Best Tennis Racket for a Beginner: Australian Buying Guide
What to look for in your first tennis racket, what to avoid, and which models actually deliver value at the $50, $150, and $300 price points in Australia.
By Two brothers in Melbourne, co-founder of RallyHub.
Walk into a tennis shop in Australia and you will be staring at 60 different rackets ranging from $39 to $450. Most of them are wrong for you. This guide explains what actually matters in a beginner racket, what to ignore, and which models are genuinely good at the three sensible price points: $50 (budget), $150 (mid-range), and $300 (premium beginner).
Quick disclaimer: this is a working buyer's guide written by two Australian recreational players, not sponsored. Prices are in AUD and were checked against Tennis Only, Tennis Warehouse Australia, and Rebel Sport in mid 2026. They will drift; the model recommendations should stay solid for at least 12 to 24 months.
The five things that actually matter
1. Head size
The hitting surface of the racket. Measured in square inches.
- 100 to 110 sq in: the right range for an adult beginner. Larger sweet spot, more forgiving on off-centre hits.
- 95 to 100 sq in: for intermediate to advanced players who want more control. Skip these as a beginner.
- 110+ sq in: "super oversize" rackets. Sometimes pitched at seniors. Fine, but most beginners outgrow them inside six months.
2. Weight
Unstrung weight in grams. Most beginner rackets are 270 to 295g.
- 270 to 285g: light, easier to swing, better for shorter or weaker players. Good for adults under 60kg or anyone with arm issues.
- 285 to 300g: the sweet spot for most adult beginners. Stable enough to absorb pace, light enough to swing freely.
- 300g+: heavier "player's rackets". Skip until you are comfortably an intermediate.
3. Grip size
The diameter of the handle, measured in numbered sizes (Australia uses 1 to 4).
- Grip 1 (4 1/8"): small adult hands, average-sized teens.
- Grip 2 (4 1/4"): average female adult hand. Most common in women's first rackets.
- Grip 3 (4 3/8"): average male adult hand. The most common adult size.
- Grip 4 (4 1/2"): large hands.
A simple test: hold the racket and slide your index finger of your other hand into the gap between your fingers and the heel of your palm. Should just barely fit. If it does not fit, grip is too small. If there is a clear gap, too big.
4. Strung versus unstrung
Most rackets at the $50 to $150 price point come pre-strung with a basic synthetic gut. That is fine for your first six months. Premium rackets ($250+) sometimes ship unstrung and you pay another $25 to $40 to have them strung at the shop. Factor that in.
5. What does NOT matter much for a beginner
- String tension. The factory tension is fine. Re-stringing every six months is more important than what tension you pick.
- String pattern (16x19 vs 18x20). Irrelevant at beginner level.
- Beam thickness. Adds power but you cannot tell the difference.
- Composite materials. Marketing talk. All modern rackets are graphite composites.
The $50 budget tier
Honest answer: this price point is dominated by department-store junk that breaks inside a year. The exceptions are end-of-season clearance rackets from real brands. If you can find a previous-generation Head Ti.S6 or Wilson Tour Slam for $50 to $70 at Rebel Sport or Tennis Only's outlet section, you have a perfectly serviceable starter racket.
Avoid: anything from a brand you have never heard of, anything that calls itself a "tennis set" with two rackets and a ball for $40, and anything bundled with a kids racket.
The $150 mid-range tier (the sweet spot)
This is where most adult beginners should spend. Three picks that hold up to scrutiny:
Head MX Spark Tour ($140 to $170)
102 sq in head, 280g, comes pre-strung. Forgiving sweet spot, light enough for first-time players, durable enough to last a few years. The Head Spark series has been the default Australian beginner racket for over a decade for good reason.
Wilson Burn 100 Team ($150 to $190)
100 sq in, 295g, slightly heavier and stiffer than the Head. Good for adult beginners with reasonable coordination who want a racket they will not outgrow in six months. The 295g weight is the upper end of what we recommend for a true beginner.
Babolat Pure Drive Lite ($170 to $200)
100 sq in, 270g. Lighter, more powerful feel. Popular with women adult learners. The "Lite" version of one of the most-sold rackets in the world.
The $300 premium beginner tier
You should only spend at this level if you know you will stick with tennis. A $300 racket does not make you better; it just feels better and lasts longer.
Wilson Clash 100 v3 ($290 to $340)
100 sq in, 295g. Famously easy on the arm thanks to a flexible frame. The right choice for an adult beginner who has had tennis elbow before or has any arm sensitivity. Has become the default "comfort" racket in Australian shops.
Head Speed MP ($300 to $360)
100 sq in, 300g. The racket Djokovic uses (slightly different model, same line). Heavier and more demanding, but if you have decent fundamentals from another racket sport, you can start here and never upgrade.
Yonex Ezone 100 ($310 to $370)
100 sq in, 300g. Soft, modern feel. Less popular in Australia than the Wilson or Head equivalents, but arguably the best of the three for plush impact and easy power.
Where to actually buy in Australia
- Tennis Only (tennisonly.com.au): biggest Australian online tennis retailer. Good prices, fast shipping, broad stock.
- Tennis Warehouse Australia (tenniswarehouse.com.au): excellent product info and reviews. Slightly pricier but the staff actually know what they are talking about.
- Local pro shop at your club: more expensive (often by $30 to $50), but you can demo before buying. Worth it if it is your first racket and you can string-trial three options.
- Rebel Sport: clearance only. Their full-price tennis range is mostly the wrong rackets.
- Facebook Marketplace: a used racket for $30 to $60 is genuinely the smartest first-racket move if you can find a recent model in good shape. People upgrade and sell their previous racket all the time.
Two cheap things that matter more than the racket
Overgrip ($8 to $15)
The tape that wraps around the existing grip. Replace every 8 to 12 weeks. A worn overgrip slips, which ruins your swing more than any racket change would.
Brand-wise: Wilson Pro Overgrip or Tourna Grip are the two most-used in Australia. Pick one, stick with it.
Dampener ($3 to $8)
The little rubber thing in the strings near the bottom of the racket head. Reduces vibration and string noise. Most beginners do not realise they want one until they try a friend's racket that has one.
The short summary
If you are an average adult Australian picking up tennis for the first time, you want a 100 sq in racket weighing 280 to 295g in grip size 2 or 3, paid for at the $140 to $200 range, with an overgrip and a dampener thrown in.
The Head MX Spark Tour and the Wilson Clash 100 v3 are the two best defaults in Australia right now, depending on your budget. Both are stocked at every major tennis retailer in the country, both string up well, and both will see you through your first two years comfortably.
For more practical guides on starting tennis as an adult in Australia, see the rest of the RallyHub blog.