The Cheap Players Club

Wear tennis shoes.
Almost any tennis shoe is going to give more support than cross training or running shoes.
Cross training shoes have soft soles that will not last on hard courts.
Replacement insoles can provide cushioning even in cheap tennis shoes.
 
Funny thread...

Got all of my racquets for about $100 each (auction site)
t-shirts: 99 cents each at thrift shop
shorts: generic polyester shorts on sale at REI for about $20
tennis balls: case of dunlops from Big 5 for about $40
shoes: good shoes are important for me so I use Barricade 2s, about $90
 
4 racquets that come out to be 55 each. Gosen polyon ice $30 a real. And just generic brand shorts and shirts. Steal the balls from the coach haha. Shoes were like $40
I'm pretty cheap I think
 
$60 for the new Fed shorts ... :(

MNSACWS-GY-1.jpg
 
$30 shoes from payless. I wear my $100Nikeys off court to look like a player and for doubles, I also reverse my overgrip when one side becomes worn :)
 
Dunlop Graphite Tempo Ti for $24. Bought it at list for $39, then found it was actually an older racquet being advertised as a newer racquet. The actual price was $27.

I use my all purpose athletic shoes, socks, shorts, t shirt, shorts and hat.

Bought a pair of athletic sunglasses for $9.

Two cans of tennis balls for $1 each on sale. I'm good to go!!!

Total cost to play: under $40.
 
Using your kids

papatenis said:
Can I join?

racquet- 2x Yonex RDS001, free, my son's old racquet
bag- free, daughter's old yonex bag
shoes- adidas baricade, free, son's old shoes
tennis balls- 1.79 on sale
strings-gosen sheep, 29.00 reel (about 1.50 per set)
stringer- ektelon neos, paid 1100.00 over 10 years ago,
saved over 10k on stringing labor
tennis clothes- free, son's old clothes
hat, visors- free, son's old hat and visor
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Hey Dad, I heard about this trick. Put your taxable income (usually some form of property) in your kids' names. That way they're taxed at a lower rate than yours. Don't tell them about it. Wait for them to bring it up when they're older. Offer to settle their back taxes at a compromised amount.
 
Lets see if I can join:

When I started getting serious about tennis I bought a brand new APDC for $160 and used it for a year. I traded it for 2 Pure Storm Tours (one in 9/10 condition and the other 7/10) in late 2008. I splurged on TW leather grips, but they will probably last forever with overgrips. I got a used Gamma X2 for $100 and do all my stringing now.

Shoes/Socks: Kswiss ultra natural - $25 or Nike CB 1.2 $30, Adidas climalite socks $2 for 3 pairs.
Balls: whatever is on sale (bought 12 cans of Dunlop for $1 each when they were on sale)
Shirts: Nike/Adidas athletic shirts, about $12 each through Nordstrom Rack
Shorts: $12 adidas shorts or $8 athletic shorts
Drinks: the awesome tasting filtered cold water from the drinking fountain at the courts (Neighborhood rec center - I used to work here so I know they change the filter often)
 
JT Corona said:
$30 shoes from payless. I wear my $100Nikeys off court to look like a player and for doubles, I also reverse my overgrip when one side becomes worn :)
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Dude I do the same thing. I was gonna write that in here but then I saw you beat me to it...a while ago. I use Wilson white overgrips and one side is definitely less tacky, but I feel like it absorbs more sweat. Weird. It's kinda like a trade off.
 
In addition I have not paid full price for a racquet in 8 years. I always buy used or last year's models. I currently have a KBlade that I bought used for $50 and a k90 I bought used for $60. I use Adidas SG2s with the "seashell" toe that I has an inch-thick layer of rubber. My last pair lasted me two years before my right foot busted through the side on a running forehand. My latest pair cost me $70 but came with a warranty stating that if they get scuffed or discolored they will be replace for free. (I have a very good feeling that's going to happen.)
 
I'll get around to updating the list later. Probably after I test out 2 new m-Fil 400s from the place I get them for $40. I noticed they had less than 10 of them in 4 1/2 grip, so I snagged 2 when I got the chance. Also picked up an Aerogel 300 for $70 with Dunlop Max Comfort 17 stringing included. The special was for $70 each if 2 were brought, but the cashier went ahead and gave me the $10 discount anyway. Now I can use the two scratched up used m-Fil 400s I bought off the 'bay as spares, trade bait, or donate them as a hedge for new year's taxes.

