I just finished testing three rackets that completely changed my perspective on equipment recommendations.
For years, I’ve been playing with the Diadem Elevate Tour. It fits my game perfectly because I’m a net rusher at heart. Give me volleys and overheads all day long and I’m in heaven.
So when Diadem released a third version of the Elevate line with THREE different models, I was genuinely curious. Same specs on paper as my beloved Version 2, but would they feel different? And more importantly, would the new lighter versions actually be worth recommending to students?
Here’s what surprised me most…
The lightest racket in the lineup completely exceeded my expectations.
And that matters for YOU because most players in the 3.0 to 4.0 range are using equipment that’s actually working against them.
Let me explain.
The Elevate line now comes in three versions: the Tour at 11.3 ounces, the regular Elevate at 11 ounces, and the new Elevate Light at 10.2 ounces. All three share the same 98 square inch head and 16×20 string pattern, which are the hallmarks of a player’s racket.
The Tour is my weapon of choice. It’s got more weight in the handle, a lighter head, and feels incredibly solid around the net. When I hit an overhead or a crisp volley with this racket, it does so much work for me. The mass behind the ball creates that satisfying, violent feeling when everything connects perfectly.
It’s the modern version of the old Wilson Pro Staff frames I grew up using.
The regular Elevate sits right in the middle. It’s 10 grams lighter with slightly more weight toward the head, making it noticeably easier to swing. From the baseline, this thing is a dream.
The racket head just whips around with less effort, and you get a little extra pop on your groundstrokes.
But here’s where it gets interesting…
The Elevate Light absolutely shocked me.
I fully expected to hate it. I’m old school. I like weight. I like mass. I like feeling the racket do heavy lifting for me, especially at the net.
And yet, when I started hitting with the Light version, something felt different. Most rackets at this weight put SO much mass in the head that they become unwieldy. They reward bad technique. They let you get away with short, choppy swings and wristy flicks.
This racket doesn’t do that.
Diadem balanced it in a way that still rewards proper technique. It encourages longer, smoother, more athletic strokes. Even on serves and overheads where lighter rackets typically feel flimsy, this one held up surprisingly well.
Yes, it’s easier to whip the racket head around. Yes, it doesn’t have quite the same mass behind the ball when you flush an overhead. But it doesn’t feel cheap or wobbly either.
And that’s exactly what most intermediate players need.
Think about it: if you’re a 3.5 or 4.0 player trying to develop better mechanics, you don’t want a racket that lets you cheat. You want one that’s light enough to swing properly but balanced enough to teach you good habits.
The Elevate Light does that better than any racket in its weight class that I’ve tested.
Now, does this mean I’m switching? Absolutely not.
I’m still going with the Tour for my matches. My game lives at the net, and that extra weight on touch volleys and reaction shots is exactly what I need. The Tour feels like an old friend. It’s like coming home.
But if you came to me for a lesson and you’re anywhere between a 3.0 and an upper 4.0 player, I’m going to point you straight at the Light. And for stronger baseline players in the 4.0 to 4.5 range, the regular Elevate is an absolute gem.
Here’s the bigger lesson though…
Equipment matters, but only when it matches YOUR game and YOUR development stage.
I see too many players using rackets that are either too light and head heavy, encouraging bad habits, or too heavy for them to swing properly, limiting their potential. The sweet spot exists, but it’s different for everyone.
The fact that all three of these rackets share the same head size and string pattern but feel so distinctly different proves that weight and balance matter more than most players realize.
If you’re struggling to develop consistent, smooth strokes, take a hard look at your equipment. You might be fighting against your racket instead of working with it.
And if you’ve been curious about trying something new, this Elevate line gives you three really solid options depending on where you are in your tennis journey.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a league match to play with my Tour. Old habits die hard.
Your Coach,
-Ian
