50% Off Tennis Racquets at Big 5

[icantiwont]

Stopped by the store today and saw a rack with brands such as Pro Kennex, Head, Wilson, Dunlop and some others. Too many models to note.
Naturally, YMMV.

 

[oLLie]

I hope they've got the Wilson ProStaff Classic. I'll try to check it out.

 

[paulieside]

thx for the info!

 

[joe678]

Originally posted by: oLLie
I hope they've got the Wilson ProStaff Classic. I'll try to check it out.

pro staffs are awesome rackets..

 

[habib89]

the wilson hyper hammer series of racquets are also really good.. as stated in this thread

 

[matsuhisa]

i wouldn't go to big 5 to buy tennis rackets. i play tennis quite often and i've seen the selection at big 5 and they don't have high quality tennis rackets. i would go to a small private shop b/c they have the best selection of high quality rackets. and also, with those private shops... you can always haggle to get the best deal. i paid $125 plus free strings (gamma tnt 17) for my volkl quantum 10.

 

[Fraggle]

I don't know the store "Big 5", but as long as you know what specific racquet you want (and its specifications), it doesn't matter where you buy it. A Wilson Pro Staff, for example, is the same anywhere you buy it (I've never heard of knock-offs of tennis racquets). So, if you know what you want and Big 5 has it for a lower price, I'd say go for it.

You should always hit with a racquet at least once before buying anyway... preferably with several so that you can make comparisons. When "demo-ing" a racquet, you need to note: the model/brand info (including any #'s; e.g. Pro Staff Classic 6.1 isn't even close to the Pro Staff 7.0), the grip size, and (very important) string tension (pro shops usually have a tension guage you can use).

If Big 5 has a racquet that matches the demo racquet you liked & for a good price, it should be safe to buy.

There's so much more to know when choosing a tennis racquet, but I'll not try and include it all. Feel free to PM me with any questions!

ps. My fav. racquet of all time has been the Wilson Pro Staff Classic 6.1, strung at 55 lbs./sq. inch, with a 4 5/8 inch grip... but a couple of the new Hyper Carbon iterations felt really nice when I was looking to get back into the game, too.

 

[DeafeningSilence]

Can someone educate an ig'nant on what a Big 5 store is, and where they are located?

 

[axelfox]

oh yeah, Pro Staff Classic 6.1 baby...

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: DeafeningSilence
Can someone educate an ig'nant on what a Big 5 store is, and where they are located?

Big 5 Sporting Goods

 

[wizz0bang]

A few years back when Big 5 was having a sale on racquets, I picked up a Wilson ProStaff 5.5si for $60 out the door... that's a good deal in my book. May not be absolute top of the line, but I think ProStaff and Hammers are _really_ good. Just because they also carry $24.95 specials doesn't mean all their tennis products are garbage.

 

[matsuhisa]

Originally posted by: Fraggle
I don't know the store "Big 5", but as long as you know what specific racquet you want (and its specifications), it doesn't matter where you buy it. A Wilson Pro Staff, for example, is the same anywhere you buy it (I've never heard of knock-offs of tennis racquets). So, if you know what you want and Big 5 has it for a lower price, I'd say go for it.

sometimes there are tennis rackets that go on sale... you just have to see if larger stores like big 5/sportmart is having a clearance on that particular item. sometimes if something is on clearance, the store just decided not to carry that item anymore...

 

[Halcyon98]

I have never seen a "real" racquet at big 5. They do have decent racquets for players that are not looking for a player's racket, but in general, I have not seen one. YMMV.

A good place for rackets is www.holabirdsports.com

I picked up a Wilson Pro Staff 6.0 (that's the pete sampras racket), strung for $120 shipped. Not bad considering everywhere you go, you'll look to spend $150 plus tax for this baby.

 

[Tommyboy8]

Big 5 has some ok rackets. They are mostly for beginners to intermediate level players. They used to have a few ok Yonex rackets as well. If you are looking for the fancier stuff, then a local pro shop will be much better because you'll be able to try out the racket you are buying, however you will be expected to spend at least $100 per racket. While at Big5, a beginner can pick it up $50 and still have a very decent racket.

 

[Tommyboy8]

Big 5 has some ok rackets. They are mostly for beginners to intermediate level players. They used to have a few ok Yonex rackets as well. If you are looking for the fancier stuff, then a local pro shop will be much better because you'll be able to try out the racket you are buying, however you will be expected to spend at least $100 per racket. While at Big5, a beginner can pick it up $50 and still have a very decent racket.