Spin racquets can suit players who hit with a lot of spin and want more or players who hit flatter and want more “lift” on the ball.
The primary playing style that uses spin racquets like the Babolat Aero, HEAD Extreme, and Wilson Shift are aggressive baseliners who love to take big cuts at the ball, and they manage to achieve good control thanks to generating plenty of topspin. They often want racquets that accentuate this style of play. Aggressive baseliners love playing on clay courts where they can grind with heavy groundstrokes all day.
We list spin racquets which are easier to use and ones for more advanced players.
Typical players: Dominic Thiem, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz.
Typical specifications
Spin racquets usually come with an aerodynamic design to reduce drag when you hit the ball at a more vertical plane for stronger top spin.
Head size: 98 to 100 sq inches
String pattern: 16×20 or 16×19
Stiffness: mid-60 RA to 70
Easier to use
If you want a more forgiving racquet with great power and spin potential, you go up to the 100 sq inch category.
Babolat Pure Aero
The icon that you see everywhere. Great spin and power in this one. Better control and comfort in the latest generation (2022) than the 2019. But if you want easy power and more lift on the ball, the 2019 is preferable. My review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Babolat Xcel 1.30 @55 lbs (25 kg) mains, Babolat RPM Power 1.25 @52 lbs (22.5 kg) crosses
Control – Babolat RPM Blast 1.25 @51 lbs (23 kg).
Spin – Babolat RPM Blast Rough 1.25 @49 lbs (22 kg)
HEAD Auxetic Extreme MP
They went the same way with the new Auxetic as Babolat went with the Aero. The tighter string pattern allows for better control, but it’s still a power and spin machine. For me, HEAD Lynx Tour in champagne color was perfect for this racquet. My review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – HEAD Velocity 1.30 or natural gut @55 lbs (25 kg) mains, HEAD Hawk Touch 1.25 @52 lbs (23.5 kg) crosses
Control – HEAD Hawk 1.25 @51 lbs (23 kg)
Spin – HEAD Lynx Tour 1.25 @48 lbs (21.5 kg)
Dunlop SX 300
Like the two above, but with even more power for players who want an increase in free depth on their shots. Feels stiffer than the previous generation and also than the racquets above. My review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Dunlop Iconic Speed 1.30 (or natural gut) @55 lbs (25 kg) mains, Dunlop Explosive Tour 1.25 @52 lbs (23.5 kg) crosses
Control – Dunlop Explosive Speed @50 lbs (22.5 kg)
Spin – Dunlop Explosive Bite 1.25 @48 lbs (21.5 kg)
Wilson Shift 99
The Wilson Shift 99 is a new racquet in the Wilson line-up, which despite its 16×20 and 18×20 for Shift Pro, is remarkably spin-friendly. Wilson Shift 99 Review, Wilson Shift Pro 99 Review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Wilson NXT or gut 1.30 mains @55 lbs (25 kg) / Luxilon Alu Power 1.25 crosses @51 lbs / (23 kg)
Control – Luxilon Alu Power 1.25 @52 lbs
Spin – Solinco Tour Bite 1.25 @48 lbs
Yonex VCORE 100
This racquet offers explosive power and spin potential but with a more dampened fee in the Yonex VCORE 2023 edition.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Yonex Rexis Speed or gut 1.30 mains @54 lbs (24.5 kg) / Yonex Poly Tour Strike 1.25 crosses @50 lbs (22.5 kg)
Control – Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.25 @51 lbs (23 kg)
Spin – Yonex Poly Tour Rev 1.25 @47 lbs (21 kg)
For advanced players
For advanced players we go down from 100 sq inches to 98 and increase the weight of the racquet a bit.
Babolat Pure Aero 98
Players that swing the racquet fast will enjoy the new Aero 98. It offers good power and spin, but better control than the regular Aero thanks to the tighter string pattern. My review. It’s the choice of Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune for a reason.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Babolat Xcel 1.30 @55 lbs (25 kg) mains, Babolat RPM Power 1.25 @52 lbs (22.5 kg) crosses
Control – Babolat RPM Blast 1.25 @51 lbs (23 kg)
Spin – Babolat RPM Blast Rough 1.25 @49 lbs (22 kg)
HEAD Extreme Tour
Spin and control in a good combo in this modern classic from HEAD. Not as powerful as the Aero VS though. You want a bit more weight? You can go for the Boom Pro (that one plays with more comfort but is slightly less precise). My review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – HEAD Velocity 1.30 or natural gut @55 lbs (25 kg) mains, HEAD Hawk Touch 1.25 @52 lbs (23.5 kg) crosses
Control – HEAD Hawk 1.25 @51 lbs (23 kg)
Spin – HEAD Lynx Tour 1.25 @48 lbs (21.5 kg)
Dunlop SX 300 Tour
This is one whippy frame. Reminiscent of the Extreme Tour in that it might need a bit of lead tape for better stability, but swings muy rapido! Our Dunlop SX 300 Tour review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Dunlop Iconic Speed 1.30 (or natural gut) @55 lbs (25 kg) mains, Dunlop Explosive Tour 1.25 @52 lbs (23.5 kg) crosses
Control – Dunlop Explosive Speed @50 lbs (22.5 kg)
Spin – Dunlop Explosive Bite 1.25 @48 lbs (21.5 kg)
Yonex VCORE 98
Excellent power and spin potential in this racquet that is a bit more muted than the sticks above. Yonex VCORE 2023 review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Yonex Rexis Speed or gut 1.30 mains @54 lbs (24.5 kg) / Yonex Poly Tour Strike 1.25 crosses @50 lbs (22.5 kg)
Control – Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.25 @51 lbs (23 kg)
Spin – Yonex Poly Tour Rev 1.25 @47 lbs (21 kg)
Wilson Clash 98
A great choice for players who want to rip the ball but who have had some issues with their arm. Very elbow friendly! My review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Wilson NXT or gut 1.30 mains @55 lbs (25 kg) / Luxilon Alu Power 1.25 crosses @51 lbs / (23 kg)
Control – Luxilon Alu Power 1.25 @52 lbs
Spin – Solinco Tour Bite 1.25 @48 lbs
Tecnifibre Tempo IGA 298
Despite its low weight, this racquet packs a punch. It’s also a good platform for some customization. My review.
