Top 10 Best Tennis Rackets For Women 2022

It’s easy to watch Nadal and Fed go back and forth, hitting the ball at top speeds with grace and ease, and want to be like them. Serena, one of the most powerful women on tour, but even her racket is different than those of the men on tour. 

This is because women, in fact, no matter how strong, play differently than men. The rallies are longer, and power isn’t the only thing that is emphasized when choosing a racket. Manufacturers have noted this and have offered different styles and weight classes. 

This list of top 10 women’s rackets will dig more into the rackets’ different weight classes and what small changes make the tweak you may or may not need in a racket. 

First, this is what you need to know. 

Table of Contents

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Making The Right Decision

A specific racket type will carry the same general principles and motions that a racket manufacturer is advertising for. However, each racket type within a company will undergo many different changes depending on several factors. 

Those who don’t need easy power may opt for a lighter racket and could be more susceptible to arm and joint pain. But those that need more stability in their shot may look for a heavier frame. These are just two things to consider. 

Those that want to absorb the vibration might work more with a flexible racket, which tends to be the way women go in general. Stiff rackets typically are for stronger or male players.

Women, in general, typically go for medium to lighter weight rackets as the heaviest rackets are usually made for men. That’s because the racket becomes too hard to maneuver in the wrist and can be too difficult to move in an efficient time. 

That’s not to say that the right racket can’t be heavy. Some females prefer a heavy racket as they need a little extra power and have the ability to move it because it’s head light. 

When upgrading to a new racket, it’s important to try and not always go with what feels best but to aim for what your game is working towards. If you are someone who is developing as an athlete, then moving up in weight class is always a good idea. 

This is why even the best may change racket from time to time because they constantly try to improve. The only time that changing to a heavier weight or a wrong racket is when you start to get tennis or golf elbow. 

Understanding the racket types and what different characteristics a racket will have will help you determine what racket is the best fit for you and your game. 

Four Types of Rackets

There are four types of rackets a woman can choose from that are geared toward three different game styles. While women differ from men, they still have different game styles amongst themselves. 

The four types of players are traditional, modern, tweener, and power players. Each of these categories is different from the other and can offer a player with that style a complimentary racket. 

Regardless of racket class, each racket can still be customized in specs to complement a game further. 

Power: 

Power rackets are becoming increasingly popular on the woman’s tour as short compact swings are becoming more frequently used. With Serena changing the game when it comes to power, women want to return their serve with as much pace as possible is where a power racket may come in handy. 

These rackets tend to store the weight in the head of the racket rather than the handle. They need to be lighter overall, so the maneuverability doesn’t become too difficult to whip around. 

Modern:

Modern rackets tend to gear towards men and the Spanish-style play such as Rafa. These rackets are designed with the rotation of the ball in mind. Women tend to play flatter on tour, but for those who have decided to add margin to their shots but creating pronation on the ball, modern rackets are it. 

This spin-friendly racket tends to be lighter overall, just like the power racket. It offers a brilliant mix of a tweener racket and a power racket. 

Traditional:

Traditional rackets are usually meant for the very best professionals as the racket head tends to be the smallest in frame size, making the accuracy for hitting the ball in the center a lot more difficult. 

Traditional rackets are mostly found on professional tours and are meant to offer control instead of power, which is why they are more found in the men’s game. 

Tweener:

Tweener rackets are the rackets that are meant to do it all. They have become a popular choice for players at all levels because it gives all-around playability that the others don’t. 

These rackets can come in either head light or head heavy, depending on the manufacturer and what racket you choose. This is because the specs often have a range that may change depending on other categories.

This racket typically can be great for women because you can choose a heavier or lighter racket or a swing weight that makes the most sense for you as a player. 

Weight

Weight is typically where a men’s racket and a women’s racket will start to differ. The more advanced a player is, the more likely they will go up in weight. However, past a certain point, a racket may become too heavy for some women.

Moving up the weight in the racket can guarantee two things no matter what the level is.

When going up in weight, it will always feel heavy at first and uncomfortable. The ball may be late and poorly timed with contact. This is normal for the first day or so. If this isn’t corrected within a few days, then this is a good indicator that the racket is too heavy for you. 

The second guarantee is that the racket will transmit less shock because it will have more stability through the shot of the ball. However, if you don’t have good technique or the arm strength isn’t there, it can cause different kinds of pain and also indicates you have gone too heavy in weight. 

Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams use some of the heaviest rackets offered on tour because of their unbelievable strength. 

However, many girls these days are working out and are able to provide their own power. What matters more to them is to be able to move the racket quickly in and out of position on return of serve. This is why lighter rackets, in general, are becoming more popular for women. 

This might be an excellent option for those who like to play with spin and need to whip their wrists and the racket quickly to efficiently hit the ball in the fashion they want to. 

Length 

Tennis rackets for women come between 27 and 29 inches long, but most rackets are a standard 27 inches in order to effectively compete. This typically is not a factor that many have to worry about. 

However, there are four things that are really affected when it comes to length. 

  1. Power is one of the first things that get affected by the length of the racket. The more area something can cover, the more velocity and strength it will have when it finally makes contact with the ball. 
  2. Reach is the obvious one. The extra inches you will have on a racket will give you more ground to cover. However, this doesn’t always mean you will get to things. It also means it will be more difficult to move. 
  3.  Maneuverability is exactly what the last point brings up. It becomes increasingly difficult and awkward to move a really long racket, which is why it is often now used past the standard 27 inches. 
  4. Spin might be the more surprising fact that gets affected. It will increase spin, which goes back to the velocity as more ground can be covered and increase the force at contact. 

Again this is really not something that most women or men need to worry about, as a racket company will more often than not offer the standard 27 inches for sale and, in some cases, a little bit longer. 

Rackets for competition can not exceed 29 inches and are never recommended to be used. Often, they aren’t produced, so it’s not something one should fret about. 

Head Size

Head size on the women’s game has constantly been changing in a positive way. Having a bigger sweet spot offers so many things that have been attractive to players, such as power and more forgiving hits on the strings. 

This has also provided an awesome feel to arms as those prone to injury have now moved towards a racket with a bigger sweet spot. 

The head sizes come in four main categories and go as the following:

  1. Midsize
  2. Mid-Plus
  3. Oversized
  4. Supersize

Midsize:

These are the smallest racket head sizes out there and go for more control than they do power. These are more of your traditional rackets and are found less favorable to some women. 

The frame itself is 84-97 square inches. If women gear towards this racket, it is usually the most advanced players who can create their own power and have very precise shots. 

Mid-Plus:

The next size up and one of the most common rackets offered for women as it is between the midsize and the oversize rackets. These are your typical tweener rackets that have all-around playability. 

This racket frame is generally 98-105 square inches. 

Oversize:

Oversize rackets are less common than the other groups but offer a massive sweet spot and, therefore, massive power. Sometimes these rackets can feel uncontrollable to some but great for others. 

The larger head size is also usually a head light racket, which means increased vibrations to the arm, which may not benefit those who are intermediate or advanced and can maneuver a more concise racket. 

The dimensions for oversize rackets tend to fall in the 107-115 square inches. 

Supersize:

These are typically for beginning women or older women who are playing doubles and really need assistance in hitting the center of the racket as well as power. This racket has the largest sweet spot to offer.  

Keep in mind that rules state that the racket head size can not exceed 12.5 inches in width and 15.5 for the hitting surface area. 

Material 

The materials that make up the racket have less to do with women’s and men’s rackets as typically they remain the same for both genders. Having said that, it’s important to know what materials usually are in a racket because they have different feels. 

Aluminum:

Aluminum rackets tend to be hollow and lightweight. This may sound appealing to women, but actually, they have become less popular as there are different ways to make the racket feel lighter. Aluminum is an affordable option but not always the most stable option. 

Aluminum is cheap and can, however, be a great option for a woman who is looking for an entry racket to the sport. 

Graphite:

Graphite has become the most popular option for rackets. A great example is the HEAD Graphene 360 technology that many players have come to love. Head, however, isn’t the only company that is using graphite for their rackets. 

Graphite is made of carbon and is a lightweight material that also offers stability. It may be used in combination with other materials or be solely responsible for how the racket is made. 

Graphite can be combined with some of the other common materials: Kevlar, Tungsten, Fiberglass, Titanium, Copper, and more. When they are made in combination, the advancement level tends to go down a little as 100 percent Graphite rackets are stiffer and provide a lot more power. 

Boron/Kevlar:

These materials can also be made in combination with other materials and tend to be more lightweight than graphite. You tend to forgo a little stability and add more power, which may make a great racket for advanced women’s players who need a little more oomph behind their ball. 

