Anyone Here Play Tennis?

swerve

Just curious. A friend and I want to take it up... I'll have to buy my racket then go half on his most likely. Where's a good place to start. I really don't care if I get good or whatever but it couldn't hurt to hit some balls and develop some more hand-eye coordination.

We have access to a few really nice courts through my work as well as one court a block away.

So does anyone know what kind of rackets//racquets to look into? Prince and Head are given but I am unsure if I want to drop that kind of cash early on.

I used to play around 12-14 and made my buddy quit because I learned how to serve... it's really a fun game if you can get some volley action happening.

Any input would be appreciated.

-adam

brettw22

Just go to Target or Wal-Mart and buy a basic racket for like $20. That should be more than sufficient for what you guys wanna do. Not like you're out to take over the tour, ya know?

swerve

Originally posted by brettw22
Just go to Target or Wal-Mart and buy a basic racket for like $20. That should be more than sufficient for what you guys wanna do. Not like you're out to take over the tour, ya know?

yea - target is good too... alot of hot moms....

aaharvel

Prince. and if you're taking the sport seriously and don't plan on upgrading racquets in a few months- I wouldn't look to Walmart except for a cheaper 2nd racquet in case the strings break on the primary mid-match. The frames are heavier- they warp faster, the stock strings are frail, and the heads are smaller providing less of a sweetspot- beginners need racquets with a big enough sweetspot to compensate for margin of error.

Go to a dedicated sporting goods store- you'll be able to pick up a GOOD Prince racquet starting around $100 and topping off around $230- and stores like that we'll string and re-grip your racquet as well, usually for free if you gave them prior business (you buy the strings and grip from them) and while they have your racquet for a day or so- you can usually check out free demos.

swerve

Don't think I'll be picking this up for a week or two.

I spent 3 hours yesterday at the basketball court. When I roll out of bed this morning and sit up I here... crack, CRACK, CRACK, CRACK from my back. it's really tight here at work and i can hardly concentrate.

yea I def. want something that is light. i used to have a wilson from target and it seemed so heavy.


-adam

MacLeod

I second the vote on the Target racquet, cause, EFF WALMART!

I tried taking up tennis back around 97 and was actually smart this time. I went and bought a $30 racquet from Target. Well after about 6 months of playing I actually sucked worse than when I started!!!

So that was my tennis career. Ill stick to weightlifting and mountain bikes.

The moral of the story is to get the cheap racquet first and see if you can even play. Then after a couple months, if youre getting good and enjoying it then spring for the big $$$ stuff.

jet2001

Prince, Head, Wilson...with those three you're likely to find a quality beginners raquet for $30 or under. If you're worried about weight, all brands now have some sort of titanium alternative, it might run you a bit more, but if you're worried about raquet speed, that's the way to go.

I'm a big fan of Wilson tennis products. They have treated me well over the past 12 years playing the game.

Have fun!

Emlyn

I'd suggest getting a recreational racquet first. Wilson, Head, or Prince are all good choices. Get a pre-strung racquet with an oversize head to begin with. The price range for recreational racquets can be between $25 and $70. A sports store would offer you the best choice of racquets and the best value as well. Dick's Sporting Goods has a good selection with free shipping on quite a few racquets. You could also look on Ebay.

Dick's Sporting Goods Racquets

If you start getting into performance racquets later, be aware there is a very big difference in the balance, feel, and power of some performance racquets over others. Find what you want with a recreational racquet first (base-line play, volley speed, fast or slow swing speed, more power, accuracy, head heavy or light, etc), and if you want to go further you can buy a more advanced racquet later.

aaharvel

Originally posted by MacLeod
The moral of the story is to get the cheap racquet first and see if you can even play. Then after a couple months, if youre getting good and enjoying it then spring for the big $$$ stuff.

Ok. From now on MacLeod is writing my long **** rants.

+1

MacLeod

Originally posted by aaharvel
Ok. From now on MacLeod is writing my long **** rants.

+1

LOL!