Overview
Control racquets, while they are favored by many of the pros on the ATP and WTA circuits, can also be beneficial if used by recreational or tournament juniors. This list has been curated with my personal choices for the 2023 Top 5 Control Tennis Racquets. Reminder these racquets are listed in order of my rankings based on my own personal scores, please note that my number 5 on this list could be your number 1. For instance my own personal racquet of choice happens to be listed as number 3 on this list.
Thanks to Tennis-Point for letting me demo these racquets so I could formulate this list for you!
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Top 5 Control Racquets
The Top Choice
The Wilson Blade v8 is without a doubt the most popular control racquet. Now on its 8th generation, the Blade has seen play from some of the ATP and WTA tours best, most notably used by Serena Williams, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Aryna Sabelenka and Madison Keys. The Wilson Blade v8 possesses top tier control alongside superb touch that is unmatched in this category. Though I don't score the playability, it is friendly enough that I would recommend to most players who are looking for some added control.
Pair the Blade with a spin friendly string like Luxilon ALU Power Rough and you will find you can do pretty much anything on the court exceptionally well with this racquet. I found this racquet to be super stable thanks to its direct connect butt-cap that creates a secure feel throughout the whole racquet. I found no glaring issues with the Wilson Blade v8 and I recommend it to Beginners to Advanced.
The Wilson Blade v8 comes in five different versions.
Wilson Blade v8, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 11.2 Oz Strung - Price: $249
Wilson Blade 98 v8 (16x19), Head size: 98sq in - Weight: 11.3 Oz Strung - Price: $249
Wilson Blade 98 v8 (18x20), Head size: 98sq in - Weight: 11.6 Oz Strung - Price: $249 (Offered in multiple color ways)
Wilson Blade 100L v8, Head Size: 100sq in - Weight: 10.7 Oz Strung - Price: $229
Wilson Blade 104 v8, Head Size: 104sq in - Weight: 11.0 Oz Strung - Price: $249 (Extended Length 27.5in)
The Favorite of a Goat
The new Head Speed 2023 has gone into dark mode. This cosmetic update plays exactly the same that the 2022 version does, super fast. The Head Speed is optimized for full fast swings, solid power and champion level control. Play like a GOAT, Endorsed by Novak Djokovic as well as used by young talents like Jannik Sinner and Bianca Andresscu. At impact this racquet has a clean plush impact that helps you gain control by redirecting the point. I would argue that this racquet is built more for the experienced user.
If you feel you are in need of a control frame but still want to feel like you can crack the ball this frame is a great option. I do not think it is going to be as user friendly as others on this list and it requires a fast swing to utilize its attributes. The Head Speed 2023 should be used by intermediate to advanced players.
The Head Speed 2023 comes in two different versions, along with two 2022 versions and two pre-strung entry level versions. Expect the 2023 versions to soon replace the 2022 ones.
Head Speed Pro 2023, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 11.3 Oz Strung - Price: $269
Head Speed MP 2023, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 11.0 Oz Strung - Price: $259
Head Speed Team 2022, Head Size: 100sq in - Weight: 10.7 Oz Strung - Price: $239 (On Sale $119)
Head Speed Team L 2022, Head Size: 100sq in - Weight: 9.9 Oz Strung - Price: $229 (On Sale $119)
Head Graphene XT Speed MP Pre-strung, Head Size: 100sq in - Weight: 11.2 Oz pre-strung - Price: $189 (On Sale $99)
Head Graphene XT Speed S Pre-strung, Head Size: 100sq in - Weight: 10.7 Oz pre-strung - Price: $179 (On Sale $99)
Great Blend of it All
One of the racquets that have gained quite a bit of steam over the last year or two is the Tecnifibre TFight ISO. This is my personal racquet of choice, it offers a blend of all the attributes when compared to the other control racquets. If I had one word to describe the Tfight it would be redirection. This stick can just bully someones pace by absorbing it and pinpointing it back to a corner, The RS Section in the throat of the racquet is a unique blend that allows for the TFight to create spin, power and still control the ball. The other unique thing this racquet has is its string pattern, 18x19, meaning it has more two more strings going vertical then the usual racquet allowing for more control.
Used by grand slam champion Daniil Medvedev, and American fan favorite Chris Eubanks. Those players are two very different play styles and I think that speaks volumes to the versatility this racquet has available. If you are intermediate to advanced the Tecnifibre TFight ISO will be a great option to try out.
The Tecnifibre TFight ISO comes in six different versions.
