10 Best Tennis Rackets for Intermediate Players

A tennis racket is the single most important piece of equipment in the tennis world. Players tend to look at their racket after messing up a shot and often replace it with a new one because a good racket is half the game. The article discusses the 7 Best Tennis Rackets for intermediate players to help advance their game to new heights. 

Strong commitment, daily practice, quench of learning, and the right equipment transforms an intermediate tennis player into a professional one. The tennis racket does not matter much for new players who are learning the basics of the game. But that can only take you to a certain skill level and that’s when other factors have to intervene to decide your flight as a tennis player. 

The right tennis racket stipulates the sense of control and power and how to balance them effectively. Comfortable grip, right weight, and good spin can help intermediate players unlock their special skill shot. Do not get bewildered by the overwhelming racket types offered by the same company stating all of them as “best”. 

We have rounded up the list of the 7 best tennis rackets for intermediate players in the light of various factors that weigh in significantly to polish your game. Also, don’t forget to check out the all-important buyer’s guide at the end to learn more about the perfect racket for your playing style.

7 Best Tennis Rackets for intermediate players: Our Picks

1. Babolat Pure Aero – Best Overall Intermediate Racquet

Intermediate players looking to base their game on topspin manipulation can trust Babolat Pure Aero blindly. Rafael Nadal adopted this racket from the very beginning of his career and is using it to date.

The Babolat Pure Aero is a very forgiving racket with moderate weight, big head size, and greater sweet spot. Intermediate players can use the amazing aerodynamic structure to generate more racket speed. A little brush on the ball at the point of impact will yield a shocking spin on the ball to become your point-winner against any opponent. 

The spring tension of 46-47lbs works best with Babolat Pure Aero to help create powerful serves, while the frame cuts the air effectively enough to enable fast racket swing. 

Changing rackets after intermediate skill level can affect your game substantially. By this point in time, players must get a grip on their permanent tennis racket which is relevant in Grand Slams and Wimbledon even. An example of Rafael Nadal using this same racket throughout his career is convincing enough to believe in the potential of Babolat Pure Aero.

Pros

  • Big head size offers a large sweet spot.
  • Best racket to play topspin shots.
  • String tension is suitable for powerful serves.
  • Permanent racket to carry forward into advanced level.

Cons

  • Tricky to find control.
  • Not suitable for a doubles game.
  • The lightweight of the standard version can affect stability.

2. Babolat Pure Drive – Best Power-Control Intermediate Racquet

If you are looking for better maneuverability, immense power, and supreme control in your shots,  Babolat Pure Drive is your perfect match. Intermediate players trying to practice clean ball striking can learn by utilizing the perfect blend of power and control this racket offers. The racket gives a little pop to your shots, adding more power which is an important skill to make your way into advance level.

Babolat Pure Drive is a complete package, giving the required control to counter the opponent’s serve and demonstrating its power from the second shot onwards. Similarly, serving first using his racket comes with boasted power and precision of such high level that you can pitch it on the center service line or baseline to take the opponent by surprise straightaway. 

The head size of 100 sq in is ideal for an intermediate player to practice middling and get a second chance for mistakes during the game. The high launch angle and sophisticated string pattern give a natural spin to the ball, coupled with amazing power to make it unplayable for the opponent. 

Be it forehand/backhand groundstroke, volley, lob, overhead or drop shot, Babolat Pure Drive can help master every aspect of the game with a comfortable grip and durable build.

Pros

  • Best for power striking.
  • Larger head size and sweet spot.
  • Offers great control and balance.
  • Gives extra spin to the ball.

Cons

  • Some people may find it a little bit hollow or fragile because of its lightweight.
  • Comfort and feel can be improved.

3. Wilson Clash 100 – Best Stable Intermediate Racquet

Intermediate players who can generate power but need more control and mobility to their shots do not have to look any further than Wilson Clash 100. The renowned company of the tennis world experimented by increasing frame flexibility to provide a better feel, precision, and maneuverability which yielded results better than expected. 

Wilson Clash 100 is best suited for players who can bring their own power but ends up crossing the baseline due to less control. The 11 ounces racket is easy to swing and heavy enough to bring stability and sturdiness. It can pick up baseline ground strokes or half-volleys without a hitch, thanks to the comfortable strong grip and great feel.

Some may miss the extra pop which other rackets offer, but this racket is a godsend stick for players who can bring their own power. The all-rounded racket suits every style of play. If you are an aggressive baseliner, counterpuncher, serve-and-volleyer, or all-court player, Wilson Clash will earn you the point. The use of advanced technology and complex aerodynamics ensure a smooth transition of intermediate players into competitive advanced players. 

