When my wife informed me that Emporio Armani was now pushing its own signature tennis racket, the EA7, I’ve got to admit, I was intrigued. Italian designers producing tennis rackets? How fashion forward of them. I love it. This is style and performance at its best. Haute couture meets the hard courts.
I thought, “I’ve got to have one of those.”
Then I did a little research. Did you know that Tiffany & Co. makes a sterling silver tennis ball can? (A steal at $1,500.) Or that French luxury goods maker Louis Vuitton offers a monogrammed racket cover, complete with ball pouch, leather buckles and solid brass hardware? (Only $4,000.) These would go splendidly with my Armani racket, I mused. But I could just hear my mother. “Never judge a racket by its cover,” she’d say.
Leave it to your mom to bring you down.
But, of course, she would be right. What was I doing anyway? Had I gotten lost in the moment? Was I just another fashion victim? Apparently so. But in this era of cure-all catchphrases and technological taglines, it’s hard not to get caught up in the hype. So take a tip from my mother — be practical. Read on and find a racket that best fits your needs as a player. Remember, you’ll need it to perform on the court, not the catwalk.
Adidas
Barricade
Head Size: 95 | Length: 27 | Weight: 10.6 oz. | Retail: $185
If you think adidas is some Johnny-come-lately to the racket biz, it’s time to break out your No. 2 pencil and study up. Back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, adidas rackets were a mainstay at the top of the game. (Remember Ivan Lendl and his GTX Pro?) The three-stripe brand returns after a decade-and-a-half hiatus with a line of rackets that caters to a wide range of players, from club and rec players to touring pros, each teamed with an adidas shoe. The Barricade is a forgiving frame for competitive players, and boasts adidas’ Power Structure Technology (PST), which provides torsional stability and puts more pop into your shots. Its two-piece construction helps keep vibration from racket-to-ball contact from reaching your arm.
“The Barricade focuses on control for talented and fast-swinging tournament players capable of generating their own power.”
Babolat
Pure Drive
Head Size: 100 | Length: 27 | Weight: 10.6 oz. | Retail: $185
Babolat has updated its successful Pure Drive frame, which first burst onto the scene in the hands of French Open champ Carlos Moya in ‘98. Babolat’s GT Technology — a hybrid carbon/tungsten mix — strengthens the frame and reduces torque, while the Cortex System filters out vibration. Also available in two junior editions.
“The next generation Pure Drive is ideal for players looking for a blend of power and playability.”
Y118
Head Size: 118 | Length: 27.5 | Weight: 9 oz. | Retail: $240
Babolat has become synonymous with such elite-level performers as Nadal, Roddick, Moya, Clijsters, Safina, Petrova, etc. But that doesn’t mean they’ve forgotten the weekend warrior. The extremely lightweight, ultra-wide Y118 is designed for club players with short, compact strokes. Babolat’s Y approach encompasses four key technologies to deliver big-time power: Side Drivers (for power distribution), Dual-Graphite Construction (for torque reduction), Cellular Grommet System (for energy absorption) and Smart Grip (an ergonomic handle).
“Stiffer, longer, stronger — the Y118 fights off twisting on off-center hits and adds some muscle to your game. A good match for senior swatters with slow, short strokes.”
Y112
Head Size: 112 | Length: 27.5 | Weight: 9 oz. | Retail: $230
Virtually the same frame as the Y118 (see above) with a slightly tailored sweetspot, the Y112 is designed for club players with short-to-moderate stroke lengths and speeds.
“Babolat’s Smart Grip syststrong grips you back, allowing you to hold the racket with less effort.”
Dunlop
Aerogel 4D 2Hundred Tour
Head Size: 95 | Length: | Weight: 11.9 oz. | Retail: $200
Dunlop furthers its successful Aerogel 4D launch with the Aerogel 4D 2Hundred. The official weapon off choice for Czech Tomas Berdych, this one’s a straight-up player’s racket, featuring a 95-square-inch head for pinpoint control. Like its 4D brethren, it features 4D Touchpoints strategically positioned around the frame for added stability. This allows ATP/WTA-caliber players to swing freely, but still have that feel of control and stability.
“Designed for tournament/advanced players with a long, powerful strokes. Touch and feel in a traditional, thin-beamed frame for true gamers.”
Aerogel 4D 3Hundred Tour
Head Size: 98 | Length: 27 | Weight: 11.3 oz. | Retail: $200
What the Aerogel 4D 3Hundred lacks in power it more than makes up for in control, comfort, touch and feel. The 100 percent graphite frame showcases Dunlop’s 4D Braided technology, which improves stability and makes the racket easier to control.