Tecnifibre TFight ISO 315, Head size: 98sq in - Weight: 11.8 Oz Strung - Price: $249 (On sale for $186)
Tecnifibre TFight ISO 305 (18x19), Head size: 98sq in - Weight: 11.3 Oz Strung - Price: $249 (On sale for $186)
Tecnifibre TFight ISO 300, Head size: 98sq in - Weight: 11.3 Oz Strung - Price: $249 (On sale for $186)
Tecnifibre TFight ISO 295, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 11.0 Oz Strung - Price: $249 (On sale for $186)
Tecnifibre TFight ISO 280, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 10.6 Oz Strung - Price: $229 (On sale for $171)
Tecnifibre TFight ISO 270, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 10.2 Oz Strung - Price: $229 (On sale for $171)
Solid Performance
Another racquet to not overlook is the Babolat Pure Strike. This clean striking racquet is a fun one, you can play fast and powerful knowing you aren't going to sail balls to the fence. A big knock on this racquet and why its number 4 on this list when comparing it to the other control frames is the touch is noticeably not at same level. This racquet has a firmer feel than the others and thats why I say it comes down to personal feel. Where this racquet was better than the others though was spin generation which in turn helped its control.
Pair the Babolat Pure Strike with Babolat RPM Rough Strings and you will have one of the best looking racquets alongside one that has great control and spin. Find players like Anett Kontaveit and former US Open Champ Dominic Thiem. I would recommend that this racquet be used by beginners to advanced.
The Babolat Pure Strike comes in six different versions.
Babolat Pure Strike (16x19), Head size: 98sq in - Weight 11.4 Oz Strung - Price: $229 (On sale for $159)
Babolat Pure Strike (18x20), Head size: 98sq in - Weight 11.4 Oz Strung - Price: $229 (On sale for $159)
Babolat Pure Strike 100, Head size: 100sq in - Weight 11.2 Oz Strung - Price: $229 (On sale for $159)
Babolat Pure Strike 103, Head size: 103sq in - Weight 10.7 Oz Strung - Price: $219 (On sale for $149)
Babolat Pure Strike Tour, Head size: 98sq in - Weight 11.9 Oz Strung - Price: $239 (On sale for $159)
Babolat Pure Strike Team, Head size: 100sq in - Weight 10.7Oz Strung - Price: $229 (On sale for $149)
An Advanced Option
Wilson continues to improve on the 14th version of the Pro Staff. I have played with each of the last few versions and this is by far the best Pro Staff I have used, it is much more user friendly compared to its history. The sweet spot feels way bigger and I felt I didn't have to physically generate power as much as I used on previous generations. On top of this the X model comes in at 100 sq inches which adds another frame for a user friendly experience. Famously endorsed by Roger Federer, now used by Ons Jabeur, Petra Kvitova and Roberto Bautista Agut, all players that use finesse when they play.
If you are a high level player looking to add percision to your game you will love this stick as it really is unmatched in its pure control features, that said understand most of the power, spin and stability will need to come from you, the user. Definitely a racquet to revisit if you have tried in the past and didn't feel it gave enough, with the v14 I think its a different game, I recommend the Wilson Pro Staff v14 to intermediate to advanced players.
The Wilson Pro Staff v14 comes in five different versions along with one pre-strung model.
Wilson Pro Staff X v14, Head Size: 100sq in - Weight: 11.7 Oz Strung - Price: $279
Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14, Head Size: 97sq in - Weight: 11.7 Oz Strung - Price: $279 (Available in Noir Color way)
Wilson Pro Staff 97L v14, Head Size: 97sq in - Weight: 10.8 Oz Strung - Price: $259
Wilson Pro Staff 97UL v14, Head Size: 97sq in - Weight: 10.0 Oz Strung - Price: $259
Wilson Pro Staff Six.One 100 v14, Head Size: 100sq in - Weight: 11.4 Oz Strung - Price: $279
Wilson Pro Staff Team v14 Pre-Strung, Head Size: 100sq in - Weight: 9.9 Oz Strung - Price: $169
Final Thoughts
If you are looking to enhance the control in your tennis game I would look no further than these five racquets. Reminder that though the Wilson Blade v8 was my highest rated racquet, it may not be for you. Explore the 2023 Top Control Tennis Racquets with the try before you buy Tennis Racquet Demo Program at Tennis-Point's, delivering the racquets you want to your doorstep.
The program is available anywhere in the continental United States. Program Details: Try up to 3 racquets for $30. Receive a $25 rebate that can be applied to your first new racquet purchase of $149+. The cost includes delivery to your door and return shipping back to Tennis-Point.
*Prices based on MSRP