Pros

  • Offers amazing control and mobility.
  • Comfortable grip and great feel.
  • Good for all gameplay styles.
  • A perfect weight that offers fast swing and sturdiness.
  • Best-suited for powerful players.

Cons

  • Does not offer much power.
  • Expensive pick for intermediate players. 

4. Head Ti. S6 – Best Lightweight Intermediate Racquet

Head Ti.S6 is one of the best-selling intermediate-level tennis racquets in the market for many years. It is a unique creation for several reasons. Firstly, the head size of 115 sq inches is one of its kind since an average tennis racket head size is 95-105 sq inches. The oversized head means that intermediate players can find the sweet spot more often to play flaming hot shots on the other side of the net.

Secondly, despite the big diameter, it weighs 8 oz, significantly less than the average weight of 10.6 oz. The strong titanium and graphite alloy frame offer quick maneuverability and incredible power, perfect for players with a compact forehand. Head Ti.S6 increases your chances to reach the ball in time and get enough strings to keep the rally going. Also, a lightweight racket means less strain on your arms enabling extended training sessions.  

Pros

  • Offers the largest sweet spot owing to its oversized head size.
  • Adds significant power to shots.
  • Good value for money. 
  • Easy to swing.

Cons

  • Not a good choice for advanced level looking for more control.
  • Some may find it hollow or fragile.

5. Prince Ripstick 100 – Best for Topspin

Aggressive intermediate players need a racket that can do justice to their playing style. As the name suggests, Prince Ripstick 100 produces flaming hot shots that rip through the air to kill the opponent’s confidence right from the first serve of the game. The company took a bold step to produce this stick with eccentric design and vibrant colors that give an imminent call for aggression.

The modern racket follows the textbook parameters in terms of head size, string pattern, length, and weight. They all work together to increase the friction between ball and strings on impact to produce unparallel topspin. High swing weight, string tension, string pattern, and adequate sweet spot contribute the most to generating unplayable topspin shots.

Prince Ripstick 100 is a great weapon if you are looking to land finishing shots at the back of the court without crossing the baseline. The topspin on the ball cancels out that extra power that prevents the ball from staying between the lines. Also, the pop it offers adds to your swing speed to produce shots at lightning speeds. 

Pros

  • Best for learning topspin.
  • Generate great power
  • Unique framework and striking color combination.
  • Offers more control in shots near the baseline.

Cons

  • Struggles against powerful opponents at the net. 

6. Yonex Ezone 100 – Best for Power

If you are sitting on the fence to get your hands on the best tennis racket for intermediate players, it’s safe to go with the pioneers of the domain – Yonex! The 100 sq inch head size is best for clearing tricky groundstrokes from baseline with immense power and control. The isometric head shape feature expands the radius of the sweet spot to find power in shots more often. 

Micro offset technology is integrated to muffle vibrations for enhanced stability. Intermediate tennis players may struggle in retaining balance after putting their inside-out strength to a shot and this gives the opponent a clear field to get them on a return shot. Yonex Ezone 100 precludes the problem by providing boost to shots without testing the player’s strength. 

Intermediate players struggling with stamina can find assistance with this racket which adds the required strength on impact. It is an all-in-one racket mindful of aspects of control, mobility, flexibility, and spin to ensure intermediate players transition into advanced players comprising all necessary skill sets of the game.

Pros

  • Provides easy power.
  • The spring pattern supports topspin.
  • The unique isometric head shape offers a big sweet spot.
  • An all-around racket that provides the flexibility of shot selection.

Cons

  • Lacks forehand control compared to other Yonex rackets.
  • Expensive racket.

7. Prince Textreme Warrior 100 – Best Light Racquet for Women & Juniors

Another product by Prince is made for intermediate players who want assistance in the power department. Prince Textreme Warrior 100 is used by many professionals of the game owing to its ease of swing and natural spin.

The product is marketed under a reasonable price tag which makes it another good option for intermediate players who do not play very often. It eases the gameplay by compensating for the failings of the shot in terms of middling and strength. 

The string web of 100 sq inches gives more control to play tricky shots like lobs, slice, and topspin effectively. Modern engineering is integrated to cut through the air without much resistance and flexible frame design to dampen vibrations. 

A wide range of skill levels can adapt and improve their game with the Textreme Warrior. Also, it’s a more reasonable price than the Babolat choices above, especially for non-competitive players. The lightweight structure of Warrior 100 makes it a suitable racket for women and junior tennis players looking for a permanent match-winning racket.

Pros

  • Comfortable feel well in hands.
  • Lightweight racket for amazing mobility.
  • Good spin and control for baseline shots.
  • Offers excellent power in groundstrokes and serves. 