Carbon Fiber:

Prime quality rackets tend to be made from the most expensive material with is carbon fiber. It’s actually a grade of graphite but at the highest quality. Some of the best rackets on tour are made from carbon fiber. 

String Tension 

Knowing your recommended string tension range is important when feeling out a racket. This is important because a racket can have a lot more or a lot less power depending on what it is strung at.  A racket that is strung at 45 is loose and will have a lot of power and feel like it is flying. Rackets that are strung at 60 (uncommon) give off almost no power and offer extreme control. However, it’s recommended to stay within 50-55. 

For those who choose to go on the looser side, players will need to use their wrist more and create spin to drive the ball back in. And for those who go to the other side, women will need to drive the ball harder to get pace. 

Keep in mind if you do go too tight, it can cause issues with arm problems and joint issues because of the amount of force that a female would need to apply to move the ball.

Balance 

The racket’s balance is how the weight is distributed through the racket, which affects how the ball is hit. It can be evenly distributed, or the weight can be put more to the top, which is head heavy, or more towards the handle. This is considered head light. Women have different preferences, but head light is always a good option.

Head heavy rackets sound exactly as it is with the weight going to the top of the racket. This gives a lot of power to the shot, but the trade-off is that it can be difficult to maneuver or whip around. Issues that may arise are arm soreness or joint pain because it may be more difficult to get into the correct position. 

The benefit is that they transmit less shock because of the weight in the head. Overall, the rackets have to be a lighter frame to provide some balance to the overall weight, or else it would be too heavy. 

Equally distributed rackets can be a popular choice among women because it offers the best of both worlds. It transmits less shock because the head isn’t lighter than the handle, and it still has some juice and power behind the racket.  

For women who don’t really understand what they need, choosing this racket type in weight distribution is a great option. The more advanced a player gets, the better they will know if they can handle a head heavy racket or have a preference for it. 

Head Light rackets are when the weight falls into the handle of the racket rather than the head. This makes maneuverability a lot easier, which is a key feature of women’s tennis. Women like to be able to get the racket into position quickly without too much strain on their wrists from the weight. 

The rackets tend to be overall heavier in order to prevent serious shock and vibrations from transmitting from the racket to the arm and joints. 

Swingweight 

The swing weight is also an important feature that women should pay attention to. This is how the racket feels in your hand when you are swinging it rather than actually what it weighs. It’s a calculated rating that comes from the weight distribution. 

Depending on whether you have a head light or head heavy racket will depend on the type of rating you get. It also takes into consideration the actual weight of the racket. 

The swing weight will increase when the weight of the racked is distributed more towards the head. This is because the racket will naturally feel heavier to maneuver as opposed to it being head light. When it is head light, the racket should be easier to move because the weight is closest to the hand. A swing weight for women on the lighter side is always considered to be a safe option. 

Drive 

The drive of the ball really has to do with how the ball comes off the strings and how much power you get upon contact. The term doesn’t just refer to power, though, as you can have a flat drive or a heavy topspin drive. 

The factors that will influence the drive of the racket have to do with frame size, stiffness, length of racket, string bed, and more. These will determine the pronation of the ball and will be noticeable to the eye. The topspin heavy balls will be easy to create pronation as the flat drives will skim the net. 

This differs among women. In general, women tend to have flatter games than men because of the ability to move the wrist fast enough. Having said that, topspin has been recently re-introduced into the women’s game, making it a more popular choice. 

Stiffness 

The stiffness of a racket strictly has to do with how flexible a racket is. The stiffness rating comes from the manufacturer and will be listed on the website. A stiffer racket will have different effects than a racket with more flex. 

A flexible racket will bend backward and forwards a lot more than a stiff racket. This is something only a player can really feel and not something that is really noticeable to the eye. 

An RA number is the stiffness rating that a manufacturer will give a racket. The RA falls between 50 and 70. With the two ends being the most extreme most rackets try to fall somewhere between the 55 and 60 ratings to give an overall feel. 

You don’t need to try and figure out the rating yourself because that would actually cost you a machine worth $4500. Manufacturers have sole intelligence when it comes to the RA rating but are generally dependable. 

The more advanced players play with a stiffer racket because of the amount of power it can give. However, it also means you have to be more precise because they are typically smaller head sizes as well. 

