What weight should I get for my new tennis racquet?

[Robson]

Hey guys im new here!

I have decided to get my first +4 level racquet and im running in to some problems.

I have decided between these four:


http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_Pure_Drive_Lite_GT/descpageRCBAB-BPDL.html

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_Pure_Drive_GT/descpageRCBAB-BPDGT.html

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_Pure_Drive_107_GT/descpageRCBAB-PD1079.html

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_Pure_Drive_GT_Plus/descpageRCBAB-BPDGTP.html



So im 5 feet 6 and 125 pounds and I have only used $30 walmart racquets before and I don't know what I should go with. I have never lifted weights so im not that ripped.

My play style is mainly baseline forehands with alot of topspin and slicing backhand and that's why I picked this series.

Also would you recommend a hybrid string pattern for a person who has never tried one?

 

[athiker]

Well, since you've narrowed it down to 4 why not spend $20 to make sure you pick the right one? Here it the link to the TW Demo program:

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/demoprogram.html

You can get 4 racquets with prepaid return shipping for $20. Any of those racquets you selected could fit your game. A hybrid set up is nice assuming you have no arm issues...do yo have a 2HBH?

When you say +4 level racquet are you saying you are a NTRP 4.0?...or are you saying something else?

I owned the AeroPro w/ cortex and its a nice racquet. Hard to go wrong using it for a spinny baseline game. I also demoed the PureDrive 107 w/ Cortex and I would definitely consider it if you need any help at all generating power. I would hesitate to go with too light a racquet if you will be coming up against any heavy servers.

Other than that, if you made it this far on a $30 Walmart racquet, I would wait a bit longer and do a demo to narrow your choice down.

 

[Robson]

Well I have a one handed back hand and I ment that I am getting a racquet that is rated 4+. But yeah I am going to demo and see what happens, and ill probably try the one you suggested too.

 

[athiker]

Rated 4+...are you maybe referring to the suggested rating level in the racquets description on Tennis Warehouse? If so, yeah, I wouldn't put a lot of stock in those. I can't seem to find a rhyme or reason in those. I see no reason a 3.0 can't benefit from some of the heavier frames. I don't see how TW can say a 6 foot 185 lb 3.0 guy can't or shouldn't swing a 12 oz frame but a 5'5" 110 lb 4.0 woman can or should.

I only mentioned the cortex versions of the racquets you mentioned b/c the GT versions were not out yet when I demoed.

I asked about the 1HBH only b/c if you have a tendency for Tennis Elbow (more common w/ a 1HBH) be careful about buying too stiff a frame and stringing with poly....good technique will obviously help mitigate the risks however.

 

[athiker]

Here is a current thread comparing of the APDC vs the APDGT:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=336786

 

[Racer41c]

You should get one of these: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_Pure_Storm/descpageRCBAB-BPSTRM.html

Instead of spending a lot of money on a first racquet. If you wind up a tennis player, you'll need to switch sticks as you progress until you find something in your sweet spot. In the mean time, a very stiff racquet isn't what I'd suggest.