Unsung Heroes: Six under-the-radar racquets with serious game

Babolat Pure Strike 100 (16x20)

When you a get a new 100 square-inch frame from Babolat, thoughts of howitzer serves and rifled forehands start flowing through your head and hitting arm. However, this latest entry into the Pure Strike lineup is more brains than brawn. Its tempered, controlled response is thanks to its conservative string pattern, low RA rating (61) and breezy swingweight (319). It also gives the racquet a softer, comfortable, classic feel that is outside the Babolat norm. More advanced players will probably need to add weight to produce and defend against bigger hitting. Otherwise, it’s a smooth, plush, straight-shooter for strategic all-courters, shown here in a sharp new carbon grey cosmetic.

Dunlop CX 400 Tour

Don’t let its “Tour” label or inclusion in Dunlop’s more demanding control silo fool you—this is a very friendly frame. It creates pace and depth with modest effort while maintaining better command than most racquets with similar specs. This combination gives the racquet a well-rounded playability that allows users to attack with confidence from all areas of the court. Its firm, yet comfortable response is also a cut above stiffer and brassier options. Its power and spin production might be considered slightly tame compared to many competing racquets at its size and weight class, but it hits the sweet spot in pretty much every category. The new limited-edition cosmetic that pays homage to the brand’s classic Max 200G is a bonus.

Tecnifibre T-Fight 300

The 300 brings a new spec to the T-Fight franchise: a 100 square-inch head size with a 300g weight. It’s a lively frame that quicks through the air—the latest T-Fights have been designed for maximum maneuverability—with a crisp and clean feel at contact thanks to foam filling in the frame. The racquet does offer more assistance than a true control frame but isn’t overwhelming. The constant beam isn’t too stiff or thick for extra power, and there’s no reimagined grommet system or string spacing to create wicked spin. It’s reassuring that you can take a big cut at the ball without fear of piling up errors. It also makes it more versatile and capable of exceling at different playing styles. The racquet is currently available in the customary T-Fight white, or the special blue “ID” colorway pictured here.

Volkl Vostra 9 (305g)

Unlike the scattershot designs of recent V9s, the new mold of the Vostra V9 logically positions the racquet squarely in between the V8 and V10 franchises. The extra cross string and thinner beam gives it increased control and versatility compared to the more powerful and spin-friendly V8; its larger head size and slightly thicker beam make it more user-friendly than the V10. And the sum of those parts adds up to a smooth and reliable frame that does a lot of things well. It has a predictable response with enough pop to help you put balls away or get out of trouble but never becomes difficult to manage. Solid players who want the added forgiveness of a 100 square-inch

Wilson RF 01

Roger Federer may be endorsing the RF 01 Pro, but this lighter member of the franchise has the broader appeal. Federer designed his new racquet collection to feature rapid acceleration through the hitting zone, and that’s exactly what you get from the RF 01’s tapered beam. This comes in handy generating pace and spin from the conservatively spaced string bed and its somewhat smallish sweet spot. It’s not as forgiving as some in its category, but the directional control is first-rate, and enjoys great feel on clean contact. The racquets shines when playing on the front foot and moving the ball around the court with a variety of shots and tactics. So, it works best for players with developed strokes and all-court know-how looking to unleash their inner Fed.

Yonex EZONE 98 Tour

Heavier racquets are a dying breed, but if you can manage its weight (315g) and swingweight (330+), the EZONE 98 Tour can put a real hurt on the ball and opponents. It doesn’t have the easy acceleration of the standard EZONE 98, but once it gets moving the racquet barrels through contact for seriously heavy-hitting and plow through. The extra mass also soaks up pace like a sponge, deflecting back blistered serves and passing shots without a wobble. Compared to its predecessor, the thicker top of the hoop has improved the response on the upper portion of the string bed—it's like there's a second sweet spot. Consequently, the power level is higher and control not as pinpoint as other options in the category, but the racquet is by no means wild. A beefy and demanding option that delivers the goods for first-strike baseline aggression.