Babolat Pure Drive OS

Price $179
Head size 110 sq. in.
Length 27.5 in.
Weight 10.2 oz.
Balance 1/5 in. head light
Flexibility Stiff
Ideal swing Medium to long
NTRP 3.5-5.0

EDITORS' CHOICE: With dozens of pros like Andy Roddick, Carlos Moya, and Kim Clijsters using the blue Babolat Pure Drive, it’s become one of the most recognizable racquets on tour. Now comes the mortal’s version, and it’s a gem. Designed for club players, the Pure Drive Oversize is more powerful, yet the control is still there if you have a slow, medium-to-long swing. That surprised playtesters, who figured the large head would make it more launching pad than tennis racquet. Instead, they got extra pop and only occasionally lost control. Doubles players loved the maneuverability at net, baseliners applauded the extra topspin they could generate, and everyone hit more aces. Dual Woofer technology gives the strings more freedom to move on impact, producing a very soft feel. The strings also make a loud ping, though, so use a dampener. BOTTOM LINE: Outstanding frame for club players looking for power.

Fischer Pro No. 1 FT

Price $180
Head size 98 sq. in.
Length 27.4 in.
Weight 11.1 oz.
Balance 1/2 in. head light
Flexibility Firm
Ideal swing Long
NTRP 4.0-7.0

You don’t have to be a pro to play with the Pro 1 FT, but it wouldn’t hurt. Ideal for accomplished all-courters with long swings, the Pro 1 FT is an update of last year’s Pro 1. What’s new? Frequency Tuning (FT), metal powder placed at precise locations all over the frame to optimize its weight distribution and “tune” the vibration frequencies. Testers said the racquet had a crisp feel, dampening vibration without deadening the feedback. The Pro 1 FT is also almost an ounce lighter and half an inch longer than its predecessor. Result: Unlike the Pro 1, which requires tour-level skill to hit with pace and depth, the Pro 1 FT is a bit easier to swing and the extra length provides added pop and reach. Though you still may find the racquet’s power a notch below what you’re used to, after you groove your strokes you can attack from anywhere on the court. BOTTOM LINE: Tunes an aggressive all-courter’s game.

Head Liquidmetal 4

Price $225
Head size 102 sq. in.
Length 27.3 in.
Weight 10.4 oz.
Balance 1/5 in. head heavy
Flexibility Stiff
Ideal swing Medium
NTRP 2.0-5.0

EDITORS' CHOICE: The tennis equivalent of the Swiss Army knife, the Liquidmetal 4 is a versatile tool that can be used in almost any situation, be it offense or defense, at the baseline or the net. The medium-weight racquet offers a blend of power and control for intermediates and low-level advanced players with medium-length swings, though beginners will like it too because it’s easy to handle. The racquet’s key technology is Liquidmetal, a patented alloy twice as strong as titanium that doesn’t deform under pressure. The Defense Department is working on armor-piercing shells that will use Liquidmetal, and Cleveland Golf is incorporating the stuff into its clubs. What about a racquet? By placing the alloy at the head’s 10, 2, 5, and 7 o’clock positions, the Liquidmetal 4 returns maximum energy to the ball for increased stability, more power, and a bigger sweet spot. BOTTOM LINE: Superbly crafted frame for a wide range of players.

Head Liquidmetal Radical

Price $200
Head size 98 sq. in. (MP); 107 sq. in. (OS)
Length 27 in.
Weight 11 oz.
Balance 1/5 in. head light (MP); 3/10 in. head light (OS)
Flexibility Stiff
Ideal swing Long
NTRP 4.5-7.0 (MP); 4.0-7.0 (OS)

Like a fine wine, the Radical gets better with age. It debuted in 1992 as a basic graphite, but the sixth and latest incarnation of this advanced-player’s frame incorporates Liquidmetal, a super-stiff alloy that resists deformation, in the head at the 10, 2, 5, and 7 o’clock positions for more stability and power. Radical faithful will notice that when they need a little extra pop it’s there. The strategic location of Liquidmetal is also supposed to expand the sweet spot, which is huge on the oversize but small on the mid-plus, according to testers. The oversize’s open 18 x 19 string pattern adds bite to shots, a plus for baseliners who hit with spin, while the tighter 18 x 20 pattern on the mid-plus provides more control (but makes spin tougher to produce). Testers hitched their games to the more forgiving oversize; the mid-plus didn’t have enough power for them. BOTTOM LINE: The oversize is the big winner here.

