Best Tennis Rackets for High School Players

Many players start practicing tennis in childhood but only during the high school period is when most start becoming serious about the game and consider a professional career. The journey to becoming a pro athlete is long and different for everyone, but for all, it starts with their first junior racket. If you are looking for one right now, take a look at our selection of the best tennis rackets for high school players.

In this guide, we will walk you through some of the best models on the markets from various types and brands. We also made sure to include everything you need to know regarding technical features that will help high scholars find their perfect fit that will help to elevate their skills, strategies, and game style. Let’s dive in!

Best Overall: Babolat Pure Drive
Best for Teenage Girl: Wilson Clash 100
Best Budget: Head Ti.S6
Best Wilson: Wilson Ultra 100
Best for Intermediate Players: Babolat Pure Strike 100
Best for Advanced Players: Yonex EZONE 98
Also Consider: Wilson Pro Staff 97

Best Tennis Rackets for High School Players Reviewed

To bring you the best tennis rackets for high school players, we spend a long time researching the market and testing many different options ourselves. All of the models featured in this list have different features and designs but, most importantly, are suitable for high scholars’ needs, which will help them be comfortable and safe from possible injuries on the court.

The Best Tennis Rackets for High School Players Options: Babolat Pure Drive

Photo: Amazon.com

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Groundstrokes

8.8

Volleys

8.5

Serves

8.8

Returns

8.5

Babolat Pure Drive is one of the most popular intermediate-level rackets and a great option for junior players. It fits all the criteria to be suitable for a high scholar due to its versatile frame and high level of comfort.

This Babolat racket has a great design and is loaded with high levels of power that you can tap easily into. It features a 100 sq. in, a massive sweet spot, and an open string pattern ideal for high school players. The new technological updates have enhanced the feel of the racket and integrated a vibration filter system to minimize the shock impact on the wrist, arm, and shoulder.

The racket works perfectly well all around the court, and backhand slices, in particular, are bliss. It delivers a great amount of spin and power; it’s very responsive and easy to maneuver. The racket’s high performance and effortless playability make the game fun, which is the whole purpose of tennis. Babolat Pure Drive is a great option for competitive junior players, too; that’s why we decided to feature it in the best overall category.

Product Specs

Weight: 11.2 oz / 318 g
Head size: 100 sq. in / 645.16 sq. cm
String pattern: 16 mains / 19 crosses

Pros

A great blend of power and spin
Massive sweet spot
Comfortable for the arm
Responsive frame

Cons

Slightly heavier weight than other models

See our review and playtest.

Get the Babolat Pure Drive (2021) on Amazon or at Do It Tennis.

The Best Tennis Rackets for High School Players Options: Wilson Clash 100

Photo: Amazon.com

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Groundstrokes

8.5

Volleys

8.6

Serves

8.5

Returns

8.6

Wilson Clash 100 is incredibly popular, and one of the best tennis rackets for a high school girl. Just to be clear, there is no such thing as a gender-based racket, but it’s better to make a choice by considering a girl player still developing her physique in her teenage years.

Wilson Clash 100 has a generous 100 sq. in head size that is loaded with explosive power. It is also lightweight and easy to maneuver, which is perfect for players with less body strength. This is a racket with a very responsive frame and is easy to connect to. It works well all around the court and has enough stability not to be pushed around.

It has a large sweet spot that is hard to miss and is very comfortable for the arm. It’s easy to add more depth with each shot, and flattened backhand slices, particularly, are a joy. It’s flexible, and the open string pattern gives the ball more dwell time, creating the trampoline effect, so the player will have more time to get back into position. The brand has also used new, groundbreaking technology to enhance the feeling and improve performance.

Product Specs

Weight: 10.9 oz / 310 g
Head size: 100 sq. in / 645.16 sq. cm
String pattern: 16 mains / 19 crosses

Pros

High levels of power
Very flexible frame
Comfortable for the arm
Eco-friendly materials

Cons

Expensive price

See our review and playtest.

Get the Wilson Clash 100 at Wilson’s Official Site, on Amazon or at Do It Tennis.

