Need some advice for racquet for my wife

9

954gator

New User
Ok so my wife is just getting into the game and I'm trying to get her to pull the trigger on something that will work well for her. She's not very strong and is 5'3 110 lbs. Since most of my racquets are heavy and with too large a grip I don't have much she likes.

The racquets I have that she started playing with is my mom's old Prince Power Pro 110 (80s), and she actually liked the way it felt (who wouldn't with that 13+ weight lol), BUT she obviously can barely move the damn thing. She also has a really really ****ty walmart wilson hope OS which she's actually playing much better with since it's like a feather, but she doesn't like the feel (so surprise). I feel it could hurt her arm/wrist with vibrations if I hit anything to her with even the slightest of pace. Plus since the racquet is so damn light she's over doing it (like every rookie) which could make those types of problems worse.

Right now I'm looking into lower RA 100-105 SQIn type sticks. I'm sure there are some hidden Gems out there from the 90s that might be on the bay. Was also looking at older Prince Exo's, yonex', or maybe the Burn 100 team as well. The other big issue is that she's stubborn and will not allow me to buy her any of the new popular models as she doesn't want to spend too much. It basically has to be something either like the Burn which is like 80-90 new or something used. I originally wanted her to get a Yonex Ezone 100 or ezone 100 lite, but she said no way to $200 and honestly I don't think she'll want anything over $100. Frustrating!

Also, would you guys go with a lite version over a regular version racquet? I figure these 270g "lite" versions might not be ideal over your regular decently light standard versions at like 300 or so grams. They'll all be like 2-3 ounces lighter than that Prince Pro 110 lol.

Anyways all help is greatly appreciated! TIA!
 
My wife plays with a SW Blade 104 and loves it. But she's a strong woman with a solid frame.

The thing you haven't defined is who her opponents are going to be? If she's going to be in the world of ladies 2.5-3.0 doubles, she can certainly do well with a light OS racket bunting softer balls around. A 2015 PD 107 or 115 might be a good consideration. If she is going to play a lot of mixed dubs and higher level ladies singles, she'll need a more solid frame with lower RA to hold up to the additional power and not hurt her arm. Going with a Blade 104 2015 model or a Yonex Ezone DR 100 might be a good choice.

Not sure I'd recommend a super light racket to anyone as most ladies i see with the real light rackets are also sporting the Band-Its and wrist braces. 280 gm minimum in my opinion.
 
volkl v1 - any model. there are light, easy on the arm, good power, good control, can be used from beginner to advanced.
Volkl 6 or volkl 7 or volkl 8 300G are also good.

Yonex dr 100 - very comfortable and high quality frame

prince textreme tour 100t - very comfortable and high quality frame

Wilson blade 104. I would not get the SW autograph as it has a high SW but the regular blade 104 would be good. it is extended length though.

My wife and daughter are both petite and I've added a little weight to there frames and they liked it. An adult petite female can handle decent SW. it is a myth that a lighter racket is better for new or smaller players - OK, you probably don't want her to try 340SW or higher but my daughter and wife have SW in 320-329 range easily. when I added weight they both said I like this better.
 
I have great success with the blade 104 2013, 2015 (<great band for the buck) or the latest .
Specs are great for most, I am surprise most dont even notice the extra length. Weight is good...
Low vibration frame , worth a shot
 
954gator said:
Ok so my wife is just getting into the game and I'm trying to get her to pull the trigger on something that will work well for her. She's not very strong and is 5'3 110 lbs. Since most of my racquets are heavy and with too large a grip I don't have much she likes.

The racquets I have that she started playing with is my mom's old Prince Power Pro 110 (80s), and she actually liked the way it felt (who wouldn't with that 13+ weight lol), BUT she obviously can barely move the damn thing. She also has a really really ****ty walmart wilson hope OS which she's actually playing much better with since it's like a feather, but she doesn't like the feel (so surprise). I feel it could hurt her arm/wrist with vibrations if I hit anything to her with even the slightest of pace. Plus since the racquet is so damn light she's over doing it (like every rookie) which could make those types of problems worse.

Right now I'm looking into lower RA 100-105 SQIn type sticks. I'm sure there are some hidden Gems out there from the 90s that might be on the bay. Was also looking at older Prince Exo's, yonex', or maybe the Burn 100 team as well. The other big issue is that she's stubborn and will not allow me to buy her any of the new popular models as she doesn't want to spend too much. It basically has to be something either like the Burn which is like 80-90 new or something used. I originally wanted her to get a Yonex Ezone 100 or ezone 100 lite, but she said no way to $200 and honestly I don't think she'll want anything over $100. Frustrating!

Also, would you guys go with a lite version over a regular version racquet? I figure these 270g "lite" versions might not be ideal over your regular decently light standard versions at like 300 or so grams. They'll all be like 2-3 ounces lighter than that Prince Pro 110 lol.

