I have done videos about the best racquets for spin and power, but now it’s time to go through the best tennis racquets for spin and control.
The best tennis racquets for spin and control is what many players and racquets experts would call a “modern racquet”. This has now become the most common intermediate-advanced racquet specification. These racquets are ideal for players that have good technique, hit with plenty of spin, but also like to get more control than what typical spin and power racquets produce.
These spin and control racquets have a quite typical spec:
98 sq inch head size
16×19 string pattern
305g unstrung weight
32 cm unstrung balance
290-295 unstrung swing weight
21-23 mm beam
They also usually offer aerodynamic properties (the racquet travels faster through the air) and spin grommets to increase string movement (for more spin).
The video and the list
The list is not in order because these racquets are all good and it’s a matter of taste when it comes to which racquet you prefer. My favorite is currently the HEAD Extreme Tour, which I customize with 2 grams in the hoop and 5 grams on the handle for the following strung specs: 332.5g, 32.5 cm balance and 329 swing weight. I currently use this racquet with HEAD Lynx Touch at 52 lbs.
If you want to buy any of these racquets, I’d appreciate if you use my affiliate links so I get a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you. Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe and Tennis Only.
Dunlop SX 300 Tour (2022)
Fun racquet to use! I’m happy that they reduced the head size and weight from the previous generation. Very fast racquet! Might need a little bit of weight for stability, but if you like to generate racquet head speed – this is perhaps the best one of the bunch.
Check out my Dunlop Sx 300 review
Babolat Pure Aero VS
Quite a few pros have made the switch to this frame recently. Such as Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune and Elias Ymer.
Excellent power and spin in this one. Explosive is the best word to describe it. And I like that they went with a 16×20 string pattern.
Check out my Babolat Pure Aero VS review.
Tecnifibre T-Rebound 298 IGA
Lots of power and spin potential in the lightest racquet of the bunch. If you want a similar frame but with a bit more weight and softer feel, go for the Tecnifibre Tfight RS 300.
Check out my Tecnifibre T-Rebound 298 IGA review.
Yonex VCORE 98
Spin-friendly and powerful. The most dampened and perhaps “solid-feeling” of the frames listed. Like I said above, it’s a matter of personal taste.
Check out my Yonex VCORE 98 review here.
Wilson Clash 98
For players suffering form arm issues that still want a spin-friendly frame with some decent power, the Wilson Clash 98 is an interesting choice. It has somewhat of a trampoline effect and a quite unique feel, but if you like the feel, you’ll love this racquet.
Check out my Wilson Clash 98 review.
HEAD Extreme Tour
My favorite of the bunch because I feel like it has the most control and plushness. It probably resonates with me since I come from the HEAD Prestige MP 2019.
Check out my HEAD Extreme Tour review.
HEAD Boom Pro
This one shares some similarities with the Extreme Tour. It is supposed according to the CPI scale to play less powerful than the Extreme Tour. At first I thought it was more powerful, but after testing different string setups, I can agree that it’s perhaps a tiny bit more controlled than the Extreme Tour. I did however sense better confidence with the Extreme Tour due to the slight trampoline effect in the string bed of the Boom Pro. It’s a racquet I like very much, but for me the Extreme is a bit better.
Check out my HEAD Boom Pro review here.
Solinco Whiteout 305
The Solinco Whiteout took me by surprise. This racquet is lively, but has a very nice sensation when impacting the ball. Just a joy to hit with. The only issue is that I feel like there is a bit too much movement in the string bed for my game, but if you hit with plenty of topspin, that should not be a problem. A racquet I enjoyed a lot!
Check out my Solinco Whiteout review here.
Summary
These are all excellent modern tennis racquets for intermediate to advanced players who hit with a good amount of topspin. I like them all for different reasons, so my advice (if possible), is to test a couple and see which racquet works for you. If you can order from Tennis Warehouse, they have a demo program (that I use for many of my reviews) that can be very helpful.
Check out their stores here:Â Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe and Tennis Only.
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14 comments
Which one would you recommend to intermediate player (no health issues)
All of them, honestly. You need to test.
Great review and list! How do you compare the Solinco Whiteout 305 with something like the Pure Strike 16×19 3rd Gen which also has a lot of spin and control?
what about ezone tour
Was too stiff for me in the end.
I’m not sure if my query is related or another topic but on the whole are heavier or lighter racquets better for a fair proportion of serve/volley players ?
I enjoyed your racquet analysis and comments on their specifications. One thing that I would love to hear in detail, it’s the specifications of Diego Schwartzman’s racquet, and what type of players would benefit from them. Also a comparison of other racquet brands in that category. Thanks for what you do and looking forward to your post
For a hard and flat hitting (intermediate to advanced level) woman playing tournaments, what would be your first choice for a racket? Extreme Tour (w 2g @12 plus 5g @handle) is first on the list. What is next? I looked at Iga Swiatek who won RG by playing Prince Textreme Tour 100 (290g) and now playing Iga 298 without any lead tape on it (at lease I don’t see it). I used to play w Blade 98, PS97L, Radical MP, and I wanted a little more power especially for serve. So, I switched to 2018 Vcore 100 (300g), and it lacks stability. I don’t like it. I never put lead tape on my rackets. I play them as stock. However, I can do it as long as it will be not too heavy.
What do you think Tennis Nerd?
Nice review. I like your design for the Wilson Clash. I have a custom Wilson Blade that I made as well. Was a bit disappointed that i did not see the Blade make the list but was overall very impressed.
Hello Jonas, thank you for your post. What do you think about the Angell k7 red, comparing with these racquets?
Hey Rafael, it’s a good choice, I like that racquet a lot.
Thank you!
A wonderful post about the best tennis racquets for spin and control. Well! I enjoyed your racquet analysis and comments on their specifications.