Looking forward advice on a new racquet for my daughter. She’s a varsity tennis player at her high school, has been playing with a Bobalat Pure Drive Lite for two years but needs a new racquet as hers is looking shabby and when strings break she doesn’t have a back up. She practices pre season about 12 hours a week and does match play on weekends so plays quite a bit. Her racquet is looking shabby. She is more advanced than when she got the Pure Drive Lite but is still only a 3.0 player as she is recovering from a back injury so just getting back to play after a few months off. She weighs 120 lbs and is 5’4 so not very big. She plays both singles and doubles. I’m not sure how much heavier of a racquet she needs. Would a Wilson Clash 108 be a good fit? Also what strings/tension? Thank you for any advice.
What is best racquet for a high school varsity tennis player (girl)?
- Thread starter Ald1993
- Start date
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-my 2cents
-the new model (of her current frame) would be an option, every 2,3 years there is a new model
-a easy/softer transition would be a yonex.vcore 98/100 ??!!
-head.extreme MP/LITE would also be easy transition from babolat.PD
-the new model (of her current frame) would be an option, every 2,3 years there is a new model
-a easy/softer transition would be a yonex.vcore 98/100 ??!!
-head.extreme MP/LITE would also be easy transition from babolat.PD
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time_fly
Hall of Fame
If you are looking in this category of frame, don’t discount the Dunlop FX 500 and FX 500 Lite. They are excellent frames that compete with the Pure Drive but cost less because they aren’t as well known.
I would not switch her to a substantially larger head without demoing some first. Oversized frames feel and handle differently. If she is interested in trying this type of frame, also look at the Blade v7 104. IMO the feel is much better than the Clash and it still has some good power due to the slightly extended length.
I would not switch her to a substantially larger head without demoing some first. Oversized frames feel and handle differently. If she is interested in trying this type of frame, also look at the Blade v7 104. IMO the feel is much better than the Clash and it still has some good power due to the slightly extended length.
ryushen21
Legend
The standard Pure Drive would be a natural fit. But you should also consider the Pure Aero, Yonex EZone 100, and Yonex VCore 100. Anything in that 300g range with a 16x19 pattern would be a good starting point.
I would not go looking at oversize frames.
McLovin
Legend
Having coached my daughter's high school team for 3 years, I can say there's not many frames you can 'go wrong' with in the 295-300g weight category. Yonex EZONE 100, Wilson Ultra 100, the afore mentioned Clash and Extreme MP, as well as the Pure Drive and Pure Aero 300g versions are all good choices.
To be honest, and I'm not trying to be sexist as this applies to the boys as well, the #1 factor in them liking it is the color of the frame. Seriously. Especially if it has the school's colors in it.
Normally I'd redirect you to TW's 'Clearance Page', but they're running extremely low on selection (I suspect, like bikes and weights, racquets have been in high demand the last year).
To be honest, and I'm not trying to be sexist as this applies to the boys as well, the #1 factor in them liking it is the color of the frame. Seriously. Especially if it has the school's colors in it.
Normally I'd redirect you to TW's 'Clearance Page', but they're running extremely low on selection (I suspect, like bikes and weights, racquets have been in high demand the last year).
If she's a 3.0, go w/ a decent multi. There's no advantage to a poly at that level, and they usually play 4-5 days a week, 2-3 hours per day. That's a lot of wear & tear on the arm. Prince Perfection is on sale at TW for $9 per set. That might be a good place to start. Tension is a bit harder as you'd need to know exactly which frame, and if the stringer is using a drop weight, lock out or constant pull machine, but somewhere in the mid-to-upper 50s would be a good starting point. If a constant pull machine, drop that to low-mid 50s.
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tennisboy2121
Rookie
One of the Iga sticks, Prince Textreme Tour 100 (290) or the brand new Technifibre TRebound 298 Iga
ChanterRacquet
Professional
My daughter went PD Lite to Gravity S in March after a couple years. Not a big bump but she’s a toothpick.
