Best Tennis Rackets for Advanced Players (Pros & Cons)

By Lin
Last Update:

If you’re an advanced player looking to take your game to the next level, this article will provide an introduction to the best tennis racquets for advanced players.

You’ll find out which specific rackets are tailored to experienced players and learn tips on selecting a racket that enhances your tennis game style as well as performance.

Our Top Pick Tennis Racket for Advanced Players
Wilson Blade 98 v8 16×19

The Wilson Blade 98 v8 offers essential features for advanced players. Surgical control, great feel of the strokes, and sufficient topspin and power are all necessary for success on the court. This racket would be a perfect choice for most advanced players.

Here is the list of best tennis rackets for advanced players.

  1. Wilson Blade 98 v8 16×19 (Best Overall Racket)
  2. Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 v13 (Best Control & Power Racket)
  3. Babolat Pure Drive (Best Power Racket)
  4. Babolat Pure Aero 98 (Best Topspin Racket)
  5. Head Speed Pro (Great Control, Feel & Comfort)
  6. Head Gravity Pro (Best Arm-friendly Racket)

What to look for in an Advanced Racket

Advanced racket selection should consider factors such as power and control. A heavier racket can generate more power, while a smaller face racket offers more precision. For advanced players, these are significant factors when selecting an advanced racket.

Therefore, we are looking for a racket that is at least 10.6 oz/300g in weight, with a mid-sized racket head size of 97-100 sq. inches.


6 Best Tennis Rackets for Advanced Players

Wilson Blade 98 v8 16×19 – Best Overall

Wilson Blade 98 v8 16×19

This racket is an all-arounder for intermediate or advanced tennis players. It perfectly blends a mix of control, spin, and feel into the strokes. Advanced players who desire greater control and power for hitting directional or deep shots may find this racket suitable.

This racket has little in the way of drawbacks, as it may lack power when measured on paper; however, for players looking for precision and a greater sense of control, they can make up for it by using their core body power.

Pros

  • explosive power
  • easy to maneuver
  • some topspin

Cons

  • less control and feel

Racket Specifications

Head Size100 in² / 645 cm²
Weight (unstrung)10.6 oz / 300 g
Balance (unstrung)320 mm / 7 pts HL
Length27 in
String Pattern16×19
Rec. String Tension50-59 lbs / 23-27 kg

Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 v13 – Best Control & Power Racket

Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 v13

This racket offers an ideal combination of control, power, and touch, making it one of my top choices. As it’s also the best-known control racket thanks to Roger Federer’s influence. It is specifically designed for a flat hitter who desires a direct response and feels while playing.

The strung weight of the racket is higher than 12.6 oz/357g, which could be a challenge for some players to manage.

Pros

  • explosive power
  • easy to maneuver
  • some topspin

Cons

  • less control and feel

Racket Specifications

Head Size100 in² / 645 cm²
Weight (unstrung)10.6 oz / 300 g
Balance (unstrung)320 mm / 7 pts HL
Length27 in
String Pattern16×19
Rec. String Tension50-59 lbs / 23-27 kg

Babolat Pure Drive – Best Power Racket

Babolat Pure Drive

This racket is suitable for beginner to advanced players and is popular among professionals, college players, and recreational players. This racket is easy to use and it produces its own power, with some topspin.

The power this product provides comes at a trade-off in terms of control and responsiveness.

Pros

  • explosive power
  • easy to maneuver
  • some topspin

Cons

  • less control and feel

Racket Specifications

Head Size100 in² / 645 cm²
Weight (unstrung)10.6 oz / 300 g
Balance (unstrung)320 mm / 7 pts HL
Length27 in
String Pattern16×19
Rec. String Tension50-59 lbs / 23-27 kg

Babolat Pure Aero 98 – Best Topspin Racket

Babolat Pure Aero 98

The Babolat Pure Aero line is tailored for players who prioritize topspin, and has been used by Rafael Nadal. This racket provides more spin than a standard racket, making it ideal for players who prioritize topspin over flat shots.

