Good News for Tennis Newbs: We Found 8 Great Rackets for Beginners

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So, you’re brand new to the tennis world? Welcome! You’re in the right place (well, only if you’re reading this from center court). If you’ve never picked up a tennis racket in your life, this part can feel a little overwhelming, but there’s room for everyone here—even if you plan to serve lewks rather than the occasional tennis ball. Whether it’s actually competing in tournaments (hey, ya never know if you’re gonna be the next Venus Williams) or just practicing on the weekends, trust us, you can play tennis.

The great news is that tennis is pretty low-maintenance in terms of equipment. According to Traci Green, head coach of the Harvard University women’s tennis team, you’ll just need “loose-fitting clothing” (or that super cute tennis skirt!), athletic shoes with non-marking soles, and a racket. Beginner tennis rackets can range pretty drastically in price, from about $30 to over $200, but don’t worry, you can find a great rookie racket without dropping a ton of cash. Look for one that’s lightweight (12 ounces or less is ideal) with a large head (aka the part of the racket that’s used to hit the ball). A big head size gives you a larger “sweet spot,” or that zone in the middle of the racket where, if you hit it *just* right, the ball will go flying.

Which racket you choose will depend on how serious you are about your new summer sport, and how often you really intend to play. To help make your racket-buying decision that much easier, we rounded up some of the best beginner rackets that just might turn you into the next Sharapova. See ya out there ;).

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Best for Casual Players

Wilson Tour Slam Lite Adult Recreational Tennis Racket

Budget-conscious
Comes pre-strung, so you’ll be ready to play as soon as you buy it

If you wanna play more seriously, you’ll probably need a new racket

Playing for the post-match brunch and not tryna be a tennis pro? Same. This is an ideal racket for a beginner that won’t break the bank, Green says. Its AirLite Alloy construction makes it super lightweight, while the 113-square-inch head gives it an XL sweet spot. You’ll be hitting that ball over the net in no time, promise.

Best for Competitive Beginners

Babolat Pure Drive Lite 2021 Tennis Racquet – 4 3/8″

Can use it at the beginner and intermediate level

Some reviewers who like a flexible racket said this one was a bit stiff

Pro players love the Babolat brand, and now there’s a great model for beginners like yourself. Green likes this one because, at 10 ounces strung, it’s light enough for a beginner, but it can grow with a player from the beginner to intermediate level. The graphite material efficiently transfers energy to the ball and gives you a ton of power (Translation: Your tennis partner won’t be able to keep up).

Best for Frequent Players

Solinco Blackout 285

Comes in a variety of grip sizes and string categories
Absorbs a good amount of vibration for comfortable playing

An investment if you just wanna play occasionally
Not available in a size 0 grip

Can’t get enough of your newfound hobby? Here’s your new ol’ reliable. One reviewer said her Solinco is going strong despite using it 30 hours per week, and Green adds that this racket works well for tennis beginners and intermediates. It’s light enough that it swings easily, but it will still give you the power you need to play a good game. With grip sizes ranging from 1-4 and ten different stringing options, you can easily find the perfect fit for you.

Best for Arm Pain

Wilson Clash 100 Tennis Racquet

Good for arm pain and tennis elbow
Flexible, comfy feel

Some reviews said that the racket absorbed so much of the vibration from hitting and they didn’t feel very connected to the ball

Let’s minimize our injuries, shall we? A lot of reviews mentioned this racket has a flexible feel and absorbs vibrations from hitting the ball–great for people who struggle with arm pain and tennis elbow. It’s one of Green’s favorites because it has a 100-square-inch head (for that big sweet spot) and at 11-ounces strung, it’s light enough for easy playing.

Best for Petite Players

HEAD Ti.S6 Strung Tennis Racquet

Pretty budget-friendly
Super light

Not ideal if you want a weightier racket

Hi, my petite friends! Most adult tennis rackets are 27 inches long, but this one has an extra ¾ of an inch, giving you a longer reach if you’re on the shorter side. It’s also incredibly light at only 8 ounces, comes in a variety of grip sizes (1-5) and has a large 115-square-inch head. It kinda gives you the best of everything and at a damn good price.

Best ~Aesthetic~ Racquet

Babolat Boost Aero Rafa Strung Tennis Racquet

Comes pre-strung
Good for reducing tendon strain

If you end up being super serious about tennis, you might want to get it restrung by a professional to tailor the strings to your playing style

This colorful bb is ready to play whenever you are. It comes pre-strung, so you’ll be on the court ASAP. It’s both comfortable and responsive, because the design of its grommets (ya know, those holes that connect the string to the racket) reduces tendon strain.

Best for Lefties

Babolat Pure Aero

Great for left-handed players
Gives you good control over your swing

May not be best if you don’t hit the ball very hard

Okay, so rackets aren’t like scissors where lefties have their own specifically designed pair, but some rackets are better for lefties than others. Famous leftie pro players love this one and so do beginner and intermediate players. Its slightly smaller head (still big enough for a beginner, though) gives you more control and will help you develop a longer swing as you continue to improve.

Best for Tennis Elbow

Prince O3 Legacy 120

Large head with a big sweet spot
Good for elbow injuries

You may need to upgrade once you get to the intermediate level

This racket is super comfy, plus it packs a lil punch. An oversized 120-square-inch head gives you a huge sweet spot, its extra ¼ inches of length provides more reach, and its grommet-less design reduces vibrations a lot (which can bother your arm). It’s a great choice if you’re prone to tennis elbow or other arm pain, and it’s a good all-around choice for beginners who wanna improve their swing power.

Best Tennis Shoes for Beginners

Court Treymore Shoe In White

Has sock liner for comfort and breathability
Solid walking shoe

Don’t wear ’em for running or cross-training

You’re gonna need a cute (and actually functional) pair of tennis shoes on this tennis journey, and these are perfect sneaks to get you started. They have non-marking soles for an indoor or outdoor court, but also work just as well for idk, walking your dog or grabbing a post-match mimosa.

How to Choose a Tennis Racket for Beginners

Look for a light racket

If you see a racket that’s lightweight and has a big sweet spot, it’s probably your new BFF. “Rackets are generally lighter for beginners so they can maneuver the racket more easily, create a swing, and get used to swinging the right way,” Green says. A big head size is great for newbies, too. “The larger the head size, generally the more power you can get from the racket and the sweet spot.” Also, rackets come with different weight distributions–some might be heavier on the bottom and others might be heavier in the head. When you’re starting out, Green says it’s generally best to get one with equally distributed weight.

Figure out your grip size

Fun fact: Rackets come in different grip sizes. If you’re shopping online for rackets, first measure your grip with a ruler. “With your hand open and fingers extended close together, align the ruler with the bottom lateral crease of your palm and measure to the tip of your ring finger,” Green says. Then, just look at a size conversion chart to see what number grip size (0-5) you are. Voila!

Demo a few rackets

Try before you buy, bbs! Most pro tennis shops and online retailers let you take rackets home to test them out before you invest in one. “Demoing” rackets is the best way to figure out if the racket feels good to you so you know you’re getting one you love, according to Green.

Meet the expert

Traci Green is the head coach of the Harvard University Women’s Tennis team. She has led the team to a historic number of wins and was the first African American Harvard coach to win an Ivy League title.

Nancy Walecki
Nancy Walecki is a staff writer and editor at Harvard Magazine.

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