The Best Tennis Rackets for High School Players Options: HEAD Ti.S6

Photo: Amazon.com

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Groundstrokes

8.4

Volleys

8.3

Serves

8.3

Returns

8.3

Head Ti.S6 is one of the best tennis rackets for high school players that comes at an affordable price. It weighs only 9 ounces, making it incredibly lightweight and easy to maneuver. The racket features an oversized head of 115 sq. in, with an open string pattern and a massive sweet spot that is perfect for junior players. It has exploding high levels of power, and a very forgiving frame, that allows higher margin or errors.

However, this racket is unsuitable for intermediate junior players looking to compete in championships because it’s too light for them and lacks control. This was the only drawback we could find during the playtest, but other than that, Head Ti.S6 works wonders. It is a great choice for fresh beginners that want to learn the basics starting with short, compact, and powerful strokes.

It works well all around the court but truly excels at the baseline, where it’s incredibly easy to weaponize. It will last you for a long time and probably accompany you during the whole high school years because it is made with very durable materials.

Product Specs

Weight: 9 oz / 254 g
Head size: 115 sq. in / 741 sq. cm
String pattern: 16 mains / 19 crosses

Pros

Best budget
Hight levels of power
Lightweight
Comfortable and forgiving

Cons

Too light for intermediate junior players

See our review and playtest.

Get the Head Titanium Ti.S6 on Amazon or at Do It Tennis.

The Best Tennis Rackets for High School Players Options: Wilson Ultra 100

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Groundstrokes

8.5

Volleys

8.6

Serves

8.5

Returns

8.6

Wilson is one of the most well-known tennis brands with a variety of high-performance rackets, so it only makes sense if you want to purchase one from them to ensure maximum quality. They have some of the best tennis rackets for high school players, but our top favorite is Wilson Ultra 100.

This racket is lightweight and features a 100 sq. in head with an open string pattern. It classifies as a twinner and generates an amazing blend of high power and spin. It also offers torsional stability due to the integrated perimeter weighting system that increases the frame’s volume without compressing the large sweet spot.

The brand has used new technology to enhance power and touch and prevent the frame from bending. This is a very comfortable racket that allows a higher margin of error. It’s flexible too and provides more dwell time for the ball in the stringbed to create the trampoline effect. It offers high performance and playbility, amazing features, and impressive technological updates, so you can’t go wrong with Wilson Ultra 100.

Product Specs

Weight: 11.2 oz / 317 g
Head size: 100 sq. in / 645.16 sq. cm
String pattern: 16 mains / 19 crosses

Pros

Generate power and spin
Enhanced stability
Comfortable for the arm
It prevents the frame from bending

Cons

Expensive price

See our review and playtest.

Get the Wilson Clash 100 at Wilson’s Official Site, on Amazon or at Do It Tennis.

The Best Tennis Rackets for High School Players Options: Babolat Pure Strike 100

Photo: Amazon.com

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Groundstrokes

8.5

Volleys

8.4

Serves

8.4

Returns

8.5

Babolat Pure Strike 100 is one of the best intermediate-level tennis rackets and can also be a very good racket for high school tennis players. The third generation of the iconic Pure Strike line has some amazing technological updates and a great design. This racket delivers moderate power levels and good spin and is very precise, helping the player to hit the targets every time.

The blend of speed, control, and stability is impressive, and it can be of great use for competitive junior players that are getting more serious with the game. This Babolat racket has a crispy, nice feeling and performs great in all court areas. It provides long, powerful swings and allows the player to add more depth with each shot and hit even the most difficult angles.

It’s easy to keep pace and get in offensive mode while the racket filters harsh vibrations and minimizes shock at impact. Babolat Pure Strike 100 is a great option for competitive junior players who have already mastered basic skills and techniques.

Product Specs

Weight: 11.1oz / 315g
Head size: 100 sq. in / 645.16 sq. cm
String pattern: 16 mains / 19 crosses

Pros

Best for intermediate players
Versatile and flexible frame
Precision
Filters out harsh vibrations

Cons

Moderate power levels

See our review and playtest.

Get the Babolat Pure Strike 100 on Amazon or at Do It Tennis.

The Best Tennis Rackets for High School Players Options: Yonex EZONE 98

Photo: Amazon.com

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Groundstrokes

8.5

Volleys

8.6

Serves

8.5

Returns

8.6

We decided to feature Yonex Ezone 98 as a recommendation for advanced junior players that are looking for a more professional racket without compromising comfort. This Yonex tennis racket has a slightly smaller head size compared to other models in this list but still fits all the criteria to classify it as one of the best tennis rackets for high school players.

