The BEST Tennis Rackets for Beginners!! | Rackets & Runners

It's time to show a bit of love to the beginner tennis players out there. Today, Rackets & Runners' Luca Berg takes on the Top 5 Best Rackets for Beginners.
Head Speed Team 2022: racketsandrunners.ca/products...
Head Gravity MP 2023: racketsandrunners.ca/products...
Wilson Clash 100L: racketsandrunners.ca/products...
Yonex EZONE 100L: racketsandrunners.ca/products...
Babolat Pure Drive Team: racketsandrunners.ca/products...
Rackets & Runners: racketsandrunners.ca/
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Luca Berg Instagram: / lucavb_
#wilson #babolat #headtennis #headgravitymp #headgravity #wilsonclash #babolatpuredrive #federer #alcaraz #speedteam #speedmp #yonexezone #yonex

[@Alberto_YT_]

I love tour videos man, they are so entertaining

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

Thank you! I really appreciate the constant support you give us, it doesn't go unnoticed.

[@wongjefx980]

I got someone a game improvement frame... 115 Head Speed ... because as first timer, it offered a big sweet spot and easy power. Otherwise I might have gotten an entry level Yonex, light 100 frame or on a budget, an Artengo Decathlon frame, which would be little cost if the person hated tennis after a few lessons.

[@tonyrandomm]

LOVE!

[@kamilamendes2147]

I have found out about your channel less then one week ago, and I probably have already seen almost all of your videos. Thanks a lot for helping me choose a new racket. I wasn't sure if I was gonna get the Pure Drive Team or the Head Boom MP (because of the comfort), but after this video I think I'm gonna go with the Pure Drive. Thanks a lot!!! Sorry if I wrote something wrong. I am Brazilian. 🙂

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

Thank you very much and glad I could help!

[@kamilamendes2147]

@@RacketsRunnersVancouver Just an update. I bought my Pure Drive Team (285 grams) Wimbledon model. It's beautiful and has changed my performance during my tennis class today. Thanks a lot!!

[@user-tz4ez1bf6t]

Hi Luka! Can you please recommend couple of rackets for ntrp player 3.0, going to 3.5 My thoughts, 98 is a little bit small sweet spot for my skills right now, at other side I don’t want to change the racket too often. May be it’s time to change to 98, and improve technique? Or don’t be hurry and play with 100.. Now I’m playing Babolat pure aero team 2017 . 300 gram / 100 I’m 185 cm height, 95 kilos Tennis experience- 1 year (current ntrp 3.0) Thank you! Appreciate for your feedback!

[@felipernb]

What string would you recommend for the Clash for a beginner?

[@mauriziodenapoli873]

Completely agree with you. PD team dominates the beginner choice since ages…I loved the previous versions as well. What about some oversized for beginner? Something like Prince phantom 107?

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

Lots of people recommending oversized rackets here and while I think the ones you mention are great, I actually think oversized rackets have such unique playability that they're almost like the inverse of 95-97 square inch rackets where beginners shouldn't try them yet because they are SO forgiving and powerful. I think beginners should go for the most standard "blank slate" playability which is why 100 square inches is optimal.

[@mauriziodenapoli873]

@@RacketsRunnersVancouver good point indeed. The risk is to stay in this “comfort zone” not progressing in the technique.

[@user-hm8vp5ib7b]

Thanks, very nice review) l enjoy your videos. Would you recommend the Head Extreme Team or Head Radical Team? Why the Speed Team is a better option?

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

Thank you! You can't go wrong with either but keep in mind, the Radical Team is a 102 so it will be more forgiving, but less precise.

[@bpxl53yewz29]

Well explained and organized info. Are the recommendations in order from least to best?

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

Thank you very much! And yes, they are.

[@MrGsood1]

Hi Luka, I really like your videos and are very informative. My son who is 11 has been using Junior Yonex Ezone for past 2.5 years and really likes it. Now he soon will be graduating to a full size racket and although I want him to keep him on the same Ezone family (probably 100 SL) his coach is a big fan of Head Gravity (probably team which is the lightest). Do you have any recommendations. I think both are great but not sure if it will be difficult to transition from Yonex to head. Will really appreciate your opinion.

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

I would stick with the Ezone since he is used to the shape. Better to keep things as constant as possible while he develops.

[@ahjonjon]

Everyone is complaining how these aren't "beginner" racquets. Luca said it's for players willing to invest time and money. If they grab Uber huge racquets, they might build bad habits of short swings and stiff arm elbow injuries. This isn't a list of racquets for old people with big OS heads. It's for beginners wanting to become intermediate and maybe advanced one day.

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

This is more or less exactly what I would have said.

