Tennis: want to buy 2 rackets for the wife and I

[IHateMyJob2004]

For years, my wife and I have said we should start playing tennis. She used to on occasion as a kid (maybe 10 years ago) and I have never played.

So, our anniversary is on Thursday (4th this time) and she wants to loose some weight and so do I. She already said we are starting a diet. So, I figure this is the perfect time to buy some rackets.

I want to spend maybe $50-$75 on each racket. What should I get? I talked to one friend that said I should get a "standard" sized racket. I know some heads are big on tennis rackets, so how are they measured? What would standard be? Is that an actual size?

My other concern is weight. I don't want do spend a lot, but I want something light weight. Probably anything these days will do.

And tennis shoes. I always wore Nike shoes. They fit my feat the best. Should I just go grab a pair of tennis shoes? I have some ankle problems and constant left right motion causes issues. Do they make high top tennis shoes? Should I just get running shoes or better yet, basketball shoes? I figure some basketball shoes will do fine on a tennis court, since I am not there to destroy all those that oppose me. I'm doing it for fun and exercise.

I'm actually debating getting 4 rackets total so that my wife and I can play with her sister and sister's fiance.

 

[jinduy]

just get some cheap ones at target and some new balance tennis shoes. even if u get a $100 racket i don't think you can tell the difference as a beginner.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: jinduy
just get some cheap ones at target and some new balance tennis shoes. even if u get a $100 racket i don't think you can tell the difference as a beginner.

That's true, but I also don't want something that falls apart in 2 months.

I want to atleast get a name brand racket. So, just go get the cheep one made by knwon company X? Well, what names should be substituted for X?

 

[imported_quasi]

The head size of of a tennis racket is measure in square inches. Midsize rackets are up to around 90 square inches, midplus between 90 and 105, and anything larger than that is usually considered oversize. Almost all rackets I see now are 95+, and generally are smaller the more expensive they are. If you're just playing to get some exercise and relax, you're probably better off getting an oversize racket, which has a larger sweet spot and is more forgiving. If you want to really improve you're game, go for a midplus racket, you'll learn to hit the sweetspot more and will have more control.

As for the weight of the racket, you should be fine with a cheaper racket. Oversize rackets are generally lighter than their midplus counterparts (at first glance, this doesn't make much sense).

I play 4-5 times a week with friends. We don't play like the pros, but I've had no problem with my $50 pair of Nikes. Along as you have some support, you should be fine.

Edit: Some brands to look at are Prince, Wilson, Head. Prince and Wilson have rackets ranging from $20 to nearly $300.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: jinduy
just get some cheap ones at target and some new balance tennis shoes. even if u get a $100 racket i don't think you can tell the difference as a beginner.

:thumbsup: on tennis shoes. Running shoes really aren't good for playing tennis.

In my personal experience, my first racquet, a $50 Prince, had a mishaped head after one season of play. No idea how that happened. My Wilson Hammer (6.2) served me well for years.

Regarding size - it'll be marked as oversize, midsize, etc. They're also measured in square inches. I think an oversize racquet would be better for a beginner, and they'll probably be the most common size you'll find.

 

[yosuke188]

You would probably want a racket with a big head that is light if you have never played tennis before. I would recommend looking at something in the range of 100 to 110 sqr inches for head size, and 9.6 to 11 ounces in weight.

Maybe an absolute beginner should stick to something like this, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend something like this if you think you will quickly improve and keep playing.

Or you can always just go with the $5 rackets and see where it goes.

 

[tailes151]

Just go to a proshop and demo some out. Even as a beginner you can tell the difference between a walmart and a decent racquet. Since youre just starting out, lookg for an oversize racquet thats relatively light (probably at or under 10 ounces.) If the wife has played before she may want to look for a "tweener" racquet. The Babolat Pure Drive is an extremely popular under this category.

Anyways, a good proshop will put money used on demos towards your racquet purchase. And remember, a racquet's feeling can change with string type/tension.

--edit--

if youre looking for shoes you really can't go wrong with Adidas Barricade 2's.

I've gone through probably a dozen different shoe types and this one lasts the longest, is the most comfortable, and comes with a 6 month warranty (new pair of shoes if you wear them out in 6 months)

And there are tons of good racquet makers. Head, wilson, prince, volkl, babolat, technifiber, yonex, pro kinex, etc...

