When you’re a gear nerd like me, trying to switch to a new racket can quickly bring you down a deep rabbit hole.

I’ve been testing almost every racket we carry at the store and have spent a lot of time with one in particular that doesn’t get nearly enough love.

That got me thinking, what are some of the most underrated rackets on the market right now? Today, I’m going to run you through a list of four rackets and I’ll break down why they’re overlooked, who they could be good for, and why you might want to add them to your demo list the next time you’re thinking about a switch.

What Makes a Racquet Underrated?

Whether something is “underrated" is a bit subjective, but for me, it comes down to two big factors: sales and buzz. If a racket isn’t selling in big numbers or you don’t see people discussing it in forums or comment sections, it probably qualifies, and that’s true of most of rackets on this list.

Quick caveat: We are only discussing the rackets that we currently stock at Rackets & Runners. I’m sure there are plenty of hidden gems we don’t carry simply because, as a family shop, we have to focus our inventory on frames from brands that have proven demand. So if you have a sleeper frame that you think we should know about, please don’t hesitate to let us know either on Instagram or in our YouTube comment section! We’re always looking to expand our inventory.

I also quickly wanted to address some rackets that may be considered underrated, but that we rate so highly (and have discussed ad nauseam), we’re not going to include them here.

The Head Gravity Pro perhaps doesn’t sell that well, but that’s more due to it being an advanced player’s racket that’s difficult to use. Not everyone can swing it effectively, but it generally does get the respect it deserves so it won’t make it on this list.

Then you have the brand new Tecnifibre T-Fight line, which, in the past, would have been an easy choice for number one, but with all the popularity it’s received since it came out in February, I wouldn’t consider it underrated anymore.

 

Without further ado, let’s dive into the list!

Wilson Shift 99

When the Wilson Shift 99 was released as a pre-production prototype in 2023, it generated a decent amount buzz, but since then, it has fallen off a cliff in terms of sales and popularity. The Shift's frame shape and design is very similar to the Speed MP, a racket that’s much more popular. It has a similar beam thickness which combines power, comfort and control but its smaller head size gives it a bit more precision at the expense of user-friendliness.

Unlike the Speed, which is considered the gold standard for “Jack-of-all-trades” frames, the Shift was specifically designed to be a spin racket. Instead of giving it the usual spin racket treatment by adding spin grommets and giving it an open string bed, Wilson developed a unique graphite layup that is meant to amplify spin.

The graphite flexes in a way where it pockets the ball a bit deeper on spin shots, and then it snaps back into place adding RPMs onto the ball. The feel is plush, and once you’re used to it, extremely satisfying when you hit a good spin shot.

But here’s the catch with the Shift: it’s borderline unplayable in stock form.

Especially its swing weight is way too low for stability on any flat shot, but add some lead at 3 and 9, maybe swap in a leather grip, and it transforms the frame. Suddenly you’ve got a racquet that feels much more stable, precise, and with huge spin potential

Unfortunately, most players demo it stock and find it unstable; hence why it’s not very popular. But for players who want something a bit like a Speed, with extra spin potential and a slightly smaller head size the Shift 99 is the perfect racket to try out. Just remember, you have to customize it, which, of course, we can help with!

Wilson, if you’re reading: next version, please add 20 points of swingweight!

Babolat Pure Drive

Okay, how can the best-selling racquet on the planet be underrated? Simple — among gear nerds and competitive players, the Babolat Pure Drive gets dismissed as something perhaps a bit too wild to be used at the highest level.

Yes, it’s powerful, yes it’s forgiving, but the idea that you can’t control it is wrong. I pick this racquet up every now and then and every single time, I remember how consistent it actually is. The launch angle is medium-high but it’s predictable, the sweet spot is huge, and you get plenty of extra power and spin without it randomly shooting out the ball.

A lot of strong players assume they don’t "need" a Pure Drive because they can generate power themselves, but why not add more? That’s why some of the biggest hitters on tour use it like Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard who is adamant that it helps him hit an even heavier ball. On a personal note, it does wonders for my backhand, which is a shot I struggle to hit consistently with any consequential pace.

Now there are some drawbacks with the Pure Drive. It’s a stiff frame, so comfort isn’t its strong suit, though the current version is more dampened than previous generations. With its thick beam and 100 square inch head, it’s also not the most maneuverable frame out there. But for maximum free power and spin that stays consistent shot after shot, the Pure Drive remains the standard for a reason.

So if you’re an advanced player who’s always ignored it, next time you’re testing sticks, add it to the demo bag. You might be surprised how well you play with it.

Head Boom Pro

For those of you who don’t know, the Head Boom Pro was my racket of choice for a while, so I don’t personally underrate it, but on a global scale, it’s criminally underrated.

Part of its issue is marketing. The "Boom" name and its odd paint job made people think it was Head’s take on a user-friendly, game improvement racket — fun, forgiving, but not necessarily for advanced players. While that does apply to the Boom MP, that’s certainly not the case with the Pro.

Design-wise, it’s actually very similar to the Yonex Vcore 98. Both have that squared-off top portion of the hoop which lifts the sweet spot for more power, spin and stability. Unlike the Vcore, which has all the modern spin tech you could want, the Boom Pro pairs that shape with a constant 22mm beam and a more classic flex. The result is a more plush feel and consistent response in exchange for slightly less power and spin.

There is one quirk with the Boom Pro: it swings a little slow. All that mass in the upper hoop makes it feel almost like an extended-length racquet, so you have to adapt your swing path. For me, that slight sluggishness is part of the reason I am looking to switch frames, but it’s a certainly not a deal breaker, and you do adapt to it over time.

Comparing it to another racket that’s generated a lot of hype recently, the new Gravity Tour, I actually think it’s very similar but with even more power and spin. If you are looking at that racket, you should certainly add the Boom Pro into the mix.

Babolat Pure Strike 98

Last but definitely not least, we have the Babolat Pure Strike 98. This racquet frustrates me because it’s so good, but it has one potentially fatal flaw that Babolat needs to tweak to open it up to more players.

The Pure Strike 98 is one of the best control rackets out there right now, full stop. It blends classic beam geometry and feel with modern tweaks for extra power and spin. With proper technique, you can produce a very heavy ball but off of a string bed that’s as consistent as something like a Blade or a Percept.

The problem? It’s stock swing weight. It usually comes in well into the 330s, which is just unnecessarily high for most players these days. Other control racquets like the Blade, Percept or even the Gravity Pro now spec in at the low 320s, making them accessible for a much larger variety of players. When you test the Pure Strike side by side with one of those, it is noticeably harder to swing and that difficulty factor makes it harder to appreciate right away — that’s why it’s not as popular as its competitors.

What’s worse is that the Strike doesn’t need that swing weight to play well. I’ve tested it at 327 and it still has the plow-through, control, and sweet spot size. Going forward, Babolat should seriously consider lowering the stock target swing weight on this racket. You can always add lead if you want more heft, but the point is you don’t need it.

Here’s the thing; if you’re an advanced player who can handle that higher swing weight, this is one of the best rackets out there. The weight of ball you can produce will make you hard to play, but it’s still a racket that, when you tighten up, you can go into your shell and never miss, as you would want with a control frame.

Between the 16x19 and 18x20, go for the 16x19 if you want easier spin and the 18x20 for a more classic feel and lower launch, but both are excellent.

So there you have it — four racquets that deserve way more attention.

The best part? All four bring something unique to the table. If you’re feeling stuck with your current setup or just want to experiment, try adding one of these to your next demo round.

If you’re in Greater Vancouver, come by Rackets & Runners to demo them for yourself.