My roommate still keeps telling me I should get my racquets strung with Luxilon. He uses that stuff while I use quality, yet inexpensive, synthetics. Who owns the H2H again... ME!

Now I have at least 2 of the m-Fil 400, Aerogel Smoke, and Aerogel 300... none of them cost me more than $70 while most cost me $50 or less. BOOYAH!

Now if anyone can tell me the string Head put into their Microgel Radical MP string, that would be great. I cannot mangle those strings on that racquet at all. My serve is a bit slower with it, but I spin the heck out of the ball with it and at this rate the string the last months. Now if only the bumper guard wasn't so poorly made.

EDIT: List finally updated.
 
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Guess I can't join this club. Nothing wrong with dressing well on a tennis court. Wicking clothing technology is ultimately more comfortable than cotton. And if a current or previous World #1 can hit with it, I suppose, so can I ;-)
 
Just bought a cheap Prince Hybrid Ignite MP

I'm just getting back into tennis after an almost 20-year layoff. I played competive tennis in high school and was ranked in the top three on my team, but I've lost my consistency on my backhand since then. I would guess I'm a 3.5 player at the moment, but if I can improve my consistency, I hope to get to 4.0 within a few months.

For a father's day present to myself, I picked up a new Prince Airo Hybrid Ignite MP from the local Sports Authority. I was initially planning on getting the O3 Red MP, but I compared the two and they looked and swung awfully similar to me. I wasn't sure which one to buy, but since the Ignite was a newer model and $20 less, I decided to go with it. I've only hit with it once so far, but I thought it felt really nice for such a cheap racquet. My forehand improved immediately with a lot of topspin and good control. Forehand volleys had a lot of zip on them also. Backhand strokes improved slightly, but I know that's mostly my fault, not the racquet's. Anyone else tried this stick?
 
How can I miss this thread.
I bought rackets at $60-$100 each, shoes at $50-$80 a pair. Clothes? I wear cheap T-shirt and pants. For rackets and shoes, I always look for discontinued/discounted but good models.
 
@soyizgood: Do you still play with your Prince Airo Lightning? Looks like this racquet is similar to the Airo Hybrid Ignite I just picked up, except the O-ports are in different locations.
 
lys540iwgn said:
Guess I can't join this club. Nothing wrong with dressing well on a tennis court. Wicking clothing technology is ultimately more comfortable than cotton. And if a current or previous World #1 can hit with it, I suppose, so can I ;-)
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"Wicking clothing technology" is basically just polyester dressed up as fancy names such as climacool, drifit, playdry, ect. You can get many of these types of clothing cheap if you are willing to shop around. This includes namebrand clothing not target or walmart ones.

Well I guess I am cheap. I bought 3 of the same racquets for $70-80 5 years ago and still use them. I am in the camp its the player not the racquet that matters. I string my own racquets with poly/syn gut hybrid with reels I bought so it comes out to $2-4 per string job depending on which strings I choose.
 
ralentor said:
@soyizgood: Do you still play with your Prince Airo Lightning? Looks like this racquet is similar to the Airo Hybrid Ignite I just picked up, except the O-ports are in different locations.
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No, I don't have those anymore. Those aren't that durable. One cracked at the head from a mishit. The other warped when I served and the racquet hit my knee.

Prince makes this Titan Ti racquet for $30. 100 sq in, 24 mm beam, about 10.5oz strung, material seems more sturdy, low swingweight, but for $30 I took a crack at it to give to a friend.
 
That's troubling. I've only used the Airo Hybrid Ignite once, so do you think I should try to exchange it for an O3 Red for $20 more?
 
ralentor said:
That's troubling. I've only used the Airo Hybrid Ignite once, so do you think I should try to exchange it for an O3 Red for $20 more?
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The Airo Lightning is made of graphalu, which is short for crap. The Titan Ti is made of some fusion lite alloy. I think it's titanium based. I think I've seen the Hybrid Ignite at Big 5 once before. I don't remember the specs though. You might be okay if it is not made of graphalu.

The O3 Red I've thought about looking at a few times. It's a little lighter than what I normally hit with, but I kind of like the feel and balance of it. If you can get it cheap, it might be worth a shot.
 
According to Prince's site, it is made of graphalu. Bummer.

I really liked the way it hit though, based on first impressions. I'll give it a second playtest tomorrow, and if I'm not as satisfied, I'll attempt to exchange it for the O3 Red. Sports Authority may not let me get away with it, however.
 