 

[Ricemarine]

I think he should go for a tweener if he wants to improve... I do believe the online stores (whoever does the selling for G.I. Joes and the other stores that the online supplier sells to) has the Prince Beast and the Head Liquidmetal Radical MP. I can vouch for the LM radical since it's right now my choice of racket. It's a bit lighter and powerfulthan player rackets, and some players consider it a tweener. Prince Beast has a bit more power, and IIRC lighter.

As for the tennis shoes, there are pumps, which should give ankle support, although they are a bit heavier than the traditional tennis shoe. I would suggest you get some tennis shoes, basketball shoes are too heavy, running shoes = ankle problems. Finishline's online store has the Nike Court II's and III's on sale.

 

[tailes151]

Ugh, I'd advise against the LM radical, although it is pretty cheap on tenniswarehouse right now. Definitely demo it before you buy it though. I played with the ti. radical, then the i.radical, and quit with them after they brought the LM out. Besides, a radical is a players racquet thats just a tad lighter than normal.

You may want to check out the prince hornet, babolat pure drive, wilson 6.1, head (whatever their 6 version is now) Those should be good for your wife and you can work your way into them.

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: tailes151
Ugh, I'd advise against the LM radical, although it is pretty cheap on tenniswarehouse right now. Definitely demo it before you buy it though. I played with the ti. radical, then the i.radical, and quit with them after they brought the LM out.

Can you state why the LM radical is a bad frame?...

 

[tailes151]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine

Originally posted by: tailes151
Ugh, I'd advise against the LM radical, although it is pretty cheap on tenniswarehouse right now. Definitely demo it before you buy it though. I played with the ti. radical, then the i.radical, and quit with them after they brought the LM out.

Can you state why the LM radical is a bad frame?...

For a beginner? Absolutely, way underpowered, not forgiving, he'll have trouble generating any speed on a serve, it's rather stiff which could lead to tennis elbow, etc..

Oh and I'm not saying its a bad frame... I'm just saying it is most likely not for him.

 

[tailes151]

I'll link you to some that might suit your needs.

Here
Here (this one was VERY popular back in its day)
Here

There are more but that should get you started.

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: tailes151

Originally posted by: Ricemarine

Originally posted by: tailes151
Ugh, I'd advise against the LM radical, although it is pretty cheap on tenniswarehouse right now. Definitely demo it before you buy it though. I played with the ti. radical, then the i.radical, and quit with them after they brought the LM out.

Can you state why the LM radical is a bad frame?...

For a beginner? Absolutely, way underpowered, not forgiving, he'll have trouble generating any speed on a serve, it's rather stiff which could lead to tennis elbow, etc..

Oh and I'm not saying its a bad frame... I'm just saying it is most likely not for him.

Hmm, I rushed to conclusions then
But as for underpowered, it was IMO a step towards it becoming more of a player frame, although its more towards a tweener than a player frame. Thing is that balls fly out with that racket. As for the stiffness, it's actually not high compared to the other frames out there, more like average. As long as he slowly learns his tennis mechanics, it may work out. As you said it may not be as forgiving, but compared to other player frames, it does quite well. Tweeners may forgive better.

I switched basically from a dunlop HM 200g to the LM radical. My NTRP would be self rated 3.5-4.0... So it depends how my advice would help.

 

[imported_quasi]

Originally posted by: tailes151
Just go to a proshop and demo some out. Even as a beginner you can tell the difference between a walmart and a decent racquet. Since youre just starting out, lookg for an oversize racquet thats relatively light (probably at or under 10 ounces.) If the wife has played before she may want to look for a "tweener" racquet. The Babolat Pure Drive is an extremely popular under this category.

I'm all for spending more money upfront for a better product instead of upgrading later, but almost anything Babolat makes is out of his stated price range.

 

[richardycc]

wow, I guess high profile rackets are gone? I used to play in high school, I still have one of the org Hammer, that thing is HUGE/THICK compares to what's available now, and I paid like $299 for it.

just checked, Wilson still has the Hammer line, but they are not high profile like mine, and for around $70...man, how things have changed...

