New Racquet for my son

jhick

Hall of Fame
My son is 8 (will be 9 in August) and has adjusted to a regulation (27") sized racquet. He is a big Federer fan and thus he has wanted me to buy him a WIlson Pro Staff racquet. But after demo-ing those racquets I've finally convinced him that the racquet is too heavy for him...plus more money than I want to spend.

So, I would like to find a good lighter weight racquet for him for under $120 that has some good power (but not overly powerful as he already hits with pretty good pace). He says he prefers mid or smaller head size to an oversize. He's about 55" tall and weighs around 70-80 lbs. Any suggestions?

Thanks.
 

ace18

Professional
my son is 12, and about the same size as yours...I had him used the Babolat APD Jr, 26" that he used for the last year or so, he just switched to the APD Lite, 27" and loves the racquet perfect transition up. I string them up with Gamma TNT 17G. The 26" is under your budget, I got the APD Lite used, around your budget price.
 

Kasmatsu

Rookie
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Volkl_Organix_10_295g/descpageRCVOLKL-VORG10.html

That should be kind of like a light pro staff. Can't beat the price.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_Pure_Control/descpageRCBAB-PC.html

That would also be kind of like a lighter Pro Staff. It overshoots your price a bit though.

If you can find one not sold out, the Yonex Vcore XI Team might be a good choice. The newer Vcore SI Team overshoots your price a bit. Perhaps look at the Dunlop 3 or 300 racquets.
 

neverstopplaying

Professional
My son is just turning 10 (he's big for his age) and competes in 12- tournaments at a reasonable level. When he was 8-9, he played with a PS100LS. Now he's using the PS97LS and finds them very similar. The PS100LS is at a reduced price. We use a thick synthetic gut at mid tension - it works for him.

Most of his peers are using stiffer frames, but I try to stay away from them. Volkl 295 could be a good choice too.
 

mrc

Rookie
Prince ES Hornet 100 or 110. All Graphite and Excellent frames for a 9 year old or really anybody.
 

jhick

Hall of Fame
What was your son using before?

He had been using some cheap junior sized Head racquets that my brother-in-law (teaching pro) had provided, and then bought a cheap Wilson titanium racquet for cheap at Goodwill because he liked the highlighter yellow color of it.
 

BlueB

Legend
Doesn't matter if he's used to it or not, or you just wanted him to be used to it...
What really matters is what's healthier for him and what wins him more matches.
 

Sparky

Semi-Pro
Doesn't matter if he's used to it or not, or you just wanted him to be used to it...
What really matters is what's healthier for him and what wins him more matches.

At 8 years old, I tend to agree with waiting for health reasons. My daughter has finally transitioned from her JR26 PD
to a 27" PD team. She turns 13 yo in October. Better safe than sorry. She competed in the open 14s with the JR26.
 

neverstopplaying

Professional
I see a few recommendations for smaller racquets. IMO green dot balls - 26 in OK. orange balls or green dot - 25 or 26 OK. If regulation balls - much safer on body with a lighter, more flex 27 racquet.
 
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