Which racquet should I get?

which racquet to get?

  • A

    Votes: 10 35.7%

  • B

    Votes: 1 3.6%

  • C

    Votes: 9 32.1%

  • none of those are suitable

    Votes: 8 28.6%
  • Total voters
    28
  • Poll closed .
Y

yescomeon

Rookie
I'm a lower intermediate player, and I want to buy a racquet which would help me improve and last me well into the stage when I'm more advanced. I've heard that anything below 300g is only good for beginners and intermediates, but I'm not sure.

A
Wilson pro staff, 100 square inches, weight: 285g
http://www.sportsdirect.com/wilson-pro-staff-100-blx-tennis-racket-743253?colcode=74325361

B
Wilson juice 96, 96 square inches, weight: 324g
http://www.sportsdirect.com/wilson-juice-96-tennis-racket-749006?colcode=74900618

C
Wilson juice 100, 100 square inches, weight: 304g
http://www.sportsdirect.com/wilson-juice-100-tennis-racket-749018?colcode=74901818
 
Juice 96? I guess you mean the Juice Pro. Take that outta there, that's a racquet for quite advanced players and something you shouldn't be touching anytime soon.

The Juice 100 is a very powerful tweener. It will help you in the short run, but you will quickly find the racquet to be too powerful when you start improving.

The Pro Staff 100 is more demading than the Juice 100, but it has better control and feel and can easily be customized as you improve to suit your level of play. It's my choice from the bunch you've chosen.
 
I would go for something with a head size around 98" and 320g unstrung weight. Better to get used to something proper (in lack of a better word) as soon as possible. Maybe even smaller and heavier. Kind of like the myth with the guy who learned to speak clean / fluent with sand in his mouth - hard at first, but it pays off in the end.
 
hofshot said:
I would go for something with a head size around 98" and 320g unstrung weight. Better to get used to something proper (in lack of a better word) as soon as possible. Maybe even smaller and heavier. Kind of like the myth with the guy who learned to speak clean / fluent with sand in his mouth - hard at first, but it pays off in the end.
Click to expand...

No. Just no. If he lacks the technique for a heavy racquet, he'll injure himself.
 
SpinToWin said:
No. Just no. If he lacks the technique for a heavy racquet, he'll injure himself.
Click to expand...

I should've mentioned in the OP, that my current racquet (which I've used for over 6 months now) is 306g. I don't know if that makes a difference, I've generally found it alright
 
yescomeon said:
I should've mentioned in the OP, that my current racquet (which I've used for over 6 months now) is 306g. I don't know if that makes a difference, I've generally found it alright
Click to expand...

Just tell us which racquet you play with currently. There is much more to consider with a racquet other than weight (for example balance, stiffness, swingweight, string pattern, head size, beam width, etc.).
 
How athletic are you. Are you in good shape? You've only listed Wilson frames. You need to try other brands. Get a good teacher to look at your game. It's worth the money in the long run. Work on your movement. At your level, if you can keep the ball in play for over three shots, you'll win the point.... Try open and closed patterns. Take your time and get to know what's out there. Basically, don't take anyone's word. Experience how frames work for you. Now - disregard this post :) ..... Good luck and have fun!
 
SpinToWin said:
Just tell us which racquet you play with currently. There is much more to consider with a racquet other than weight (for example balance, stiffness, swingweight, string pattern, head size, beam width, etc.).
Click to expand...

I was given this by someone, its a cheap racket, I only know the following info because its printed on the side of the racket:

- 100 square inch
- weight as stated before
- 45-55lb in tension
 
Is it almost pointless to get a lighter racket (below 300g)? because it won't be useful once you've improved and start playing against players who hit slightly harder?

at least thats the perception that I get from reading around

and also for a 1 handed backhand, if two grip sizes fit me almost equally as well, would it be better to get the larger grip size?
 
Try as many as you can, Wilson and other brands. Different weights, flex, plus all the other parameters. Although you can ask for peoples opinions and I'm sure that all the ones on here are valid and helpful, the only person that can truly answer your question of this threads title, is you.
 
SpinToWin said:
No. Just no. If he lacks the technique for a heavy racquet, he'll injure himself.
Click to expand...