 

[tailes151]

Originally posted by: quasi

Originally posted by: tailes151
Just go to a proshop and demo some out. Even as a beginner you can tell the difference between a walmart and a decent racquet. Since youre just starting out, lookg for an oversize racquet thats relatively light (probably at or under 10 ounces.) If the wife has played before she may want to look for a "tweener" racquet. The Babolat Pure Drive is an extremely popular under this category.

I'm all for spending more money upfront for a better product instead of upgrading later, but almost anything Babolat makes is out of his stated price range.

Not if he can find a couple used, which shouldnt be too hard to do since theyre soo popular.

 

[tailes151]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine

Originally posted by: tailes151

Originally posted by: Ricemarine

Originally posted by: tailes151
Ugh, I'd advise against the LM radical, although it is pretty cheap on tenniswarehouse right now. Definitely demo it before you buy it though. I played with the ti. radical, then the i.radical, and quit with them after they brought the LM out.

Can you state why the LM radical is a bad frame?...

For a beginner? Absolutely, way underpowered, not forgiving, he'll have trouble generating any speed on a serve, it's rather stiff which could lead to tennis elbow, etc..

Oh and I'm not saying its a bad frame... I'm just saying it is most likely not for him.

Hmm, I rushed to conclusions then
But as for underpowered, it was IMO a step towards it becoming more of a player frame, although its more towards a tweener than a player frame. Thing is that balls fly out with that racket. As for the stiffness, it's actually not high compared to the other frames out there, more like average. As long as he slowly learns his tennis mechanics, it may work out. As you said it may not be as forgiving, but compared to other player frames, it does quite well. Tweeners may forgive better.

I switched basically from a dunlop HM 200g to the LM radical. My NTRP would be self rated 3.5-4.0... So it depends how my advice would help.

Hmm, I found the opposite. Seemed to lose control and gain power with the newer radicals. So I moved to the i.prestige but I found the same with the LM and Flexpoint. Now I cant buy any more i.prestiges and Im down to one =/

Racquets I used in order (as far back as I can recall them anyways) ti.radical, i.radical, i.prestige, volkl tour 10 mid, i.prestige, prince 03 tour, i.prestige. I can't find anything to replace it =(

oh, I don't think it really matters all that much, adn I especially don't want to start an e-peen contest, but I was at 4.5 back in highschool. Probably closer to 5.0 now.

 

[Casawi]

For a beginner PM and I will send a liquid metal racket for free if you pay for shipping. The racket is cracked (you can't tell as beginner)but perfect condition other than that, I just smashed it after I lost a match when I was in College. When you hit with it you can't tell the diff, the strings have broke tho, it is a $120 racket and replacing the string is $25. If you don't need mine then I recommend just buying anything from walmart or any store. The shoes tho, I think you should get a decent pair mayb from the clearance section of :
www.tenniswarehouse.com
Let me know if anything

 

[tailes151]

Originally posted by: yassine
For a beginner PM and I will send a liquid metal racket for free if you pay for shipping. The racket is cracked (you can't tell as beginner)but perfect condition other than that, I just smashed it after I lost a match when I was in College. When you hit with it you can't tell the diff, the strings have broke tho, it is a $120 racket and replacing the string is $25. If you don't need mine then I recommend just buying anything from walmart or any store. The shoes tho, I think you should get a decent pair mayb from the clearance section of :
www.tenniswarehouse.com
Let me know if anything

That's a good offer; you should take him up. But it might be difficult to find a stringer to do a broken racquet. The prospect of the added tension shattering the frame in your face often dissuades stringers from doing it. If you do grab it though, you can grab a set of cheap strings on tenniswarehouse and have it strung with them for more around $10-15

 

[brownboi512]

just get a Head or Wilson Oversized racket. 115 sq. inches is max. Also top of the line tennis shoes IMO is the Adidas Barricades, but you shouldnt get those unless you are gonna play on a reg basis. any normal running shoe should be fine. I recommend the Wilson Triad T3. This was my first racket and it was only 70 bucks after tax. its light weight and was oversized at 115 sq.in.

 

[tailes151]

You may want to steer away from the running shoe, they don't have good enough ankle support and nobody enjoys rolling one. But a cheap pair of wilsons or nike's or anything like that should work.

