Purchasing a tennis racket - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Mango · 08-01-2007, 11:00 AM

I'm looking to purchase a good tennis racket and I was wondering if anyone could provide insight or suggestions on what to look for.

I'd prefer something fairly light weight, but durable.

Are there brands to stay away from? What sort of a price range am I looking at for a decent racket?

Thanks

VANFLAMESFAN · 08-01-2007, 11:06 AM

I'm very rough on my rackets,(I got a terrible temper) so I go for the cheaper ones, but from experience, you can get a half decent Wilson racket for about 50, maybe under. Those are the ones I usually get and they are pretty lightweight, but if you want the really light ones, you're gonna have to spend over 100 easy. If you're new to tennis or novice, you don't need the super lightweight made of all type of materials that you have never heard of. Stick to something simple, Wilson is the only racket I buy and I havent had much issue.

I used to buy HEAD rackets and I went thru a lot of strings because they kepy on breaking.

Just stay away from throwing your racket, and you should be fine.

Nufy · 08-01-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

I'm very rough on my rackets,(I got a terrible temper) so I go for the cheaper ones, but from experience, you can get a half decent Wilson racket for about 50, maybe under. Those are the ones I usually get and they are pretty lightweight, but if you want the really light ones, you're gonna have to spend over 100 easy. If you're new to tennis or novice, you don't need the super lightweight made of all type of materials that you have never heard of. Stick to something simple, Wilson is the only racket I buy and I havent had much issue.

I used to buy HEAD rackets and I went thru a lot of strings because they kepy on breaking.

Just stay away from throwing your racket, and you should be fine.

Johnny mac.....

I didn't know you were a flames fan.....

VANFLAMESFAN · 08-01-2007, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nufy

Johnny mac.....

I didn't know you were a flames fan.....

I actually played last night and I heard the guy on the other court call me Johnny Mac.....I was pretty upset, lost a intense 5 setter, and I just snapped at the end, threw the racket, kicked the water ball, hit the ball in the bushes, picked up the racket and threw it again. And then I had to pay my debt, 50 bucks.....sucked donkey balls.

JiriHrdina · 08-01-2007, 11:20 AM

Oh man I miss tennis.

What kind of game do you play? Lots of groundstrokes or do you like to put a lot of spin on the ball, and toss in a drop shot from time to time? Do you serve and volley? The type of game you play should be a big factor in the type of racket you get.

My game was all about spin, and I found a racket that was perfect for that and it boosted my enjoyment and performance a lot. Prior to that I had a racket that was suited to a power game, which is not how I played.

Mango · 08-01-2007, 11:23 AM

Thanks for the tips!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

The type of game you play should be a big factor in the type of racket you get.

I had no idea. My game is a lot of ground strokes and from there, mostly serving and volleying.

I also have very small hands, so using a large racket is very awkward for me and pretty much detrimental to my game.

Knut · 08-01-2007, 11:28 AM

I bought a 60 Dollar Head racket from Canadian tire... it works great for me... I was a novice... played maybe 3 times before this summer.

My style of tennis is "get the ball over the net" and hope to return the next one.

JiriHrdina · 08-01-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mango

Thanks for the tips!

I had no idea. My game is a lot of ground strokes and from there, mostly serving and volleying.

I also have very small hands, so using a large racket is very awkward for me and pretty much detrimental to my game.

Well in that case definately don't fall into the trap of getting an over-sized head which a lot of sales reps will recommend. They are good if you are new to the sport, but long-term they sometimes do more harm than good as it doesn't help develop the fundamentals of racket control and how to find the sweet spot on a normal sized racket. You basically become a masher, which isn't what you want.

Its been ages since I was in the market for a racket so I don't have specific model suggestions but you maybe able to even find some place that will let you try out some models. Perhaps that indoor tennis facility. I can't recall.

RW99 · 08-01-2007, 11:44 AM

I have a $60 Wilson yellow Federrererrr

racket bought at Sportchek, it's fairly light and does pretty well.

Fobby · 08-01-2007, 02:13 PM

try to find a 1 piece racquet.... if you opt for a two piece, it might bend out of shape if you keep hitting the edge

I went to sportmart and saw a wilson ncode racquet marked down from 250 to 129.99. good buy imo.

Winsor_Pilates · 08-01-2007, 02:33 PM

Head Intellegence are great rackets. They're usually around $150, but sometimes you can get one on sale for under $100. I got mine for $90 at Sportcheck.

Mango · 08-01-2007, 02:57 PM

I appreciate the feedback everyone. I'm off to check out a few places.

Asian Lilliputian · 08-01-2007, 07:34 PM

I am huge Wilson fan (Ncode 6). Then I borrowed my friend's Head LiquidMetal Radical. Man o man, I am totally converted. It's feels so solid, and it's very arm-friendly. So I bought one on eBay for $50 US (I can't find any locally but it's a $200 racquet) from a reputable dealer in quebec. Only $14 shipping.