Every serious tennis player knows that control is everything when it comes to achieving the perfect shot.
Without control, you won’t be able to make subtle adjustments to your technique, and your shots will come out wild and inaccurate.
That’s why choosing the right racket is so important – and this article will cover the best tennis rackets for control.
Control is essentially the ability to place your shots accurately and with precision.
When you have good control, you can make small adjustments in the direction or depth of your shots that will help you stay ahead of your opponents.
The right racket will give you balance and consistency for optimum accuracy, allowing you to consistently hit net shots, drop shots, slices, and more. So, which racket is best for control? Here are our top picks:
Here Are My 8 Best Tennis Rackets for Control:
Wilson Pro Staff 97
The Wilson Pro Staff 97 has long been a favorite among control-minded players, and for a good reason.
At 12.5 ounces, it’s a heavy racket that gives you more power and stability than lighter models. Though it’s heavier, it still has a good balance, and you won’t feel weighed down when swinging.
The 16×19 string pattern also helps with control – the tighter strings offer more spin on your groundstrokes, helping you direct shots accurately across the court.
The Braid 45 construction further adds to this, as the tapered beam provides excellent control and accuracy, allowing you to hit shots with precision.
The Wilson Pro Staff 97 has a classic design that offers a comfortable grip in combination with the power and stability offered by its heavier frame.
This makes it ideal for players who want to make subtle adjustments to their technique while still having plenty of power behind their shots.
Pros
- Completely control-oriented design
- The tapered beam provides excellent accuracy and control
- A comfortable grip ensures a reliable feel
Cons
- The frame may be too heavy for some players
Babolat Pure Strike 18×20 3rd Gen
The 3rd Generation of the Babolat Pure Strike boasts a control-oriented design that makes it perfect for advanced players with aggressive playing styles.
The 18×20 string pattern is tighter than usual and offers excellent spin, allowing you to hit shots with greater precision.
The frame has been engineered for maximum stability, giving you more control over your shots.
The head shape also provides plenty of margin for error, allowing you to make subtle adjustments to the direction or depth of your shots without sacrificing accuracy.
The Babolat Pure Strike is an excellent racket for players who want maximum control and precision.
Its combination of laser-like accuracy, stability, and spin make it an excellent choice for control-minded players who want to take their game to the next level.
Pros
- Highly control-oriented design for advanced players
- The 18×20 string pattern offers excellent spin and precision
- An exceptionally stable frame ensures maximum accuracy
Cons
- Slightly suffers in maneuverability
Yonex Vcore Pro 97
A beast of a racket, the Yonex Vcore Pro 97 is an excellent choice for players who want to control the ball in every single shot.
With a weight of 11.6 ounces, it’s excellent and offers a great combination of control and power.
The Isometric head shape provides an excellent sweet spot, which helps to deliver pinpoint precision even from off-center shots.
The racket also has a very controlled feel due to the 16×19 string pattern, allowing you to make sure that every shot is exactly where you want it to be.
The Yonex Vcore Pro 97 is an excellent choice for experienced players who want to ensure they can control the ball’s trajectory in every shot.
Be it the 97 square-inch head size, the 7% larger sweet spot, or the softer flex, this racket will improve your game and give you an edge over your opponents.
Pros
- Great combination of control and power
- The isometric head shape provides an excellent sweet spot
- 7% larger sweet spot for improved accuracy
Cons
- Difficult to maneuver
Tecnifibre TF40 16×19
Tecnifibre doesn’t get nearly as much attention as the other brands in this list, but that doesn’t mean they are not producing some exceptional rackets.
The Tecnifibre TF40 16×19 is an excellent example of a control-focused racket that does more than deliver control and precision.
The TF40 16×19 is a slightly head-heavy racket at 11.2 ounces and offers good power levels.
Couple this with an open 16×19 string pattern, and you have a racket suitable for both those who like to generate their power and those who want to control the point from the baseline.
The racket features Tecnifibre’s RS Sharp Section geometry, which optimizes the frame’s flexibility upon impact and increases the sweet spot size.
