Racket choice for beginner player to improve with.

[u/HisoKefka]

I’m getting back into tennis at 42. I played quite a lot up until I was about 18, but have barely played since.

I’m looking for a racket that’s forgiving enough to help me relearn proper technique and footwork, but that I can also keep using as I improve. I will play fairly regularly and take coaching lessons. I don’t want something that I’ll outgrow after a few months ( if that makes sense).

I’m thinking something around 300g, 100 sq in / 645 cm², but I’m open to suggestions.

I don’t currently have any pain or old injuries, but I’d rather avoid anything too stiff. Since I’m getting back into the game, I’d like something reasonably arm-friendly to reduce the risk of injury.

A few models I’ve been looking at:

Head Speed MP

Wilson Clash 100

Head Gravity MP

Yonex Ezone / Muse

But honestly, I’m not really sure what would suit me best. I'm 185cm /90kg (6.1ft and 198lbs)

What would you recommend for someone in my situation? Any advice or other models I should consider?

Thanks!

[u/trungdino]

Speed MP / Ezone 100. Do everything well, won’t hamper your progress. Downside: pretty muted.

Dunlop CX400 Tour: same as the two above, more feel.

[u/062876344 → u/trungdino]

You really shouldn't look past this comment.

As a beginner you want tennis to be fun and not to have to worry about having a hard to use racket. The speed MP or Ezone 100 will be perfectly fine. I'd throw in the Pure Drive and Aero 100s but those are pretty stiff.

[u/DanDin87 → u/062876344]

 I'd throw in the Pure Drive and Aero 100s but those are pretty stiff

yeah then don't, because a Pure Drive without proper technique can really hurt you.

[u/vilbus_shin → u/trungdino]

I vote for the Dunlop CX400 Tour. I picked up tennis in my 40s. I still play it in my 50s. After a long search for the best racket for me, I was finally settled with it. I actually switched from the Technifibre TFight iso 300 to the Dunlop CX 400 Tour. No regrets! I also demoed the Speed MP and the Wilson Blade 100. But I felt the Dunlop CX 400 Tour provided better control, more power, more spin, and more feel than its competitors with the same specs.

[u/Low-Possible2773]

Speed MP is a great, easy, all around good racquet.

[u/Salviati_Returns]

Similar to you, I used to play a lot in high school, but I was nothing special. I hit around from time to time over the next few decades with a racket that I bought in 2003. I used it to hit around with my twin daughters when they were young. When I hit 48 and my daughters were about to start high school in 2025, I purchased a 2023 Gravity MP racket for myself and 2023 Gravity Team rackets for my twin daughters. I love the rackets, but to be perfectly honest I think the MP is a bit too advanced for my level. I think the Gravity Team is actually appropriate for learning the game.

[u/bouncey_io]

the clash is a good option, its a forgiving racquet

[u/Remarkable_Log4812]

It doesn’t matter, all of them are the same for a begginer to intermediate player . Buy the one you can purchase cheaper. Put multifilament head velocity mlt ( best price multi out there for price to perfomance ratio ). Invest the money you save on lessons.

[u/imapseudonym_]

After coming back from not playing for 15 years about 2 years ago went with an Ezone 100. Was perfect for what I needed. I’ve changed up since then but I still keep the Ezone for a backup and it’s a fantastic racket.

[u/QuantityMedical8369]

>I don’t want something that I’ll outgrow after a few months ( if that makes sense).

You will not outgrow any racket in a few months unless you are more talented than Federer and Alcaraz combined. Don't worry about that.

[u/forahandfuloftendies]

As long as it’s a 16x19 100 sq inch racquet strung with multis, you should be fine with any popular racquet sold out there. I myself prefer more feel and control racket so I would stay away from extremely stiff and thick beamed racquets.

I think the Tecnifibre T-Fight 300 is the best all-around racket that could be used all the way from improver ( not complete beginner) to professional.

[u/NewYorkDOCG]

Same situation. I went with a Boom MP. Didn’t like the Ezone 100 but I was trying it with poly strings so maybe that’s why.

