New racket for recreational player

[Ray Mercer]

Hi Guys,

I've just recently got back into playing tennis and have received a wellness subsidy from work so I'm looking into investing into a new racket. I am your typical recreational player but swing fairly hard, 6 feet, 205 lbs and have been lifting weights seriously for 5 years. My racket choices from my local sporting goods store are as follows

Wilson K-FACTOR six one team - 95 inch (I have heard this racket is for more experienced skillful players)

Wilson K-FACTOR SURGE

Wilson K-FACTOR Sting - 105 (I was thinking this racket would be good for me, larger head size, more room for error)

Wilson K Six two

Wilson K Brave

The last one is a Babolat Aero something (retails for 199.99 CDN) and is black, red and white in color (100 inch head)

I don't mind spending a decent buck as the racket will probably last me a lifetime. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[Ray Mercer]

Anybody have any input?

 

[nhat8121]

I can tell you the most popular racquet out of the choices you've given is...Babolat AeroPro Drive.

You don't want to get a crappy racquet and then as you improve, have to buy another...so, I would suggest buying the Babolat AeroPro Drive.

Many players of all level play with that. Also, for a strong guy like you, it should fits nicely.

 

[DjordjeRosic]

Hey welcome to the boards, my opinion about head size is that its all mental honestly, I used to use a aero pro and am now using a K Blade Tour (one is 100sq in and the current one is 93) I honestly feel like im playing a lot better (even though I only used the aero pro for one week lol). But since you say your lifting weights I have a feeling the aero racket you suggested would be extremely light and it would cause you to swing extremely hard which could cause injury (In my opinion). I personally would go with the K six one team 95 sq in (but that's me) you should demo the rackets, im pretty sure they have that program (maybe im wrong). If you do decide to demo pick the aero and the one I suggested or all of them if you have the time/money, but good luck, and don't forget DEMOING is KEY! lol

-Djordje

 

[nhat8121]

oops, black red and white...I guess you're talking about the Babolat Aero Storm.

like this? http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageRCBAB-BAS08.html

ok, sorry, wrong name, still, my comments applies to this racquet also.

 

[Ray Mercer]

In all honesty guys would any of these rackets likely do? I have one more question regardign head size. The racket which I was leaning towards was the Wilson K Factor Sting 105. Are the larger head sized rackets, 105 plus geared more towards seniors who do not swing the racket very hard? Also when reading the racket labaels shoudl I be selecting a racket geared more towards control, power or soemwhere in between. Sorry for the questions guys but I appreciate your help.

 

[taiketsu]

I would recommend the ksurge or the ksix two as easy-to-use intermediate level racquets. They are light and easy to swing. Generating spin and power should not be a problem.

Avoid the the ksix one team. It is expensive, and does not play as well as the aforementioned sticks. As I tell everybody, that racquet is for people who want federer's paintjob, but can't handle the other racquets in the six one series. If you feel you're in good shape, you might want to give the ksix one 95 a try.

 

[120mphBodyServe]

You say you've been lifting weights for 5yrs and you swing hard??
You're going to need something more like a tweener stick that actually has some weight to it...
Not these over sized ultra rocket launchers.. And why Wilson?

 

[ksixone95]

In all honesty guys would any of these rackets likely do? I have one more question regardign head size. The racket which I was leaning towards was the Wilson K Factor Sting 105. Are the larger head sized rackets, 105 plus geared more towards seniors who do not swing the racket very hard? Also when reading the racket labaels shoudl I be selecting a racket geared more towards control, power or soemwhere in between. Sorry for the questions guys but I appreciate your help.

Yes they would all work okay. The Sting is a nice racquet, and no it's not for seniors. It's for the beginning or recreational player who cannot handle the weight of a true player's frame. You said you swing hard and lift weights, so I would recommend a slightly heavier frame. Maybe try the K SixOne 95 if you feel up to it (NOT the Team version - it doesn't play well).

I'm a hardcore Wilson user, but in your case I think the best choice would be the APDC. It's a racquet that will grow with you and you can use it for a lifetime. No moving up... everyone from recreational players up to Nadal use it

 

[ksixone95]

I know the APDC wasn't on your list, but I'm adding it for you!

 

[Arzon]

I own a Babolat Aeropro drive cortex and I must say its great. It has a lot of spin and great for baseline rallies. But, I have heard that the Wilson Ksix-two is a great all around racquet for a great price.

Since I do not know your game style, I would say demo the Wilson Ksix-two

 

[fps]

hi,
i would recommend going with something with a headsize between 95 and 100 square inches. oversize i think is more unstable and really you'll be hitting the ball out of the middle in no time, at which point you may well need to buy another racquet. sounds like you're going to want a racquet with some weight behind it, on this forum i've read that the recommended weight is the heaviest that you can swing easily. based on your build i'd recommend not getting anything lighter than low 11 oz or so if you're serious about developing your game- if you do, again, when you're back in the groove you're going to need something heavier! swinging a sub 11oz racquet at warp speed sounds like a crocked elbow to me, though others here may disagree.

i have never tried babolat or wilson so can't help there, i've played with prince and now i play with yonex rds003 w/ poly. that one will probably be too light for you, but i will say yonex make some great racquets, and with a new line just out something from the older lines may be cheap right now.

 

[Ray Mercer]

Thanks for the help guys