that niche will be happy. You can read our full review in this post.
Pros
- Perfect level of precision for many players
- Rewarding sweet spot
- A good amount of weight behind every shot
Cons
- Designed for experienced players only
- Too heavy for some
6. Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Mid
For the last couple of decades, the Head Prestige line of racquets has always been a popular midsize racquet. A lot of what it brings to the table is control, as the Graphene 360+ Prestige Mid is one of the most control-oriented racquets of them all.
The newest version has a more modern feel than ever before, and a ton of stability for people to hit through the ball and put it where they need to.
This racquet particularly shines in hitting groundstrokes, but it is a very controllable racquet from all over the court. It weighs 11.3 ounces, and the smaller head size plays a role in control. As long as the player is not caring too much about a smaller head size, they will notice the opportunity to get a lot of rewards with location.
Pros
- Outstanding from the baseline
- Perfect stability
- Enough weight for power
Cons
- Head size is a little small for some
- Feels a little outdated compared to other modern racquets
7. Head Pro Tour 2.0
For a value racquet that still has excellent control, the Head Pro Tour 2.0 might be the way to go. It is a classic look and feel that older players might gravitate towards, even if it is not necessarily made for the modern game. It is pretty heavy at 12.1 ounces strung and a swing weight of 335, but the control is definitely there for all types of players.
With its old-school look and design, many people are going to notice right away that this is a racquet that should be viewed more for players who hit flatter balls. It will not give modern players as much of a benefit if they are trying to hit with as much pace as possible.
However, this is a great counter puncher option for players going up against hard, modern hitters because it is great at keeping groundstrokes in and deflecting harder shots.
When in the right hands, a person can put the ball exactly where they need to at all times. It is great to always feel like a person is in control with different types of shots. No one wants to be too overwhelmed when facing tougher players, but that is not the case with the Head Pro Tour 2.0.
Pros
- Old school feel many players enjoy
- Very affordable
- Excellent at the net for those who can handle the weight
Cons
- Too outdated for some players
- Not the best to try for those dealing with previous arm injuries
8. Tecnifibre TF40 305
Tecnifibre is not the most well-known brand compared to many others who make this list, but it does have a strong following. They have long been able to put out some racquets that fit certain types of play styles, and this one, in particular, is great for those who need ultimate precision.
With a 98 in.² head size and a swingweight at 326, players need to have some pretty refined strokes to get full value out of this racquet. If they can control their power, there is a chance that the control will be a huge bonus.
The racquet is well-rounded so that it performs well on every part of the court. Some control racquets only do a great job with serves or groundstrokes, but this is also a solid option beyond that. Again, players will need to be flexible with the maneuverability, as it is a little heavier than some of the other racquets out there.
However, those who can handle it will find it very rewarding when putting balls away at the net and trying to be more to the point with shots overall.
Pros
- Comfortable swingweight for a heavier racquet
- Enlarged sweet spot
- All-around option for all types of players
Cons
- Need to create a lot of power
- Maneuverability is not the greatest
9. Yonex VCORE Pro 97 18×20
Weighing in at 11.3 ounces and showcasing an 18 x 20 string pattern, this racquet on paper seems like one of the most control-oriented racquets on the market. It performs exactly like that, as the racquet lets people have more control over all their shots than they have thought possible.
It does take a little bit of power from the person itself, but the good news is that it is a pretty quick swing overall. It might not seem like that would be the case when looking at the specs, but the swing weight is a little lower than one might believe. That means advanced players, in particular, can take big cuts at the ball and still have the precision that they are signing up for.
Yonex is a brand that has certainly made a name for itself in some regards as a precision-oriented company. Out of all they offer, this one is one of the best of the best. Give it a try if it seems like a version worth the investment. You can read our full review in this post.
Pros
- Head shape provides an enlarged sweet spot
- 18 x 20 string pattern is still open enough for some added spin
- Swings lighter than most 11.3 ounce racquets
Cons
- Takes time getting used to Yonex racquet layouts
- Serving feels a little clunky at first
For your convenience, here are all the racquets I recommended above.
- Babolat Pure Strike 16×19
- Babolat Pure Strike 18×20
- Wilson Blade 98 18 x 20 v7
- Wilson Blade 98 16 x 19 V7
- Wilson Pro Staff 97
- Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Mid
- Head Pro Tour 2.0
- Tecnifibre TF-40 305
- Yonex VCORE Pro 97 18×20
You can also read:
- 14 Best Ways To Prepare For a Tennis Match
- 7 Best Lightweight Tennis Racquets
- 7 Steps To Become a Professional Tennis Player
- How To Get Good At Tennis Fast
- 7 Best Warm-Up Tennis Jackets
