Whether you want to start playing tennis as a hobby, for exercise, or to grow to a pro player, a good racquet should be your starting point. Many rackets in the market are made to meet the needs of beginners. Picking one, however, could prove difficult, especially if don't know what you should look for when shopping for a racquet. If this is you, worry not for we have put this review together with you in mind. Read on to know your best tennis racket as a beginner.
1. Babolat Boost Drive Review
This lightweight racquet is the best because it will not put a strain on your hands as you begin to enjoy your tennis game. Babolat is known to make high-end rackets, and they have not disappointed even with this model. When compared to rackets in its price range, this racquet is superior because it will boost your performance with its well thought out features.
Features
Head Size
The head size of your racquet gives you the allowance to reach out for the ball. A racket with a big head size, therefore, is ideal because it allows you to reach for balls that are off-center with ease.
This racquet falls in this category, with a head size of 105 square inches. Most average rackets will give you a 100 square inches hand size, meaning that with this model, you have a superior size to give you more advantage over your opponent.
Frame
As a beginner, you want a racquet that you can train with for long until you are ready to upgrade to a professional size model. This racket is the best model for this since its frame is made of durable graphite like most high-end racquets in the market. It is 27 inches long, which is the standard frame length of adult rackets.
Stringbed Technology
The stringbed of your racquet is the contact point with the ball and determines the spin power. Your Babolat Boost Drive Racket is made with Woofer String System technology that comes with a pulley and Piston performance.
This allows the strings to work collaboratively to reduce shock and vibration, which results in powerful spins. The 16x19-string pattern on this racquet is perfect for huge bites on the ball and power-packed snapbacks.
Color
This racquet is deep blue with black and white patches on the head. The logo and trademark name are boldly displayed at the bottom of the head and on the side. The logo is also set in ingeniously on the stringbed, thus giving it a luxurious and commanding look to tower against your opponent.
Weight
This racquet weighs about 9.8 ounces, which is an agreeable weight for you as a beginner. The weight will motivate you to train for longer sessions so that you can master the game without straining your elbows. It also helps you to maneuver the racquet effortlessly.
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2. Babolat Boost Aero Reviews
Just like other Babolat racquets popular with pro players like Rafael Nadal, you will love this powerful racquet for its playability and ease of manipulation. Even at its cost, it outperforms most other racquets in its price range and compares well to other pricey racquets.
Features
Head Size
It has a head size of 102 square inches, which is bigger than what most racquets will give you. This provides a bigger surface for ball contact, and you can reach for balls that are off-center without straining.
Frame
The 100% graphite frame is made to last. It can endure the heavy hits of your opponent's balls without cracking or twisting. You can choose from a beam width of 23mm or 26mm to suit the size of your hand. Moreover, it has a length of 27 inches as recommended for adult tennis players.
Stringbed Technology
The string pattern on this racquet is 19 crosses x 16 mains. This allows the strings to grip the ball powerfully and spin it fast to give you great snapbacks. The pulley and piston function enabled by the Woofer String System technology is also great because it gives the strings flexibility and high tension for superfast spins.
Color
This is a bright yellow racquet with black patches, giving it a luxurious conspicuous look. The trademark and logo are engraved on the frame and stringbed to ensure you can show off your superior brand racquet.
Weight
This is a light racket with a strung weight of 9.8 ounces. The lightness allows you to train with the racket for long without injuring your elbow. This will encourage you to keep training and master the game fast.
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3. HEAD Graphene 360 Speed Lite Tennis Racquets Reviewed
If you want an easy to handle racquet with superfast spins, this is the perfect racquet for you. It is ideal for a beginner who wants to gain control, power, and make speedy spins at his or her game. With an endorsement from Novak Djokovic, this is arguably the best tennis racquet for beginner.
Features
Head Size
This racquet has a head size of 100 square inches, which is the standard size for adult size racquets.
Frame
The frame is made with Graphene 360+ technology and spiralfibers for increased flexibility and clean grips on the ball. This is great since it allows you to control snapbacks at high speed. The new silo's design on this racket gives it longevity and an appealing appearance that does not fade prematurely. It is 27 inches long, which is comfortable for any adult player. The beamwidth on this racket is 25mm.