“The 3Hundred is an ideal racket for advanced club players in search of touch and feel in a lightweight racket.”
Aerogel 4D 5Hundred Tour
Head Size: 100 | Length: 27 | Weight: 11.1 oz. | Retail: $200
Spaniard Nicolas Almagro is among the elite players wielding the Aerogel 4D 5Hundred Tour, a slightly bigger (100-square-inches) yet lighter alternative to both the 2Hundred and 3Hundred. But ATPers aren’t the only ones who’ll benefit. Aerogel, the world’s lightest solid, will add some pop to anyone’s game.
“A well-balanced ‘tweener frame that’s as good a fit for a 4.0 player as it is a seasoned touring pro.”
Gamma
Tour 330X
Head Size: 95 | Length: 27 | Weight: 11.6 oz. | Retail: $180
The 330X is engineered using Gamma’s Pure Graphite Technology, which packages power and stability and allows you to efficiently transfer swing energy from racket to ball, while the frame absorbs vibration. A thin beamed, classic frame with exceptional feel and control designed for players who are capable of generating their own racket speed and power.
“When many folks think of Gamma, they think solely of high-performance string. But with rackets like the 330X, it’s clear they’re up to a whole lot more. As good a pro frame as you’ll find.”
Tour 320X
Head Size: 98 | Length: 27 | Weight: 11.1 oz. | Retail: $180
A tad more forgiving on off-center hits than the 330X (see above), the 320X is another tournament performer for big-swinging baseliners who want more control over their shots.
“Ideal for intermediate to advanced players ISO power and control.”
Head
YouTek Speed Pro
Head Size: 98 | Length: 27 | Weight: 11.8 oz. | Retail:
YouTek is the new buzzword at Head, in essence an all-out technological assault aimed at meeting the individual needs of a wide variety of players. Among the hi-tech happenings is d30, Grommets with a Teflon friction-reducing polymer, and Aramid bumpers. If you were fortunate enough to have seen Serb Novak Djokovic dismantle Roger Federer at the Sony Ericsson Open in April, you probably noticed that he was taking huge hacks at the ball with the black-and-white YouTek Speed Pro, a thin-beamed, nearly 12-ounce frame that provides exceptional control, touch and feel.
“Feeling a need for speed? The Speed Pro is strictly for tour-caliber players with long, fast swings. And dig the leather grip!”
Prince
EXO3 Red 105
Head Size: 105 | Length: 27.25 | Weight: 9.9 oz. | Retail: $260
The EXO3 generation has officially been ushered in at Prince. The high performance EXO3 rackets boast an engineering breakthrough called Energy Bridge, which suspends the string bed and expands the sweetspot. With the EXO3 Red 105, that means a nice blend of power and control for NTRPers in the 4.0 to Open range.
“For players with moderate swing speeds looking for extra feel and spin in a maneuverable frame.”
EXO3 Rebel 95
Head Size: 95 | Length: 27 | Weight: 11.6 oz. | Retail: $200
The EXO3 Rebel 95 — as seen in the hands of flying Frenchman Gael Monfils — is a well-balanced midsize racket that zeroes in on control. This is essentially a throwback frame — thin beamed and nearly 12 ounces — updated with some high-end, hi-tech offerings, including Prince’s patented Energy Channel — a sculpted groove within the frame that provides stability, boosts ball control and increases spin. Tradition meets technology — the best of both worlds.
“Peak performance in a true player’s stick. Ideal for long, loopy strokers.”
EXO3 Rebel Team 95
Head Size: 95 | Length: 27 | Weight: 10.2 oz. | Retail: $180
All the benefits of the EXO3 Rebel 95 (see above) in a more feathery frame, the Team 95 sheds more than an ounce but still offers touch and feel to all-court attackers with long, full stroke styles.
“Great racket for someone looking for the control of a midsize player’s racket in an easy to manage weight.”
EXO3 Graphite 93/100
Head Size: 93/100 | Length: 27 | Weight: 11.6 oz./11.1 oz. | Retail: $200
If the lean, mean ‘n green EXO3 Graphite 93 and 100 stir flashbacks of the ever-popular Prince Original Graphite, it’s by design. The folks at Prince have gone out of their way to successfully marry the playability of the Original Graphite with 21st century innovation. Think of them as new-school rackets with old-school attitudes. On-court armor for skilled players with fast, full strokes.
“Built for advanced players looking for both classic feel and EXO3 enhancements.”
