Understanding Tennis Racquet Stiffness 

August 11th, 2025 by Carlota

filed in Tennis Tips

When choosing a tennis racquet, players often obsess over head size, weight, and string pattern—but stiffness is one of the most underrated specs that can dramatically affect your game and your arm health. Whether you're a power baseliner, a serve and volley player, or someone recovering from tennis elbow, understanding stiffness ratings (RA) can help you make smarter gear choices for your game and body.

What Is Racquet Stiffness?

• RA Rating: Stiffness is measured using the RA scale (Racquet Analysis), typically ranging from 50 to 75.
• How It Works: A higher RA means the racquet flexes less on impact, transferring more energy to the ball (more power), but also more shock to your arm.
• Measured at the Throat: Most stiffness ratings are taken at the throat but feel also depends on how the frame flexes across the hoop and shaft.

Stiffness Categories and Their Impact

RA Rating	Flex Level	Power	Arm Comfort	Ideal For
< 60	Flexible	Low	Excellent	Control players, those with arm issues
60–65	Moderate	Balanced	Good	All-court players, intermediates
66–70	Stiff	High	Moderate to low	Power hitters, aggressive baseliners
> 70	Very stiff	Maximum	Harsh	Serve-and-volleyers, advanced flat hitters

Pros and Cons of Stiff vs. Flexible Racquets

 

High Stiffness (RA 66+)

Pros:

• More power with less effort
• Crisper feel and better stability
• Ideal for flat hitters and big servers
   
  

Cons:

• Less arm-friendly
• Reduced dwell time and touch
• Can feel harsh on off-center hits
   
  

Low Stiffness (RA < 60)

Pros:

• Softer feel and better ball pocketing
• Excellent for arm comfort and control
• Great for spin and finesse players
   
  

Cons:

• Requires more effort to generate power
• Can feel too muted or “dead” for some
  
  

Stiffness Ratings of Popular Racquets

Brand & Model	RA Rating	Category	Notes
Babolat Pure Aero 100	67	Stiff	Spin-heavy, powerful, used by Nadal
Babolat Pure Drive 100	66–71	Stiff to very stiff	Explosive power, can be harsh on arm
Wilson Blade 100 v9	60–64	Moderate	Control-oriented with a plush feel
Wilson Ultra 100 v4	70–74	Very stiff	Power-focused, less forgiving
Wilson Clash v4/v5	55	Very flexible	Most arm-friendly racquet on the market
Head Boom MP	64	Moderate	Comfortable with easy power and spin
Head Speed MP (2024)	60	Flexible	Balanced, plush, endorsed by Djokovic
Yonex EZONE 100 (2025)	68	Stiff	Powerful with improved comfort via Minolon
Yonex VCORE 100 (2023)	65	Stiff	Spin monster with solid stability
Yonex Percept 97	60	Flexible	Control-focused, great for advanced players

Final Thoughts

Stiffness isn’t just a number—it’s a feel, a performance trait, and a comfort factor. Players with fast, aggressive swings may benefit from stiffer frames, while those seeking control, touch, or arm relief should lean toward flexible options. Also, as players get older and the arm/shoulder may start to hurt, it makes sense to look for less stiff rackets.

To find the perfect racket for you, check out our tennis rackets page or give us a call. We are happy to help you!

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