[@reeseprince8]

Dunlop cx 400 is also very good because of control

[@nadernayo]

Thanks.. Great Review for a beginner like myself.. but I am more confused now.. I was thinking about the new Wilson Shift v1.0 ... What do you think ? Pure drive Team or Wilson shift for a 6 month beginner like myself.. ? hope you can advise

[@lurfmonkey]

The Shift is a great racket. I use it, but I’m a 4.0 player. It’s also a spin friendly racket that beginners may not need yet. I don’t think they considered it because the lightest version is 300g which is out of their beginner range. It’s 99 square inches, too, which isn’t a huge deal but is smaller than what most beginners use. If you get the Pure Drive Team, be wary of sting type and tension. I never had tennis elbow until I started using a regular Pure Drive. I was using poly strings at a higher tension than I should have. Softer strings and/or lower tensions are a must. When I switched to the Wilson Clash, the elbow issues went away. It is a super comfortable racket with great control. I would highly recommend it for beginners. Once my elbow issues were taken care of, I went to the Pure Aero, which I wouldn’t recommend for beginners. Now I’ve settled on the Shift.

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

Thank you! I would go for the Pure Drive Team. The Shift is great but it's significantly more demanding than the Pure Drive so maybe a line of rackets to work your way into.

[@ryanvaupel9871]

I noticed you posted a couple of Yonex Percept videos. How do we feel about the 100 for a beginner? I'm 6-3, 200#. Haven't played tennis but at age 45 I'm still plenty fit and coordinated. (Former college basketball player, etc.). Thanks for the great channel and videos!

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

I think there’s more user friendly 300 gram rackets out there that could suit you better, but it sounds like you won’t have any trouble generating power so if you want something to control that power, it could be the right racket. Review coming soon, so stay tuned.

[@ryanvaupel9871]

@@RacketsRunnersVancouver Thank you for the reply and looking forward to more great content.

[@sergioluisfc]

Hi! I just bought the Pure drive team 2021 for my girlfriend 26years) watching this video and she loves it! ❤ Which multifilament strings do you recommend for her? She has 6 months playing with a teacher. She is not very strong. Thanks

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

Awesome that it worked out for her! Go for Babolat Xcel 16!

[@johnp1]

Would you recommend spin racquets like Wilson Steam99S or Prostaff100SL for beginners? Good video.

[@brianoneill4227]

I started tennis a couple years ago as an athletic beginner with some previous casual tennis playing experience and I used a Wilson steam 99 not the S version which I got second hand off a friend. I love it and found that version extremely easy to use and very versatile as I improved.

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

Thank you! These can be a little punishing if you don't play with spin as they will be too wild/uncontrollable, so I would go for something a little more standard.

[@nedh.8792]

Great content. I'm considering the EZone or the Pure Drive. I've been using a Pure Aero and need something different because my ground strokes are sailing long. My instructor says it's like I'm swinging a rocket launcher. So ... I need something that's more forgiving yet versatile enough to give me a decent serve and volley. Which of these two (EZone or Pure Drive) would be best for me?

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

I would go with the Ezone since the Pure Drive is also very powerful!

[@Gr33dyTaRdO]

Hi Luca, with your number 1 spot being the Pure Drive Team, could you spare me some time and give me some comments regarding the Pure Aero Team? I'm a beginner and am wondering between those 2 right now. Is there a significant difference and having in mind the fact that I currently don't feel a lack of power and more so I need control, which one would you recommend I should use?

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

The control will be very similar unless you play with a lot of spin where you'll feel more control with the Aero because it's more spin-friendly.

[@Kaddikt]

You think it’s okay for a beginner to use the ezone 98 and not the 100? I want the whippiness of a racket for the spin potential that’s why I’m leaning more towards the 98. Power has never been an issue for me so far, but I’ve heard people complaining about arm/wrist pain with the ezone 98 when they hit outside the sweet spot due to its relatively high stiffness. I currently use the pro staff 97L but I don’t like that racket when I hit outside the sweet spot (no arm pain, but it feels dead and doesn’t fly over the net when I hit outside the sweet spot)

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

It's definitely not the "right" racket for you but if you develop properly with it, I see no reason to look for something else.

[@dunkky23]

Hey Luka, i am a bit confused on this beginner thing. as you advance why would we consider using heavier rackets? is it because their mechanics are more matured thus know how to generate the power with their body?

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

Yes that's exactly it, the better mechanics complement a heavier racket.

[@stefa6952]

Would the new percept 100 be suitable as well considering it’s flex ?

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

I haven't played with it yet but it may be just a bit too heav.

[@Sakixlover]

What about yonex ezone team?

[@berlianagusta5675]

At what NTRP level these rackets usually upgraded to normal rackets (300ish gr) ? 3.5 or 4.0?. Also, For prince tour 100p 305--> what level usually uses it?