Prince More Attack S 920/1050

Price $210
Head size 100 sq. in. (920); 110 sq. in. (1050)
Length 27.25 in. (920); 27.5 (1050)
Weight 11.2 oz. (920); 10.6 oz. (1050)
Balance 3/5 in. head light (920); 1/2 in. head light (1050)
Flexibility Firm
Ideal swing Long (920); Medium (1050)
NTRP 4.0-6.0 (920); 3.0-4.5 (1050)

Although they share the same name, the Attack mid-plus (920) and oversize (1050) are for decidedly different players. Testers said the mid-plus is good for advanced players with fast and furious swings. “You can’t let up even a bit or your shots land short,” a 4.5 player said. The 920 is heavy, which is good if you’re a good player and control is excellent. The 1050? It’s about a half-ounce lighter and a quarter-inch longer, specs that complement the medium-length swings of intermediates. Added depth on balls blocked back from the baseline made the 1050 a favorite with counterpunchers. Both models have the new Vibro-Trap, an elastomer just above the handle that absorbs vibration. A vocal minority said they didn’t get enough feedback, but most liked the comfortable feel. BOTTOM LINE: Match your game to the right model.

Völkl Tour 10

Price $190
Head size 93 sq. in. (Mid); 98 sq. in. (MP)
Length 27 in.
Weight 11.8 oz.
Balance 7/10 in. head light
Flexibility Flexible
Ideal swing Long
NTRP 5.0-7.0 (Mid); 4.5-7.0 (MP)

The Völkl Tour 10 Mid Plus, which is the next generation of the C10 Pro, is designed for advanced baseliners who have long and fluid swings. “You have to take the cut of a lifetime to generate pace, but control is outstanding,” a 5.0 player said. The Tour 10 is head light and very flexible, giving it a whippy feel. This appealed to baseline bashers, who said the racquet was good for hitting big Western forehands. The racquet’s soft construction made it comfortable, with hardly any vibration. But testers said the flexibility took some punch away from their volleys and serves, though they gained considerable control on both strokes. The Mid is an update of the C10 Pro Tour and has a very small head and sweet spot. This stick shouldn’t be picked up by anyone below 5.0 NTRP. BOTTOM LINE: Flexible frame for the highly skilled baseliner.

Wilson H4

Price $179
Head size 113 sq. in.
Length 27.5 in.
Weight 9.4 oz.
Balance 9/10 in. head heavy
Flexibility Stiff
Ideal swing Medium
NTRP 2.5-4.0

This year, Wilson has introduced Hammer racquets with an innermost layer of IsoGrid, an ultrastiff and lightweight weave of graphite and Kevlar that increases stability on off-center hits. One of two new models this season, the H4 doesn’t so much as wiggle when you miss the sweet spot--not that you’ll miss it much, because it’s huge. The H4’s oversize head and head-heavy balance put pop in your strokes, while the light weight ensures that you’ll have no trouble swinging through the contact point. That combination was good for competitive seniors and doubles players. At net, maneuverability was fair, but the stability and power were much better. “Even when you don’t hit the ball cleanly, the racquet doesn’t twist and you still get decent depth,” a 3.5 player said. BOTTOM LINE: It packs a punch at a light weight.

Yonex Ultimum RQ Ti-200m

Price $120
Head size 102 sq. in.
Length 27 in.
Weight 9.3 oz.
Balance 2/5 in. head heavy
Flexibility Firm
Ideal swing Medium to long
NTRP 1.0-4.0

Do you like a racquet that’s a breeze to swing? Then try the Yonex Ultimum RQ Ti-200m. It was the easiest to get around of any racquet tested, which makes it ideal for beginners as well as kids stepping up to a standard-length adult frame. Intermediates looking for a light stick will also like the Ti-200m, though as they improve they’ll probably need something beefier. The racquet’s lack of heft costs it stability on off-center hits, and volleys were particularly shaky, but you’ll have no trouble maneuvering at the net. Muscle Power technology (rounded humps between the grommets) provides closer string-to-frame contact to reduce vibration and transfer more energy to the ball. Testers loved the fact that the Ti-200m’s string bed was soft yet lively, enabling them to easily execute touch shots. BOTTOM LINE: Maneuverable racquet suited for beginners and young kids.

Yonex V-Con 15

Price $180
Head size 100 sq. in.
Length 27.5 in.
Weight 10.2 oz.
Balance Even
Flexibility Firm
Ideal swing Medium
NTRP 3.0-4.5

With last year’s V-Con 17 and V-Con 20, Yonex covered the graphite core at the throat with an elastic material wrapped in a ceramic alloy to absorb shock. The new Vibration Control Shaft (V-Con) 15 replaces the ceramic with a plastic to produce a V-Con racquet below $200. Don’t think cheaper means cheap, though. The 15 reduces bad vibes and provides a solid feel, according to testers. They overwhelmingly preferred using the racquet at net, where they got excellent depth and control on volleys. “This stick will appeal to good club doubles players, serve-and-volleyers, and anyone who likes to finish points at net,” a 4.5 player said. At the baseline, medium-length strokes yield the best blend of power and control. Take a bigger cut and you might struggle with control, but if it’s comfort you’re after, the tradeoff might be worth it. BOTTOM LINE: Comfort-oriented frame for the mid-level net rusher.