How to choose and buy a tennis racquet?

Question

I haven't played tennis in years, and looking to play again. I really don't know anything about tennis racquets and the differences between them. As for my skill level, I used to play in varsity back in high school, and by reading the USTA ratings, I'd say I was probably between a 4 and 5.

What I've done is basically look through amazon.com and looked at the best selling racquets. The two that came up are:

Head Liquidmetal 8 Tennis Racquet

Wilson nCode Ntour 95 Tennis Racquet - T7655

Does anyone have any recommendations as to which I choose? Or maybe something other than these?

My goal is to play tennis casually, nothing competitive. I really don't know my strength and weaknesses, or if i have a slow or fast swing, etc - so maybe an all around racquet...

Answer 1

choose one that is comfortable to you.  i prefer Wilson, but everyone is different. have fun, too!

Answer 2

You should demo some racquets from tennis-warehouse.  Based on your background, I would try the K Factor Ksix-one (95), the Prince o3 Tour MS (95) or MP (100), or the K Factor Kblade Tour (93).  The Ncode Ntour is a best seller because it is cheap and is a decent value (good for beginners).  You should go with a heavier, more advanced stick.  

If oneclicktennis.com is in your area, you should try their free trial to play some matches.   It's like an online singles ladder.

Answer 3

If you want an all-around type racquet, either of those could work, but I would urge you to go more for the Liquidmetal 4 rather than the 8.  And do you still have your old racquet from HS?  It probably would be fine.  Just give it a fresh set of strings and off you go (unless it wooden... then you'd be better off getting something new).

If you played varsity in high school, you have the roots there.  Now you just need to get them back.

Your best bet is to demo whatever you buy first.  This will give you a real feel for the racquet.  If you wand some all-around type racquets, try stuff around 11 oz.  If it seems too difficult to get power on the ball, go down to about 10.5.  If it's comfortable, then you've got your weight range.

Also, I would look mostly for racquets that are closer to being head-light.  But most of the stuff you look at that's 11 oz will be head light.   The last thing to do is look at head size.  I wouldn't go any larger than 105 sq. in, but that's just me.  Larger heads are more forgiving, smaller ones give more control but require more consistency.  Since it's been a while, I'd look for something between 100 and 105.

Then just demo one or two of that weight/headsize range, and pick whatever you like the best.  If you want to do some extra research, try tenniswarehouse.com. They also have a great demo program.

Answer 4

you will probably have more fun with liquidmetal, however, if you decide you'd get serious again, wilson ncode is the better choice.

if you are a 4.5 or 5.0 player, you really don't need help from racquet to generate power, you need a solid, good control racquet, which is ncode will offer you.

but if you only gonna dink around with your hitting buddy and perphaps play a couple of times a month, take the head liquidmetal.  it is more forgiving, more fun and more powerful.

as always, i suggest you go to a local pro shop and demo both.

Answer 5

Choose the Wilson it is a much better selection of the 2.