Stringbed Technology
This is a 16-mains x 19 crosses string pattern racket. This pattern is standard for racquets with fast and powerful spins. The spiralfiber technology places twisted fibers at the solder end of the strings to add to their flex and create greater impact when they hit the ball.
Color
The blend of glossy black and white matte creates a perfect symmetry for your HEAD Graphene racket. Its logo and brand name are imprintedon the frame as well as on the stringbed.
Weight
With a weight of 9.9 ounces, you will have no trouble manipulating it as it is light. This is great for you as a beginner since you will get motivated to stick to the game, train for long and master the game fast.
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4. Wilson Ultra Team Tennis Racquet Reviewed
When you want a racket that combines maneuverability, power, and lightweight, this is the right racket for you. It is inspired by Ultra Franchise's performance and design that incorporates arm-friendly string assembly. This becomes possible thanks to the Wilson Sensation Technology of 16l/1.2 pre-strung string that is built for your increased comfort.
Features
Head Size
This is a super big head-sized racket at 110 inches against the standard 100 inches. With this head size, you will hit off-center balls with the same ease as center balls. This will help you to master reaching for far-flung balls and return them with the same power as the center ball.
Frame
The frame is made with 85% graphite and 15% Hyper Carbon. This ensures the frame is light and sturdy enough to withstand frequent hits without bending. You will love this racket, as it will last long after you have mastered the game.
It is 27.50 inches long, which is ideal for you if you have an above-average body frame that needs a racket longer than the standard size racquets on sale. You may like it more since it will give you a longer reach on the court. Its beamwidth is 28mm.
Stringbed Technology
This racket is made with Wilson Sensation Technology that makes the strings arm-friendly. This multifilament string enhances the playability and comfort of the racket. The string pattern is 16x19, which is stable and spin-friendly.
Color
The dominant color of this racket is navy blue. It has deep blue patches on both sides of the head where the trade name and logo are displayed. The logo is also imprinted in red on the black strings. This artistic combination of colors gives this racket a superior and domineering appeal.
Weight
The graphite frame of this racket ensures it is light and comfortable for your arms. It has a strung weight of 8.9 ounces.
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5. Babolat Boost Strike Review
This is your ideal racket if you want one that matches the performance of any top-selling racket at a much lower price. With an endorsement from Rafael Nadal, this racket will give you just the powerful and speedy snapbacks you need to endear you to the game.
Features
Head Size
This is a 102-inch head-sized racket. As such, it will give you a wider reach for balls on the court.
Frame
The frame is 100% graphite, which is both light and enduring. With a choice of 23 inches and 26 inches beam width, you can pick the most comfortable for your arms. Moreover, the frame is 27 inches long, which suits most adult players.
Stringbed Technology
With a string pattern of 16x19, this racquetwill give you strong snapbacks since it grips the ball powerfully and releases it at a high speed and with increased charge. The Woofer technology used on this racquet uses pulley and piston mechanism to add flex on the strings and improve their energy transfer to the ball, thus sending it back forcefully.
Color
With a dominant brilliant red color that comes with black and white patches, this is a conspicuous racket to show off on the court. The logo is also visible on the stringbed. You can read the brand name and see the logo at the stand of the head from a distance.
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Tennis Beginner Tips
Here are some beginner tips to help you get started with tennis:
Get the right equipment: Invest in a good-quality tennis racket that suits your hand size and strength. Choose tennis balls suitable for beginners, as they are slower and easier to control.
Take lessons or find a coach: Enroll in tennis lessons or seek guidance from a qualified coach. They can teach you the proper techniques, footwork, and strategies from the beginning, helping you develop a solid foundation.
Focus on footwork: Footwork is crucial in tennis. Practice moving quickly and efficiently around the court, positioning yourself to hit the ball effectively. Good footwork will improve your agility, balance, and shot selection.
Start with basic strokes: Master the fundamental tennis strokes, including forehand, backhand, volley, and serve. Practice proper technique and form to develop consistency and accuracy in your shots.
