Many times in tennis, you will only be as effective as the tool you are using. Having the wrong racket can cause a lot of performance and safety issues as you play. Fortunately, such things can be avoided by buying the best intermediate tennis racket on the market.
This article reviews the top 6 rackets you can select and the factors to keep in mind to make an ideal choice.
Let's begin!
1. Babolat Pure Aero
- Rafael Nadal`s racquet of choice, The Babolat 2019 Pure Aero Tennis Racquet get some nice upgrades...
- New BABOLAT Tennis Gear
- Carbon Ply Stabilizer . FEATURES: Smacwrap . FEATURES: Aeromodular Technology. FEATURES: 2019 Pure...
- Size - (4_1/4)_____Color - (See Description)
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The best tennis racquet for Intermediate players is the Babolat Pure Aero, specially designed for those who prefer to play from the baseline. It features a fast swing, a lot of power, and excellent spin. This means that you can make fast swings while this racket rests stably in your hand.
You should go with the Babolat Pure Aero tennis racket because it has a lightweight build thanks to the aerodynamic technology infused into the frame. As you play with it, it'll require longer and more fluid strokes, which will push your skills to the limit and help you advance in your tennis journey.
After several games with this tennis racquet, you will master how to generate spin as you hit through the ball. The 16 x 19 string pattern will also help deliver a topspin strike so that the ball bounces over the head of your opponent. The Cortex system technology in the Babolat Pure Aero will counter the vibrations that develop during the game to help reduce the risk of injury for people with tennis elbow.
2. Babolat Pure Drive
- Sold Unstrung
If you are an aggressive player and prefer a stiff and heavy tennis racquet, the Babolat Pure Drive is what you need. The Babolat Pure Drive is a stiff tennis racket with a strong feel and can generate a lot of power in your strike. It's also one of the most comfortable options thanks to the SWX Pure Feel rubber, which is viscoelastic to provide a cozy feel as you hold the racket.
The frame of the Babolat Pure Drive is designed to improve playability and power spin. You can easily maneuver this head-light tennis racket to make aggressive or defensive shots from the back of the court or near the net. While it's doesn't have the most stable frame, this tennis racket is still great for any tennis player, from intermediate to advanced.
The only downside to the Babolat Pure Drive is that the stiff frame could cause tennis elbow or other problems. However, generally speaking, it's a great pick for intermediate players looking for better spin and control.
3. Babolat Pure Strike
- Delivering new levels of precision, the Babolat Pure Strike 16/19 plays with sharp control. Designed...
- Head Size: 98 sq. in. / 632 sq. cm,
- Length: 27 in.
- Strung Weight: 11.3 oz. / 320 g. Unstrung Weight: 10.8 oz. / 305 g.
- String Pattern: 16 Mains x 19 Crosses
The Babolat Pure Strike is third in our list of the best tennis rackets for intermediate players. It features a 16 x 19 string pattern which is one of the best for all levels. This tennis racket will definitely give you more power and spin than your standard model.
The frame is built to improve playability and is adaptable to various game styles. The Hybrid Frame Construction is square and elliptical and features FSI power technology meant to provide better spin. This racquet will give you the control you need to play from any part of the court.
You can enjoy quick, precise, and firm responses with the Babolat Pure Strike. The beam is extra-thick for better stability and easy generation of power with each swing. This Babolat racquet combines the maneuverability of a lightweight frame and the stability of a heavy racket.
4. Wilson Pro Staff 97
- Roger Federer's personal racket
- Heavy composition ideal for advanced players with experience swinging substantial frames
- Braided Graphite composition delivers a pure, consistent feel
- All-new design maintains sleek look with black elastic base, exposed carbon fiber weave with gloss...
- Item #: WR043711U-1/2
Another awesome option among intermediate-level tennis racquets is the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97, which offers a comfortable grip, classic feel, and consistent responsiveness. The string bed is denser than that of standard racquets, which provides better control as you play.
Like its predecessors, the Wilson Pro Staff 97 delivers plenty of power when you swing through the ball. It's not the easiest racket to play with since hitting through the ball can challenge beginner and intermediate level players.
Nevertheless, since it requires proper form and full strokes, you will understand how to land powerful swings correctly. This makes it one of the best racquets for intermediate players on the market. Plus, it has a stylish design that could add confidence to the player on the court.
5. Yonex EZONE 98
- YONEX EZONE 98: The Yonex EZONE 98 deep blue tennis racquet is for intermediate to advanced players...
- RACQUET FEATURES: According to Yonex, the updated Ezone 98 will absorb 7.9% more shock and increase...
- RACQUET SPECIFICATIONS: Head Size: 98 sq. in MP; Length: 27 inches; Weight: Strung — 11.3 oz/320 g...
- FREE STRINGING: This racket comes strung with your choice of ONE (1) complimentary string color, in...
- PLEASE NOTE: Does not include Yonex Logo stenciling on custom string colors.
The Yonex EZONE 98 is one of the most suitable tennis racquets you can buy, thanks to its large sweet spot, high maneuverability, and power. It also feels great in your hand because of its comfortable design to let you try advanced techniques in your playing to improve your game.