I'm pretty sure I'll fit in pretty well.
I have a MG Radical Pro used - $50
Shoes, some kind of Wilson's I bought for clearance price - $18
Shirts, 6 pack of white t-shirts - $2
I own one pair of red shorts that I wear for school team - $7
I don't buy balls, I take them from my school (coach ordered 21 cases for a season
 
@soyizgood: I decided to exchange the Airo Hybrid Ignite for the O3 Red, and I'm glad I did. The O3 Red has a very solid feel to it on groundstrokes and is more stable on volleys than the Hybrid Ignite.

Gotta give credit to Sports Authority. They gave me no problems on the exchange. I did doctor up the painted "P" on the strings with a Sharpie, so that may have helped.
 
I saw these 3 Indian girls playing tennis again. One of them is tall, skinny, and cute. I noticed her serve was really noobish. Being the nice guy, I was giving her a few pointers. I noticed her racquet was warped. Anyway, after she got more comfortable with what I showed her I then let her try serving with my AG 300. She liked it.

Since I have 7 m-Fil 400, I might be able to persuade her to buy one of them off of me. I'm still torn between the m-Fil 400 and the AG 300, but if I can get my backhand to work with the AG 300 I might just choose it eventually.

I helped out those three girls and maybe I can sell off two of my racquets in the process. And maybe get to know the girls a bit better. :twisted:
 
lol, soyizgood has the right idea. make some bucks and "friends".. THROUGH TENNIS!!! what a perfect world.

I buy rackets used exclusively and use brand new balls... only thing i can't skimp on is the balls. dead balls suck sauce.
 
I believe I qualify as a member.
$35 Head FXP Radical Tour ($3 Dunlop Black Max OS as backup (thrift store))
$39 New Balance shoes
$9 Open Weave tee shirt
$7 shorts

I do keep a fresh can of Penn Championship balls handy ($2 at Wallyworld).
 
Me, me! LOL

1) I play with a Ti Radical that cost me $40. I plan on getting a new racquet that's better suited, but I'm only considering racquets under $90.

2) I just walked into a Tennis Chalet today, and almost started laughing when I saw no discount sticker on a single racquet. WHY WOULD YOU PAY THAT?

3) Undershirt from the day before and workout/running shorts that are at least four years old.

4) Running shoes the same age. And if I eventually have a serious tournament match? $25 Wilson shoes -- that I save for matches.

So how'd I do?
 
Joining

Wilson K-Surge - $69
Target shoes - $8.99
Target pants - $11.99
white undershirt - 3 for $5
Wilson wristband - 2@$2.50
black hat no logo - $7
old sunglasses - $0 (found)
Wilson balls - $1.82/can at Walmart
6 racquet Nike bag - $24 on e bay (awesome deal)

My other racquets are an old Prince Graphite and a Wilson "Grand Slam" I got for $18 at Target ;)
 
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I need to find some cheap tennis shoes for this weekend. I've been playing with folks in shoes that have holes in them. I can't find those $20 Reeboks so I'll be looking for something else.
 
[x] Your main racquets cost $130 or less
[x] You play with simple attire
[x] You'd rather buy 2 good pairs of shoes for under $100 than go all out for one pair (they're all made in China or Indonesia anyways)

Optional:
[x] You know where all the free and cheap courts are in your city


My "tennis" clothes come from Ross or TX Maxx, exclusively.
Only bought new racquets when I could get them at cost.
Chose not to buy shoes at cost 'cause they were still too expensive.
Chose not to buy NG at cost 'cause it was still too expensive.
Have a chart of which accessories are cheaper at either Academy or Walmart.

Can I join?
 
I found some good wilson tennis shoes for under 20. Nordic Track at Sears are always on sale for under 10 (sometimes like 7) a piece and they're high quality. Go to asian convenient stores for logo hats for 5. Collect and play with 6 2-session balls instead of 3 brand new.

Kevlar for freaking long lasting string.
 
I feel that this thread should be bumped into the new year.

Because I bumped, I thought I'd share my cheapness:

2 Pro's Pro Art of War (basically a good Prestige MP-ish clone), 60€ for both
Whatever shirts I can get, free
Shoes: Nike CB 1.3, 100€ (the club complained that the other shoes I wore left marks, but the racquet costs even it out)
Strings only when absolutely needed

Cheap players unite!
 
Hmmmm - racket #1 - demo Yonex RQiS 2 that I got for $50.00 in Myrtle Beach. racket #2 - Wilson something or other my brother got for me for Chirstmas, frame cracked after less than 1 year of use and Wison sent me a K Bold
($100 MSRP) as a replacement.

