Coming from racquetball - Need racquet help

[Dogma]

I'm a fairly inexperienced tennis player, coming from a racquetball background. I need a new racquet. My current racquet is a 25 year old Wilson Sting. I don't think it's the same as the more current model called 'Sting' - I guess Wilson just ran out of new names. I have no experience with newer racquets, except a $20 Wal-Mart one I tried briefly. I may demo 4 racquets, or I may just go ahead and buy one, so I'm looking for advice. There are no stores or clubs anywhere near here, so whatever I try/buy will be online.

I'm 40ish, and moderately athletic. I have a history of tennis elbow problems. My form is probably bad, and is made worse by being accustomed to racquetball (short, choppy strokes). I will not be taking any lessons, just playing recreationally. I used to hit one-handed backhand, but now hit two-handed because I notice less tendon pain. My main shortcoming is a lack of control, not power (maybe that's true for everyone?). I generally find that tennis racquets feel heavy/unwieldy, but again that's probably because I'm used to 170g racquetball racquets. It isn't that tennis racquets are hard to hold or swing, they just feel slow to maneuver, especially at the net, or moving from FH to BH.

My goal is to get something that feels nimble, has good control, and won't aggravate my tendon issues. All suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

 

[a-naik.1]

If you have a Dick's Sporting Goods nearby, they have (correct me if I'm wrong) Head LiquidMetal Radical OS. This is a very good overall racquet. Not too sure how it feels on the elbow, but I've never had problems or pain playing with it...but then again I'm only 23 :\ Hope this helps!

 

[Doubles]

If you have a Dick's Sporting Goods nearby, they have (correct me if I'm wrong) Head LiquidMetal Radical OS. This is a very good overall racquet. Not too sure how it feels on the elbow, but I've never had problems or pain playing with it...but then again I'm only 23 :\ Hope this helps!

It's VERY soft. However, they sell it for about $30 more than they do here on TW...

 

[Dogma]

If you have a Dick's Sporting Goods nearby, they have (correct me if I'm wrong) Head LiquidMetal Radical OS.

Thank you for the suggestion. No Dick's close by. I'll probably order from TW. Coincidentally, my primary racquetball racquet is a Head Liquid Metal. I wouldn't expect there to be much similarity between the tennis and RB models, but it does make me curious.

 

[86golf]

Demo the Head Radicals both the MP and the oversize.

Other options:
Babalot Pure Storm

Dunlop 300 series racquets

Prince Ozone tour

The other issue you will face is grip size and grip shape. I play racquetball in the winter and the new grips on modern racquetball racquets are insanely small and rectangle. I do like that rubber wrap that most companies are going to though.

 

[Dogma]

The other issue you will face is grip size and grip shape. I play racquetball in the winter and the new grips on modern racquetball racquets are insanely small and rectangle.

I was thinking of going one size smaller than my measured tennis grip size. Any reason not to?

 

[flashfire276]

I was thinking of going one size smaller than my measured tennis grip size. Any reason not to?

No reason not to. If it is a bit too small, you can use overgrip to make it a bit bigger.

 

[prjacobs]

I was thinking of going one size smaller than my measured tennis grip size. Any reason not to?

Definitely go one size smaller.... All the kids are doing it....

It's a more modern approach....

 

[Dogma]

Thanks for the replies. I went ahead and ordered a Liquidmetal Radical OS, since I don't think I know enough about tennis for demoing to make a difference right now. Maybe later when I have more skill I'll try some others and be able to make a more educated decision. For now though I can't wait to get my Liquidmetal in the mail. Thanks again!

 

[a-naik.1]

Yeah it's a safe racquet choice, and perfect for recreational use. Enjoy!

 

[agassi fan]

if u want i have a lq instinct email me at munthersaadeh@yahoo.com

 

[Don't Let It Bounce]

I'm a fairly inexperienced tennis player, coming from a racquetball background. I need a new racquet. My current racquet is a 25 year old Wilson Sting. I don't think it's the same as the more current model called 'Sting' - I guess Wilson just ran out of new names. I have no experience with newer racquets, except a $20 Wal-Mart one I tried briefly. I may demo 4 racquets, or I may just go ahead and buy one, so I'm looking for advice. There are no stores or clubs anywhere near here, so whatever I try/buy will be online.

I'm 40ish, and moderately athletic. I have a history of tennis elbow problems. My form is probably bad, and is made worse by being accustomed to racquetball (short, choppy strokes). I will not be taking any lessons, just playing recreationally. I used to hit one-handed backhand, but now hit two-handed because I notice less tendon pain. My main shortcoming is a lack of control, not power (maybe that's true for everyone?). I generally find that tennis racquets feel heavy/unwieldy, but again that's probably because I'm used to 170g racquetball racquets. It isn't that tennis racquets are hard to hold or swing, they just feel slow to maneuver, especially at the net, or moving from FH to BH.

My goal is to get something that feels nimble, has good control, and won't aggravate my tendon issues. All suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

If you're set on nimble, I can dig it, but would it be worth considering a racquet that won't make it quite so easy to revert to your racquetball muscle memory, go wristy, and aggravate your injury while limiting the development of your tennis strokes? Your old Sting is just such a racquet, especially if it is the oversize version. (I could see the mid-size version being more demanding than you want.) If the idea is interesting (and your Sting is shot), say so, and recommendations will ensue.