Anyways all help is greatly appreciated! TIA!
Click to expand...
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/fs-prince-o3-hybrid-spectrum.603724/

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/fs-head-microgel-challenge-4-3-8.605353/

:)
 
Head Microgel Radical OS is a hidden gem, could be what you are looking for and price is good too
 
I agree with a lot of the sentiment here, a nice OS frame that is medium weight will do well as a beginner frame. anything OS from prince will honestly be great, they make really good frames.

Just be careful with some oversize frames supporting ridiculous stiffness ratings if she improves quickly. For the most part a year or two out of a beginner frame that is OS would do well.

Look for some older models on large discounts, she wont lose anything as a racquet can't honestly differ that much in those options for a beginner and she wouldnt notice much anyway.

Also think about going with a natural gut string or a nice multi, if she hits weak it will help protect her arm and last a long time with the most amount of playability duration! An underused option for flat hitting low level or new players that could benefit from control, pocketing and power.

I dont think you could go wrong with these types if frames:

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_Textreme_Warrior_107T/descpageRCTWABG-PW107T.html

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Volkl_V-Sense_7/descpageRCVOLKL-VS7.html

Wilson blade 104 - if coordinated and fast learner

Or as the poster above said, the specs on the Head OS are very promising. Nice and soft and controlled pattern. String with a lively string due to low RA and would be like butter.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head_MicroGEL_Radical_Oversize/descpageRCHEAD-MGRADO.html
 
Apart from the warrior 107t range i think even the warrior 100t is a nice choice. My teenage brother uses it and he started 2 years ago. It actually hits quite nice and is so easy to swing.
 
You know I was thinking about an oversize, but I just worried the higher twist weights on them would be tougher for her to adjust to. She ended up deciding on a Wilson Burn 100 team, which isn't really one I love, but since it's low RA and light I could add some weight for her to find what works for her.

Thanks so much for all the responses!
 
954gator said:
You know I was thinking about an oversize, but I just worried the higher twist weights on them would be tougher for her to adjust to. She ended up deciding on a Wilson Burn 100 team, which isn't really one I love, but since it's low RA and light I could add some weight for her to find what works for her.

Thanks so much for all the responses!
Click to expand...
I played with the Burn this summer. Almost bought it. It’s a nice racquet and plays a lot like my old nCode PS 6.1 IMO. she made a good choice
 
954gator said:
You know I was thinking about an oversize, but I just worried the higher twist weights on them would be tougher for her to adjust to. She ended up deciding on a Wilson Burn 100 team, which isn't really one I love, but since it's low RA and light I could add some weight for her to find what works for her.

Thanks so much for all the responses!
Click to expand...

Good choice I think. I added some wight to handle and hoop and it played very well. Took it out again for my wife to use though.
 
954gator said:
Ok so my wife is just getting into the game and I'm trying to get her to pull the trigger on something that will work well for her. She's not very strong and is 5'3 110 lbs. Since most of my racquets are heavy and with too large a grip I don't have much she likes.
Click to expand...

Head Ti.S6 (or S5 if you can't bear the thought of a 115"). These have both been around forever and are popular with beginners and older players. I even see older 4.0 men and women using them. My 72 year old mom uses the S5 and I've hit with it. It's pretty decent. I would be tempted to replace the factory strings though.
 
go with the lightest 110 sq. in. racket you can find in her grip size. the for sale/trade section here is awesome. never got a bad deal and good deals can be had for less than $100.00

IF the racket winds up TOO light (VERY unlikely) a little lead tape here and there will do wonders.
since she is hitting so lightly, I would spring for some 20 ga. string so she can get a feel for generating spin.
IF you find a really great deal, but the grip is a little too big, a good pro can shave it down about 1 size.... (gotta be careful about going down more than one size though)
 
time_fly said:
Head Ti.S6 (or S5 if you can't bear the thought of a 115"). These have both been around forever and are popular with beginners and older players. I even see older 4.0 men and women using them. My 72 year old mom uses the S5 and I've hit with it. It's pretty decent. I would be tempted to replace the factory strings though.
Click to expand...

This is an awesome racket for beginners but it begins to be problematic if you go beyond beginner levels. I have a couple 60 year old friends that are using this racket and they both need braces for wrists and elbows and find it very hard to play against my wife and I since returning our shots hurts their arms. I've tried to convince them to get a heavier softer frame but they think that heavy frames are too hard on the arm.

These are popular light frames but you should only use them for ladies 2.5-3.0 play. Once you get into mixed doubles and higher levels ladies play, a bit more heft will help preserve your arm health.
 
I forgot to mention I also have an old Prince Thunder 970 long body which would really be a perfect beginner stick (it's 4 1/8 too). For some reason she doesn't like it. That's one of the reason's I figured to go 100-110. I'm going to have her give it another go at it now that she's improved a bit. It's weird that she plays better with that Wilson hope, I don't even know the specs but it's super light and at least around 110 size.
 
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