Feeling rusty? Choose the perfect racket to get you back into tennis!
Do you feel a bit daunted by the prospect of picking up a racket again for the first time in months? Here at All Things Tennis, we are guiding you through some of the best rackets to get you back playing tennis. Whether you are a beginner or advanced, we take a look at the rackets that could inspire your game!
Beginners: Head Instinct Lite and Babolat Lite
For the beginner who has never played tennis before, or had just started before the lockdown hit, look no further than the Head Instinct Lite and Babolat Lite ranges. At only 270g, the Head Instinct Lite is a manoeuvrable, powerful racket with a large head size to maximise comfort and easy power. The larger head size increases the size of the sweet spot, making it an ideal racket for beginners and juniors. You can read an in-depth review of the full Head Instinct range on the All Things Tennis Blog.
The Babolat Pure Aero Lite is the same weight as the Head Instinct Lite, at 270g, and is perfect for beginners who are developing their topspin ground strokes. Used by a host of professional players, with Rafael Nadal at the forefront, the Babolat Pure Aero is one of the most popular rackets on the market. As part of the range, Babolat have also developed the Babolat Pure Aero Super Lite, weighing only 255g. As the lightest racket in the range, the Super Lite is produced specifically for beginners, juniors and those moving onto their first adult racket. It allows for easy power and producing lots of topspin, and is a great racket to get you back on court after the break. For a full review of the Babolat Pure Aero range, go to our Blog page.
The Babolat Super Lite
Intermediate: Dunlop FX 500 AND Tecnifibre T-Fight RS 300
If you are an intermediate player looking to re-find your technique, try the excellent Dunlop FX 500 and 500 Lite rackets. At 300g, the Dunlop FX 500 offers a compromise between power, spin and control with its large sweet spot and slightly heavier frame. The FX 500 is perfect for an all-round game, complementing all aspects of aggression, control and spin. If the FX 500 feels too heavy or difficult to control when you first start playing again, give the FX 500 Lite ago. The Lite version has the same attributes as the regular model, but at 270g offers the user an easier swing and increased comfort.
The Dunlop FX 500 Lite
Also for the intermediate player, the Tecnifibre T-Fight RS 300 offers extreme precision and is a racket that can elevate your game to the next level. Endorsed by current world number three Daniil Medvedev, the T-Fight range is becoming increasingly popular and is a good racket for intermediate players to bridge the gap to the advanced stage of tennis. At 300g, this model of the T-Fight offers a nice balance between control and power, allowing for easy spin whilst maintaining good balance. For those looking for a slightly lighter racket to begin playing again, try the Tecnifibre T-Fight RS 280, a racket that gives the same advantages as the 300 but is easier to manage.
Advanced: Head Speed Pro Special, Babolat Pure Aero VS, and Mantis Pro 310
If you are an advanced player, you are probably desperate to get back playing and rediscover your fluid technique. Having not played for so long, this might be the best time to try a racket that could elevate your game and results. For the ultimate professional racket, look no further than the Head Graphene 360 Speed Pro Special. Used by world number one and recent Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, this is one of the best looking, cleanest feeling rackets on the market. With its all-black paintwork and flexible frame, the new version of the Head Speed Pro is guaranteed to get you motivated to play. For a full review of the Head Speed Pro range, visit our blog here.
If you are looking for more spin but an equally professional feeling racket, try the Babolat Pure Aero VS. Designed specifically for advanced and high level players, the Pure Aero VS offers a more refined model of the original Pure Aero, with a thinner beam, lower stiffness and smaller head size all contributing to a greater sense of control. However, the racket retains the characteristic easy spin of the Pure Aero range and suits an aggressive baseline style.
The Head Graphene Speed Pro Black Special
For an exceptionally versatile and deceptively manoeuvrable racket, try the Mantis Pro 310. At 310g, this is the heaviest racket in the Mantis Pro range, but has been specifically designed to create greater control and feel for the advanced player. The Mantis Pro has some of the most advanced technology of any racket, with extensive testing during the Research and Development phase of the production allowing for the creation of a balanced, stable frame. Whether you are looking to generate power, spin or feel, the Mantis Pro 310 suits all game styles.
AllThingsTennis.co.uk (ATT) is the UK’s fastest growing dedicated tennis retailer. Tennishead readers receive an exclusive five per cent discount on all purchases from AllThingsTennis.co.uk when using this coupon code: TENNISHEAD5. All rackets over £100 are entitled to a free premium string upgrade.