String recommendations:
Power&feel – Tecnifibre X-One-Bi-Phase 1.30 @56 lbs (25.5 kg) mains, Tecnifibre Black Code 1.24 @52 lbs (23.5 kg) crosses
Control – Tecnifibre Black Code 1.25 @51 lbs (darker colors are stiffer, lighter colors livelier)
Spin – Tecnifibre Razor Code 1.25 @48 lbs (21.5 kg)
My personal favorites
For the racquets that are easier to use, it’s almost impossible for me to choose between the new Babolat Pure Aero 2022 and the HEAD Extreme MP 2022. I think you can’t go wrong with either one if you want a spin-focused racquet that is not too stiff and gives you good directional control. I know there are loads of fans of the Yonex VCORE 100, so that deserves a shoutout too, but I prefer the Aero or Extreme due to the more connected feel and improved control.
The theme is quite similar for advanced players, I still use my HEAD Extreme Tour 2020 regularly. I added 2 grams of lead tape at 12 o’clock and 5 grams in the handle to beef it up. But it’s a great blend of control, power and spin for me. I also very much enjoy the first-generation Wilson Clash 98. And if I want fun power, the Babolat Pure Aero 98 cannot be beaten. I think I hit my forehand best with that racquet, but my one-handed backhand feels a bit awkward with the Aero racquets, but that’s a very personal take.
All my selected racquets are good choices, but these are my favorites.
In terms of strings, I enjoy Grapplesnake Tour M8 and HEAD Lynx Tour for more control and Solinco Hyper-G Soft and Yonex Poly Tour Pro when I look for a bit more comfort. The legend Luxilon Alu Power does also pop into my racquets from time to time and I’m a big fan of the hard-to-find string, Toroline Caviar.
String recommendations
You’re not going to enjoy a spin racquet with a mushy string. Usually players want something sharp that bites the ball, at least for the more advanced players.
Softer polyesters
Below are some softer polyester strings for players who want more power/spin and might be concerned with stiffness/comfort.
If you put them in a 100 sq inch, go for a tension around 50 lbs or slightly higher. If you put them in a 98 sq inch racquet, you can go down to 48 lbs or perhaps a bit lower.
Solinco Hyper-G Soft 1.25 – Classic that works well in more control-oriented racquets (gets too lively in power frames). Tour Bite Soft is also a good choice, with a slightly higher stiffness.
Wilson Revolve Spin 1.25 or 1.30 (for more durability) – This string offers a nice and soft feel, but drops tension a bit too fast in more open string beds.
Volkl Cyclone Tour 1.25 – A solid and comfortable choice for control-oriented racquets.
HEAD Lynx Touch 1.25 – Extreme plush string that can be a bit too mushy for open string beds.
Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.20 yellow – Slightly stiffer than some of the ones above, but still a generally soft polyester with great performance.
Babolat RPM Power 1.25 – A softer polyester that still offers good control and spin potential. Used by Thiem for a while.
Luxilon Element 1.25 – Element is pretty comfortable, but I like it best it in a hybrid together with Alu Power 1.25 for a bit more spin and control.
Stiffer polyesters
Below are some stiffer polyesters for players who crave control. For better comfort, go below 50 lbs.
Solinco Tour Bite 1.25 – Stiff, but excellent control and spin potential. Hyper-G is a little bit better on the arm and worth considering.
Luxilon 4G 1.25 – Not quite as spinny, but durable and dependable.
HEAD Lynx Tour 1.25 – Growing in popularity. Excellent playability at lower tensions.
Babolat RPM Blast 1.25 – Excellent spin potential and performance.
Yonex Poly Tour REV 1.25 – A spin-oriented string with a special coating for improved string movement.
Tecnifibre Razor Code 1.25 – Slightly softer than the ones above, especially in the white colorway.
Grapplesnake Tour M8 1.30 – A control string that performs excellently at lower tensions.
Toroline Caviar 1.25 (yellow) – One of my personal favorites. Good feel and great spin potential.
