When choosing the best tennis racket for your playing style, it usually comes down to how it feels in your hand, not what brand or company name is on it. Sometimes the feel and grip of rackets made by lesser-known racket makers can feel far better than those designed by popular racket makers.
In this post, we will look at some of the tennis racket makers that provide quality tennis rackets and have loyal fan bases all over the world. They may not have the global reach or big endorsements from tennis players, but they provide quality products that meet their players’ requirements.
I. Dunlop Sport
Official site: Dunlop Tennis
Dunlop is a sports equipment manufacturer headquartered in England. The company entered the sports market in 1909. John Boyd Dunlop founded the company, which originally dealt in tires for racing bicycles. In 2019, Dunlop became the official tennis ball of the Australian Open. The range of rackets that Dunlop makes available makes the company stand out from others. Professional tennis players, such as Max Purcell, who won the 2022 Wimbledon doubles final, and Kevin Anderson from South Africa, have used Dunlop rackets in major championships.
The best rackets from Dunlop Sport
1. Dunlop FX 500
The 500 racket line went through a complete overhaul in 2020-21. Tennis players who prioritize power and care about comfort will find that this racket meets their requirements. It is not ideal for beginners or players who have not played tennis in a while.
Standout features:
- Easy to swing fast and pummel the ball.
- It features Sonic Core and Flex Touch Resin for enhanced comfort.
- Easy to control and generate power, even with mistimed or off-balance shots.
- 69 RA, easy counterpunch fastballs.
2. Dunlop SX 300
Any tennis player who likes to have ultimate control over ball trajectory and bounce should try the SX line, as it is unlikely to upset them. The grommets, which are designed to protect the strings, have been majorly improved in the SX line. The racket also provides better spin with a 16×19 pattern, which most racket makers fail to achieve.
Standout features:
- Impressive spin and ease of movement.
- Power outweighs control, but does not lack consistency.
- The racket’s frame is naturally zippy and does not require extra effort to swing.
- It’s a spin rocket, but it doesn’t lack serve.
II. Volkl Tennis
Official Site: Volkl Tennis
Straubing, a city in Germany, is well known for its historical past connected with the Romans. It is also known for Volkl Ski International, the largest manufacturer in the country. Founded in the early 1920s, the company initially manufactured ski equipment. In later years, it diversified its business and moved towards tennis equipment. Volkl’s core focus is on making arm-friendly and comfortable-to-grip tennis rackets. The overall mission of Volkl is to make tennis easy on the athlete’s body. Volkl is known for its continuous innovations, so every new version of its top tennis racket line comes with improvements in design and technology based on user feedback.
The best rackets from Volkl Tennis
1. Volkl V1 Pro
The V1 racket line can be further subcategorized into Volkl V-Feel V1 Pro and Volkl V-Cell V1 Pro. The V-Feel V1 Pro racket is well-known for its even power across the string pattern and larger sweet spot. This results in a nice balance between power and control. Players who aim to time their shots with decent accuracy are most likely to look for this type of racket.
Standout features:
- The racket’s combination of power and balance point makes serving easier.
- Provides the required precision and stability with volleys.
- Comparatively lighter in weight than rackets with the same specs.
- Designed to increase shock absorption and comfort.
2. Volkl C10 Pro
Though Volkl aims to continuously improve its products, the Volkl C10 Pro receives only minor updates from version to version. This is because the racquet itself is well-built and has been refined over the past two decades. The classic look of it can tell you the same. One of the best highlights of this racket is its overall response. The racket weighs around 12 ounces, and although it is heavier, it does not compromise maneuverability.
Standout features:
- Classic look and feel with a professional-style frame.
- A headlight balance assists backhand shots by providing the necessary power and speed.
- Suitable for players with an attacking playing style, as it provides a lot of flexibility.
- Effortless volleys and serves are possible due to the weight and beam size.
III. ProKennex
Official site: prokennex.com
ProKennex is a Taiwanese company that manufactures racquet sports equipment. The company reached its peak in the 1980s and had worldwide reach and distribution. Lo Kunnan started the company in 1965. He initially produced badminton wooden rackets and gradually expanded to other sports, such as tennis, squash, and pickleball. Kunnan’s father was also a manufacturer, and he dealt with plastic toy manufacturing. In 1968, Kunnan shifted his focus to tennis rackets and began designing them. In the next five years, ProKennex started making aluminum racquets as well.
