AT TENNIS PLAYERS - NEED RACKET ADVICE

[heffe734]

Hey everyone,

I just started playing tennis again and was looking to replace my racket that i had since hs (8 years old)... I've played very sparingly over the years...but started playing more recently and getting my timing, footwork, and stroke back. But i'm clueless as to the gear that's out nowadays...i've tried reading up on them...but the selection is so huge...i feel even more confused. I'm more of a baseline player...would prefer more control than power (but some power would be nice)... Skill level would be advanced beginner to intermediate at most...

Any suggestions or personsal recommendations would be appreciated...thanks in advance!!!


EDIT: I forgot my string tension...it was in the low 60's i believe...61, 62, 63 i'm guessing...
And i play on hard court all the time

 

[Zim Hosein]

would prefer more control than power (but some power would be nice)

What tension did you normally string your racquet's at? Also, what surface did you play on heffe734?

 

[apac]

I've always liked the Head series of rackets.

 

[heffe734]

Originally posted by: apac
I've always liked the Head series of rackets.

Got some model #'s for me???

 

[thirdlegstump]

I played varsity in JHS, HS and college. Had a bunch of Head Radicals mid sized. I used to string that sucker up to 65lbs with kevlars or synth gut 16 gauge.

 

[Jeraden]

www.tenniswarehouse.com is the best site for checking out different rackets. They have pretty detailed information about all of them and some decent user reviews. However, for the most part all reviews are always positive. Which basically tells you that until you've spent time with a variety of different rackets, you never know which is better.

Anyways, each brand usually has various rackets to cover the whole spectrum of playing styles. If you are a baseliner, you'd generally want a racket with more power. If you are more of a serve and volleyer, you'd be better off with more of a control racket. Not that you can't play with others, but those would play more to your strengths.

If you are serious about finding a good racket, I'd find a local tennis shop and demo a few different rackets from the same brand (brand truly is irrelevant though others might argue). Try one power racket, one control racket, and one balanced racket. See which you feel more comfortable with. You'll notice they all play quite differently. Once you find which general style you like the best, you can demo a few of that type to narrow down to the exact model you like the best. You can demo rackets via the web too, its just less convenient and more costly. If you have a local shop, it usually isn't too expensive.

 

[heffe734]

Originally posted by: Jeraden
www.tenniswarehouse.com is the best site for checking out different rackets. They have pretty detailed information about all of them and some decent user reviews. However, for the most part all reviews are always positive. Which basically tells you that until you've spent time with a variety of different rackets, you never know which is better.

Anyways, each brand usually has various rackets to cover the whole spectrum of playing styles. If you are a baseliner, you'd generally want a racket with more power. If you are more of a serve and volleyer, you'd be better off with more of a control racket. Not that you can't play with others, but those would play more to your strengths.

If you are serious about finding a good racket, I'd find a local tennis shop and demo a few different rackets from the same brand (brand truly is irrelevant though others might argue). Try one power racket, one control racket, and one balanced racket. See which you feel more comfortable with. You'll notice they all play quite differently. Once you find which general style you like the best, you can demo a few of that type to narrow down to the exact model you like the best. You can demo rackets via the web too, its just less convenient and more costly. If you have a local shop, it usually isn't too expensive.

Sounds good...there's a pro shop within a 10 min. drive...but anyone have some model #'s that they would endorse or recommend or perhaps, have heard about from others so i can narrow the field?

 

[Jeraden]

I started off with this one when I got serious into recreational tennis:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageRCPRINCE-TTW.html

I joined a local league and actually won the prize for "most matches played" during the summer, and the prize was a free racket, so I decided to try something different. I stuck with Prince and went to a Prince "More Response" racket, which apparently they don't even offer anymore. But its similar to their current More Attack, which I think replaced it as there was no such racket when I got mine.
http://www.princetennis.com/product/product_detail.asp?CategoryID=37&Product=871

Thats the other thing, their models change very fast with minor changes, but they give them all new names.

I stick with Prince's, since thats what I'm most familiar with now, and like I said above, all the brands are pretty much the same, they all have a variety of rackets to cover every playing style. There is never one brand/model that is superior.

If you go here it shows all the Prince rackets with a general Power to Control rating.
http://www.princetennis.com/product/product_gallery.asp?categoryid=37

The other thing to consider is head size. Whether you want normal, midplus, or oversized. I prefer around 100-105sq in head size, which is somewhere between midplus and oversized. Too big feels awkward and too small I always miss the sweet spot.

 

[juancferrer]

Wilson Hyper-Prostaff 6.1, or somthing like it.

