It’s early 2021 and we are rounding up the best tennis racquets of 2020. The market for tennis racquets has never been so competitive. In my opinion, racquets are better now than they have EVER been. Today, we are looking at the best POWER racquets available today.

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Power Racquets for Beginners (NRTP 2.0-3.0)

Head 360+ Instinct PWR and Extreme PWR

The Instinct and Extreme PWR’s are twin power racquets. The beam designs appear identical to my eye, meaning the main difference here is paint. Coming in at an ultra light 230g unstrung, these racquet pack the best power to weight ratio available today. The string pattern opens up towards the tip, in a fan-like shape. This maximizes power and spin while you are on the stretch. The extended, 27.7 inch length and oversize 110 square-inch head enhances leverage and forgiveness on every shot. These specs are especially important for the two most crucial shots in tennis, serve and return. Guess who else uses an oversize, extended length racquet? Women’s singles GOAT Serena Williams.

Stringing Recommendations for Beginners:

For Power: Tecnifibre NRG2 17 @ 50lbs

For Spin: Head Velocity MLT 17 @ 52lbs

For Control: Head Velocity MLT 17 @ 55lbs

For Durability: Head PPS 16 @ 51lbs

For Feel: Tecnifibre X-One BiPhase 17 @ 53lbs

Power Racquets for Intermediates (NRTP 3.5-4.0)

2021 Babolat Pure Drive

The Babolat Pure Drive has been the poster child for power racquets since its inception in the 1990’s. The Pure Drive is one of tennis’s longest lasting and most successful racquet lines. I’d argue it’s the most important graphite racquet of all time, as it completely changed the trajectory of the tennis racquet industry. The 2021 update features the same immense power and spin we’ve grown to love, while improving feel over previous versions. This is the most stable and solid feeling Pure Drive. EVER. Did I mention this racquet has won slams in the hands of Andy Roddick, Kim Clijsters and Garbine Mugaruza?

2. Wilson Ultra 100 v3

The Wilson Ultra 100 v3 was one of my biggest surprises of 2020. I legit HATED the v2 version of this racquet. I found this racquet to have a shocking amount of control, considering the massive power. The string pattern is significantly denser than most of the power-oriented 100 square inch racquets. Since the 2018 Babolat Pure Drive opened up the string pattern, it has been nearly impossible to find a power racquet with a controllable, consistent launch angle. Spin is decent, maneuverability is average and stability is top tier. In my opinion, this is the best racquet Wilson currently makes. A wide range of playing styles and abilities should be able to take advantage of its sensational stability, impressive power and consistent controllability.

Stringing Recommendations for Intermediates:

For Power: Tecnifibre NRG2 17 @ 53lbs

For Spin: Solinco Tour Bite 17/ Head Velocity MLT 17 @ 52lbs

For Control: Babolat RPM Power 17 @ 55lbs

For Durability: Head Lynx Tour 16 @ 51lbs

For Feel: Yonex Poly Tour Pro 16L/Tecnifibre X-One BiPhase 17 @ 53/55lbs

Power racquets for advanced players (NRTP 4.5+)

Babolat Pure Strike Tour

The Babolat Pure Strike Tour takes advantage of an efficient beam design, healthy swing weight and beefy static weight to deliver punishing balls to big hitters. It stands up to heavy balls with ease, using that 336 swingweight to return a metric ton of energy back into the ball. This is one of my favourite racquets to return with. It is just maneuverable enough to get into position, allowing you to deliver massive returns deep into your opponent’s feet. This racquet is truly a baseline basher’s dream. I thought Babolat’s RPM Power paired exceptionally well with this frame. The Pure Strike Tour features an extremely open string pattern, which can lead to some erratic launch angles. RPM Power totally tames the stringbed and softens up the feel to those daring enough to take a full swing with this absolute rocket launcher.

2. Wilson Prostaff RF 97 Autograph

While frequently marketed as a pure control racquet, its thin beam and sleek black paint hide one of the most dangerous nuclear bombs on the market. It has a high 68 RA stiffness and juicy 333 swingweight. The weight is distributed throughout the hoop, meaning the RF97 crunches balls with the unwavering ferocity of a sledgehammer. Every time I was set up properly for a groundstroke, I felt confident that I would instantly blow my opponent off the court. Volleys feel crisp and direct, as the sheer mass of the RF97 punches harder, and more reliably, than Uma Thurman in a coffin. If you have the inhuman strength to wield this Wilson Warhammer (I don’t), you’ll be rewarded with the most stable, powerful, plow-throughy responses available in 2021.

Stringing Recommendations for Advanced Players:

For Power: Tecnifibre NRG2 17 @ 57lbs (You must be crazy)

For Spin: Solinco Tour Bite 17 @ 53lbs

For Control: Babolat RPM Power 17 @ 55lbs

For Durability: Solinco Tourbite 16 @ 51lbs

For Feel: Babolat VS Touch 16 Natural Gut/Luxilon ALU Big Banger Rough @ 55/53lbs

Competitive Juniors (under 16)

But I’m a 3.5 and I want to play like Roger!

It should be noted than any advanced player should be comfortable using either the Pure Drive or the Ultra 100 as their weapon of choice, however, it may be advisable to customize the frame with lead. Intermediate players may choose to dabble with the RF97 or the Strike Tour, however watch out, as frames with high stiffness and static weight can lead to injury, especially when proper technique is not present.

Adult beginners with more athletic body types and lifestyles should feel comfortable moving to a racquet more suitable to intermediate players. All off the racquets mentioned about are available in different weights. Demo a few different weights to see what feels comfortable to you! I recommend choosing the heaviest weight you feel comfortable swinging over the period of time you usually play. If you usually play for 2 hours, your racquet shouldn’t tire you out until the very end of the session.

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What’s you favourite power racquet of 2020?

Comment BELOW!

Article by: Beckett Chung, ex-USRSA Master Racquet Technician and Member of the Tennisnerd Facebook Group

2021 Best Power Racquets for all levels