Overview
Whether you are just starting out your tennis journey or playing high-level tournaments, having gear that boosts your game should be your priority. Shopping for racquets can be overwhelming, so that is why I have curated the 2023 Top 5 Spin Tennis Racquets. 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.
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Top 5 Spin Racquets
The Top Choice
The Babolat Pure Aero is one of the best-selling racquets on the market and for good reason. It has been backed by Rafael Nadal for years as well as Caroline Wozniacki, now the face of the racquet is arguably Carlos Alcaraz. The Pure Aero does so many things well, outside of the obvious ridiculous spin it generates, it has awesome power and feel making it very well-rounded. As you would expect drop shots are so fun with this stick, the touch was noticeably better on this racquet compared to the others.
You can comfortably swing fast and full to create heavy deep balls whilst attacking from the baseline. Moving forward is no issue as well and the racquet moves quite well up at the net securing firm volleys. There are not any downsides to this racquet, I recommend the Babolat Pure Aero be used by beginners to advanced.
The Babolat Pure Aero comes in four different versions, as well as two Rafa special editions.
Babolat Pure Aero, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 11.2 Oz Strung - Price: $259
Babolat Pure Aero Plus, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 11.3 Oz Strung - Length: 27.5 in Extended - Price: $259
Babolat Pure Aero Lite, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 10.1 Oz Strung - Price: $219
Babolat Pure Aero Team, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 10.7 Oz Strung - Price: $239
Babolat Pure Aero Rafa, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 10.8 Oz Strung - Price: $299
Babolat Pure Aero Rafa, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 11.8 Oz Strung Price: $329
A Strong Second
The hottest racquet out right now would probably be the Yonex VCORE, this is the VCORE's seventh generation, and it's the best version yet! The current list of pro players is quite long, Elena Rybakina, Caroline Garcia, Denis Shapovalov, and Tommy Paul. The spin comes more into play on the slice in my opinion with the VCORE, no racquet bites the ball like the VCORE on the slice serve or slice backhand. I felt the best at the net with the VCORE as the stability stood out to me, this may be thanks to the ISOMETRIC head shape.
Again like its strongest competition the Babolat Pure Aero, this racquet does so many things well that it would come down to feel for most people. I do not think it is quite as user-friendly hence the slightly lower score. With everything said I recommend that intermediate to advanced players use the Yonex VCORE.
The Yonex VCORE comes in four different versions along with one entry-level pre-strung version.
Yonex VCORE 95, Head size: 95sq in - Weight: 11.5 Oz Strung - Price: $259
Yonex VCORE 98, Head size: 98sq in - Weight: 11.3 Oz Strung - Price: $259
Yonex VCORE 100, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 11.3 Oz Strung - Price: $259
Yonex VCORE 100L, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 10.5 Oz Strung - Price: $259
Yonex VCORE Ace Pre-strung, Head Size: 100sq in - Weight: 9.7 Oz Strung - Price: $109
A Surprise in Third
The Dunlop SX surprised me so much so that it ended up finding its way into the number three spot ahead of two premium brands. Unlike the top two racquets the Dunlop SX is not a popularized racquet, there are only two pros in the top 100 using this spin stick, Michael Mmoh and Miomir Kecmanovic. This stick spins and spins and spins and did I mention that it spins? Just effortless power and spin as the SX really has a secure connection point when striking the ball. I did feel where it may not be as enticing as the top two was the lack of feel I was getting on touch shots. Most people knock the stability on this racquet where as I did not notice it to be a problem as much as I thought it was actually a pro!
Coming in at a lower price of $199 is ridiculous for this quality stick. If you are balling on a budget there is no better choice, I would still check the SX out even if money isn't a concern as it will definitely fit someones wants for the game as it plays very uniquely. If you are beginner to advanced this racquet will be a great option.
The Dunlop SX comes in six different versions along with two entry level pre-strung versions.