Cons

  • Struggle against hard-hitters.
  • Not preferred for advanced level.

Intermediate Players Tennis Rackets Buyer’s Guide

An intermediate tennis player is a crucial phase that often determines the flight of the player in the future. Without a good racket, a player can only progress to a certain limit before hitting a dead end in terms of skill growth. 

Rackets for intermediate players come with a large head size for a bigger sweet spot and less weight to ensure ease of swing. At this stage, timing the shot is not as big of a problem as it is finding power and control in them. 

Similarly, string pattern determines the spin on the ball, grip decides the degree of comfort and weight decides the ease of mobility which are all important factors to keep in mind when making your pick. 

By this time, a player has little idea of their playing style. Each racket in this list is style oriented to fit your needs perfectly. 

Let’s have a close look at some other factors to help you finalize your pick.

What is your swing style? 

Swing style refers to the speed and stretch of your shots. More stretch and fast swing mean a trade-off between power and control. Playing away from the body in a powerful fashion often ends up crossing the lines if the head size is not less than 100 sq inches. Smaller head size gives more control and authority to your shots since the power department is not an issue. 

On the contrary, a compact or slow swing style means less power and more precision. Landing the ball on the sidelines and corners of the court is a game-changing skill but without enough power, the opponent can get enough time to reach the ball. Using 105-115 sq inches head size rackets with the right amount of string tension can give an extra pop to the shots.

Power or Control

The size of the string bed and the weight of the racket determines the power and control of the shots. Adult players looking to smash the ball at the back of the net need precision to keep the ball inside the baseline. They are suggested to use rackets with a head size of about 100 sq inches and a weight of around 10.5 to 11.5 oz. This gives them more control and sturdiness to improve their game.

Women and junior players on the other hand can take advantage of lightweight rackets weighing between 8.5-9 oz to get better agility without putting strain on the arms. Similarly, a bigger head size offers a great sweet spot area to smash more balls with power and precision.

Doubles, Single or Both

The expectations of singles and doubles players from their rackets are quite different. Players playing along the baseline are likely to play groundstrokes more often and need extra power to clear the length of the entire court in their shots. This means that greater head size and racket length coupled with low string tension can add significant power to the shots. Babolat Pure Drive and Yonex Ezone 100 are the best rackets for singles players.

Doubles players staying close to the net and receiving fast returns wish for rackets that give them better maneuverability owing to their lightweight and ability to cut through the air effectively. Wilson Clash 100 and Head Ti.S6 are the best tennis rackets to handle fast incoming volleys on the body.

FAQ

Is a bigger tennis racquet better?

A heavy racquet is more powerful, more stable and transmits less shock than a lighter racquet (all other things being equal). The extra weight of a heavy racquet helps it win the battle at contact when the stringbed collides with the ball.

Is a lighter or heavier tennis racket better?

Some basic concepts – a heavy racket is more powerful, more stable and transmits less shock than a lighter racket (all other things being equal). A lighter racket is more maneuverable and thus, a player is able to swing it faster.

Which is better Babolat or Head?

It is a pretty hard job to pick the better racquet between Babolat and Head. Head had a wider product range and a more appealing design. However, Babolat’s racket characteristics seem more comfortable for me. … My choice would be Babolat Pure Drive or Head Speed MP.

Why are Babolat rackets so popular?

The secret behind the popularity of Babolat rackets is their use of advanced technology and modern science in formulating the rackets which help the mechanics of contemporary gameplay. Also, their smart endorsement strategies, price affordability, and multi-level use make Babolat rackets popular in the tennis world.

Which tennis racquets are best for an intermediate player?

Babolat Pure Aero is the best overall racket for an intermediate player. Babolat Pure Drive and Yonex Ezone 100 are the best tennis rackets for players looking to get extra boost on their shots. Prince Ripstick 100 is a good pick if you are looking to master the art of topspin.

Is a heavier tennis racket better?

A heavier racket has more strength, stability, and shock absorption features that can help return faster and more powerful shots with minimum effort. When the string web of a heavy tennis racket makes an impact with the ball, the additional weight helps it win the point.

Final Verdict

This sums up the list of 7 Best Tennis Rackets for intermediate players to help them become the champion of the world. Babolat Pure Aero is at the top of the list for having all-around qualities that an intermediate tennis player can ask for. The racket ensures relevancy even in the professional scope of the game to save you from the hassle of changing rackets at every stage. The head size, weight, spring pattern, and grip ensures comfort, stability, mobility, and power along with significant spin.

Head Ti.S6 and Prince Textreme Warrior 100 are other affordable options offering similar privileges to intermediate tennis players.

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