new to Tennis. What to look for in a Racquet?

[barfy]

So my kid(11) won a Racquet at school. Its a Wilson Tour Slam stop shock black and yellow. He has had 8 lessons and he enjoys it.

I have never taken lessons but have played a few times years ago.
My goal is to find a Racquet that wont break the bank and will last me for awhile. Any ideas or places to look?

[*Darren]

IF you are serious, go to a GOOD tennis/racquet-sport shop. First, find your grip size, then find a racquet that is geared towards a beginner, offering good control, and get it strung properly, I found that lesser tension always provided me better control with most/but not all racquets, but that was based upon my style of play (serve & volley) you may have to experiment with tensions & strings, don't buy a prestrung racquet. but if you are uncertain if you will play much or for very long - none of the above applies.
In fact, if you kid is taking lessons, just has the instructor for a recommendation.

[barfy]

at the most i would play is once a week.
It looks like my grip is 4 1/2 by measuring it

[Cusser]

I've played tennis for decades, a mid-B player, play in city leagues.

Until one gets to the VERY top, racket type is relative minor factor. I use a mid-size, and at my level I simply adjust to the racket.

So I'd say if buying new, should be able to find racket under $50 already strung at Big 5 or Walmart/Target. Or go to Goodwill and get one for $4, which works out to $2 every other Saturday when it's half-price day.

For grip size, best if when you grip it that the gap is about the width of your index finger. Typical grips are 4 3/8 and 4 1/2 inch size, most state that.
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[nsracing]

For beginners, plenty of mid-size ones at Walmart. As beginner, you WILL scratch the crap out of it. I would not recommend professional-grade rackets to start into the game.

I took lessons for a year...back in the day when I was really into tennis. I inherited some old rackets my neighbor gave me and I used that for a long time. By the time I took lessons, I had a decent forehand and mean double-backhand. My serve was a mix between Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe...

When I became Advanced Player, I moved to the Dunlop Max200G -2 units w/ Gamma Gut strings 65 lbs. Same racket used by Stefi Graf and McEnroe.

I did not like the oversized rackets -I could not feel the damn ball when it hit. I love the midsize - plenty of 'feel' and control for me.

I would recommend getting a hitting partner and work out your volleys, forehand, back.

You will eventually advance, but once a week is not going to cut it. You gotta be there EVERYDAY! At least 2-3 hours of ground strokes. Don't worry about the lines, let the ball come down where ever -concentrate on your strokes. As you gain more control of the ball, they will stay inside.

It is a fun game. When you are ready for better rackets several brands... Babolat, Prince, Dunlop, Yonex, Head, not sure if Wilson got any good rackets. I do not even know what is out anymore.

Now if your tennis partner is a woman and 'top-heavy', you might get distracted.

peace.

[GB2S]

Wood for control. Metal for power.

Geoff
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