Best Racquets for Intermediate Players of 2023
We've selected racquets for improving to strong intermediate players who a want a racquet that's easy to use but also leaves room for growth. (Updated June 2023)
Finding the right racquet is important to optimize your game, minimize your risk for injury and allow yourself to fully enjoy playing tennis. The racquets on our list are designed to be versatile and work well as your game improves.
Best Racquets for Intermediates
| Our Picks | Performance Highlights |
| Babolat Pure Drive | Power Spin |
| Babolat Pure Aero Rafa | Spin Power |
| Yonex VCORE 100 | Spin Control |
| Head Speed MP | Control Feel |
| Prince AST Textreme Tour 100 290 |
Control |
| Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v8 | Spin Power |
| Head Boom MP |
Power |
| Yonex EZONE 100 | Controllable power Comfort |
| Tecnifibre TFight ISO 300 | Control Feel |
Babolat Pure Drive
Why we love it: Launched in 2000, the Pure Drive is one of the most popular and versatile racquets ever made. This racquet delivers an easy learning curve to virtually any player who is looking to swing big and load the ball with pace and spin. Although it has inspired an army of clones, subtle updates over the years have ensured the Pure Drive has remained the undisputed king when it comes to light power frames. Check our full review for more details.
Babolat Pure Aero
Why we love it: The Pure Aero Rafa 2023 is a perfect option for players who like to hit with spin or for those looking to add more spin to their shots. At under 305 grams strung, this racquet is easy for intermediate players to swing fast. Like the heavier model endorsed by Nadal, this racquet offers a very connected feel so you can dial in your targets even on big swings. A near even balance helps keep the racquet stable, and there's enough power to hit offensively even from defensive positions of the court. Be sure to check out our full review for all the details.
Yonex VCORE 100
Why we love it: Yonex updates the popular VCORE 100 in 2023, and for our playtesters, this latest version is an improvement on an already great racquet. A couple of them said it is their favorite version yet. This racquet excels at delivering power and spin when you need them. With a redesigned head shape, this version of the racquet offers an even larger sweetspot than past generations. Learn more in our full review
Head Speed MP
Why we love it: This latest edition of the Speed MP thoroughly impressed our playtesters, and a couple of them said it is their favorite version to date. What we liked about this version is that it feels more maneuverable than its predecessor yet delivers the blend of power, control and feel the series is known for. Read our full review for additional details.
Prince ATS Textreme Tour 100 290
Why we love it: As the lightest member of the Prince Tour family, the Tour 100 290 delivers the blend of power, control and feel of the line in an easy-to-use package. When our playtesters took this racquet to the courts, they were impressed by its all-around playability. The racquet feels stable for its weight at contact and played well from all areas of the court. Although it's great for intermediate players, we found this racquet would also be a great option for customization as players get stronger and improve. Be sure to check out our full review for more.
Wilson Blade 16x19 v8
Why we love it: Updated in late 2021, the Blade 98 16x19 continues to impress. The Blade 98 16x19 v8 has a striking look with its chameleon paint, but the performance remains familiar. We noted a slight uptick in power compared to the previous version, but the same outstanding feel remains. The Blade 98 is spin-friendly thanks to its easy maneuverability and grippy 16x19 stringbed. Players looking to attack the ball with full swings will get the most out of this racquet. For comfort and power this stick pairs well with a multifilament or natural gut string. To maximize spin and control try the Blade 98 with your favorite co-poly string. Don't miss our full racquet review.
Head Boom MP
Why we love it: With the Boom MP, Head blends power, feel and comfort. Its 315-gram strung weight makes it a versatile option for intermediate players. The head shape of this racquet is wider at the upper hoop, which creates a bigger sweetspot and helps make it easier to hit with spin. Check out our full review featuring feedback from players from the US, Europe and Australia.
Yonex EZONE 100
Why we love it: We went back and forth whether to pick the EZONE 100 or the EZONE 98, and in the end, we went with the EZONE 100 since it's slightly more forgiving and more powerful but still as arm-friendly. Strong intermediates who want just a touch more control and something a little heavier will find it with the EZONE 98. Our playtesters loved this racquet, and you can find out why in our full review.
Tecnifibre TFight ISO 300
Why we love it: Updated for 2023, the TFight 300 now has ISOFLEX technology for a more consistent feel on the stringbed. We still found a good balance of mobility, spin and control. It has a manageable weight for improving intermediate players and a surprisingly forgiving feel for a 98-square-inch head size. Players looking to advance their game with a racquet that offers a blend of features and comfort should check it out. Don't miss our full review for more details.
How We Pick
Wonder how we choose best gear recommendations? We gather from our playtesters' firsthand experiences reviewing and playing with all the tennis gear. We form our lists based on their reviews and feedback. You can find all of our racquet reviews here.