ProKennex currently has three major tennis racket lines that cater to the needs of players with varied playing styles and preferences:
- Black Ace
- Q series
- Ki series (Kinetic)
The best rackets from ProKennex
1. Black Ace 300
This racket line has been the preferred choice of many tennis players for over four decades. ProKennex, as their tagline suggests, aims to provide cutting-edge and innovative products to customers, and the Black Ace 300 definitely fits that bill. The key highlight of the racket is the use of technology to improve comfort. The Black Ace 300 is an easy-to-use, highly responsive, and comfortable racquet that is perfect for players who stand near the baseline and hit groundstrokes.
Standout features:
- The racket absorbs vibrations, making it comfortable to use and protecting against potential injury.
- Feels sturdy with big swings and provides clean feedback with every shot.
- Arm-friendly and easy to maneuver.
- Powerful and flexible, offering a blend of stability and feel.
2. Ki Q+ 5 Racquet
The racket weighs 315 grams (11 Oz) and has a head size of 100 square inches. It is packed with the latest technologies, including the QuadFocus design, which enhances overall feedback on serves. The racket has a stiffness of 67 RA and a string pattern of 16 x 20.
Standout features:
- The racket is more suitable for the skill sets of intermediate and advanced players.
- A good racket to help prevent tennis elbow and other injuries.
- The stiffness of the racket provides better control.
- Like other ProKennex rackets, this one is also arm-friendly.
IV. Tecnifibre
Official site: Tecnifibre tennis rackets
Tecnifibre is a sports equipment company founded in France. Six years after its founding, Tecnifibre introduced racket stringing machines, which revolutionized the French tennis industry. In later years, Tecnifibre became the official stringer for various professional tournaments, including the French Open and ATP tournaments. Today, tennis players such as Daniil Medvedev and Iga Swiatek, as well as many squash players, represent the brand on the global stage.
The best rackets from Tecnifibre
1. Tecnifibre TRebound 298
The racket is officially known as the Tecnifibre T-Rebound 298 Iga, named after Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek. The 298 refers to the unstrung weight of the racket, which is 298 grams. Iga Swiatek has been using the Tecnifibre tennis racket for a long time, so a partnership between the two was always likely. The unique selling point of this racket is its ability to satisfy the needs of players with varied playing styles. Although the racket is not as heavy as 315-gram rackets, its 71RA stiffness generates enough power, even for backhanded shots.
Standout features:
- A stiffer frame provides more power, as it consumes less energy from the ball.
- Provides decent spin on both kick (topspin) and flat serves.
- Lower string tension allows hitting more accurate shots.
2. Tecnifibre TF40 305
The TF40 racket line was introduced by the company to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2019. Regarding the racket, the 16×19 string pattern is best suited for players who want to generate as much spin as possible. The TF40 305 racket also stands out for its response on volleys and serves.
Standout features:
- Excellent for ball pocketing and spin with a 16×19 string pattern.
- It is a head-heavy racket, which makes the swings consistently uniform.
- Racket with an eye-catching design that delivers on its promises.
V. Prince Tennis
Official Site: Prince Tennis
Prince tennis rackets are known for their flexibility, thanks to their thin beams. Rackets with thinner beams provide more control because they cut through the air faster. Players who prioritize feel and overall comfort should consider the various racket lines of Prince. As with the other rackets in this post, most Prince rackets are suitable for tennis players with intermediate to advanced skill levels.
The best rackets from Prince
Prince Phantom 100X
This racket line is simply the lightest racket line in the Prince Phantom racket collection. The frame and beam are the lightest, which means that you experience a buttery feel no matter what type of shot you play, whether it is a forehand, topspin, or slice. The racket has an open 16×18 string pattern, which means that there is more space between the strings. This allows players to extract more spin and depth from every shot. The racket is arm-friendly without compromising control. The thicker beam provides ample stability. The racket comes in various weights, with 298 grams and 305 grams being the most popular choices.
Standout features:
- The racket is spin-friendly.
- A good racket for intermediate level players.
- It has a 58RA stiffness level.
- Because of the thin beam of the racket, one needs to put extra power in shots.
VI. Gamma Sports
Official site: Gamma Tennis
Gamma’s relationship with tennis rackets dates back to the 1970s when tennis player Harry Ferrari founded Gamma Sports in an effort to develop better-quality tennis strings, as he was not satisfied with the quality of synthetic gut during his playing days.
Gamma Sports is a US-based company that manufactures tennis rackets. The company has its own research and development center and practice courts for testing purposes. The tennis brand has over 50 years of experience, which is a testament to its success. Its competitive prices are also one of the primary reasons for its success, as tennis players of all levels can afford them without compromising on quality.
