With the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros about to start, I thought it would be fun to examine the rackets used by the pros. The tennis racquet is easily the most important piece of equipment used by players, and each player is sponsored by a racquet company.
The characteristics of each player’s racquet are determined based on the style and desire of each particular player.
Keep in mind, that there are lots of reasons why a player may choose a certain racquet, including sponsorships, so it hard to state that one racquet is “better” than another racquet.
However, especially for young players who want to emulate their favorite player, it is important to know which racquet is favored by the top pros. Each of these racquets can be seen in action at the upcoming French Open.
Which Racquet Does Your Favorite Player Use?
Now that Rafael Nadal has pulled out of Paris, Carlos Alacarez, the current world #1 ranked player, the best chance to win this year’s French Open. Alcaraz plays an aggressive style of tennis from the baseline and can destroy the opponent with a devastating serve and forehands.
He also transforms brilliantly from playing defense to attacking. Alcaraz, just like his fellow Spaniard, Rafel Nadal, uses racquets made by Babolat.
Alcaraz currently uses the Babolat Pure Aero 98. This racquet is ideal for his style of play as it provides him with a fast and super powerful swing and superb accuracy. This 98-square-inch racquet with a 16×20 string pattern weights 10.7 ounces.
is also used by Felix Auger-Aliassime. The racquet is made by Babolat, the famous French company who claims to be the oldest racquets company in the world. Iin addition to Alcaraz, this racquet is also used by two other top players.
One of them is Holger Rune, from Denmark and who is the current #6 ranked player in the world, has had a strong, including having just made it to the finals of the Italian Open in Rome. Alcaraz and Rune are both just 20 years-old and appear to the leading players of the next generation of tennis.
We will not be seeing Rafael Nadal at this French Open, but one member of the Nadal family will be in Paris. Babolat Pure Aero 98 is also used by Felix Auger Aliassime whose coach is Nadal’s uncle and his former coach, Tony Nadal. All three players play great on clay so this racquet is suitable for playing on this surface.
Novak Endorses Head
Novak Djokovic, at 36 years-old, has already gone down in history as the best player ever. Djokovic has been loyal to Head and has been using Head racquets for many year.
Credit: Paul Zimmer
The winner of 21 Grand Slam tournaments endorses the Head Speed Pro. He actually uses a similar, custom racquet called the Head PT113B. While this racquet is not offered for sale, it is painted to look just like the 360 Speed Pro. Head is careful to explain that Djokovic recommends this racquet, and does not claim that Djokovic actually uses this racquet since that is not true.
Djokovic’s actual racquet, the PT113B, is 95 square inches and has an 18×19 string patterns, as compared to the Head Speed Pro which is 100 square inches and has an 18×20 string pattern.
Tsitsipas Uses Wilson and Medvedev Tecnifibre
Two years ago, Tsitsipas played in the final at the French Open, but his two-set advantage was not enough to overcome Djokovic. In Paris, he will try again to win his first Grand Slam title and, as in previous years, he will strive to achieve that goal using the Blade 98 by Wilson. This racquet has been used by the Greek player throughout his career.
As pointed out on the Wilson website, the Blade line of racquets has also been used by Serena Williams and Simona Halep and has been used by players to win 35 Grand Slams.
Credit: TENNIS PHOTO NETWORK
This racquet is the exact opposite of the one used by Alcaraz as it is not suitable for shots with massive topspin. Stefanos is not that type of player because he does not hit the ball as fast as Alcarez, and uses every possible opportunity to go to the net. Tsitsipas, with a one-handed backhand, hits the ball with a lot of spin and the Blade 98 is a great racquet for that type of shot.
The Greek player has the biggest rivalry on the ATP tour with Daniil Medvedev. We can no longer watch the match between these two players without jokes and provocations. The Russian player comes to Paris in excellent shape after winning the ATP 1000 Masters Rome and moving up to be the #2 ranked player in the world. Medvedev plays with a customized version of the Tecnifibre T-Fight 305 Isoflex.
Credit: TENNIS PHOTO NETWORK
Tecnifibre, a French company which is now owned by Lacoste, began making tennis racquets in 2004.
Ruud and Fritz
Last year’s French Open runner-up and ATP 250 tournament king Casper Ruud uses the Yonex DR 100 Plus while he endorses the Yonex EZONE 100. The racquet has a 100 square inch head size and 16×19 string pattern. It weighs 10.6 ounces and is 27 inches long.
Taylor Fritz, the top ranked American tennis player, uses a customized version of the Head Radical MP. The Radical MP has a 100 square inch head size, with a 16×19 string pattern, and it is 27 inches long.
What Racquets Do The Women Use Use?
The #1 female player in the world and last year’s French Open champion, Polish player Iga Swiatek uses the same racquet brand as Daniil Medvedev. She just started using this racquet in 2021. Swiatek has achieved great results this year with the Tecnifibre Tempo 298.
The racquet contains inserts of XTC fiber, which is pieces of aluminum and polyester, designed to disperse the shock at ball impact. Tempo 298 is characterized by excellent absorption when hitting the ball. The Tecnifibre website even explains that Swiatek designed the finish of the racquet and signed it!
Aryna Sabalenka, who is currently just behind Iga Swiatek in the WTA rankings, is known as one of the strongest hitters on the WTA tour. Her strongest weapon is her serve, and her powerful forehand is not far behind. She uses a Wilson Blade pro stock racquet, which is a customized version of the Wilson Blade 98 series.
