Anyone play tennis?

Live forum: http://forum.freeipodguide.com/viewtopic.php?t=38963

doylnea

10-05-2006 07:56:40

I'd like to start playing tennis this spring and summer and need to buy a racket. I've played tennis a few times with friends and always borrowed a racket when necessary.

Can I just go buy anything used from play-it-again sports or something similar and have a racket good enough to beat the ball around with while I take lessons? How much should I spend on a used racket - given that I'm just starting out?

chewy

10-05-2006 08:04:24

just buy a cheap one at walmart. they are cheap and work fine

ajrock2000

10-05-2006 08:15:13

Yeah, go for a walmart racket if you are a noob just starting out. I love tennis, I wish I had more friends who played though. (

bballp6699

10-05-2006 08:15:29

I don't play tennis, but I challenge anyone on this forum to beat me in badminton. 11th and 12th grade gym class champion, biznatches. ;)

doylnea

10-05-2006 08:23:20

[quotecb7943b6dc="chewy"]just buy a cheap one at walmart. they are cheap and work fine[/quotecb7943b6dc]

Thanks. I should note that I'm a very competitive golfer (low single digit handicap), and intend to be NTRP rated at some point.

doylnea

10-05-2006 08:24:59

[quote2c08cd8318="bballp6699"]I don't play tennis, but I challenge anyone on this forum to beat me in badminton. 11th and 12th grade gym class champion, biznatches. ;)[/quote2c08cd8318]

Singles and Double 12th grade champ baby...

KeithA

10-05-2006 08:56:29

If you knew nothing about me but my table tennis record, you'd think I was Chinese.

bballp6699

10-05-2006 08:57:42

Forrest Gump > China

FreeOffersNow

10-05-2006 09:36:51

I may dabble in a bit of tennis... evil

hehehhehe

10-05-2006 11:00:37

Since you're going to be serious about it, I would buy a decent racket. Just don't buy some crap racket with some plastic bridge. Maybe a used Wilson Pro Staff?

You should probably start with an oversize racket, but if you want to go up to the net a lot, you should change to a mid size.

Stiff rackets will give you more power, but widebodies may be too powerful for some people, sending everything out since it's harder to spin with those. Widebodies are for women (IMO) or for casual people that want quick power with short swings.

Also think about string tension. Tighter will give you more control, and possibly more power if you have the strength for it. Otherwise, low tension will give some power by using the trampoline effect (like a rubber band).

All this info may seem useless in the beginning, but knowing what's available and controllable will let you know quicker what kind of racket is right for you so you can pick out a perfect second racket.

Make sure you get the right grip size too.

tylerc

10-05-2006 12:07:47

I used to play tennis.

I had a Head racquet that was really nice. Check Dick's Sporting Goods (if you have one around you) for sales. My racquet was normally $160 and I got it for $75 or so.

johnjimjones

10-05-2006 12:21:04

I play tennis a lot. I have a Prince Triple Threat racquet right now, but that was pretty expensive (~$150) and I'd go a lot cheaper than that. If you're serious and plan on trying to get better, Dick's would def be a good choice since they have a good range of racquets.

unknown uchiha

10-05-2006 12:30:02

I play alot. If you want to get good, I suggest starting on a crappy or cheap racquet and mastering your strokes with it. Once you move to a better racquet , you'll notice that you get way better than starting with a good racquet off the bat.

I currently use a Babolat AeroPro Drive Midplus at 4 3/8 grip size.

doylnea

10-05-2006 12:48:02

[quotedb407a6f1b="unknown uchiha"]I play alot. If you want to get good, I suggest starting on a crappy or cheap racquet and mastering your strokes with it. Once you move to a better racquet , you'll notice that you get way better than starting with a good racquet off the bat.

I currently use a Babolat AeroPro Drive Midplus at 4 3/8 grip size.[/quotedb407a6f1b]

I've gotten differing opinions about this now with regard to rackets...but when I played golf in college, I used to practice with irons with sweetspots the size of dimes and then when I competed with irons with sweetspots the size of dollar bills, I felt like I couldn't miss a shot - it's still a hotly debated topic in golf forums. I'm interested to hear other opinions about this idea for a tennis racket.

JUNIOR6886

10-05-2006 13:12:58

when i started playing tennis in highschool i started off with a good racket
Pro staff 3.0 and it took a year before i was able to master the strokes and actually get a good position on the Varsity tennis team....