I do play indoors, but only in clinics where my per hour cost is less than $10.

Shirts are race wear - free if you don't count the entry fee.

shorts - $20 - $25 running shorts with pockets

$1 bandanas from Work Clothes store

The one thing I splurge on is shoes. Asics Gel Resolution 2s

(bad knees, they help)

Balls, I'm about average on. I'll play about 6 sets with them before they go in the ball busser ($35 new, bought it 25 years ago)

So.......do I qualify?
 
I commend people for being frugal, but it needs to be said that tennis is one of the cheapest activities there are. Try skiing, skydiving, road biking, GOLF, ummm, GOLF, windsurfing, oh yeah and golf.

I think if your enjoyment suffers because of cheapskate behavior, then you may be taking it too far. Happiness IS a commodity, just like money...only infinitely more valuable.
 
sillyrabbit said:
I commend people for being frugal, but it needs to be said that tennis is one of the cheapest activities there are. Try skiing, skydiving, road biking, GOLF, ummm, GOLF, windsurfing, oh yeah and golf.

I think if your enjoyment suffers because of cheapskate behavior, then you may be taking it too far. Happiness IS a commodity, just like money...only infinitely more valuable.
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VERY well said !!!!!! :)

btw,..having said that...I got a TW 6 pack bag for $7 after a racquet purchase,... I was kinda tickled about that,...
 
My loyalty to Dunlop is being severely tested. First, the AG Smoke was more stiff than the m-Fil 400 predecessor and I attribute my wrist pains from using it. Then they didn't even bother to make a 4D version of the 400 and I haven't seen a Biomimetic version for the 400 yet.

I got used to the AG 300, so I spent $75 on a new AG 4D 300. The 4D version is noticeably more powerful than the AG 300. I strung both the 4D and the AG with Wilson Stamina 16 at 58 lbs. I think I can get used to the power surge.

Still, the 4D and the AG find itself competing with the Babolat Pure Storm for my attention. Maybe it was the strings that came with the PS (bought it used for $63), but I was having a blast hitting with two of my hitting partners today.
 
soyizgood said:
My loyalty to Dunlop is being severely tested. First, the AG Smoke was more stiff than the m-Fil 400 predecessor and I attribute my wrist pains from using it. Then they didn't even bother to make a 4D version of the 400 and I haven't seen a Biomimetic version for the 400 yet.

I got used to the AG 300, so I spent $75 on a new AG 4D 300. The 4D version is noticeably more powerful than the AG 300. I strung both the 4D and the AG with Wilson Stamina 16 at 58 lbs. I think I can get used to the power surge.

Still, the 4D and the AG find itself competing with the Babolat Pure Storm for my attention. Maybe it was the strings that came with the PS (bought it used for $63), but I was having a blast hitting with two of my hitting partners today.
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All is not lost. Take a look at the New 500 Tour.. the specs look very exciting.

Steve
 
Racquet: well i got 4 broken prince air o invaders(30 bucks each) that i still keep and 1 that works customized with 13 dollar grip, 17 BBrough strings, pete sampras O shock absorbers

head ti medalist 1000 (free stolen from older bro)

clothing: watever i have on, if im feel like it addidas short for 9 bucks
highschool varsity jacket $20
LRG hoodie $80 bucks

also a wilson ti 2007 version racquet from walmart

though i don't really care much for being cheap, this club seemed fun. i am currently looking to move on from my prince and ti medalist which i have been doing for the past 2 years but no good racquets that i like so far, so if its an expensive racquet does it mean i get kicked out? but i am a cheapo and rather get these cheap but won't cut quality.
 
I admit, I've strayed... from my Gammas!

Let's see...
1 TT Warrior MP- $40, sold
2 Wilson Graphite Matrices- $20 and $25, still around
1 Dynamic Energy (APD clone)- $70, sold
2 Ozone Tours- $100, sold one for $60
1 Spectrum Comp 90- $20, very interesting frame...
1 Graphite Comp 110- $15, sold... another interesting frame...
1 Win M200, PS85 Clone- free... still haven't strung that baby up...
2 Microgel Radical MP's- $65 each new, love them!!!

Wow, in these short years, I've gone through 13 frames! Still have a good number, but I've actually broke more or less even on all my purchases. Makes me feel pretty good that I can more or less sell any of my frames for what I bought them for or better at any point...
 
I've paid about $400 total for my last 12 or so frames (not including a couple trades). All in 8+/10 condition. Good times.
 
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