 

[Crappopotamus]

Originally posted by: juancferrer
Wilson Hyper-Prostaff 6.1, or somthing like it.

i think thats the racket i used to play with a couple years ago. its red and black? anyways ive always like wilson rackets, as a baseliner. theyve got the head heavy thing going on, and if youve got a big swing, you get a more solid shot off. a lot of those other prince/head rackets ive played with are real light, but feel wussy on the baseline.

i say just go to a couple tennis clubs, take some recommendations from the pros, and take some demos. youll find one that feels pretty good. i wouldnt worry too much about the racket anyways. its mostly the player

 

[PowerEngineer]

My son has gotten into high school tennis, and he's very enthusiastic about the older Head TI Radical OS (strung with 16 gauge kelvar @ 63 lbs -- which he still breaks in 2-3 weeks of daily play). He first tried the TI Radical and some other rackets his teammates were using, and then we purchased two of them from Tennis Warehourse (so I agree with Jeraden on both counts).

Head TI Radical

Good luck!

 

[geckojohn]

I just started getting back into tennis seriously. I bought a Wilson Hyper Hammer racket at costco for $60. I've used it a few times already and love it. You should check it out if you live near a costco.

 

[Jynx980]

Try talking to Milosh down at the pro shop. He will hook you up. If not, maybe he can get you some guest passes or sexually exchange his wife with you. ;-)

 

[heffe734]

thanx everyone for their input!!! Anyone have experiences with Racket Doctor in Glendale, CA?


Open to more suggestions or personal recommendations!!

 

[BigSmooth]

Is your 8-year-old racket really that bad? I have a Prince CTS Synergy that is at least 10 years old. Just had it restrung and it still seems to work pretty well for me.

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Another vote for the Head Ti Radical - it's a great stick. I'm thinking of getting another as a spare.

You can get it cheaper at Overstock.com - link

Originally posted by: PowerEngineer
My son has gotten into high school tennis, and he's very enthusiastic about the older Head TI Radical OS (strung with 16 gauge kelvar @ 63 lbs -- which he still breaks in 2-3 weeks of daily play). He first tried the TI Radical and some other rackets his teammates were using, and then we purchased two of them from Tennis Warehourse (so I agree with Jeraden on both counts).

Head TI Radical

Good luck!

 

[ChinamanatNCSU]

I used to work in a pro shop and I coach tennis teams, so I constantly get asked this. Not that I'm tooting my own horn, just saying that I believe I know what I'm talking about .

Choice of racquet depends on head size, weight, length, and stiffness. Tension really doesn't matter much because all you have to do is string at a higher tension for more control, and lower for more power. The more important consideration is swing speed. Now you've said you're a baseline player, but do you like to take long swings and swing hard and fast (i.e. generate your own power), or swing slower or take slower strokes (i.e. let the racquet do the work for you)?

I would always recommend an extra long/stretch racquet (racquets with an extra 1/2 inch or so added the grip). It gives you more power and reach without sacrificing too much control.
I'd also recommend an oversize though since it's more forgiving (which equals less errors/mishits) and will give more power.
If you take long, fast swings, you'll want a stiffer, heavier racquet so it'll warp/twist less when making contact with the ball.
If you take short, slow swings, you might want a lighter or less stiff racquet since it'll act like a trampoline and slingshot the ball back, doing most of the work for you.

The most popular brands are prince, wilson, and head. There is also Babolat (I personally use a Babolat Pure Control Team Plus). However, Babolat seems to be tailored towards college and 4.5+ players, and Prince, Head, and Wilson cater to a wider market. Prince Triple Threat series are wildly popular, as well as the Head Ti series. Wilson's hyper stuff is decent, but I personally liked prince and head better. All those series are a generation old, but I don't think you really need the newest generation racquets (prince more series, head liquid metal series, and wilson triad series), so I'd save money and get an older model.

Like you said there's tons of racquets to choose from. However, you can narrow down the choices drastically by finding a racquet that's tailored to your style of play. Tennis Warehouse is the online store by far - I've bought several racquets from them over the years and they've always had the best prices. Lemme know if you need/want more help, I've picked out racquets for a couple of my friends before, and I think they've been pretty content

 

[apac]

Originally posted by: heffe734

Originally posted by: apac
I've always liked the Head series of rackets.

Got some model #'s for me???

I hadn't remembered the model number, but after people have jogged my memory I'll also recommend the Head TI Radical. I personally have a couple S4s and they work quite well but the radical is such a more versatile racket.

 

[MikeMike]

The TI radical is about 2 model years old. currently the Liquid Metal Radical is what i use. i like the weight, but the sweet spot is a pretty small on it. the Prestige is one HELL of a racket, and i love to use it. ive held it and used it once. it is SOOOOOOO NICE.

MIKE