Best Tennis Racquets for Comfort

We all agree hitting a yellow fuzzy ball is so addicting, and nothing beats a sunny outdoor session on your quest for perfection. However, perfection follows repetition, and the more you play, the more you’re prone to injuries. The most common form of injury on the court is tennis elbow, the infamous tendinitis players try to escape. Changing equipment can help, and we want to be part of the equation to help you solve the problem. We’re guiding you through the process of saving your arm with the following list of the best arm-friendly racquets. We also would encourage you to think about your strings and recommend softer options like multifilaments and natural gut.

LEARN MORE: BEST COMFORT STRINGS

Best Arm-Friendly Racquets

Head Prestige Pro 2021

Ability level: Advanced
Bottom line: This update is called the Prestige Pro, and it packs the same surgical 18x20 string pattern and sublime feel that has long defined this classic racquet. It also combines a hefty strung weight with a sub-330 swingweight, giving it a seductive blend of speed and stability. According to our playtesters, this update captures the outstanding ball feedback and precision of previous generations, but offers slightly easier access to depth, making it a tad more user-friendly.

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Yonex VCORE Pro 97D

Volkl C10 Pro

Ability level: Advanced
Bottom line: A classic racquet, the C10 Pro has lasted the test of time. In addition to its impressive plow-through and surgical precision, the C10 Pro packs a thin 20mm beam and 64RA flex, giving it better ball feedback than you'll get from a stiffer, more modern player's racquet. Advanced players will find enough mass for absorbing and redirecting the pace of big hitters, and there is impressive power available to those who can swing this stick fast.

Yonex EZONE 98

Ability level: Intermediate to advanced
Bottom line: Although this racquet doesn’t have the ultra plush feel of a heavy player’s racquet, it offers impressive comfort for a lighter racquet. In addition to a large sweetspot, what separates the EZONE 98 from the competition is its user-friendly blend of speed, spin and power. Rising intermediates looking for the pop of a modern player’s racquet minus the stiff feel should give this stick a test drive.

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Prince Phantom O3 100X

Ability level: Intermediate to advanced
Bottom line: The entire Prince Phantom line is quite flexible and plush, and with the addition of the O3 technology, the Phantom O3 100X has a smooth, arm-friendly response. The O3 technology refers to the large holes, or ports, on the sides of the frame that allow the strings to move more than a traditional grommet. This racquet delivers plenty of spin and loads of comfort.

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Head Gravity Tour 2021

Ability level: Intermediate to advanced
Bottom line: Sporting a new cosmetic for 2021, the Gravity Tour keeps its focus on control and outstanding feel. This racquet has a flexible feel that results in good feedback at impact. There's plenty of control with its tighter 18x20 string pattern, and this racquet excels on flatter shots. Intermediate to advanced players looking for classic control and feel in a faster-swinging package will want to check out this racquet.

Wilson Clash 100

Ability level: Beginner to intermediate
Bottom line: At 11 ounces strung and boasting a low 312-RDC swingweight, this stick is ideal for the intermediate player who wants ultra easy acceleration. What makes the Clash special is what lies under the hood. This racquet has one of the lowest and most arm-friendly flex points on the market, giving it impressive levels of pocketing, control and touch. According to Wilson, the flexible feel is achieved with the help of two innovative material technologies, FreeFlex and StableSmart, both of which help deliver the benefits of flexibility without compromising the crisp and solid feel that marks the best modern player's racquets.

Dunlop CX 200 OS

Ability level: Beginner to intermediate
Bottom line: With the 2021 update to the CX line, Dunlop adds an oversize into the lineup. The CX line is known for its control, but with an 105-square-inch head size, this CX 200 OS offers a bit more easy power than the other racquets in the series. Still, the line's heritage is present, so advancing beginners to intermediate players who want more precision and feel should take a look at this racquet.

Prince 03 Legacy 100

Ability level: Beginner to intermediate
Bottom line: Like its predecessor, the Textreme Premier 110, this racquet's oversize head delivers a plush and powerful hitting experience. It also has an extended length, giving it extra momentum on groundies and serves. In addition to being suitable for beginners, The O3 Legacy 110 should also work well for the doubles specialist who wants a powerful serving racquet with big put-away power at net. For this update, Prince adds an AntiTorque System (for more stability) along with its time-tested O3 Technology, which is a grommetless construction that virtually eliminates harsh vibrations.

Yonex Astrel 105

Ability level: Beginner to intermediate
Bottom line: Yonex updates the Astrel 105 with some new technologies, but keeps the user-friendly combination of speed, comfort and power. At under 10 ounces this racquet delivers impressive ease of use, making it ideal for beginners. However, it should also work well for the early intermediate player or savvy doubles specialist in the market for maximum maneuverability. Like the previous generation, this racquet is built to deliver arm-friendly comfort and very easy power.

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CHECK OUR COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR BEST TENNIS RACQUETS