If you think you might like tennis, now is the time to consider getting the equipment you need to play it. Often, the tennis racket is the most important because it is going to affect how you play the sport. It’s essential to focus on the best tennis racket for beginners so that you know you can learn to play the game.
Of course, choosing the racket is only the beginning. You also need to know how to pick the right one. In this article, we’re going to look at the best tennis racket for beginners along with giving some buying tips.
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Can’t Wait? Here’s Our Favorite
We really like the Head TI S6 brand. It’s a best-selling racket for a reason and is loved throughout the world. In fact, it’s the top pick for beginner tennis rackets.
| Image | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
Top Top | HEAD Ti.S6 Strung Tennis Racquet (4-1/2), Strung | Check Price on Amazon |
 Top | HEAD Microgel Radical Tennis Racket - Pre-Strung 27 Inch Adult Racquet | Check Price on Amazon |
 | BABOLAT Drive Max 110 Tennis Racquet | Check Price on Amazon |
Head TI S6 – Best Overall for Beginners
- The head size of the racquet is 115 square inches and is 1 head heavy
- The beam of the racquet is 28.5mm
- The string pattern of the racquet is 16x19
- The racquet is extra long in length at 27 3/4 and weighs 8 oz
- The racquet does NOT come with a head cover.
For adults and older teens who are just starting to learn the sport, the Head TI S6 is the best racket. Not only does it give you the power you need, but it’s also got a large frame and a balanced head. This budget-friendly tennis racket is suitable for anyone who is just starting out.
Product Highlights
With its titanium structure, it’s very lightweight at only 8.9 ounces strung. Therefore, it’s easy to control from the baseline and can help you avoid tennis elbow. The large frame allows you to generate enough power for various shots. Plus, the weight is more balanced at the head. A glance at this racket shows that it has a larger frame size (115 square inches,) so you’ve got more chances to hit the ball.
For those who are true beginners, the racket strings have a color coating for the ‘sweet spot.’ This is where you want to hit each time for maximum effectiveness. If you can aim the ball there each time, you are going to soon become a pro.
What I Like
This racket is going to help you improve your game because of the power. It’s something that you can learn on and then move forward with the sport for a few more years. Of course, you may need something different as you become an intermediate player, but this one is going to help instill the love of the sport for you.
What I Don’t Like
Since it is so lightweight, we found that there is less control with this racket. Yes, you can hit in the sweet spot, and that helps, but it’s still likely that your balls aren’t going to go where you want them.
Head Microgel Radical – Best for Control
- On ball impact, Head Micro Gel uniformly distributes the impact load around the frame to provide a rock-solid feel and unique touch
- The head size of the racquet is 98 square inches
- The beam of the racquet is 21mm
- The string pattern of the racquet is 18x20
- The racquet weighs 10.4 oz and is standard in length at 27
Sometimes referred to as ‘the tweener racket,’ this option works well for players of any skill level. In fact, it might take you from beginner to an intermediate player quickly and efficiently.
Product Highlights
The Head Microgel Radical features a 98-inch head with a tighter string pattern. Therefore, you’re going to achieve better control but not as much power. That said, the head weight and string tension should provide adequate power for most adults and teen players. You can easily grow into a better tennis player with this racket, as long as you have decent hand-eye coordination.
What I Like
The microgel found on the head helps you uniformly distribute the impact of the ball. With that slight ‘stick,’ you get the control you require. Of course, you have to make up for that by losing a bit of power with your strokes.
What I Don’t Like
There is no vibration dampener included, so when you hit the ball, it is going to reverberate throughout your entire arm. This can cause fatigue sooner than normal. It’s possible to purchase a vibration dampener and install it yourself.
Babolat Drive 110 – The Best for Power
- Full featured maneuverable, oversize racquet for intermediate players
- Babolat comfort from Woofer Grommet system in modern carbon fibre frame
- 105 head, 9.8 ounce strung, 27 inch long, 3 head heavy, 16x19 pattern
- Strung with Babolat SpiralTex synthetic gut
- Cover holds one racquet, with shoulder strap, is lightly padded to protect
When you want to hit the ball farther and make the opponent work for it, the Babolat brand is ideal. You’re sure to impress with the styling and the ability it provides. Those with a big budget and the desire to improve quickly are sure to like it.