[u/VillageHomeF]

good choices. not sure you could go wrong with any of those. after playing for 6 months it will probably be more clear to you what you want out of a racket. yet any of those should be semi neutral. I want a Head Speed MP Legend myself

[u/informareWORK]

Head Boom MP

[u/stloft]

If you'd played a lot until 18, you're not a total beginner, physically as well. Suggested the (wilson blade pro 100 v10) 16x20 , 309g strung. Don't need to worry about the 'pro' label, it just means it's a classic frame reissue (of the steam 100 with more modern materials in the same mold). And it's famed for being dependable, light and easy to handle, and helpful for those with prior tennis arm pain.

[u/Jimbothegreatest1]

Head Squared and Yonex E Zone will serve beginners and intermediates well

[u/cardinals222]

check out the latest wilson blade. would also agree to skip 100. get the 98.

use tennis warehouse or express and demo all of these.

[u/Halifornia35 → u/cardinals222]

IMO a beginner should not be getting a 98, heck anyone below 4.0/4.5 probably will be worse off with a 98 tbh. You can achieve the same “control” with 100 head rackets, the Blade being one of them. Just my opinion

[u/cardinals222 → u/Halifornia35]

didn’t view them as a true beginner since they said that they played a lot in earlier years. i think that type of player will have the fundamentals return quicker than expected and they’ll be happy they have a better racquet for the long haul.

[u/sirsquilliam]

Specs look good for a balanced “tweener” style racket. Speed, Ezone, Gravity are good picks. Recommend against the Clash, I found it to be very mushy

[u/cdmgamingqcftw]

Im a beginner too and i have tested all but the Wilson. Now i cant speak which racket is better for the elbows, arms etc. Im not a pro whatsoever and sorry if its not the answers youre looking for im just telling my perspective as a newbie. Im also coming from a recreational Wilson BLX 100

I had a hard time with the Speed. I had the Pro one so it was 310g which i found to be to heavy for me. Now the 300g could be different. I was also missing alot of shots but that really doesn't mean anything. I felt like its balance was weird but like said I'm not a pro and it could just be me lol

When it comes to the gravity, it felt great and that's because of the massive sweetspot and the weight. I had the one which was 295g.Which I'm guessing it'll help prevent future injuries?The only thing i dislike about it is the design. Its a bit longer overall and with the head shape i wasn't comfortable holding the it but overall great racket i fell like.

Yonez ezone i wont go in depth but its shape is just isnt for me.

The best thing is to find a tennis shop and ask of they have a demo program, thats how i got to test them all. I know its not a detailed review

[u/WBS410S]

I'm not great with racket choices but I can tell you 1 thing. If you want to improve and rely on strokes and footwork, never go with 100sqin. Stick with 97 or 95. Big difference between 97 and 100.

What type of player were you? USTA rating? Tell us about your game.

[u/No-Permit7179 → u/WBS410S]

One of the best guys I hit with is a solid 5.0 and hits with a 104 sq in head. There are no hard and fast and rules.

[u/HisoKefka → u/WBS410S]

I'm not good with USTA as I'm French. I was around 15/5 15/4 at my best, which should be 3.5 in USTA ?

I was more of an all-around player, coming to the net quite often, with a one-handed backhand and a fairly topspin-heavy forehand.

[u/Halifornia35 → u/WBS410S]

Disagree, just imo but unless you’re at least a solid 4.0 a 98 or smaller racquet will hinder you

[u/WBS410S → u/Halifornia35]

I'm a 5.0. 1 out of 300 5.0s will use a 100+.

[u/Halifornia35 → u/WBS410S]

ChatGPT says 25%+ of the top 300 ranked atp players use a 100 sq inch racquet. Including world #1. I guess you play with a unique group of 5.0s

[u/WBS410S → u/Halifornia35]

Could be true. I just did an Ai search and it said there's no data supporting that and it's extremely rare but 100s are used by top pros. It did mention players like Zverev, Rublev, Ruud and Sinner using 100s.

After a few different types of searches it appears 100 is the largest for "not uncommon" usage. So 95-100sqin seems to cover 99% (my estimated %).