The balance point also ensures the racket is easy to maneuver and delivers consistent performance shot after shot, making it great for those looking for a control-focused stick.
Pros
- Excellent maneuverability for control players
- Open 16×19 string pattern delivers good levels of power
- RS Sharp Section geometry increases sweet spot size
Cons
- Expensive
Yonex Vcore Pro 100
If the 97 square-inch head size of the Vcore Pro 97 wasn’t enough for you, then the Yonex Vcore Pro 100 is sure to be right up your alley.
This racket comes with a 100-square-inch head size, making it one of the biggest rackets on the market.
In addition to its large head size, this racket also features some excellent technologies that make it perfect for control-oriented players.
For example, the Isometric shape makes the sweet spot larger, giving you more reliable accuracy and control of your shots.
Whether you’re hitting groundstrokes or volleys, you’ll be able to make subtle adjustments easily.
The Vcore Pro 100 is also forgiving and easier to swing than its smaller counterparts, and its open string pattern allows for easy access to spin.
This will help you place your shots accurately and with precision.
Pros
- Large head size gives you greater control
- Isometric shape increases the size of the sweet spot
- Open string pattern provides easy access to spin
Cons
- Not the most impressive in terms of power
Head Prestige Pro
Advanced players who want a combination of control, spin, and power should check out the Head Prestige Pro.
The racket is constructed using Graphene 360+ technology, providing excellent levels of stability at impact while also allowing you to generate more spin without compromising on precision.
This 18×20 patterned frame has a 98-square-inch head and is an excellent choice for those who want to control the ball from the baseline.
Its 11.9-ounce weight makes it one of the heavier rackets on the list and provides some good plow-through for improved power.
The Prestige Pro also has a good level of maneuverability, making it great for players who like to mix up their shots and vary between offense and defense.
All in all, this racket is sure to provide you with excellent control and precision in your groundstrokes.
Pros
- Graphene 360+ technology provides stability and spin potential
- 18×20 string pattern for improved control and precision
- Good maneuverability for a heavier racket
Cons
- Not the most forgiving racket
Dunlop CX 200 Tour
Heavy-hitting tennis players looking for a racket that offers maximum control will love the Dunlop CX 200 Tour.
It’s an ideal choice for advanced players who want to smash aggressive shots without fear of mis-hitting.
The racket has 11.1 ounces of weight, but the frame is surprisingly aerodynamic, and you won’t feel sluggish when swinging it.
It also has more mass in its upper hoop, which gives great power and precision, perfect for those who want to hit hard from the baseline.
This racket is also ideal for those who need to hit accurate shots in tight situations.
Despite being relatively small, the frame has a stiffer flex, and its 95-square-inch head still offers a good level of control.
Pros
- Good power and precision for heavy hitters
- Aerodynamic frame for faster swings
- 95 square-inch head provides decent control
Cons
- Smaller head size may be too restrictive for some players
Head Radical MP
The best tennis racket should feel like an extension of your arm, and the Head Radical MP is designed to do just that.
This control-oriented player’s racket has a 98-square-inch head size, which provides plenty of power while still being small enough for precise shots.
The 16×19 string pattern helps you play with excellent spin potential, and the clean feel allows maximum control when hitting shots.
The racket also has a headlight balance, which gives you more stability and control of your strokes.
The Head Radical MP is ideal for players who want complete control over their shots and make subtle adjustments for maximum precision.
Despite weighing 10.6 ounces, the racket feels light in your hand and will help you confidently hit shots.
Pros
- Small head size for maximum control
- Head light balance offers more stability on strokes
- Excellent spin potential for precision shots
Cons
- Low error margin for beginner players
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re an advanced player or just starting, there is something for everyone on this list.
From the Wilson Pro Staff 97 to the Dunlop CX 200 Tour and everything in between, each racket has unique characteristics that make it suitable for different playing styles and skill levels.
Ultimately, choosing the right one comes down to personal preference, so take your time exploring these options before making a decision.
One Response
Hello tennisonflame.com owner, Thanks for the well-researched and well-written post!