Please help me choose a racquet!!

[Deandre234]

I've been playing tennis for a few months now and I think I'm ready to buy a Non-Walmart racquet. I went to **** and found one for 75 plus shipping, and I was wandering if anybody had ever heard of it. It's called "babolat soft drive" and here are the specs: WEIGHT: 9.4 oz. HEADSIZE: 106 sq. in. BALANCE: 340 mm / EB STIFFNESS: 68 RA COMPOSITION: GRAPHITE GRIP: WOOFER. Tennis warehouse dosent have it and it comes with 9 pcks of string, 2 grips and a cover; all babolat brand... Ooh and I would rate myself between a 3 and a 3.5! The racquet is new and unstrung with original tags, so should I get it?!?

[db10s]

Originally Posted by Deandre234

I've been playing tennis for a few months now and I think I'm ready to buy a Non-Walmart racquet. I went to **** and found one for 75 plus shipping, and I was wandering if anybody had ever heard of it. It's called "babolat soft drive" and here are the specs: WEIGHT: 9.4 oz. HEADSIZE: 106 sq. in. BALANCE: 340 mm / EB STIFFNESS: 68 RA COMPOSITION: GRAPHITE GRIP: WOOFER. Tennis warehouse dosent have it and it comes with 9 pcks of string, 2 grips and a cover; all babolat brand... Ooh and I would rate myself between a 3 and a 3.5! The racquet is new and unstrung with original tags, so should I get it?!?

How old are you?
Playing style?
If you are buying that racket, chances are you don't need NINE sets of string... I started on a Prince TT Scream OS.... Solid racket for a beginner.

[Deandre234]

I'm 16 and I haven't developed a playing style yet... The 9 packs of string was mentioned to show the value of the purchase, and have you heard of this specific model? Thanks for such a quick reply!!

[pkshooter]

Don't buy that racket! It's too big and too light, you'll never develop a proper stroke with it. Get something meaty like 11 oz. and 97-100 sq in.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunl...NLOP-D4D5.html
This looks perfect for a first racket.

[LeeD]

That's what I've been playing with the last year.
Got 3 of 'em. More power than a 308SW should have, easy to swing, quick, and very solid. Seems easy on the arm for this 64 year old who still hits out like he's 27.

[Deandre234]

As you guys can tell, I'm pretty new to this, but what types of string should I use. Maybe to help me produce more topspin but not too hard on my arms; hahaa yeah I'm pretty small!

[Dedans Penthouse]

Originally Posted by Deandre234

As you guys can tell, I'm pretty new to this, but what types of string should I use. Maybe to help me produce more topspin but not too hard on my arms; hahaa yeah I'm pretty small!

Hi Deandre. A good, no-frills inexpensive nylon to use would be Prince Synthetic Gut. It's consistant, will do the job and will not be harsh on the arm.

Some "arm-friendly" things to consider when choosing a racquet:
- headlight balance
- not too high a stiffness rating (i.e. over 66)
- not too light (lack of stability on off-center hits -- manufacturers will compensate by making the frame very stiff-beware)

Best of luck to you and your tennis!

[acura9927]

I suggest this
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunl...LOP-DB3HT.html
And a low powered string like Rip Control. Most people have plenty of power to hit it outsides the lines.

[pkshooter]

You don't have to worry about strings until you start breaking them. So
+1 to penthouse
Or
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Gose...SEN-OGS16.html

[Deandre234]

Originally Posted by pkshooter

Don't buy that racket! It's too big and too light, you'll never develop a proper stroke with it. Get something meaty like 11 oz. and 97-100 sq in.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunl...NLOP-D4D5.html
This looks perfect for a first racket.

They don't have that one in my grip, what about this one; do you guys think it'll be too heavy? - http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunl...LOP-D4D5T.html

[MikeHitsHard93]

Originally Posted by Deandre234

They don't have that one in my grip, what about this one; do you guys think it'll be too heavy? - http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunl...LOP-D4D5T.html

This is a great choice for you. IMO

[pkshooter]

Originally Posted by Deandre234

They don't have that one in my grip, what about this one; do you guys think it'll be too heavy? - http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunl...LOP-D4D5T.html

It's the same racket...

[Deandre234]

Originally Posted by pkshooter

It's the same racket...

No, one is the "tour" version and is an ounce heavier than the one in the original link. But I found the first one on TW under used racquets... Trying to decide if I want to buy it or not!

[AlfaAce]

Demo, demo, demo!!! Well worth the minimal $.

[Deandre234]

I just took a chance and bought the used Dunlop Aerogel 4D 500 from TW with prince synthetic Gut strung @ 58 and a pack of dampeners... It cost $58.XX shipping included; which is a lot for me lol I'm only 16!! The good thing is that I have 30 days to return it for any reason!! Thank you to everybody who posted, and I'll post an update when I receive it in a few days!

[robbo1970]

Great racquet choice for you. Light, easy to manouvre, solid and good quality. In the future if you want to add a bit more weight, you have a good base to customise.

Enjoy!

[Deandre234]

I appreciate everyone who contributed in helping me pick out my new used racquet,lol I got it Friday at around 7pm so I just got a chance to play with it today. I love it, at practice I was hitting almost all of my shots, and even with some topspin, also I was doing better with my serve. I'm going to keep practicing hard, and once again thanks: -Deandre

[Deandre234]

I forgot to say that the racquet said used with a B- but it only had two small scuffs at the top of the grommets. Paint is perfect, and grip is pretty good, good buy overall for an almost perfect racquet!