I got a suggestion for a video on YouTube: What racquets should you use for doubles tennis? So without further ado here are the best racquets for doubles.
Some play doubles occasionally, some never play doubles, and some only play doubles. I belong to the category that seldom plays it because I prefer the physicality of singles. But it’s a fun part of tennis and something that can develop your game in a new direction. I generally don’t like to use headlines like “the best racquets for doubles” because they feel a bit clickbaity. What I really mean is “these are some good racquets for doubles” and I also want to point out what kind of racquet I think works best for most doubles players
The Best Racquets for Doubles – Characteristics
Doubles is a game that puts extra focus on a couple of areas of tennis.
Serves – being able to place and hit different serves is a superpower in doubles.
Returns – it’s vital to be able to hit a solid cross-court return, so as not to give your opponents an easy volley.
Volleys and Overheads – this is overwhelmingly more important these days in doubles than in singles.
In my experience, the best racquets for doubles for most players are powerful racquets that are easy to maneuver.
These are some of the key characteristics of doubles racquets:
- Large sweet spot
- Maneuverable
- Stiff
Why stiff? Well, it’s not great if you have tennis elbow. But the benefit is that you get a stable frame that is still lightweight and maneuverable at the net. It will also give you the necessary power to punch a volley away and some extra power on serve.
The Bryan Brothers (as pictured) used extended racquets for pretty much all of their career. First, the Prince Ignite 95, and in the later years, they made the switch to Pure Drive Plus racquets.
The benefit of an extended-length racquet is that you get more power and reach on serves and overheads, which is important in doubles. Also, the extra plow-through and stability can be helpful on returns and volleys. Still, you lose out on some maneuverability around the net.
Examples of good doubles’ racquets
* Babolat Pure Drive (Pure Drive Plus for XL)
* HEAD Instinct MP
* Yonex Ezone 98 or 100 (Yonex Ezone 98 or 100 Plus for XL length)
* Prince Textreme Tour 100 310
* ProKennex Ki Q+ 300
* Wilson Burn 100 V4
If you feel like these racquets are too heavy, there are lighter versions of pretty much all of them that also do a good job.
6 comments
Nice list. I developed arm issues so was looking for an arm friendly option that retained the above characteristics. You should add Pronce Ripstick to the list too. Powerful, stable, good control , manuverable yet still arm friendly.
For doubles you need maneuverable stable racquets with good feeling – not stiff racquets per se, unless you rely on first-shot tactics
The most important shot on doubles is the return of serve, but after that you have to move the ball if you’re not in serious advantage place. A stiff racquet it’s not the best option for the small exchanges, only for power play
I’ll go always for a heavy yet head-light mid flex stick. Because it delivers on both situations. Solid when needed, but with feeling for short angles, small exchanges, etc. Just my two cents…
Judging by what I see at courts in my area, Wilson Clashes (various models) seem to be a very popular choice among doubles players. I guess Clashes provide all the characteristics of a proper doubles stick but in a more flexible, arm-friendly package. No wonder that Clashes have been Wilson’s bestseller.
Three of the best all-around doubles racquets in my area seem to be:
Babolat Pure Strike 98 16×19 3rd Gen (basically, a more flexible Pure Drive)
Tecnifibre TF40 305
Yonex VCORE Pro 97HD 18×20
All of these have a bit more feel and control than the racquets you picked, however, I believe would also be good choices, IMO.
the pure strike is no wayyy a more flexible pure drive.
What good doubles players do is they use high swingweight, very headlight balance(as a result pretty high static weight), average or lowish twistweight. For a larger sweetspot, they use lower string tensions rather than high twistweight.