Play regularly: Consistency is key to improving in tennis. Try to play regularly, whether it's through lessons, practice sessions, or friendly matches. The more you play, the better you'll become at reading the ball, anticipating shots, and executing your strokes.
Work on your fitness: Tennis requires endurance, agility, and quick reflexes. Incorporate fitness training into your routine, including cardio exercises, strength training, and flexibility exercises, to improve your overall fitness and performance on the court.
Learn court etiquette: Familiarize yourself with the rules of tennis and proper court etiquette. Respect your opponents, follow scoring procedures, and maintain sportsmanship throughout the game.
Stay patient and have fun: Tennis takes time to master, so be patient with yourself. Enjoy the process of learning and improving your skills. Remember to have fun and stay positive, even when facing challenges.
By following these beginner tips, you'll be on your way to developing a solid foundation in tennis and enjoying the game to the fullest.
Best Tennis Drills for Beginners
- Forehand and Backhand Rally: Start with simple rallies, focusing on hitting forehand and backhand shots back and forth with a partner. This drill helps develop consistency and control in your groundstrokes.
- Cone Targets: Set up a series of cones or markers on the court, and practice hitting shots to specific targets. Aim for accuracy and control, trying to hit each target with your forehand or backhand.
- Volleys at the Net: Stand at the net with a partner and practice hitting volleys. Focus on your technique and positioning, aiming to keep the ball in play while maintaining control and accuracy.
- Approach and Put-Away Shots: Practice hitting approach shots (shots that set you up for a volley or overhead) and put-away shots (shots that finish the point) from different positions on the court. This drill helps improve your shot selection and offensive skills.
- Serve and Return: Work on your serving and returning skills by alternating between serving and receiving serves with a partner. Focus on technique, placement, and consistency in both serving and returning.
- Footwork Drills: Set up cones or markers on the court and practice various footwork exercises, such as side shuffles, cross steps, and split steps. These drills improve your agility, speed, and court coverage.
- Live Ball Drill: Engage in a point-based drill where you play out points with a partner or coach. This drill simulates real match situations, allowing you to practice shot selection, strategy, and decision-making.
- Multi-Ball Drill: Have a coach or partner feed you a series of balls rapidly, requiring you to react quickly and practice your shot execution under pressure. This drill helps improve your hand-eye coordination and reaction time.
Remember to start with slower-paced drills and gradually increase the intensity as you become more comfortable. Focus on proper technique, consistency, and footwork during each drill. Practice regularly and vary the drills to keep your sessions engaging and enjoyable.
Final Thoughts on Beginner Tennis Rackets
As a beginner, you want to buy a tennis racquet that endears you to the game with its playability, performance, and appearance. You should also look for a durable one to avoid needing to buy another one too soon. The head size, weight, string bed technology, the frame type, and size are all important features to consider. Another consideration is to try and determine which is the best tennis racquet brand for beginners. We would have to go with a Wilson junior racket for new players.
Tennis Racket FAQ
When shopping for a beginner tennis racket, the frame type, weight, string pattern, and head size are some of the features you should consider.
If you are an adult player, an adult size racket with a length of 27 inches, 100 square inches head size or more will be good for you. If you are buying it for a beginner junior player, however, look for a shorter frame, lighter, and a smaller head size to match your body size.
The cost of tennis rackets varies widely depending on their quality and brand and ranges between $20 and $300. A Wilson racket with an aluminum and plastic frame is likely to cost about $30, although it is not as sturdy as their fiberglass and carbon models that go for about $300.
When shopping for a tennis racket, the three important things that you should consider are weight, head size, and grip size. Get a racket with a big head size to increase your sweet spot. The weight and grip size are also important since they determine how comfortable your racket will be for you.
Roger Federer has always used Wilson rackets. Currently, he has a Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph, or the RF97, that he began using in 2014. He, however, has been changing the colors on this racket. During the Laver Cup, Swiss Indoor and Shanghai tournament, for instance, he used the limited color edition. The racket is 27 inches long, has a head size of 97 inches, and weighs 11.99 ounces.