An overview of the best rackets for control ! We list our favorite control sticks for you. From the Head Graphene 360+ Prestige MP to the Yonex VCORE Pro 97 HD, they are all here. Click on the links for more info.
Yonex VCORE Pro 97 HD
'Finally' a nice control racket from Yonex with a compact 18×20 string pattern. A control stick like this has not been in the Yonex line-up for a while. The Yonex VCORE Pro 97 HD excels in stability, direct playing feel and good feedback. 20 mm frame with a nice low RA of 59 for a wonderful ball feel!
Prince Textreme Phantom Pro 93P 18×20
A modern classic from Prince! This ultimate 'players racket' with a 93 sq/inch head, 18×20 string pattern, 16.5 mm (!) shaft, 330 grams and 30.5 balance is absolutely for the powerhouses among us! If you get your power from a big full swing, then you don't have to worry about overheating quickly with this racket. The Phantom Pro 93P 18×20 is actually an old school racket in a modern jacket with new technology. The leather base grip makes it complete! The new Textreme 2.5 Phantom 100X is a nice option for control combined with spin.
Head Graphene 360+ Prestige MP
The new Head Graphene 360+ Prestige MP offers a more generous sweet spot and has been given a slightly slimmer profile. This results in a slightly more user-friendly Prestige MP that still has the characteristic control and feel. Delicious precision tool! For fans of the classic control rackets there is also a 93 sq/inch MID version of this racket.
Wilson Blade 98 18×20 V7.0
This latest version of the Blade 98 18x20 offers more connection with the ball through the FeelFlex technology. In addition, the balance has been reduced by half a point to 32.0. The RA (stiffness) has also been reduced somewhat to 62, while the racket has a higher swingweight. In short: more feel in a racket that definitely keeps its punch!
Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18×20
The Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18×20 is the successor of the CX 2.0 Tour 18×20 and offers more plow-through and shaves through the air a little easier. 'Fortunately' the sweet spot feels a little more generous than the 95 sq/inch head size with 18×20 string pattern would suggest. Wonderfully fast and solid control racket. Also in a 16×19 version available in 310 grams unstressed.
Diadem Elevate 98
One of the most comfortable control rackets on the market is the Diadem Elevate 98. This racket is completely filled with foam and has a solid, full playing feel with excellent spin potential. The comfort is above average, so to speak, without the racket feeling too 'muted'. With a 98 sq/inch head, 32.0 balance and 16×20 string pattern a very nice frame that in terms of specs falls between a Blade 98 18×20 and a Pure Strike 16×19. Also available in the heavier Tour version for even more plough-through and stability.
Babolat Pure Strike 16×19
The latest version of the Pure Strike 16×19 offers a nice combination of control and spin. The frame has been updated in terms of stability and damping and that is noticeable. The Pure Strike 16×19 offers a very direct playing feel without concessions. The 18×20 version offers a bit more control, but has less spin potential. The Pure Strike 100 is one of the few truly control oriented 100 sq/inch rackets and therefore one of the most versatile rackets on the market in this head size.
Wilson Pro Staff 97
For many, the Pro Staff RF97 Autograph is the ultimate control stick from Wilson. We certainly agree with that, but it is definitely not playable for everyone. In that respect, this lighter Wilson Pro Staff 97 is a nice option for many players. The Pro Staff 97 in black is back and comes without Countervail for the characteristic, direct Pro Staff playing feel. Wonderfully solid blade, with still considerable spin potential, although you might not think so at first.
Head Graphene 360+ Gravity Pro
The Gravity Pro from Head is the most control-oriented racket from the new Gravity series. Characteristic for this series is the somewhat rounder head shape, especially at the top of the head. For many modern players, the effective hitting zone is somewhat higher up on the head. Head plays into that with this Gravity series. This Pro version may have a 100 sq/inch head, but for the rest it is purely control that counts: a 20 mm constant frame construction, 18×20 stringing pattern and a solid swingweight of around 340 (our demo even 350!) The Gravity Tour is its slightly wider-usable lighter brother, weighing in at 305 grams, with the same blade size and string pattern.
Prince Textreme2 Tour 95
This update of the Tour 95 from Prince has a slightly livelier playing feel compared to its predecessor due to the fractionally higher RA combined with the new material mix of Textreme with the added Twaron. What remains is the fine precision and control. The very low 30.5 balance makes the rather spicy weight of this frame perfectly maneuverable. Very solid frame that also holds its own at the net! The TXT2 Tour 100P is its little brother at 305 grams with a 100 sq/inch blade size, but then again with an 18×20 stringing pattern.