The Top 10 Best Tennis Rackets 2022

While that may feel like a lot to take in, it’s good to note these factors when considering your playing style and the best rackets for a female. Having said that, this list will point you in the right direction. 

Even with this information, there are so many models and kinds of rackets offered by several leading manufacturers then it can be difficult to choose and still feel overwhelming. 

That’s why this list will help offer the best support in choosing a racket by providing the best in the market. 

Regardless of our recommendations, it’s always a great idea to call your local club and demo rackets. Something might seem like a great idea but ultimately not feel right. Demoing can help solve this issue. 

1.Yonex Ezone 100

Yonex is dominating the game, and Naomi Osaka’s Yonex Ezone 100 is the perfect combination of power, control, and weight for any female player. The next weight class up of the Yonex Ezone 98 is generally played with by men as the 100 is 5 grams lighter at 300 grams, making it a comfortable swing. 

This racket is meant for intermediate to advanced players, as having a solid feel is important when operating this powerful racket. For those who have a mature swing and good technique, this racket really hits home. 

The control comes from its unique rectangular frame, which in turn offers a smaller sweet spot. This means it can be less forgiving for mishits. However, the frame includes M40X in its throat, which assists in dampening vibrations and easing the shock to the arm. 

In an effort to go further in preventing uncomfortable hits, the grommets are lined with technology to reduce the friction from the strings to the frame. 

The Breakdown:

  • The Ezone has unbelievable playability and ranks high in all areas from groundstrokes, volley, and serves. 
  • It is a relatively stiff racket as it comes close to the max stiffness at 70.  
  • The power from the stiffness is controlled through a smaller frame. 
  • An anti-shock system offsets the vibrations that would be felt through a stiff frame. 

2. Head Graphene 360 Instinct MP

The Head Instinct MP screams female power. Hello Sharapova. It’s had a few upgrades, still offering an easy swing and easy power. However, with new additions, it offers a spin-friendly technology for better accuracy and assurance. 

Of course, Head adds its wonderful Graphene 360 plus spiral fibers and technology in the lower head of the racket to offer a clean feel upon contact. This is to assist in the instability that might come from its easy maneuverability.  

It’s great for women because it’s a slight head light balance means it’s easy for cranking out quick motions on the go. Its swing weight is actually lighter than its real weight, making it feel lighter than it already is. 

This is geared towards intermediate players as the power tends to be low to medium for a medium to full swing style. Hence, Sharapova had a big swing with a lot of her own power behind the ball. 

The Breakdown:

  • The swing weight of this racket comes in at 314 grams.
  • The actual weight is 318 grams or 11.1 ounces, making it a medium weight racket. 
  • Being head light, the maneuverability makes serving, volleying, and returning easy. 
  • This racket comes at a little bit of a higher stiffness rating at 64, giving you some help on the power level. 

3. Babolat Pure Drive 

The Babolat Pure Drive is immensely popular among women because of its insane amount of power and attractive hitting for females who tend to bash the ball in a flat fashion. 

They added the SWX Pure Feel technology to the newest additions because the stiffness rating was quite high and sending a tremendous amount of vibrations and shock to players. 

In general, this racket takes some getting used to as control is not the first thing that comes to mind when playing with it. Adding your own spin may be a great idea, even if a lot of women tend to play flat with this racket. 

11.11 ounces makes it a medium heavy weight racket with an increased swing weight of 327 grams, making it even more powerful than it already is. This is great for players who have good precision. 

The Breakdown:

  • Think power and power only. It’s great for someone who can either control their own power or needs extra help. 
  • The stiff frame is excellent for an aggressive baseliner. 
  • The cortex technology should help provide a crisper feel for volleys and short impact swings. 

4. Wilson Burn 100 V4

The Wilson Burn 100 v4 is a unique blend for baseliners that like to pack a punch. It has a relatively high swing weight of 328 grams while actually just being 318 grams. 

This means that the stability upon contact is great, offering minimal shock and vibrations to the arm. This, however, means the racket is head heavy, and the maneuverability is increasingly difficult. 

Its stiffness rating is also unbelievably high at 71 to offer even more power since the ball will not absorb on the strings as a flex racket would. Typically, this racket wouldn’t be recommended with the women’s game, but this is for the females who like to go for power over defense and pickups.