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

I think 3.5 is a good level to switch to a 300 gram racket. Looking at the specs of the Prince tour 100p 305 it would probably be better for a more advanced player who has a preference toward 18x20s.

[@berlianagusta5675]

@@RacketsRunnersVancouver Thanks for your answer Luca! I'm a 3.5 but I enjoy Prince tour 100p 2019, It's a more powered version of Gravity Tour with SW around 322 (mine) & twist weight around 15. Back to your answer, what NTRP level you'd call as 'more advanced' players to wield these kind of frames?

[@sshah_4]

hey, what strings would you recommend to go with these racquets?

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

I would go for a nice multifilament like Wilson Sensation or Head Velocity, or maybe a hybrid with one of those strings and a smooth polyester like Yonex Poly Tour Pro or Head Hawk Touch.

[@sshah_4]

@@RacketsRunnersVancouver thank you

[@Iantritschler123]

Would you recommend the Head Boom MP for beginners?

[@kneeslider9342]

If you ask me, YES ! If the weight of 295g is not a problem for you, then you can also take the Boom without hesitation.

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

A bit like the Gravity MP, yes! But the Boom does have a slightly wild side that could become frustrating with improper technique.

[@user-bx6or9bm5i]

Good day... How about the HEAD RADICAL TEAM as beginners racket?. I really want to improve fast on my game.

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

Yes! It would be great.

[@user-bx6or9bm5i]

@@RacketsRunnersVancouver thank you for the reply. Now I will definitely buy that racket. Very big help.

[@diegomahoudeau934]

What do you think about the Boom MP and Pro?

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

I'll be talking a little bit more about the Boom MP in the next video, but in general, it's a good racket for beginners. The Boom Pro is a little too heavy/difficult.

[@diegomahoudeau934]

@@RacketsRunnersVancouver was thinking about purchasing both since the 2023 models are heavily discounted, maybe the MP for practice and the Pro for tournament games, but I'm fairly new to tennis. Will need to adapt to playing with +300g racquets.

[@itinerary7698]

I only bin playing for 2 days and i bought a Dunlop tennis racket and i think i bought the wrong one for a person who just started like me because their bin times the ball either goes to the side when i hit it or goes to far. But it might be because i'm new at tennis. Or i have the wrong tennis racket for a for a person who just started playing. And their were sometimes i get mad and just want to either break my tennis racket or hit the ball as hard as i can sending it flying out of the tennis court.

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

Don't worry! Tennis is frustrating. Play with it for now and then upgrade in a few months if you enjoy the sport enough.

[@pajavampir]

How does vcore 100 compare to ezone 100 in your opinion?

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

It'll be similar to the comparison we made between the 98s just with more power and user-friendliness for both: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKqal5KNfqqtY8U

[@bournejason66]

Is the weight 280-295 grams unstrung or strung?

[@yeti8614]

Unstrung

[@forincognito22]

For a beginner whats the difference between buying a $40 racket on amazon vs buying one of the $300? Seems like a lot of money when I feel like I've been having fun with the $20 racket I bought on facebook marketplace.

[@daedalusrws]

The cheap racquets will destroy your arm.

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

If you’re having fun with it, that’s awesome, no need to spend the money. I would only upgrade if you’re looking to develop more proper technique as top end graphite rackets respond much better to that than cheaper aluminum ones.

[@ondybandung6096]

@@RacketsRunnersVancouver Wow... is there aluminium racquet tennis exist? What is the brand?? I never heard before, bcos my oldest racquet was TiS6.

[@JohnnyChen-30czl]

Hi, where would ultra 100l be in the list, and is gravity MP L good because its lighter than gravity MP

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

Yes, both of those would be great!

[@JohnnyChen-30czl]

@@RacketsRunnersVancouver what bout blade team v8, blade 101L, pro staff team, vcore 100L, radical team, blade 100L, pure strike 100 team, boom team? Ik it’s kinda too much, but i’m just a bit confusing. Just like what u said in the video, i require allrounded so i can figure out which type of player i am. Thanks a lot!

[@JohnnyChen-30czl]

@@RacketsRunnersVancouver as well as percept 100L

[@JohnnyChen-30czl]

@@RacketsRunnersVancouver and extreme mp L

[@otogigamer]

The problem with your choices is cost you have to take in consideration how much money and dedication they are willing put into the sport also your first racquet is not your last racquet but a racquet you can grow into

[@crsantin]

Beginner racquet…Head Ti S5. Also a great doubles racquet for a more experienced player.

