How to choose the right tennis racquet (joining tennis team)?

Question

At **** Sporting Goods store, there are "game improvement", "performance", "recreational", and "all-around" tennis racquets. I'm joining my high school's girls' tennis team. I've only played tennis once, just for fun. I used my friend's racquet that day.

I don't have any tennis racquets or shoes. The racquet that I buy- under which of the above categories should it fall under? I don't want to spenf more than $65 on a racquet. I see that the recreational racquets are cheaper. Does that mean that they'll break down faster? Because our future matches- there are up to 3 matches a week. (I'll be playing doubles because I have to). And practice will be everyday. Will it be worth it to buy a recreational racquet that's cheaper that'll be very frequently used? I really don't want to spend more than 65 or 70 bucks. Which category should I buy a racquet under? Help! What's a really good but affordable brand? My friend told me about the Prince brand. Please help!

Answer 1

What racket you chose is ultimatley your choice.  The best way to find a racket is to go to a place like golfsmith where they will let you demo the racket.

You can go to the store take a racket you like and play a few points with it.  If you like the racket you can buy it, if not then just try another.

Since you are a beginner you probably want a "game improvement" or "all-around" racket.

A few of the best brands for any tennis gear are wilson, head, babolot, and prince.  I prefer head but everybody has different tastes.  Since you are a beginner I would reccomend that you get an oversized head size also.  This means that the head of the racket (where the strings are) is bigger than a normal head size.

I use the head liquid metal radical which i love.  Only $70.  

Hope I can help :-)

Answer 2

Personally, I would recommend Babolat Racquets. Rent one, or ask someone if they have one to try it out. Choose one with a good grip, design you like, and good feel. If you like it, try using it. But since you don't want to spend more than $65 on a racket, it won't do you any good. No Babolat Racquet costs that low of a price. Anything that low priced (racket) is low quality and won't help improve your game. Think of it as a beginners racket.

Answer 3

if i was u i would probably spend more money and get a better racket that will last longer and not a cheap begginer one at sports authority and d**k's sporting goods. Go on tenniswarehouse.com and all the rackets there are pretty good. I would recommend babolat pure drive (I use that) it is a very good and durable racket. I've thrown it a ton of times (by mistake) and it hasn't broken. SPend money for better quality!

Answer 4

There are a few things you should know:

In response to other posters:

Babolat frames ARE NOT DURABLE...i work in the tennis industry and i see more broken Babolats than anything else...in addition they are the worst company to replace a broken racquet (every manufacture has a 1 year warranty)...almost every manufacture replaces any broken frames within that year...Babolat replaces (this is a guess) maybe 60 percent.

If your a beginner you shouldn't be buying a Babolat...don't get me wrong I love their frames but i don't think they are the best for you :-) ...they are expensive...you want to spend 65 bucks and they cost like 180.

Also the Head Liquid Metal Radical as somebody else posted is meant for an advanced or developed player...again a great racquet that i love...but not for you.

K now to the good stuff...!

I love tenniswarehouse and I'll give you some direct links.

I would love to tell you why these would work out for you but just read this:

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/Selec...

Prince Bandit Oversize

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpage...

Great frame...great price...it's performance frame so it's not going to be a cheap frame that you get at a big 5...it's light weight and has an standard oversize headsize...great combination for a beginner.

Prince 03 Hybrid Shark

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpage...

Everything I said about the bandit applies to this racquet.  It's also important to mention that for 65 bucks you wont find many performance frames...you might want to consider spending an extra 15 bucks maybe...it will make all the difference int he long run.  Recreational frames are cheaper because the are low quality.

These are the two cheapest frames out there that would work for you.  Tennis Warehouse also has an awesome demo program and free 2nd shipping on orders large than 75 bucks and i think they have free return shipping too.

Hope this helps...!