 

[Mike2002]

Originally posted by: tailes151

Originally posted by: yassine
For a beginner PM and I will send a liquid metal racket for free if you pay for shipping. The racket is cracked (you can't tell as beginner)but perfect condition other than that, I just smashed it after I lost a match when I was in College. When you hit with it you can't tell the diff, the strings have broke tho, it is a $120 racket and replacing the string is $25. If you don't need mine then I recommend just buying anything from walmart or any store. The shoes tho, I think you should get a decent pair mayb from the clearance section of :
www.tenniswarehouse.com
Let me know if anything

That's a good offer; you should take him up. But it might be difficult to find a stringer to do a broken racquet. The prospect of the added tension shattering the frame in your face often dissuades stringers from doing it. If you do grab it though, you can grab a set of cheap strings on tenniswarehouse and have it strung with them for more around $10-15

I sure as heck wouldn't want to string a cracked frame. Considering how much they distort when they are not broken, I can guarantee a broken frame couldn't hold up to the stresses of stringing.

For the rackets, all of the recommendations here seem fine. I would concentrate on a lighter weight one, maybe 105 square inches or so then when you start to get the basics down and enjoy it. you can upgrade the rackets. IF you have a Dicks Sporting Goods around, check their selection out, they usually have a decent number of choices.

 

[tailes151]

Originally posted by: Mike2002

Originally posted by: tailes151

Originally posted by: yassine
For a beginner PM and I will send a liquid metal racket for free if you pay for shipping. The racket is cracked (you can't tell as beginner)but perfect condition other than that, I just smashed it after I lost a match when I was in College. When you hit with it you can't tell the diff, the strings have broke tho, it is a $120 racket and replacing the string is $25. If you don't need mine then I recommend just buying anything from walmart or any store. The shoes tho, I think you should get a decent pair mayb from the clearance section of :
www.tenniswarehouse.com
Let me know if anything

That's a good offer; you should take him up. But it might be difficult to find a stringer to do a broken racquet. The prospect of the added tension shattering the frame in your face often dissuades stringers from doing it. If you do grab it though, you can grab a set of cheap strings on tenniswarehouse and have it strung with them for more around $10-15

I sure as heck wouldn't want to string a cracked frame. Considering how much they distort when they are not broken, I can guarantee a broken frame couldn't hold up to the stresses of stringing.

For the rackets, all of the recommendations here seem fine. I would concentrate on a lighter weight one, maybe 105 square inches or so then when you start to get the basics down and enjoy it. you can upgrade the rackets. IF you have a Dicks Sporting Goods around, check their selection out, they usually have a decent number of choices.

Haha, I wouldnt either. That's why I'm down to 1 prestige. But thats not to say he cant find someone willing to do it.

 

[mrrman]

check out tennis-warehouse.com this site also explains size, speed of racquet, etc

 

[Casawi]

Originally posted by: tailes151

Originally posted by: Mike2002

Originally posted by: tailes151

Originally posted by: yassine
For a beginner PM and I will send a liquid metal racket for free if you pay for shipping. The racket is cracked (you can't tell as beginner)but perfect condition other than that, I just smashed it after I lost a match when I was in College. When you hit with it you can't tell the diff, the strings have broke tho, it is a $120 racket and replacing the string is $25. If you don't need mine then I recommend just buying anything from walmart or any store. The shoes tho, I think you should get a decent pair mayb from the clearance section of :
www.tenniswarehouse.com
Let me know if anything

That's a good offer; you should take him up. But it might be difficult to find a stringer to do a broken racquet. The prospect of the added tension shattering the frame in your face often dissuades stringers from doing it. If you do grab it though, you can grab a set of cheap strings on tenniswarehouse and have it strung with them for more around $10-15

I sure as heck wouldn't want to string a cracked frame. Considering how much they distort when they are not broken, I can guarantee a broken frame couldn't hold up to the stresses of stringing.

For the rackets, all of the recommendations here seem fine. I would concentrate on a lighter weight one, maybe 105 square inches or so then when you start to get the basics down and enjoy it. you can upgrade the rackets. IF you have a Dicks Sporting Goods around, check their selection out, they usually have a decent number of choices.

Haha, I wouldnt either. That's why I'm down to 1 prestige. But thats not to say he cant find someone willing to do it.

I bet none of you can find the crack in the racket. It is very small, the racket can be restrung multiple times. For a beginner it would last him a year or 2 easy. I knew it was cracked because of teh sound it made when I smashed it, but couldn't find where it was cracked until 3 months later.