This racket offers a great blend of different characters, making it very easy to play with and a good fit for a wide range of different game-style players. The new thicker shaft has improved stability, while the power levels are impressive. It also delivers easy spin, speed, and control. The frame is well dampened and does a great job at filtering out harsh vibrations, making the racket comfortable to play with.

It has a nice, plush feel when it comes to contact with the ball, and the frame allows a decent dwell time. The beam is slightly larger, which helps the junior player to be more precise with the shots.

Product Specs

Weight: 11.3oz / 320g.
Head size: 98 sq. in / 632.26 sq. cm
String pattern: 16 mains / 19 crosses

Pros

Comfortable for the arm
Controllable power
Enhanced stability
Spin and speed

Cons

None, this racket it’s great

See our review and playtest.

Get the Yonex EZONE 98 on Amazon or at Do It Tennis.

The Best Tennis Rackets for High School Players Options: Wilson Pro Staff 97

Photo: Amazon.com

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Groundstrokes

8.7

Volleys

8.8

Serves

8.6

Returns

8.9

You want to also consider Wilson Pro Staff 97 as a great option for high school players that compete in championships. This racket has a 97-inch head that still provides a decent amount of easy power and has an open string pattern. It is also very forgiving for the off-center shots, features a nice sweet spot, and is easy to use. This Wilson tennis racket provides excellent spin and maneuverability. It works well all around the court, especially in the baseline.

Those junior players who dream of being one day as successful as Roger Federer will be happy to know that this model it’s just a lighter version of the tennis star’s signature racket. Similarly, the brand has used new technology to enhance feeling and control. This is a very comfortable racket, with easy playability and amazing design, that you don’t want to miss.

Product Specs

Weight: 11.6 oz / 328g
Head size: 97 sq. in / 625 sq. cm
String pattern: 16 mains / 19 crosses

Pros

Easy playbility
Comfortable for the arm
A great blend of spin and stability
Enhanced feel and control

Cons

It doesn’t provide high levels of power

See our review and playtest.

Get the Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 at Wilson’s Official Site, on Amazon or at Do It Tennis.

The Best Tennis Rackets for High School Players Options

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Tennis Rackets for High School Players

Picking up the best tennis rackets for high school players it’s not an easy task. Junior players are not to be mistaken for beginners because they already have developed their basic skills, strategies, and style. The racket attributes can make or break their game development journey. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing the right racket for a high schooler.

Weight

Weight is always an indicator factor in determining the racket type. As you might already know, there are three main types;

Control rackets are the heaviest and deliver heavy spin, control, and stability.
Twinner rackets are in the mid-range of weight and deliver a blend of power, speed, spin, control, and stability; all of these are often at average levels.
Power rackets are lighter and deliver high levels of power.

The best options for junior players are twinners or power rackets.

Twinners are a great option for those high school students that are already at intermediate levels and have control over their shots. These rackets deliver easy power and decent spin, which will help the player practice more in all areas of the court, whether in the baseline or closer to the net.

Power rackets can be a great option, too, if you are still learning the basics of the game. It’s totally normal for high school players to have smaller physiques and less physical strength, so they need to rely on a racket that provides a high level of easy power, is lightweight, and is easy to maneuver. Keep in mind that you are still in a growing process, and it might take years to fully develop your body strength, depending on your age and genetics. Stick with a power racket for as long as you need to because it will help you perform better and reduce the risk of injury.

With very few and rare exceptions, high schoolers should stay away from control rackets. These are mostly suited for advanced or professional players and are quite hard to control if you don’t have the right skills, years of practice, and physical strength. You might get yourself hurt, too, because the shock impact with control rackets is greater, which can lead to a wrist, arm, or shoulder injury.

Head Size

The racket head size is always stated in the racket’s specifications, and you must pay close attention to it because it directly impacts performance. Just like with the weight, the head size differs depending on the racket’s type.

Small head-size rackets are those below 100 square inches that generate heavy spin.
Mid-head size rackets usually are 100 square inches and generate an average amount of power and spin.
Oversized head rackets are those above 100 square inches that provide high levels of power.

Whether you choose power or spin, this always comes down to personal preferences. However, the best tennis rackets for high school players are those with middle-sized or oversized heads.

