So, you’ve decided to pick up tennis. Maybe you’ve seen the "tenniscore" outfits taking over your Instagram feed, or maybe you’re just looking for a fun way to get your cardio in without staring at a treadmill wall for 30 minutes.
Whatever the reason, welcome to the club! Tennis is arguably the best social workout you can do in your 20s and 30s. It’s competitive, it’s social, and let’s be honest—the skirts are cute.
But before you can start channeling your inner Serena (or Zendaya in Challengers), you need a racket. And walking into a sports store can be intimidating. There are hundreds of options, weird numbers like "100 sq in" and "16x19," and prices that range from "$20 at Walmart" to "half my rent."
Don't worry, I’ve got you. I’ve rounded up the best tennis rackets for beginner women that are forgiving, lightweight, and won’t hurt your arm—or your wallet.
Quick Cheat Sheet: What You actually Need to Know
You don’t need to be a gear nerd to buy a racket, but you should know three things so you don't buy a dud:
Head Size: Go for 100 square inches or larger. A bigger head = a bigger "sweet spot," meaning you can hit the ball a little off-center and it will still go over the net.
Weight: You want something lightweight (under 10.5 ounces or ~300g). Heavy rackets are for pros; lightweight rackets are easy to swing and won't leave your wrist sore tomorrow.
Grip Size: Most women fit a 4 ¼ (Size 2) or 4 ⅜ (Size 3). When in doubt, go smaller—you can always add a cute overgrip to make it thicker, but you can’t make a handle smaller.
The Best Tennis Rackets for Beginners in 2025
Here are the top picks that balance performance, price, and yes—aesthetics.
1. Head Titanium Ti.S6
Best For: The Absolute Beginner on a Budget If you ask any tennis coach for a beginner recommendation, they will likely say this name. It is essentially the "cheat code" of beginner rackets. It has a massive head size (115 sq in), which means you almost can't miss the ball. It’s also incredibly light, making it super easy to swing even if you have zero upper body strength.
Why you’ll love it: It’s usually priced under $100 and gives you effortless power.
The Vibe: It’s a classic. It’s not the newest tech, but it works.
2. Babolat Boost Drive (or Boost Aero)
Best For: The "I Want to Look Like a Pro" Starter Babolat is a huge name in tennis (it’s what Rafa Nadal uses). The "Boost" line is specifically made for beginners who want a high-quality frame without paying $300. The Boost Drive features a generous 105 sq in head size, which is forgiving but still gives you enough control to learn proper form.
Why you’ll love it: It comes in great colors (often blue, white, or pink accents) and feels like a premium racket at an entry-level price point.
3. Wilson Clash 100L (Light)
Best For: Comfort & Arm Safety If you’ve ever heard of "tennis elbow," you know you want to avoid it. The Wilson Clash is famous for being the most flexible and arm-friendly racket on the market. The "L" stands for Light, making it perfect for female beginners. It absorbs a ton of vibration, so when you hit the ball, it feels buttery smooth rather than jarring.
Why you’ll love it: It’s widely considered one of the best-looking rackets out there—usually a sleek matte finish with neon pops. It’s pricier, but worth it if you plan to play long-term.
4. Yonex EZONE 100L
Best For: Power & Easy Spin Yonex rackets are amazing because they have a unique "isometric" (slightly squarish) head shape. This sounds technical, but all it really means is that the sweet spot is even bigger than on a round racket. The EZONE 100L is effortless to swing and generates a lot of power, so you don't have to swing wildly hard to get the ball deep into the other side of the court.
Why you’ll love it: It’s often described as "user-friendly" and comes in a cool "Sky Blue" or "Deep Blue" that looks great on the court.
5. Prince Ripstick 100
Best For: Fun & Easy Power The Prince Ripstick is known for being incredibly fun to play with. It has special "O-ports" (big holes on the side of the frame) that let the strings move more, giving you massive spin and power with barely any effort. It’s designed for players who want to hit aggressive shots without having perfect technique yet.
Why you’ll love it: It’s flashy, distinct, and honestly makes a cool "whoosh" sound when you swing it fast.
6. Babolat Pure Drive Lite
Best For: The Athletic Beginner If you played softball, volleyball, or other sports growing up and you’re pretty coordinated, you might outgrow a "super beginner" racket quickly. The Pure Drive Lite is a lighter version of one of the most popular pro rackets in the world. It’s stiff, powerful, and iconic.
Why you’ll love it: It’s a "forever racket." You could play with this from your first lesson all the way to winning your local club league.
7. Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3
Best For: Value & Power This is another classic that often competes with the Head Ti.S6. It’s slightly "head heavy," which acts like a hammer—the weight is in the hoop, not the handle. This does a lot of the work for you, helping you crush serves and groundstrokes even if you have a slow swing.
Why you’ll love it: It’s extremely affordable (often around $100 or less) and super lightweight.
Don't Forget the "Vibe"
Part of the fun of tennis is the gear. While the racket frame is important, you can customize almost anything to match your aesthetic.
Overgrips: You will need to replace your grip often anyway (they get sweaty and dirty). Buy a pack of neon pink, mint green, or lilac overgrips to instantly cute-ify any black racket.
Dampeners: That little rubber button people put on their strings? It stops the "ping" sound. You can get them in shapes like smileys, hearts, or flowers.
Bags: You don't need a massive 12-racket tournament bag. Look for a tennis backpack or a tote bag that fits a racket—brands like Wilson and specialized boutique brands are making gorgeous ones right now.
Ready to Hit the Court?
Buying the racket is step one. Step two is actually learning how to swing it so you don't send the ball into the parking lot (we've all been there).
The fastest way to get better, and meet people, to take a few lessons to get your basics down.