Dunlop SX 300 LE, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 11.2 Oz Strung - Price: $199
Dunlop SX 300, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 11.2 Oz Strung - Price: $199
Dunlop SX 300 Tour, Head size: 98sq in - Weight: 11.5 Oz Strung - Price: $199
Dunlop SX 300 Lite, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 10.1 Oz Strung - Price: $199
Dunlop SX 300 LS, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 10.7 Oz Strung - Price: $199
Dunlop SX 600, Head size: 105sq in - Weight: 10.1 Oz Strung - Length: 27.25 in Extended - Price: $199
Dunlop SX Team 260 Pre-strung, Head size: 105sq in - Weight: 9.9 Oz Strung - Price: $119
Dunlop SX Team 280 Pre-strung,, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 10.6 Oz Strung - Price: $119
The Fantastic Fourth
The coolest-looking Wilson stick the Wilson Shift v1 is officially out after a long time in Wilson Labs. If you have not had the chance to hit with this pearly stick yet I think it will fit most modern players. It has a solid combination of Power, Spin, and Control. Spraying the ball is not going to be an issue with this stick as it's built to keep the ball down in the court. I feel of all the racquets reviewed in this list, you can hit the flattest with the shift. There are currently no pros that I have found that use this racquet.
My biggest gripe with this racquet's off-center hits, I felt it lacked some stability at times and I would shank it if I didn't catch it cleanly. The thing that separates the Shift from the pack is the 16x20 string pattern in the 99 v1 or 18x20 string pattern in the 99 Pro v1 just an additional string to increase control. If you are an intermediate to advanced player this will be a good option for a balanced racquet with great spin potential.
The Wilson Shift comes in three different versions along with two Wilson Labs versions.
Wilson Shift 99 v1, Head size: 99sq in - Weight: 11.2 Oz Strung - Price: $269
Wilson Shift 99 Pro v1, Head size: 99sq in - Weight: 11.7 Oz Strung - Price: $269
Wilson Shift 99L v1, Head size: 99sq in - Weight: 10.6 Oz Strung - Price: $249
Wilson Shift 99 (300) W Labs, Head size: 99sq in - Weight: 11.1 Oz Strung - Price: $269
Wilson Shift 99 (315) W Labs, Head size: 99sq in - Weight: 11.6 Oz Strung - Price: $269
Last but Not Least
Keep in mind that as the Head Extreme has found itself in the number 5 position on this list, it is still a fantastic stick. Used by high credential pros like Barbora Krejcikova, Matteo Berretini, Alexander Davidovich Fokina, and Richard Gasquet. Serious spin generation is no issue with the Extreme, find power and solid connection in the center of the frame due to the Auxetic construction as well. Fast long swings will love taking full cuts at the ball with this twister of a racquet. The more I hit with this stick the more I enjoyed it, especially from the baseline.
I didn't feel super comfortable at the net with this racquet as when the balls were flying fast the stability was solid but not great. Where the Extreme stood out to me was the serve, kicking and slicing with this thing is a breeze. If you are an intermediate to advanced player this racquet will be a must-try.
The Head Extreme comes in four different versions.
Head Extreme Tour, Head size: 98sq in - Weight: 11.4 Oz Strung - Price: $269
Head Extreme MP, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 11.2 Oz Strung - Price: $259
Head Extreme Team, Head size: 100sq in - Weight: 10.3 Oz Strung - Price: $239
Head Extreme Team L, Head size: 105sq in - Weight: 9.9 Oz Strung - Price: $229
Final Thoughts
There are so many options when it comes to picking a racquet and I can't stress enough that demoing them for a minimum of two hitting sessions is a necessity. If spin is a part of your game you want to enhance, look no further than these options as this is the best of the best. Check out the 2023 Top Spin Tennis Racquets with the try before you buy with Tennis-Point's Tennis Racquet Demo Program, Delivering the racquets you want to your doorstep. Fast and simple. 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. Get spinning!
*Prices based on MSRP