The racket’s strings offer a 16×19 pattern, and this racket is recommended for medium to full swings despite all the power. This means it’s not impossible to move as its swing weight comes in heavier than its actual weight. 

The Breakdown:

  • One of the stiffest rackets offered on the market. 
  • It has a head heavy structure meaning the maneuverability is less easy, but the stability is great. 
  • Meant for the player who is going for the ball and trying to win the point rather than wait for their opponent to miss. 
  • The frame size comes in at 100 square inches. 

5. Babolat Pure Strike 98 

The Babolat Pure Strike 98, in its third generation, has taken on some modern technology like its new dampening system to absorb the ball better and provide a more forgiving contact than its previous models. 

The swing weight was increased from its 2017 version giving off a more solid strike and stable feel. It’s said to be the middle ground between the Pure Aero and The Pure Drive, giving control, power, and spin-friendly playability.  

At 27 inches in standard length, the 16×19 string pattern has a little more of a boxy frame and added flexibility, which contributes to the new and improved feel of the racket. 

At 11.3 ounces, it is head light, which is why so many reported that on the run, winners come easy as the maneuverability is rated very high. This also makes it great for returning big serves and hitting big serves as well. 

It’s a great racket for intermediate to advanced players, given its weight. However, a few beginners have reported to love it as well as they have grown into it. This is due to the fact that its power is not uncontrollable, and the feel is something they heavily rely on as a newcomer. 

The Breakdown:

  • 98 square inches for the head frame is on the smaller side, meaning a smaller sweet spot but more control. 
  • The weight is 11.3 with string but 10.8 without making it one of their more maneuverable rackets with the weight lying in the handle. 
  • Volleys were rated very high as its responsiveness was high and clean control is readily available. 
  • The higher swing weight contributes to the power but certainly has its players needing to provide some of their own juice. 

6. Wilson Blade 100

When someone sees the Wilson Blade 100, they immediately probably think of Serena. However, they may not actually know how great the racket is and what it’s known for because Serena herself is such a great tennis player that she could make any racket look good. 

This Wilson Blade is a semi-stiff racket with a small head size. The head size is 98 square inches and a stiffness rating of 62. The stiffness isn’t completely there but enough to offer some extra power where needed. The smaller head size calls for more control and advanced placement. 

It’s a great racket for women again because it’s head light and offers a lot of easy whipping of the racket when needed on the run. The swing weight, however, comes in at 328 grams as opposed to its 323 grams. 

The Breakdown:

  • A 98 square inch frame puts this racket into the midsize category with a smaller frame. 
  • With a strung weight of 11.4 ounces, this racket is actually head light for easy maneuverability. 
  • The power comes from the semi-stiff frame as its RA rating is at 62. 
  • Made from braided graphite and basalt as a premium quality racket. 

7. Wilson Blade SW102 Autograph

This racket helps give a greater margin for mistakes when striking – while still maintaining ample control – because of its bigger 102 square inch head and tighter 1819 string arrangement. Furthermore, with a 28-inch increased length for added power and reach, it is the longest racket on our list.

Players contemplating this racket should look into the Wilson Blade 100L. It has a somewhat smaller head, but it’s a lot lighter at 10.6 ounces, making it a great alternative to consider especially if you are just starting out and don’t have enough power to swing a blade that is set at 11.4 ounces or heavier. 

One of the coolest points is that it comes with an impressive countervail which is a trait that reduces vibration while improving shot accuracy and allowing you to play with more reactivity. In addition to that, it is a racquet that will withstand heavy use as it comes with a braided graphite frame and is made to minimize/prevent vibrations. Thus, we consider it to be a fine choice for tennis players of all skill levels as although it works for professionals (such as Serena Williams) the Wilson Blade S102 Autograph is manageable for beginners also with a light touch, impressive feel, and sturdy structure.

  • Comes with a 102 square inch head featuring a braided graphite frame
  • Offers an impressive touch and feel 
  • Suitable for tennis players of any skill level
  • Reduces vibration and improves shot accuracy

8. Prince TwistPower X100

For someone looking for a light and speedy racket, then look no further than the Prince Twistpower x100.

While Prince is a little less popular when it comes to choosing a racket these days, this racket has a lot to offer for the women’s game and is sort of a hidden gem. 

