I have three racquets that I keep coming back to and I wanted to write a post about them. So without further ado, here are my top three racquets right now.
I think there are a few racquets that show that you can combine feel, playability, ease-of-use, power, and control in a meaningful way. I also have a bunch of other favorites, but these are the ones at the top of my list right now for intermediate players.
What unites these racquets is that they do most things well and fit a wide group of players.
My Top Three Racquets – The HEAD Gravity MP
I keep coming back to the HEAD Gravity MP
(link to Amazon). This racquet is easy to use, offers a big sweet spot, great feel, and comfort. Just an all-round frame that will make players of many levels and styles happy. I think HEAD has managed to combine classical feel with modern playability. The whole Gravity line of racquets is just fantastic from start to finish and I like all of them, from MP to Pro. The Pro is definitely the most demanding, while the MP fits the largest group of players.
***Watch my HEAD Gravity review***
You can buy the HEAD Gravity MP from my buddy at All Things Tennis and 5% discount and a free stringing. Just use the code TENNISNERD at checkout!
String suggestion: HEAD Lynx Tour at 24 kg or 53 lbs.
The Clash 100 Tour
The Wilson Clash was one of the most impressive racquet releases last year. Like the Gravity, it is comfortable yet powerful and spin-friendly. They really found a way to take a thick-beamed spin-friendly racquet and make it suitable also for players with elbow or wrist issues. I also enjoyed the Clash 98 and the 100, but the Tour is my favorite.
Read and watch my Wilson Clash 100 Tour racquet review.
String suggestion if you want good control: Solinco Tour Bite
1.25 at 55 lbs or 25 kg. Read my Tour Bite review.
Prince Phantom 100X 305
The Prince Phantom line of racquets is another favorite of mine. Plush, spin-friendly, decent power – the 100X has it all. I also like the other racquets in the Phantom line-up – but this one is the biggest crowd-pleaser.
Check out my Prince Phantom 100X 305 Review
Buy the Prince Phantom 100X from All Things Tennis and get 5% discount and a free stringing. Just use the code TENNISNERD at checkout!
String suggestion: The Prince is comfortable enough to handle any polyester string really. I liked it with Solinco Confidential for extra control, but Luxilon 4G Soft
is another good option. I recommend a tension between 23-25 kg (51-55 lbs).
What do you think of these racquets? Have you tried them? Please comment below.
19 comments
hello, what would be the three best rackets for advanced level?
Hi Delby, this post is coming later today or tomorrow.
I will never buy a Chinese made rocket ever again after what happened with this virus. Yanet only, made in Japan.
Hi there.
Sometimes it can be very confusing to follow racketreviews.
I always read many different reviews of the same racket.
An example is your fellow in ”tennistaste”. He launched a review now recently of the Gravity mp. It scores really low compared to other rackets in that weightclass.
An example is Dunlop cx 200 ls and yonex vcore pro 290 g scores much higher on most things compared to Gravity mp.
As a reader those two examples sounds like much better options than Gravity mp…
Do you sometimes wonder what other writers wonder about the same models you write about?
It can be really frustrating to compare reviews sometimes.
And what about the new Yonex ezone 98? Why isn’t that one on the Intermediate list?
Best regards
JFL
Hi Jorn,
Yes, I know. It is important to understand that it is all subjective.
I really like the Gravity MP and I’m not a huge fan of the VCORE Pro 290.
It depends on what you like, playing style, playing level and so on.
Yes, I often talk to other testers. Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don’t.
I think the best way is always to test it for yourself.
The Yonex Ezone 98 is a good racquet, but it does not make the top 3. Perhaps the top 5.
Cheers / Jonas
I am in an intermediate level and can’t agree more with the list here. I have tried the Gravity MP (very whippy with great feel and control) and the Clash 100 Tour (spin-friendly, big sweetspot) but not the Prince PP100x 305. I’m currently playing with a Prince TT100 310 (16×18) and am eager to try out the PP100x. Will be ordering a demo soon. Always a fan of your reviews! Thanks
Sounds good! I hope you enjoy the demo. Cheers / J
What would you consider to be intermediate? utr 7-10? Great job with the reviews btw
Hi,
What would you recommend nie for an intermediate Player who wants to Play with Power and Control, hitting mostly clay with Spin ans also flat shots. 98 head or 100? And pro or mp Version? I am thinking about Clash, head Gravity, New head extreme or yonex ezone/vcore ? What do you think?
Hi Marc,
Try any of these: Clash Pro, HEAD Gravity Tour or Yonex Ezone 98.
Cheers / J
Thank you for all this valuable info. i am a beginning player, but quite fit and tall (2m and 96kg). i naturally play apparemtly with a lot of spin. My coache advices to not buy a too light racket given my height and strength, something in the 295-310 range. I have tried several rackets and like the pure aero and Yonex ezone 100. But, they seem stiff amd as I am hyper mobile they hurt my elbow when playing backhands (difficult not too overstretch my arm for me). What would come closest to these rackets while being less taxing on the arm? I was thinking the clash 100 or clash 100 tour? what would you advice? Could the phantom 100x 305 also be a good alternative? Many thanks
Hi Jonas AND Team. I boutgh te TF40 305. Is The Best raqueta for me couse It really give me, all my power un very los trajectory. But It heart my elbow, I Let It and Buy puré strike 16*19 and ITS very confortable but i cant get all muy poder inside The course. I came from prostaff 97L. I play with It 1 trae, It never give me problems but, now I get AND know about all muy poder with TF40. I think ITS soft but The 18*20 that Is so tihgt AND It make It like rock. But It doesnt feel, It feel excelente until hirts The elbow. I back totf40 when i feel recoger AND again pain elbow, nos worst.. Do you think The mp 16*20 or chash could give me The low trajectory i has with TF40? Or whats raquet do you recomend try? Thanks very much, Luis
Hi…I already have the vcore 100 (2021) 300g. But I am looki g for more feel and finesse. Should I get the Head Gravity MP or Vcore 98/98L?
I would like to retain spin and some free power as well.
Thanks,
Kelvin
The VCORE line is not made for feel and finesse and the Gravity line is a bit underpowered for what you’re looking for. I would consider the Prince Textreme Tour 100P or 310 or a HEAD Extreme Tour. There is always the racquet consultation service if you want in-depth advice. Cheers / J
What’s the difference between the rackets you recommend here and the advanced? For example why do you recommend the head gravity for intermediate players but not advanced?
Hi, first off, thanks for all the great content on here. What would be your recommendation for a pretty good beginner or decent intermediate with a very flat swing (very low spin and play mostly from the baseline)? Ideally, I want something flexible and comfortable that is reasonably forgiving. TF40?
If it’s of any help, I currently use an old Prince o3 Red that I find quite enjoyable. It is a bit light though at only 280 g unstrung, and I want to try something a bit more modern. I’m sure there has been some development/improvement during the last decade or two.
I am an intermediate low level player. I bought the wilson clash pro (310g) and is so difficult to play with it. Unfortunately i will need to by another racket probably 10 or 20g less. I used to play with a 275g but felt light, but the clash feel too much… Some recommendation on a 290g level raquet?
HEAD Boom MP (is 295) Prince Tour 100 290 and Wilson Blade 104 are all excellent options.