The best rackets from Gamma Sports
1. RZR 100T
The first thing you notice about the RZR 100T racket when you hold it is its weight. At 337 grams, it is a heavy racket, but players who prefer the feel of 1990s rackets will appreciate its sturdiness. The weight of the racket definitely helps when playing groundstrokes, providing more power. However, one of the downsides of most “power” rackets is that they can underperform when playing shots off the sweet spot. The same is true of the RZR 100T.
Standout features:
- Mostly suitable for players with advanced skill levels.
- Provides decent power to cross-court and down-the-line shots.
- The stiffness of the racket is RA76.
2. RZR Bubba 137
This tennis racket is a good choice for players who want to generate power and control on groundstrokes. Its 137 square inch head size provides a larger sweet spot for more forgiveness. It has been a preferred choice for tennis players for over two decades. The open string pattern (18×21), which complements the larger head size, helps to produce depth on shots.
Standout features:
- The 10.4-ounce light racket is easy to maneuver.
- A high-balance racket (380mm) that makes volleys and smashes easier to hit.
- The stiffness of the racket is 65 RA.
- Designed with advanced aerodynamic technology.
VII. Snauwaert
Official site: Snauwaert Tennis
Snauwaert, founded in 1929, is an Italian sports equipment company specializing in tennis rackets and has a presence in all major global markets. The company takes great pride in the quality and affordability of its products. Snauwaert underwent a reboot in 2016, launching newly designed tennis rackets with the latest technology. For fans of Padel rackets, Snauwaert launched a range of them in 2020.
The best rackets from Snauwaert
Snauwaert Grinta 100
This racket is suitable for advanced tennis players who value good control over their volleys and serves. The racket weight ranges from 285 to 305 grams. If you are looking for a simple yet appealing racket, this is a good choice. Its weight provides stability without compromising maneuverability. As with other rackets in this weight category, this racket also provides an ample amount of spin.
Standout features:
- Capable of generating high spin and a decent launch angle.
- The stiffness of the racket is 69 RA.
- It has a stringing pattern 16 x 18.
Vitas Elite (Padel racquet)
This padel is made with the requirements of competitive tournaments in mind. Therefore, one can expect it to perform better than those made for casual play. The padel racket has a large sweet spot for generating power and a built-in vibration dampener.
VIII. Yonex
Official site: Yonex tennis
Yonex is a sports equipment company that specializes in racket sports and sports apparel. Its headquarters are located in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1946, Yonex began as a woodcrafting business. In the late 1950s, the company expanded its business to include wooden tennis rackets.
Yonex tennis rackets are available in a wide variety, and their popularity among tennis players is due to this availability in major markets. Whether a player is a beginner or a professional, Yonex has a racket for them. For example, the Percept 97D is designed specifically for advanced players, while the V-Core 100 is suited for players of all skill levels looking for spin and speed. Today, many professional tennis players endorse Yonex tennis rackets. Examples include Elena Rybakina, Casper Ruud, and Caroline Garcia.
The best rackets from Yonex
Ezone Series
The Yonex Ezone racket line is perhaps the most popular racket line from Yonex. It also includes the Yonex Ezone Osaka rackets, which were created in collaboration with the famous tennis player Naomi Osaka. The range of rackets in this line is vast, and each racket has a unique feature that distinguishes it from the others. The most prominent ones are listed below:
- Ezone 98 – Made for intermediate and advanced players who seek a racket that provides power and control.
- Ezone 100 – The racket weighs 300 grams (10.6 Oz) and has a balance point of 330 mm. These specifications ensure power in the shot, without compromising maneuverability.
- Osaka Ezone 100 – The 7th-generation Ezone racket weighs 285 grams and has a balance point of 325 millimeters. It is made of high-modulus (HM) graphite, which is known for its strength and durability.
VCore Series
The best feature of the Yonex VCore line of racquets is their ability to generate spin. Players who want to hit their shots with a lot of spin should definitely try the VCore line. The Vcore 98 and Vcore 100 racquets in this line have a 16×19 string pattern. The benefit of this pattern is that the squares in the pattern are larger, which results in better grip and more spin.
Percept Series
Most tennis rackets in this line are suitable for intermediate and advanced players only. Beginners may find it difficult to find a racket in this series that meets their needs, as the weights range from 305 to 320 grams.
I hope that this post has helped you discover some new racket designers that you were previously unaware of. Otherwise, you may find the one racket line that you have always wanted to try but have been hesitant about. Tennis is a dynamic sport, but it is played with perhaps the simplest equipment: a racket and a ball. Therefore, when a sport such as tennis requires minimal equipment, having a few options at your disposal is never a bad thing.
Also see:
Evolution of Tennis Equipment Over A Period of Time
A Comprehensive Comparison of Modern Tennis Rackets and Old school Models
Tags: Tennis Insights