It has a head frame size of 100 square inches, which is comparable to a lot of the other rackets out there. It also has a stiffness rating of 66, making it a slightly stiffer racket and offering some easy power. 

Where this racket thrives is the light weight of 10.8 ounces or 306 grams. Its swing weight is slightly heavier but not by much at 314 grams. One may worry about the ability to handle the ball with stability, but this racket does a pretty good job. 

The Breakdown:

  • One of the lightest rackets on the market, making it easy to take full swings and move the racket around. (10.8 ounces)  
  • A head light racket is most suitable for the women’s game. 
  • A medium-high stiffness rating helps out with power source. 
  • Despite the light racket, it rates high in touch when it comes to volleys and feel. 

9. Babolat Pure Aero Tour

You can’t miss the Babolat Pure Aero Tour because it is the classic yellow and black racket that so many players have grown to love. Like are other listed Babolat, this racket is great for players that are really comfortable with their game and have been somewhat developed. 

Babolat Pure Aero Tour Tennis Racquet

This racket is the heaviest of options when it comes to the Babolat family. It weighs in at 11.8 ounces and has a swing weight of 327. Its frame size is 100 square inches and has a relatively high stiffness rating making it another power racket. 

FSI Spin tech and cortex technology are combined to make a spin-friendly shot instead of some of their other rackets. This is because FSI tech has extra spacing between each line of string, which gives more pronation to the ball when hit. 

The thing that gets impacted the most here is maneuverability. This is great for a woman who has no problem moving around a heavier racket and lights to hit big from the baseline. 

The Breakdown:

  • The Aero is a heavy 335 grams making it a choice for really strong women who want more power than they already have. 
  • The swing weight does not come down much as it is 327 grams. 
  • The stiffness of the racket will be offset through their Cortex Dampening system. 
  • The 100 square inch face is another reason why it’s a powerhouse. 

10. Wilson Ultra 100 v3

The Wilson Ultra 100 is a fan favorite to many, but Madison Keys certainly rings a bell when we think of this awesome racket. It screams pretty with the baby blue tones in the racket. 

Its beam construction is meant for power and comes in at a strung 11.2 ounces. Its head size is 100 square inches as opposed to some of their other rackets that come at 98 square inches. Its rounder interface call for a better sweet spot. 

The power must come from the fact that it is an incredible stiff racket with an RA rating of 73. Having said that, the power goes with good maneuverability as it’s 4 points head light. 

This means that its swing weight naturally comes in lower than its real weight. Its swing weight is 312 as opposed to 318. And as mentioned before, it’s made from the absolute best materials, which is premium carbon fiber graphite. 

The Breakdown:

  • It’s a traditional weight racket giving women who are more advanced a crisp feel with a lot of power. 
  • Though not much of a difference, the swing weight comes in slightly lower at 312 than its actual weight. 
  • Its actual weight is 318, with a stiffness rating of 73. 

 Best Racket Brands

With all the racket brands listed above, it’s easy to get caught up in who is the best racket manufacturer out there. The truth is they are all world-class manufacturers that are all used by the pros in the top 100 and even the top 10. They all offer a slightly different style and have different backgrounds. 

The major four are Wilson, Babolat, Head, and Yonex. Let’s take a look at each of them. 

Wilson

Wilson has a great history since merging into Wilson Sporting Goods Company in 1931. The best pros in the world have been using their rackets, and two, in particular, come to mind. Serena Williams and Roger Federer are Wilson’s family members. 

Wilson has upgraded their style as many of their rackets boost a black modern feel with one color, signifying which racket it is. For instance, the Ultra listed above is a beautiful blue. 

Wilson is a U.S. based company with several great rackets to choose from. The ones listed above are the favorites among the women. 

Babolat

Coming from Lyon, France is Babolat. Babolat originally was just a natural gut string dispenser before diving into the world of manufacturing rackets. When we think of some amazing females who use Babolat, we can immediately refer to Carolina Wozniacki, a multiple-time, grand slam champion and world number one. 

Babolat, no matter what the racket, has put a great emphasis on power and ball striking. Their selection of rackets is generally smaller than some of the other manufacturers, but their consistency in design has been spectacular and easily notable when watching players. 

Head

Head became a tennis manufacturing company in 1969 after making ski equipment since 1950. They have been popular for some time now but are really notable for Maria Sharapova using their rackets. They were also the first company to make a metal racket during the era of wooden rackets. 