This user-friendly tennis racquet is easy to swing for any intermediate player and can go well with different playing styles. It features a relatively light frame to let you make quick movements on the court without feeling weighed down. However, you'll first have to try out various string setups before you derive maximum control from the Yonex EZONE 98.
As you play with this tennis racquet, it will provide a solid and stable feel in your hand for enhanced and responsive performance. With a 98 square inch head size, this racket is great not only for intermediate-level players but also for advanced.
6. Wilson Clash 100
Lastly, we have the Wilson Clash 100, a flexible, comfortable, and stable tennis racquet. You might think that for a racket to have good spin, control, and maneuverability, it would have to be heavy and stiff. The Wilson Clash 100 is neither stiff nor heavy, but it still delivers excellent power, spin, and accuracy.
If you like to play from behind the baseline, the Wilson Clash is a great option. It is better suited for big spins rather than flat hits. It features an arm-friendly design and is quite stable, thanks to the thick beam. It's much like the Babolat Pure Drive in performance but offers more comfort.
This racket might not be the most popular, but it's one of the best intermediate tennis rackets, especially for players prone to arm injuries. It also works great if you have a groundstroke style of playing.
Factors to Consider as You Choose the Best Tennis Racquet for Intermediate Players
1. Weight of the Tennis Racquets
One of the crucial factors intermediate players should make is weight. A heavier tennis racquet will provide more power in your strike than a lighter model. While this mostly depends on your swing speed, it might be easier to swing a heavy tennis racquet more powerfully than a light one.
You'll want a model that you can swing without quickly accumulating fatigue in your hands. At the same time, you wouldn't want the weight to limit your movement around the court. Most beginners end up taking the lightest rackets, but while they are easy to control, they won't allow you to improve your stroke.
Heavier racquets are better for intermediate players because they require longer and fuller swings which will necessitate more advanced techniques and movements. This will ensure you keep improving your game in your tennis journey.
2. Racquet Balance
The balance of your tennis racquet refers to the weight distribution. An even-balanced tennis racket has its balance point at the middle of the shaft halfway up the frame. The balance is directly related to the power of your swing because of the racket's "swing weight."
In terms of balance, your racket will either be head-heavy or head-light. Head-heavy tennis racquets have more mass towards the head than the shaft, which makes the head heavier. This additional weight in the head section gives the racquet more power, but it will be harder to maneuver and swing around.
Unfortunately, head-heavy tennis racquets will strain the shoulders, elbows, and wrists of intermediate players. So, to reduce the risk of injury, it'll be better to go with a head-light tennis racquet. Head-light rackets have more weight along the shaft resulting in better control and maneuverability. Usually, heavier tennis rackets are more head-light than lighter ones.
So, intermediate tennis players should opt for head-light models since they will provide more power and control during the game. Head-heavy rackets might seem more powerful, but this will be at the expense of your safety.
3. Stiffness of the Racquet
The stiffness of the tennis racquet affects the amount of power it delivers and the level of comfort you can enjoy. A stiffer frame can provide more power in your shots since it doesn't bend or deflect on impact. On the other hand, a flexible tennis racket can absorb more energy from the ball and reduce the amount of power it carries. So, if power is your priority, you should go for a stiff racket rather than a flexible one.
In terms of comfort, the stiffness of your racket is also crucial. Whenever you strike a ball with your racket, the frame vibrates. These vibrations are harsher in stiff rackets but don't last long. The flexible rackets produce less severe vibrations, which makes them more suitable for comfort. If you'd prefer to avoid injury to your shoulders, elbow, or wrist, you should go for a flexible model.
4. String Pattern
The string pattern of your racket is determined by the number of lengthwise and crosswise strings. For instance, a 16 x 19 string pattern means 16 main strings and 19 cross strings. This affects the stiffness of the string bed, which in turn impacts the spin potential.
The stiffer your string bed gets, the less room for variation you'll get. So, if you have a flat style of hitting, a tighter pattern is more suitable. A loose string pattern provides more spin because of the space between the string. The ideal string pattern of 16 x 19 is the best option if you play with various styles. Nevertheless, if you'd prefer a more consistent response, a tighter pattern will do.
5. Head Size
A larger head translates to more power. However, this isn't that big a deal since there are other factors that also affect the amount of power you derive from the racket. The wider surface area you get from the racket strings with a large head size will provide better rotational stability. This is simultaneously connected with the sweet spot.
Larger heads generally have a larger sweet spot than rackets with small heads. A larger sweet spot is an advantage to some players since it allows them to make off-center hits without compromising the accuracy of the shots.
A smaller racket head is less forgiving and won't redirect the ball towards the target if you hit it away from the racket's center. This means that if you want a racket that will improve your off-center accuracy, you should go for one with a large sweet spot.
Nevertheless, if you can make accurate shots without the help of the racket, a small-sized head is a good option.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best tennis racquet for intermediate players?
The best racket for intermediate players is the Babolat Pure Aero, a lightweight and high-performing model with great power.
2. How do I choose an intermediate tennis racket?
The characteristics to check as you select your intermediate racket include the weight, stiffness, balance, head size, and string pattern.
3. Can advanced players use intermediate rackets?
Yes, various tour professionals use intermediate-rated rackets like the Head Graphene even while playing professional games.
