This list is a subjective take on the best tennis racquets in 2024. We try to cover different types of racquets that can suit a wide range of players.
The list is loosely based on our Top Tennis Gear Right Now page, which also covers our favorite strings, shoes, balls and more.
I felt like that page was missing some categorization and explanation; we will try to cover that here. The fundamental point of our content is that you should play with what feels right to you and makes you enjoy tennis the most. If you play with a demanding racquet and that is fine for your arm and you prefer it over lighter and easier racquets, then do that. Even if your coach tells you that you might benefit from more help from the racquet. Lighter and easier racquets are not always the way. The racquet will not do the most for your tennis anyway, it is working on your footwork, strategy, physicality, technique and consistency.
If you want to improve using excellent video coaching, you can try a Coachlife trial or check out a course with our friend Nikola from Intuitive Tennis.
All-rounder Racquets for Intermediates
For many intermediate players, an all-rounder racquet is the way to go. Maybe it is a lame term, but what I mean is a racquet that does most things well and doesn’t focus on one factor of the game. You have plenty of interesting all-rounder racquets on the market these days. The HEAD Speed MP is Henrik Wallensten’s current favorite. We had a lot of fun with the Dunlop CX 400 Tour, but in the end we thought the best blend came in either the Prince Phantom 100X 305 and the Wilson Blade 100 V9. These racquets provide an all-in-one approach with a solid blend of control, feel, power, and spin.
As feel, style and technique are all personal, you should ideally demo to see which frame suits you the best.
You can check out the Blade 100 from our friends Tennis Warehouse (USA), Tennis Warehouse Europe (USE TNERD10 for 10% off), or Tennis Only (AU) or order it from Amazon.com. For the Phantom 100X 305, these are the correct links: Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, and Tennis Only.
10% DISCOUNT ON ALL RACQUETS!
Use code: TNERD10
Beginner Racquets and Veteran Doubles Players
Beginners can use whatever quality racquet to groove their strokes but should avoid too heavy and difficult racquets. In my opinion, you don’t need to use an ultra-light racquet, but if you have physical limitations. If you are a Veteran Doubles player mainly, you should look into something like a HEAD TiS6 or, preferably, the excellent HEAD Speed Team, which I mention in my article about the Best light racquet on the market.
The Prince Legacy line of racquets are also excellent for players looking for maximum help from the racquet.
The Best Spin Racquet in 2024
There is a line that rules spin racquets in my opinion and that is the Babolat Pure Aero line. We are expecting new HEAD Extreme racquets as well, but, for now, the Babolat Pure Aero remains supreme.
You have two main choices for the Aero line, the Babolat Pure Aero 2023 100 sq inch version gives you a bit more of everything in terms of forgiveness, power, spin over the Babolat Pure Aero 98, which overall is our favorite for stronger players. Both are excellent, though!
Interested in the Babolat Pure Aero 98? Get it from Tennis Warehouse (US), Tennis Warehouse Europe (USE TNERD10 for 10% off), Tennis Only (AU) or Amazon.com
The Best Control Racquets in 2024
This is a tricky category because there are many excellent control racquets on the market. The new Blade 98 V9 racquets are excellent and should be mentioned. The Solinco Whiteout 18/20 is another good one.
If I had to pick one control racquet in 2024 that I know many fellow tennis nerds love, I have to say the HEAD Radical MP, as this is such a versatile racquet with some more power than Prestige, but which still retains that confidence in the string bed.
Get it from Tennis Warehouse (US), Tennis Warehouse Europe (USE TNERD10 for 10% off), Tennis Only (AU) or Amazon.com
The Best Power Racquet 2024
Loyal readers or subscribers to Tennisnerd know that I am a fan of the Yonex Ezone 100. It is one of those power racquets that retains control thanks to a dense string pattern. However, I was also a big fan of the Diadem Nova Tour V3 (or 100), which had a nice, dampened, and solid feel and enough control to confidently take big cuts at the ball. I am still waiting for an update on the Babolat Pure Drive (they did release a 30th anniversary edition earlier this year), and the HEAD Boom MP is probably the best power racquet for people seeking comfort.
Summary
Those are our favorite racquets so far in 2024 (several of them are current models released in 2023 or even 2022). We test almost everything on the market and these have stood out among the current offering. That being said, racquets are personal and you need to demo. You have permission to play with a 90 sq inch HEAD Prestige Classic 2.0 if that is what makes you shine on the tennis court. I think finding the racquet setup that makes you confident in your shots is the right approach, no matter if the coach tells you that you should use an “easier” racquet.
Do you need help finding your ideal racquet? We offer a racquet consultation service via our Patreon.
What racquet and strings are you using currently? Please share your favorite setup in the comments below.