[@bournejason66]

That’s a very stiff racket and not good for the arm

[@crsantin]

@@bournejason66 with the right strings it’s not an issue. I never had a problem with it. A beginner won’t be bashing the ball anyway so it’s unlikely to be a problem and it’s maneuverable as you are learning proper technique and muscle memory.

[@urgarb9718]

@@crsantinoversized and mid plus racquet, wouldn’t recommend unless you already have it in the garage or something. It’s wild power will encourage bad habits. Also, no “experienced” players would use this in doubles unless they’re very old

[@crsantin]

@@urgarb9718 lol 🤦‍♂️

[@ondybandung6096]

@@urgarb9718 I am agree, base my own experience. TiS6 115 had hurt my wrist. I am enjoy ezone dr100.

[@villiam7941]

I want to see Rafa vs Carlos RG final

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

That would be awesome! Whole lot of VAMOS going around.

[@jamieleong9381]

Not mentioning any of the oversized frames is a disservice to your audience when most of the lines you’ve mentioned have an OS option as well. YONEX Ezone 105, Clash V2 108, Babolat Pure Drive 107/110 and other options like the Wilson Blade 104

[@urgarb9718]

that’s because oversized frames are not worth it unless ur looking to just mess around with friends or ur like 70 years old. they bring in too much wild power and often overcompensate comfort for feel, encouraging bad habits

[@jamieleong9381]

@@urgarb9718 I’ve only come back to it in the last couple of years and I’ve played with a pair of Australian UTR 6 players at my club that use a YONEX Ezone 105 and a HEAD Ti6 of all things. For whatever reason they have adapted their game to the racquets. Also not all OS frames are created equally, Sarenna Williams signature Wilson frame is a 102 so technology has come a long way from the days of ‘oversized is for old people’. That said even Agassi I believe played with an OS frame in his career at one stage

[@wongjefx980]

Yep, I got someone a game improvement stick so she could find the game enjoying. She had a cheap Wilson frame before, and struggled. Now she is thinking of going to a tweener stick as her game has improved.

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

I agree to a certain extent but I also think those will only work for a specific type of beginner. Oversized rackets are, of course, great for their forgiving/user-friendly side but they also tend to teach poor form and bad habits to those who shouldn't be using them. Don't get me wrong these rackets have a very important role in tennis but they have more specific playability characteristics that are geared toward a player who has already developed certain preferences whereas a beginner should be given the most "standard" rackets so as not to be forced into any one style of play. Hopefully that makes sense.

[@ondybandung6096]

As an old beginner/ 52 ..... i start with Head Ti S6 115./ head-heavy.....and get wrist injured. Try PK Q5 100/ even balanced ... not comfort to my arm after play games. Finally enjoy playing & improve my game with Ezone DR100/ head-light. I am surprise, heavier raquet with small sweetspot, head-light balance is friendly to my arm/wrist. No doubt about ezone. Fyi i am a thin male, not muscle man. I hope next i will try PureDrive Team

[@aggiejason4305]

So nothing over 100 Sq. Inch head size for a beginner?! Interesting.

[@Dandruffkb]

Agreed! I think there is a disconnect between beginners and like low-3.0ish players. If someone just started and is enjoying tennis, to work on form and be most forgiving, I'd strictly suggest very light and more than 100 sq in head size. Might be a trap suggestion with the Head Gravity MP, many players who just start tennis think that they "need more control" when they're just bunting the balls out the court like baseball. Usually love reviews and videos on this channel, but I think there is a massive disconnect in the interpretation of the word beginner in this video, but I wouldn't recommend any of these rackets for someone who has only recently tried tennis (obviously all personal opinion based)

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

I would always be careful going too big in head size as it can sometimes allow players to develop poor form/technique. There are a couple of rackets in that 101-105 square inch size that are good for beginners but the ones on this list are plenty forgiving already and won't have that control/technique issue.

[@RacketsRunnersVancouver]

You're right about the bunting baseball take, but I also think naturally slowing down your stroke can be beneficial to stronger/athletic people but it may be too niche of a player to have included it on this list.

[@klarkefitness174]

@@RacketsRunnersVancouverwhat would you suggest for athletic/stronger players. I think I’m starting to “out grow” my oversized racquets.

[@Tennis214]

These aren’t beginner rackets

[@davidglover9210]

No such thing as a beginners racket. Firstly a beginner may not continue the game if they don't enjoy it so don't but a top of the range as they are more expensive than some other ones. Buy a midprice one and if you enjoy it then maybe buy a better one. Also try some rackets before you buy as someone elses idea of what may be right for you is only their opinion.

[@bellawong8963]

Thank for your video, I really like your Chanel!!! ❤ I have so many doubts buying my first racket, o really like Wilson blade 100, do you think it’s okey for beginner who is taking tennis seriously ? 🥹