When it comes to design, Head has no issue incorporating bold colors and great designs to fit any player’s charisma on the court.  

They are also really known for their constant technology and leading technology at that. 

Yonex

World number one and powerhouse Naomi Osaka proudly represents Yonex. Which is fitting considering they are a Japanese racket company. 

In 1969 Yonex started making rackets made from aluminum after previously only having made badminton rackets. In the early 80’s Yonex started exploring options with graphite and never looked back. 

They are known for creating an unusual head shape that comes off as a rectangle. The reason for this is to keep the head size small while still offering a great sweet spot. This is how they get the perfect combination of power, control, and spin. 

FAQ

Despite all the information listed above, it is still easy to be left with some thoughts and questions. This section will provide the rest you need to know to perfectly choose a racket that’s fitting for your game style and needs as a female athlete. 

These are the common questions that come up when choosing a new racket or a new racket manufacturer. 

How Do I Know What Type of Racket I Need?

The best thing anyone can do when trying to figure out what their next move is with a racket is demoing by visiting your local club or shop. This will give you the real in-person experience that online shopping can’t give you. 

The next best thing you can do for yourself is rent a few different rackets to compare and contrast. This will assist you in giving you an idea of what you can and can’t manage. It’s even better if you put your own preferred string in.

For women, it’s all about the actual weight and the weight balance of a racket. The harder it is for them to move, the less likely the racket will be a good fit for that person. 

How long will my racket last once I get it? 

The USTA has its own guidelines for what they think is an appropriate lifespan of a racket is. However, this can change depending on the owner of the racket. The racket could be kept in poor condition, or it could be kept well, but even the stringing of the racket can affect the frame. 

This depends on the frequency in which you are getting it strung and how much you are using the racket. Those who play every day are going to have a very different life span than those who hardly use their racket. 

It’s good to keep an eye on your racket by seeing the below question to judge when time is up. 

When is a good time to start changing out my racket?

There are really two ways of telling when your racket is on its last legs:

  1. The first is the physical appearance of the racket. Scratches and small chips are a sign of wear and tear, but it doesn’t mean the racket is done for. The racket is no good once you have a crack in the racket as the dynamics and beam completely changes. 
  2. The second is a little less obvious but has to do with how the racket feels. The more you use the racket, the less likely it is to feel when you first got it. You may lose some of the juice that it once offered. Once this starts to happen, it can lead to injury and sore arms. 

Why else would I want to change my racket?

Improvement is a big reason to consider changing your racket. A racket that is meant for a beginner will be vastly different than those who are more experienced and advanced. The higher you go in level, however, it’s possible that you may become brand loyal or racket loyal because you have found your preference. 

Somebody who was once just a baseliner but not an all-court player may consider switching from an aggressive baseliner racket to a more playability racket. 

What if I make the wrong choice of racket?

This is where demoing rackets and comparing models can really help. Sometimes even demo programs will offer a limited time period where you can return the racket if it doesn’t meet expectations. 

But because of the customization of rackets and the different options for specs we struggle with returning rackets because they are sort of like a used car. Once you buy and drive it enough, it’s yours.

Sometimes, however, clubs or online retailers will buy back the rackets if hardly used. 

Does it matter which strings I string my racket with?

Most racket companies will give you their recommendations for which string to use if you aren’t sure. Having said that, string matters a great deal and can really change the feel of the racket. 

Synthetic gut is a popular choice in string for all players as it’s naturally affordably and offers average to good scoring in all categories. 

For those who need a softer feel and have injuries in the arms, natural gut is the choice to go with. However, this comes at a hefty price. This is really recommended for players who have real injury issues or those who don’t break string often. Natural gut, because of its softness, also breaks quite often, which makes the expenses go up even further. 

How do the weight classes affect female players?

A young female will not have the same weight of a racket as a male pro for obvious reasons. Even female pros don’t typically play with the same weight classes as male pros. Each racket style specifically will have different weight options from light to heavy to help solve this issue. Women, in general, go towards the lighter rackets. 

The Yonex Ezone 100 Lite is much different than the Yonex Ezone 98. The 98 is much heavier and stiffer. This is why the men, and a few exceptions for women, use the 98. 

Understanding the weight and the weight distribution is key in finding your perfect racket. The racket must be able to move with ease in the player’s hand. 

