Editor's Choices
Best All Around: Babolat Pure Strike 98
Originally known as the "Project One7" used by Austrian Dominic Thiem, who went from ranking as number 49 in 2015 and 20 in 2016 in singles, to number 8 in the world in 2017.
This racquet is specifically designed for players who want to combine speed and precision looking to make their game more aggressive.
The more open string pattern of the Babolat Pure Strike gives more power and the cross-section optimized on the head and the two sides of the throat make for greater impact stability and greater precision.
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Babolat's Pure AERO VS Tour and the Pure Strike 100 were honorable mentions after this best all-around Tennis mag favorite.Most User-Friendly: HEAD Graphene Touch Speed S
HEAD started to re-engineer Graphene, the world's strongest yet lightest material, and added a unique shock-absorbing material to the frame construction. The result is less shock thanks to faster vibration reduction after ball impact an unparalleled touch providing even more wow moments.
The HEAD Graphene Touch Speed S is updated from its previous model but has a thicker constant beam, more flex and head light balance, along with the vibration dampening qualities of Graphene Touch.
One tester summed it up by saying "All the benefits of a lighter frame, but with the feel of something closer to the 11oz. models."
The Honorable HEAD mentions are the Graphene Touch Instinct MP, Graphene Touch Instinct S and Graphene Touch Speed MP
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TENNIS magazine's additional mentions
From Dunlop we have the Precision 98 Tour and the Precision 100.
The Precision racquet line marks a return to Dunlop's roots of control-oriented player's frames. The extra weight-the heaviest in the Precision family-and dense string patterns of the Dunlop Precision 98 Tour, makes it the most precise to hit with.
The Precision 100, gives great success with attacking the ball with aggressive topspin drives that shape tight rollers, slices and winning lobs. The 100 also showed better-than-expected prowess when serving.
Shop Dunlop Precision
Volkl knocks some SENSE into you this year with its V-Sense line, including TENNIS mag's favorites: the V-Sense 10 (295G) and V-Sense 10 (325G).
The 295G is a breeze to handle and deadly accurate. It feels right at home in the hands of a steady, crafty all-courter. For progressing juniors or savvy league vets, this racquet is sure fire.
The 325G is a can-do for the advanced player. With plenty of mass to handle and deliver pace, the favorable balance kept it feeling fast and whippy throughout the swing. One tester called this racquet their "fencing saber," because of its ability to inflict damage from a variety of angles coupled with a thin beam.
Snag the V-sense 10 325g or the V-sense 10 295g
Prince's Premiere 110 and Phantom 100, Solinco's Shadow 98 and Shadow 100 and Technifibre's TFight DC 305 and TFight DC 320 to come later in 2017.