A Clash 108 would not be appropriate I don’t think. It didn’t really come off as a player’s racquet when we demoed.
Blade 104 v7 would be an appropriate player’s larger frame, good stick. So is the CX 200 OS from Dunlop and it doesn’t at all feel like the 105 it is (it’s not wider, the extra area comes from stringbed extending into the throat). If you are interested in Clash, the plain 100 is fine.
A Clash 108 would not be appropriate I don’t think. It didn’t really come off as a player’s racquet when we demoed.
Blade 104 v7 would be an appropriate player’s larger frame, good stick. So is the CX 200 OS from Dunlop and it doesn’t at all feel like the 105 it is (it’s not wider, the extra area comes from stringbed extending into the throat). If you are interested in Clash, the plain 100 is fine.
My daughter played/ing with PD lite but I lead-up 10 and 2 o'clock + putty in the but cap as she improving. It's about the PD team spec now that gave her more pace and stable. I would get her the regular PD or strike once she gets better because no need to spend extra $ now as she is still developing...
Greg_in_Atlanta
New User
I'd second the suggestion on the Blade V7 104 (non-SW). Both my daughter (14) and wife play with it and like it a lot. Easy on the arm and good combination of power and control. Extra head size is a nice bonus - makes it a bit more forgiving. We have ours strung with Hyper G at 48, but mostly because that's what I use in my other racquets.
dak95_00
Hall of Fame
Mine uses the Gravity S also strung at 48. These racquets are very similar except the S has a more open string pattern.
I believe both to be excellent options.
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
Ezone or Vcore 100.
If she is playing well with her current frame and doesn't have any particular complaints why not just go on the used section or one of the other used sites out there and pick up one or two more like what she has. Current new frame prices are just about crazy. There are some real gems out there waiting to be bought used for 1/4 the price or better even.
Personally I don't think switching frames is all that helpful for most people. If you know what you are trying to achieve by changing frames and have some experience to make a good judgement or have a coach or hitting partner that is sharp enough to give good advice then it can be beneficial, but in my time playing and coaching I don't think I've seen more than a handful of players actually improve noticeably from a frame switch. Most of the time there is a honeymoon period where they get a boost just from paying attention to all the things the new frame is "better" at. Once that wears off it's right back to where they were before.
Personally I don't think switching frames is all that helpful for most people. If you know what you are trying to achieve by changing frames and have some experience to make a good judgement or have a coach or hitting partner that is sharp enough to give good advice then it can be beneficial, but in my time playing and coaching I don't think I've seen more than a handful of players actually improve noticeably from a frame switch. Most of the time there is a honeymoon period where they get a boost just from paying attention to all the things the new frame is "better" at. Once that wears off it's right back to where they were before.
AmericanTwist
Professional
Agree with above poster. I would suggest a mid stiffness racquet 98-100 square inches that is also somewhat light. Prince TT 100L 260, Head microgel radical MP, ezone/vcore 98-100 L, clash 98-100, and others...
Simplicius
Semi-Pro
.
Blade 98L V.6 is a good choice and you can find them in a decent price...
Blade 98L V.6 is a good choice and you can find them in a decent price...
Thank you for this recommendation, after looking at our options, this is the one she is probably picking. What strings did your daughter use with it?
DustinW
Professional
I used to just put basic Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex in it. But she hits with quite a bit of topspin and wanted to try something different, so last summer I switched her to Tier One Firewire Boost, which is a comfortable poly/poly hybrid. I string it at 48 lbs and she loves it. And it matches the racket, which is important for high school girls.
stapletonj
Hall of Fame
Wilson clash 100 is a good frame and I have noticed a lot of people playing with it.
Nothing wrong with the pure drive
I have been a yonex vcore 100 fan for a long time
as far as strings. I would (if funds allow), fool around with gut poly combos, and/or the thinner strings, like solinco hyper-g, etc.
