The Definitive Guide to Tennis Racquets

In the Tennis world, while skill is essential to the welfare of a player, racquets are key to the maximization of a player's shots. In this hub, I will be examining the differences between Wilson, Babolat and Prince tennis racquets, and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each particular brand.

In this hub, I will judge each specific racquet type by three aspects:

• Weight
• Sweet Spot
• Price

Wilson racquets, endorsed consistently by many of the top professionals, has a consistent reputation for providing similar, reliable racquets.

The first aspect that will be examined is the weight of the racquet. A common trait of most Wilson tennis racquets is that they are very heavy, as compared to other brands. While some have found this trait to be a set back, I have found that this adds to the overall strength and power of the shot.

Another factor about Wilson tennis racquets, is that the weight is evenly balanced throughout the racquet. While this may seem as though it should be a common trait in all racquets, this is not the case. Because of this trait, the racquet produces a very even and controlled shot. This feature also tends to put a little strain on the wrist. Because of this, developing spin and power can sometimes be difficult.

The second aspect that needs to be addressed is the sweet spot of the racquet. Unlike many other types of racquets, because of the tight string structure and distribution of weight throughout the racquet, the sweet spot of most of Wilson racquets is very small. Therefore, normally this brand of tennis racquets is not the best for those just starting out. For those players looking for extreme control though, this type of racquet is ideal. A constant problem that occurs because of this sweet spot is that it is easier to shank. In order to avoid this, before switching to this type of racquet, one practice with a racquet that has a larger sweet spot. This will build consistency and confidence. Once this has been attained, then moving to a racquet with a smaller sweet spot would be acceptable.

The final aspect of Wilson racquets that must be examined is the price factor. In my experience, I have found Wilson racquets to be the most expensive of all brands. The usual price range for a single, competitive racquet would be around $120-$150.

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

As compared to Wilson and Prince racquets, Babolats are radically different. Manufactured with a larger racquet head and different feeling grips, all factors are effected.

The first aspect, weight, is not as significant as that of wilson racquets. Focused specifically in the grip of the racquet, the weight allows players to accelerate the racquet head much faster. Although it may be different for others, I have found that playing with this different distribution of weight has effected how I hold the racquet just before contact. Right before I swing into the contact of the ball, I find that I drop the racquet head to early sometimes. Therefore, with Babolat racquets, it is important to realize that this distribution of weight must be accounted for, and must slightly change the speed of the stroke.

The second aspect that needs to be addressed is the sweet spot of Babolat racquets. With the latest lines of tennis racquets, the sweet spot has especially increased. As with previous models, this allows a more consistent and regular rally ball. This type of racquet is most ideal for those who enjoy playing from the baseline. In summary, this brand of racquets is ideal for: baseliners, retrievers and counter punchers.

The final aspect, price, is radically different than the wilson racquets.  Priced at around $180-$220, Babolats are much more expensive than other brands.  But with this expense comes compensation.  

Overall Rating: 8/10

The final major brand within the tennis racquet industry, Prince has recently released a new series of racquets, referred to as 03's.  With tiny holes along the sides of the racquet, these allow for greater power and aerodynamics.

In terms of weight, the prince racquets are the exact opposite of Babolat racquets.  In terms of distribution, the weight of the racquet is focused in the head of the racquet.  Because of this, these racquets naturally produce a large amount of power.  With the recent addition of "hole technology" to the racquets, this allows for greater flexibility.  With this greater flexibility, more power and weight transfer can be generated through the contact.

In terms of the sweet spot, this location can range from very small to very large.  Based upon the most recent model of racquets recently released, the sweet spot tends to be relatively large.  This is due to the hole technology.  With this larger sweet spot, as mentioned before, the amount of power that is released from this racquet is much greater than that released from both the Wilson and Babolat racquets.  Having owned several of these types of racquets, a particular perk that I have found about Prince racquets is that they allow players to hit as hard as they want while providing just enough spin to keep the ball within the court.

The final aspect that must be examined is the cost.  This aspect of the Prince brand, like its sweet spots, tends to vary also.  The prices of these racquets can range from $90-$160.

Overall Rating: 7/10

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What type of racquet do you think is the best?