EXO3 Silver 118
Head Size: 118 | Length: 27.5 oz. | Weight: 8.8 oz. | Retail: $300
The lightest and most powerful offering of the new Prince EXO3 rackets, the Silver 118 (which tips the scales at a mere 8.8 ounces) is a game-boosting stick that’s designed to maximize energy return. The trampoline-like, 118-square-inch sweetspot and 27.5-inch reach make it a good match for players with shorter, slower strokes.
“A very forgiving, rocket launcher of a frame for players with short, compact strokes.”
Volkl
PB1
Head Size: 115 | Length: 27.8 | Weight: 9 oz. | Retail: $300
A quick glance at the PB1 is all it takes to see that Völkl’s pushing the envelope. The outside-the-box thinking is Völkl’s Power Arm. Designed to be free moving upon impact, the Power Arm is drawn back upon ball-to-stringbed contact. As the ball sinks deeper into the stringbed, the Power Arm reacts by returning stored energy to the ball, propelling it across the net with big-time power. The torsion-resistant PB1 packages power and control for NTRP players in the 2.0-3.5 range.
“The ball is literally torpedoed off the stringbed. The ultimate power machine for players with short, slow swing styles.”
PB10
Head Size: 98 | Length: 27 | Weight: 10.4 oz. | Retail: $220
It’s fair to say that the low-profile Völkl PB10 demands a lot out of a player. For starters, you need to be able to generate your own power. And it helps if you’re a consistent, middle-of-the-sweetspot ball striker. But anyone who possesses those skills will be smitten with the way this flexible, pro-level frame delivers control and feel. With Völkl’s DNX and Powerbridge technologies, the PB10 also guarantees stability.
“On-court achievers will be hitting down-the-line backhands and crosscourt winners, but don’t be afraid to beef up this head-light frame with a little lead tape.”
Wilson
(K)obra Team FX
Head Size: 100 | Length: 27 | Weight: 10.5 oz | Retail: $230
The FX stands for Factor Multiplied, which is Wilson’s way of saying that they’ve ramped up their (K)Factor features with an armada of new technologies, including (K)arophite Black — a nanoscientific approach that results in a more stable racket. The (K)obra Team FX meshes power and control for aggressive players at the top of the NTRP scale. Quick and lethal armament for a new generation of all-court performers.
“A maneuverable spin machine. Solid, powerful, instinctive.”
(K)Three FX
Head Size: 115 | Length: 27.5 | Weight: 9.5 oz. | Retail: $280
The story here is comfort, thanks to Wilson’s proven Triad shock dampening system. A special polymer is sandwiched between the (K)Three FX’s ultra-wide hoop and handle, which all but eliminates racket-to-ball vibration. This is a lightweight and forgiving racket with firepower to spare.
“Lightweight and extremely powerful, the (K)Three FX was developed with senior strokers and 2.5-3.5 NTRPers in mind. Won’t waffle on off-center hits.”
(K)Zen Team FX
Head Size: 103 | Length: 27.25 | Weight: 10.1 oz. | Retail: $210
Versatile, maneuverable and powerful, the (K)Zen Team FX is a ‘tweener frame designed for a wide variety of full-swinging players (NTRP ratings of 3.5 to 5.5) looking for a lightweight yet stable frame. Directly inspired by Roger Federer, the Zen features Wilson’s (K)ompact Center technology for improved handling and maneuverability.
“Whether it’s caressing volleys at the net, floating the crosscourt backhand or putting away an overhead, the (K)Zen Team FX puts you in the driver’s seat.”
Yonex
RQiS 1 Tour XL
Head Size: 100 | Length: 27 | Weight: 9.5 oz. | Retail: $230
Serbian sensation Ana Ivanovic made her ascent to No. 1 toting the RQiS 1 Tour — a true player’s frame that’s tailored for aggressive performers looking for velocity on their shots without expending too much effort. Yonex’s Elastic Ti shaft enables the frame to snap back to its original shape a split second after impact and deflection, and Shockless Grommets protect your wrist, forearm and elbow from harmful vibration.
“The RQiS 1 Tour helps you go from racket to rocket. A soft feel upon impact for NTRpers 4.0 and up.”
RDiS 100
Head Size: 98 | Length: 27 | Weight: 11.1 oz. | Retail: $220
Think you can hang with the likes of two-time Slam champ Lleyton Hewitt? If so, you’d better have serious speed, laser-like strokes and a whole lot of bravado. Did we mention an unmatched will to win? But if you think you’ve got that covered, the thin-beamed, mid-plus RdiS 100 can take care of the rest. Recommended for full-tilt all-courters who demand pinpoint control. Yonex’s Isometric head shape stretches the sweetspot and lessens the likelihood of off-center hits.
“This one’s a no-holds-barred control stick that will have you picking winners from anywhere on the court.”