While the weight classes will change, the dynamics of the frame size and stiffness, among others, will remain the same. The racket is meant to just change maneuverability and nothing else. 

How do I know which tension to string my racket at?

No one tension fits every player. This is important for a player to try out different tensions and figure out what seems controllable and beneficial. A player who opts for a racket that doesn’t give them a whole lot of power may lower their tension in general. 

It’s also important to note that tension may change from time to time, especially the better you get at tennis. Playing indoor tennis versus outdoor tennis will change the tension of a racket. Also, as an athlete develops strength, this will change the tension of a racket. 

The only way to determine this is to try out multiple tensions and constantly adjust them to what you feel is right for you. 

What is an overgrip, and do I need it?:

This may be self-explanatory, but an overgrip goes over the original grip that a racket has. Some players who are less experience may play with the original grip and rewrap over that, but it’s unnecessary as most players use overgrips. This is also a great way to customize your racket and provide cushion to the hand. 

The overgrip is a thin grip that is placed over the main grip to add comfort, tackiness and adjust any sizing to the handle. Overgrips can be changed as frequently as every day or normally within two weeks depending on how much use the racket is getting. 

In general, buying a pack of overgrips is a much cheaper solution than buying the original grips over and over again. 

How do I know which handle/grip size to choose?

Racket handles come in sizes 0-6 but most commonly 1-4 or 4 ¼, 4 ⅜, 4 ½, and 4 ⅝. The best way to really know is to play with a few different sizes first. When your hand gets tired easily from holding the handle, then this means the grip is too big. If it’s too small, you can always add another overgrip to make it a bit bigger.

However, this is such a thing as the ruler test for those who have never held a racket before or don’t know where the best place to start is. 

Step 1: Place all fingers tightly together like you are telling someone to stop.

Step 2:  Place a ruler to the horizontal crease all the way up to the tip of your ring finger. 

Step 3: This is the size that you should play with.

Or you can use the finger test. Hold the racket like you would for hitting a forehand. A finger from your opposite hand should be able to squeeze in a fit snuggly from the tips of your fingers on the racket to your palm. 

What is the recommended level of stiffness for women?

The level of stiffness really just depends on the player. Some women actually like really stiff rackets as they give them a lot more power, and they feel like it is not as tiring as taking full swings all the time. Stiff rackets are good for women who have compact swings.

However, women typically have bigger and full swings and so finding a semi-stiff or somewhat flexible racket is never a bad idea. It offers absorption and control, which can be a necessary factor in women’s tennis today. 

Is playing with my favorite pros racket a good idea?

It’s not a bad idea to always see what the pros are doing. However, while it is so easy to idolize Serena and her racket, that racket may not be a good fit for you. Serena is a strong woman who has unbelievable accuracy. This is not always the case for her fans. So having said that, there is a better way of doing this. 

It’s better to find a pro whose game style you want to emulate rather than just picking a pro that you like. Picking up on a pros game style will give you insight into a racket and how it will function. Of course, not 100 percent, as the pros are the best for a reason. 

Something to consider again is the weight class. You can choose the same racket as Naomi Osaka but might want to opt for a lighter weight racket as she plays with a weight that is more comparable to a man or an extremely strong and advanced player.

Are there any men’s rackets that are worth looking at?

There is no one racket that says for men only. However, we can take the pro staff, which is Roger Federer’s racket, as a great example. This racket is geared towards a men’s game style, and specifically, with how heavy it is, it is almost certain a female would struggle with it. 

They do offer weight classes that would be suitable for a female. In this case, there really is no racket that a female can’t use. It strictly comes back to the ability to move the racket in an efficient way that doesn’t affect form. 

The rackets even listed above some men use these rackets. They will just use them in a different way with different specifications that best fit their games. The only thing that has changed in years is that women have started playing with more topspin to emulate the men’s game, which has created string bed patterns to be similar among many rackets. 

Conclusion 

The best rackets out there for females have more to do with the female game style than it does too with the rackets. This is because women (while it is changing) tend to be aggressive baseliners rather than all court players. Because of this, they look for easy power and great ball striking. 

So take this list of top 10 rackets for females and explore what you may think the best option is for you. Keep in mind that what you think you may like may not actually be the best fit for you and can be solved by demoing rackets and inserting your own string. 

Enjoy this list. We hope you find your new racket for 2021 and have a great match! 

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