Product Highlights
Babolat made the Drive 110 lightweight so that you can easily maneuver it while on the court. Its 110-square-inch head allows for a wider sweet spot. Of course, you can generate more power because of the larger frame. Also, the string pattern gives you some spin, allowing you to use it as you move away from beginner mode and into intermediate play. Often, it’s possible to continue using this racket while you’re an intermediate.
What I Like
The Woofer technology is amazing here because it’s a dynamic system making the strings and frame interact with each other when hitting the ball. The frame stays static to drive force, and the strings move, but in place. It’s amazing technology.
What I Don’t Like
Though you want something unique and distinguishable as your own, we weren’t impressed with the color. It looked a little too bright, and we think it might be geared more toward women than men. If bold colors don’t bother you or you like them, this might not be an issue.
Tennis Racket for Beginners Buyer’s Guide
It’s important to find the right tennis racket for your skill level. Beginners often know little about them, so it can help to find out what to look for in a racket. That way, you can focus on what is going to work best for you.
Racket Size
The frame size should be quite large if you are a beginner. This is going to help to create more power for the shots. You’ve never played tennis before (or rarely do so), so you need something forgiving. Professionals can use smaller rackets because they can hit the ball in the same spot on the racket strings each time.
You’re going to be making contact all over the racket. Therefore, it’s best to get one that’s 100 square inches or more. That way, you’ve got a bigger sweet spot, which means you don’t need as much precision to get the ball where you want it to go.
Grip Size
Most rackets range in grip size from 4 1/5 to 4 5/8. The bottom of the equipment tells you the size. Sometimes, it’s in the form of a number between one and five instead of using a fraction.
In most cases, players require a 4 3/8, so look for that or a three on the handle’s bottom. Those with smaller hands might need a 4 1/4 or two, and people with bigger hands may need a 4 1/2 or four.
Try to go with the smaller option because you can always add more grips to get the right grip feel. However, when you order something too big, you can’t do much to change the grip.
String and Tension
Newcomers don’t necessarily need to focus as much on tension and string. Loose strings usually allow for more power and give you a bigger sweet spot. This can also help you prevent tennis elbow issues because you’re not swinging as hard. Tight strings can provide more control, but you get a smaller sweet spot.
The strings that come with the racket are sure to be okay. However, many people prefer to change the strings. This can be done by your preferred tennis shop. The manufacturer’s recommendation is the best option.
FAQs
Should I purchase the lightest racket I can find?
Lightweight rackets often feel good and are great to swing around, but they actually make you work harder. It’s a good idea to play with a heavier racket to be comfortable throughout the match. That said, most newbies can’t handle a heavy one, so it’s better to use something lightweight between 8.9 to 10 ounces.
Do I need a long racket?
Longer rackets are good for power and to give you more reach. However, beginners and many intermediates prefer a 27-inch length because it is easy to control and more maneuverable.
Consider aiming the ball toward a target. Swing the racket with the hand near the throat and then at the butt end. You’ve got more control toward the throat. Therefore, you can adjust the power and control by holding the racket at different points along the stick.
What is the sweet spot in tennis rackets?
The center of the racket’s hitting surface is called the sweet spot. It relates to physics and means that the ball is more likely to go where you want it when you hit it in that area. On beginner rackets, it’s marked by a different color.
How long does a racket last?
Durability is dependent on how you care for the racket. You need to maintain it, and high-quality ones are sure to last for many years. Of course, if you choose a beginner-only racket, you may need to upgrade to an intermediate as you improve.
Final Verdict
We feel that the best tennis racket for beginners is the Head TI S6. It’s one of the top sellers in the world because it does everything you need a tennis racket to do. It features a wider head and has a decent string pattern. It’s also a bit longer at 27 ¾ inches and weight right around 8 ounces.
This means it is going to work well for most people and can provide adequate power and some control. With the wider sweet spot, you can easily aim the ball where you want it to go.