There are so many claims regarding “spin friendly racket design” it is hard to know what is true. There have been a few tests, but rarely by independent labs, so the claims-to-facts ratio is rather high!
Today, I will make a quick list of the top 10 most spin friendly rackets from first principles. Let me say, spin comes mostly (90%) from technique and 9% from strings, so racket design has only a small effect. So what racket factors do influence spin?
Number of Crosses
The function of the mains (ie main or vertical strings) is to stabilize+ rebound+spin the ball. The function of the crosses (ie horizontal strings) is purely to stabilize + rebound the ball. You can test this out by just stringing the mains on their own. (ps. use a high tension and thick a gauge as possible to avoid is breaking immediately!). You get massive, ridiculous spin, but terrible control.
The interlocking mains and crosses lock the strings together. The higher the tension, the tighter the lock. At some point, no matter how hard the hit, the strings won’t slide over each other and energy is not returned to the ball very well
It follows that a low number of crosses, will leave the mains (relatively) open to moving, and movement produces snapback. So
18×20 = closed, lots of control, little string movement
18×19 = medium control, medium string movement
18×17 = open; high string movement
18×16 = very open; v high string movement
String Density
A low density (head size / number of strings) allows more movement in strings, so more energy is absorbed and more energy is returned by snapback.
Further, a larger head size means longer string runs, a long string will deviate more than the same string over a short distance.
Grommet Design
A number of brands offer spin grommets; wilson, dunlop, babolat and head included. These allow a little more movement at the interface with the frame. Do they help, yes a small amount. IMHO Spin grommets have a larger effect with off-centre shots than by generating spin. For the purposes of this analysis I am not including grommet design.
Racket Whippy-ness
A low racket weight increases maneuverability, especially twist weight. This means you can get the angle needed more easily.
A low racket static weight, a low swing weight, and a head-light balance will also help as will a smaller handle.
A larger racket flex might also help, but I am not convinced by this one.
So with those factors in mind, I analyzed 1000 rackets on the market for the top 5 in terms of spin friendly design. (This does not include string choice)
Top 5 Spin Rackets by Science
Babolat EVO Drive ……… 115″ ……… 16×17
Babolat EVO Drive Lite ………104″ ………16×17
Yonex Astrel ………115″ ………16×17
Volkl V-Cell 1 ………115″ ………16×17
Yonex EZONE ………110″ ………16×18
Best by Manufacturer
Wilson Burn 100ULS v4–2020
Dunlop Srixon LX 800–2021
Head Instinct PWR 115–2022
Prince Twistpower X100–2020
Spin Monster Special Editions
There are some 14×18’s out there, notably the Prince Precision Graphite II 730 (14X18) which has a 97″ head and Prince Phantom 93P 14×18 with 93″
but nothing compares to the special rackets which were not mainstream yet still reached dizzying heights of spin
SNAUWAERT is a famous belgian racket maker who released the cutting edge graphite Hi-Ten series in 1986. It is a laminated wood reinforced w/ fibres thick 2mm strings and tested by Phillips Moore, former player of the Australian Davis Cup. This used only 12 mains and 16 crosses!! 12×16. The gaps between the strings are like football pitches!
In 2023 they said they would bring this back in a limited edition of 300 rackets on kickstarter but we are still waiting!