If you try a gut poly hybrid, make SURE you string the gut mains AT LEAST 10% tighter or you will be very disappointed.
Nothing wrong with the pure drive
I have been a yonex vcore 100 fan for a long time
as far as strings. I would (if funds allow), fool around with gut poly combos, and/or the thinner strings, like solinco hyper-g, etc.
If you try a gut poly hybrid, make SURE you string the gut mains AT LEAST 10% tighter or you will be very disappointed.
stronzzi70
Professional
Radical Mp 2021 ?
My daughter is testing PT 161 Extreme pj , what a frame BTW .
What is your opinion about PT 161 ?
n8dawg6
Legend
this applies to 40 something year old males too
mnttlrg
Professional
CV Blade 104 is great.
I like giving HS girls a 27.5 to help against being pushed around. I think a flex around 66-68 is good for some easy power that doesn't compromise on consistency.
There are a few good options like this, or you can even lengthen a regular frame for a similar result.
I like giving HS girls a 27.5 to help against being pushed around. I think a flex around 66-68 is good for some easy power that doesn't compromise on consistency.
There are a few good options like this, or you can even lengthen a regular frame for a similar result.
ChanterRacquet
Professional
The only CV 104 is the SW104 which is 28”, right? The regular 104 v6, 27.5” didn’t have CV. The regular 104 is a good racquet, I keep one in the bag. I keep a 104 v7 in the bag too (#1 local high school player as entering freshman just switched to the v7 104 from a pure aero, blades are good sticks).
socalmd123
Professional
yonex ezone 100 or 100L
Have you asked her if she would like a slightly heavier racquet? Does she hit with topspin or mostly flat? I expect she could easily switch to most of the half step up racquets. Full step up might need her to retool a little., but since she is recovering it might not be a bad time to work slowly and move up.
Half step up
Gravity S, Ezone 100L, Vcore 100L, Ultra v3 100L, Speed Mp lite(360+), Speed S 360+
Full step up in weight
Radical Mp 360+, Speed Mp 360+, Prince Textreme Tour 290
Switch to 98 might be an interesting way to increase weight but keep swing speed the same. Radical mp 360+ would be a interesting choice.
fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
Agree with our pals here in that there are a boatload of potentially great racquets available for high school girls these days. I've been coaching a high school team for several years and I've seen nearly all the racquets mentioned here, either in the hands of my girls or their opponents. Although the Pure Drive - both the standard and Lite models - seemed to be almost everywhere for a while, many others have carved out a share of the action.
I have to admit that my first thought when I saw the thread title was something along the lines of: Whatever you get, it will only be a bigger hit with your daughter if it looks good with pink strings.
I have to admit that my first thought when I saw the thread title was something along the lines of: Whatever you get, it will only be a bigger hit with your daughter if it looks good with pink strings.
Steve Huff
G.O.A.T.
I would stay with a standard length racket. The 2 I'd recommend would be the Yonex EZone 100 and the Babolat Pure Aero. I think she'd be happy with either.
pfrischmann
Professional
I hit regularly with the kids on the varsity team here at drills. I see a lot of Wilson Blades and Babolat Pure Strikes.
graycrait
Legend
Heck yeah, an OS racket would be great. She is playing for fun and for her high school why wouldn't a nice comfy OS racket work for her? Don't make it harder for her. Tennis can be a lifetime sport unless too much pressure is put on young folk who are more social players than performance driven, mostly due to outside pressures. I say that due to my experience recently with two mid 20 somethings who got burned out in high school. One was a high school hall of fame player who did not play college tennis and the other was a Czech "groomed" junior who quit tennis at 16. For one reason or another we started hitting due to circumstance and they both told me that they rarely had played for fun in their past tennis lives. That is all I do, play for fun. Now the tennis community has two more successful young ladies, one an Army officer and another with a Masters in Business, back in the "tennis fold." Thank you very much
