The Best Tennis Racket for Beginners: the Wilson Clash 100L
“Lightweight and zippy, this all-around racket is perfect for new tennis players. A ginormous sweet spot and proprietary tech result in a responsive and satisfying feel”
I’ve always been interested in the idea of playing tennis. Yet something about the sport had always felt intimidating and out of reach. After scrolling through countless “tennis aesthetic” Pinterest posts and noticing the only tools I was missing were a racket and some balls, I succumbed to my new hyper fixation. I bought a $50 pre-strung Prince racket at Dick’s and a couple cans of balls. I figured the nominal investment would be good to get me playing and if it didn’t become a new hobby I wouldn’t feel too bad about the investment. Off to the local park I went, hitting the wall outside the fenced court to practice my forehand.
Fast-forward to two years later. While my tennis skills are about the same (unfortunately) my passion and interest for the sport has increased tremendously. Over the summer I’ve learned a lot about rackets (there’s so much interesting technology in them these days, my God) and the different properties and nuances of head sizes, frame designs, and don’t even get me started on string. The satisfying thwack of the ball against the wall and the lovely pocket and bounce off the racket are a new calming balm after a long day. There’s a meditativeness to the sport I really enjoy. Plus, it makes you run like none other, which is an awesome plus IMO.
I wanted to get myself a nice racket as both reward and investment, and knew I wanted something from Wilson. Out of their lineup, I chose the Clash 100L as my first big-purchase tennis racket due to it’s all-around playability. As a beginner, I loved the larger head size and light weight that would make it easy to swing and very forgiving.
Let’s be clear: I was also drawn this year’s Roland Garros edition of the Clash 100L because it’s CUUUTTE. A special edition colorway designed to celebrate the French Open, the beige frame, orange grommets, and leather-look grip reminds me of an old-school wooden racket. For someone who loves tennis for both the sport and style, a racket that combines modern tech with old-world aesthetics really sealed my purchase decision.
I love playing with this thing. At 295 unstrung grams, it feels super light. Even with a larger and rounder head size, it’s easy to swing through the air and very maneuverable. Like Wilson’s other premium racket franchises, the Clash uses patented FortyFive frame tech that enables the racket to bend across different stroke paths. What that means and feels like in real life is that even as a beginner the play experience feels luxe. When you hit the sweet spot (which is giant on this thing) it just feels so good and responsive. There’s more of a connected feeling to the ball and it feels like the ball dwells on the string a little bit longer.
Wilson’s Clash franchise is designed for all-around performance. It’s not focused on giving you more power, control, or precision— it’s focused on giving you a little bit of all the above. That’s why it’s the perfect racket for beginner players. When building up your racket quiver, start with something that can multi-task. The Clash 100L’s giant sweet spot and easy maneuverability makes for an addictive and satisfying play experience. This is important for learning tennis, because a more forgiving racket will make it that much more fun to practice and train, keeping beginners engaged and motivated. As you develop a more defined playing style or simply fall deeper in love with the sport, you can add rackets designed for control, power, or precision for when you want or need. But as a lightweight daily driver for beginner or intermediate players, the Clash tennis racket franchise cannot be beat.
I still have and enjoy that first Prince racquet. It was a smart buy and the racket that got me into the sport as an adult. Now it’s the one I give to friends to play with when we head to the park or the club. The cycle of introducing new folks to the sport continues.
Wilson Clash 100L Tennis Racket
Who It’s For:
Beginner or intermediate players looking for a “daily driver” tennis racket with a premium, luxury feel. Players looking for a lightweight and arm-friendly racket to avoid or recover from arm injuries. Novice players who will benefit from a larger and more forgiving sweet spot as they learn to play and love the game. First-time High school and college age players serious about getting on the team who want that first premium racket to help them train. Players with a $229-$249 budget (before strings and stringing fee) for their first investment racket. People who like the color red.
Who It Is Not For:
Advanced players looking for precision with their strokes. Players who benefit from a heavier tennis racket. Beginner or junior players who aren’t sure if tennis will become part of their lifestyle, as a less expensive racket is a smarter choice for players just getting started.
Specs:
Head Size: 100
String Pattern: 16x19
Unstrung Weight: 280g, 9.8oz