Twinner rackets feature a mid-head size that blends a few key elements that help junior players practice and master their skills. These rackets deliver easy power, spin, speed, control, and stability. They have a nice sweet spot and are quite comfortable for the arm. You’ll be able to able to elevate your game while still being very comfortable on the court.

Oversized head rackets are also good options for junior players who have moved on to an intermediate level or don’t have much physical strength. Power rackets are those that feature a bigger head size, that also have a massive sweet spot, and larger hitting areas. They produce a lot of power and are extremely comfortable.

Small head-size rackets are not a good idea for players in high school; they are better suited for highly advanced levels. These rackets have smaller hitting areas and, as a result, smaller sweet spots. They are less forgiving, allowing a higher margin of error and pass the harsh vibration on the arm the moment you miss that sweet spot.

String Pattern

The tennis racket string pattern is another important factor to look up to when choosing the best tennis rackets for high school players. Please, don’t underestimate this because it directly impacts your racket’s performance, just as the weight or head size does.

The best option for a junior player is an open string pattern of 16×19 or 16×18.

Open string patterns are the most popular nowadays and are frequently used in most rackets. It offers many advantages such as increased power and spin and enhances the feel at contact. The players can effortlessly add more depth with each shot, and go for full, powerful swings. An open string pattern creates the trampoline effects because the ball tends to take more dwell time on the stringbed. It’s more comfortable for the arm, more forgiving, and allows a higher margin of error.

On a side note, an open string pattern is prone to lose string tension sooner and does cut down on spin. Regardless of the downsides, it is still a wiser choice for high school players than a dense string pattern, which has a firm feeling, is low-powered, and less forgiving.

How We Chose the Best Tennis Rackets for High School Players

When choosing the best tennis rackets for high school players, we made sure to dive deep into market research and spend a long time playtesting and reviewing different models. Our goal was to narrow down options for junior players, with their safety and comfortability as a top priority. We based our selection on a few key technical elements, such as weight, head size, string pattern, and technological updates. All the rackets that made it to our list have high performance, a blend of different features, easy playability, and are comfortable for the arm.

Our Verdict

In this list, we featured only the best tennis rackets for high school players, but if we had to pick a top favorite would be Babolat Pure Drive, which checks all the right boxes. This is a high-performance racket with a massive sweet spot, flexible and comfortable to the arm.

As the best tennis racket for a teenage girl, we would rate Wilson Clash 100. This racket has a fantastic design, is very flexible and comfortable, and delivers a great amount of power and spin.

FAQs

Selecting the ideal tennis racket for high school players can be challenging due to the various options. Knowing the suitable features for a young player’s style is crucial. Here, we address common questions about these rackets to assist you in making an informed choice.

Q: What size racket for a 13 year old boy?

For a 13-year-old boy or girl, the size of the racket is key–too small and it won’t generate enough power during swings; too big and it will be difficult to control. We recommend a racket between 26 and 27 inches in length as this offers the greatest balance between power generation and accuracy control.

If the child is very short or has just begun playing tennis, then consider buying a shorter-length racket (26″ or less). This will make learning new strokes easier as it’s lighter in weight and requires less effort to ensure accuracy during play. On the other hand, if your child is advanced at tennis or taller than average then opt for longer rackets (26″ – 27″).

Q: Can adults play with junior rackets?

No, adults should not play with junior rackets. While it may be tempting to think that junior rackets are smaller and easier to maneuver, their construction is not designed for adults’ power and strength. Junior tennis rackets typically have lighter frames than full-size ones, which makes them more appropriate for younger players who lack the muscle force of mature athletes. Additionally, the smaller heads on junior rackets do not provide enough power for adult players looking to develop or maintain their skills – instead of providing a useful advantage, they can actually make playing more difficult.

In most cases, taking up tennis with a junior racket puts adults at an immediate disadvantage: Poor shots due to inadequate control can easily lead to injuries such as wrist sprains or joint pain from repetitive strain in elbows and shoulders. In addition, using too light equipment can also result in deformities that could disappointingly limit your progress in the sport over time.

Q: What does L3 mean in tennis rackets?

L3 is a tennis racket grip size designation that stands for “Large 3”. This is the most common grip size used by recreational players and is equivalent to US Grip Size 4 3/8 inches. It’s one of the five sizes in the L0, L1, L2, L3 and L4 range; each size increasing in circumference incrementally.