Keep in mind you have to develop your own maneuverability and sensibility of the racket.

Pros

  • explosive power
  • easy to maneuver
  • some topspin

Cons

  • less control and feel

Racket Specifications

Head Size100 in² / 645 cm²
Weight (unstrung)10.6 oz / 300 g
Balance (unstrung)320 mm / 7 pts HL
Length27 in
String Pattern16×19
Rec. String Tension50-59 lbs / 23-27 kg

Head Speed Pro – Best Control, Feel & Comfort

Head Speed Pro

Novak Djokovic uses the Head Speed Pro racket, which is designed to provide a balance between power and control, and is known for its maneuverability. Furthermore, the racket provides comfort for players who may have arm issues.

This racket can be a little hard to produce topspin with. If you’re typically a flat hitter, this should not be a problem. Anyway, it also offers perfect control and all the features needed for advanced players.

Pros

  • explosive power
  • easy to maneuver
  • some topspin

Cons

  • less control and feel

Racket Specifications

Head Size100 in² / 645 cm²
Weight (unstrung)10.6 oz / 300 g
Balance (unstrung)320 mm / 7 pts HL
Length27 in
String Pattern16×19
Rec. String Tension50-59 lbs / 23-27 kg

Head Gravity Pro – Best Arm-friendly Racket

Head Gravity Pro

Gravity Pro offers excellent control and topspins, as well as provides a comfortable racket. Tennis players with arm issues may find this to be a perfect choice. The racket provides the great feel of plowing through.

This racket may lack maneuverability, but with sufficient skill, it should not be an issue.

Pros

  • explosive power
  • easy to maneuver
  • some topspin

Cons

  • less control and feel

Racket Specifications

Head Size100 in² / 645 cm²
Weight (unstrung)10.6 oz / 300 g
Balance (unstrung)320 mm / 7 pts HL
Length27 in
String Pattern16×19
Rec. String Tension50-59 lbs / 23-27 kg

How To Choose An Advanced Racket

Do you hit more topspin or Flat groundstrokes?

Most experienced players are aware of their playing style. So if you favor topspin, then you can go for a spin-friendly racket. If you’re a flat hitter, the most advanced rackets in this list will be suitable for you.

Based on your current racket

It is possible to upgrade your current racket by opting for a heavier version of the same model. This can provide extra power without having to modify your playing style.

What Makes an Advanced Racquet So Advanced?

Advanced rackets typically have a heavier weight, smaller racket faces, stiffer frames, etc. When playing reaches an advanced level (NTRP rating 4.5) players require greater power, control, and sensation from their rackets, as they view them as an extension of their arms.

FAQs

What racket do most tennis players use?

The majority of professional tennis players use Wilson tennis rackets, though no specific racket is universally used. Besides, Head, Babolat, and Yonex are the leading racket brands widely used by pro players,

What racquet is best for power?

Babolat Pure Drive is the best power racket and also an easy-to-use racket for beginners to advanced players. 

Is a stiffer racquet better?

It depends on the level of skills. A stiffer racket offers enhanced power, a larger sweetspot, and better ball response. The more advanced your skills are, the stiffer the racket you should choose.

Is a 4.0 tennis player intermediate or advanced?

A 4.0 rating in tennis is regarded as intermediate level by the guideline of Tennis Warehouse.

Do expensive tennis rackets make a difference?

Generally, the more you play the more differences you will notice between cheap and expensive rackets (Original Selling Price above $200). As your skills improve, you will gain a greater sensibility of the racket during play.

Conclusion

Wilson Blade 98 v8 is an all-arounder for most advanced players as they tend to look for control and feel while still generating spin or power. If you have any other suggestions or questions feel free to send us an email.

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AUTHOR

Editor of All Points Tennis and a huge Roger Federer fan, I've spent countless hours studying his moves, especially his forehand and one-handed backhand. I also love writing about all the technical stuff like rackets and strings. I'm super pumped to share my insights with fellow tennis lovers here.