Light racquets are more likely to cause injury than heavy.

hofshot said:
I would go for something with a head size around 98" and 320g unstrung weight. Better to get used to something proper (in lack of a better word) as soon as possible. Maybe even smaller and heavier. Kind of like the myth with the guy who learned to speak clean / fluent with sand in his mouth - hard at first, but it pays off in the end.
Click to expand...

Agree with this. Better to use proper racquet that will promote proper technique and full strokes, than to use light stiff HH rocket launcher which will do him no good and cause tennis elbow.

When I was beginner I followed advices similar to some above to use light "not demanding" HH racquet (Wilson hammer in my case) since I was not good for anything better at the time, which just made my elbow hurt and didn't do anything good for me. I switched to HL ~350g MPs and now mids, and my arm and my game were quite grateful. My elbow healed and my game improved.
So OP should not make the same initial mistake. Anything lighter than 310g strung is bad and dangerous.

robbo1970 said:
Head Radical MP. Seems to be a very popular choice for progressive intermediates.
Click to expand...
This is a good choice. But I would go for older model - Microgel Radical - currently on sale on TW for 89.95.
 
Last edited:
yescomeon said:
Is it almost pointless to get a lighter racket (below 300g)? because it won't be useful once you've improved and start playing against players who hit slightly harder?

at least thats the perception that I get from reading around

and also for a 1 handed backhand, if two grip sizes fit me almost equally as well, would it be better to get the larger grip size?
Click to expand...

Ive just realised you are in the UK and stuck with Sports Direct.

Same here.

Ok, firstly, I am in a similar boat to you. Grip size question, if you go for the smaller one, you can build it up with an overgrip, but the larger one is just....larger.

For the price, the Juice 100 looks good. The reason SD keeps its prices low is because that is last years colours.

Going under 300g in weight is ok if the racket has enough stability and the right balance. If you look at the Prince Blue and Red, both are sub 300g but get good reviews in terms of being stable for their respective weights. And its about build quality. A 290g cheap frame is likely to feel less stable that 290g quality frame.

I actually think the Juice 100 might be worth a punt, but have a look at the Steam 100 as well.
 
Agree with NickJ - there's no substitute for test driving some different gear to develop a better picture of what you like. If you do some sampling, I highly recommend keeping some basic notes on any frame you get to try on the courts. They can give you a very handy reference down the road as you figure out the racquet features that you prefer.

Grip size is mostly about what's comfortable for you. A lot of our pals here like a smaller grip for getting a feeling of a less restrictive swing. I've always liked a larger grip, mostly because I get a better feel for the grip's bevels and that lets me more easily and confidently find the right grip position. I also have rather big hands, so many racquet brands with a 4 3/8" grip or smaller feel like a pencil for me.

I hit a one-handed backhand and I think that I like a larger grip, again for that ease of grip positioning. Something to be aware of if you can't decide between two grip sizes - it's easy to build up a handle by one grip size by installing a heat-shrink sleeve (they cost maybe $2 each at TW). I've used these on a couple of racquets and they've worked great for me.

The one-handed backhand seems to demand "enough" mass in the racquet for me to be able to hit it well. If you demo at least a couple of frames, pay attention to the stability that you get with one option or another. Too light can seem weak or unstable, but too hefty can play especially slow (for you if your technique doesn't accommodate it yet) and force you to muscle the racquet to the ball too much.

I'd bet that something lighter than 300g would indeed be little help with developing your game or commanding the ball, but I have no idea where your level is at right now. It's hard to believe that something in the neighborhood of maybe 315g-320g would be especially tough for you to use or "grow into" with a little effort, just because you've already gotten into the game.

Racquet weight by itself doesn't tell us everything. If a racquet has significant head-light balance, it can be rather easy to maneuver despite having more heft. On the other hand, a lighter frame with only minimal head-light (HL) balance or even head-heavy balance can seem especially sluggish. When a racquet has the balance that I'm most accustomed to, that can give it the most familiar feeling for me regardless of whether it's a little lighter or heavier than my usual gear.

Don't want to overload you with considerations, but this balance issue is worth noting. It can have a significant effect on how well a racquet seems to fit you when you take it for a spin (Ha!) on the courts.
 
I did not like A at all when hitting, but drop 5 off it and it's a really nice all court racquet, Pro Staff 95. No, I don't have one but I've hit a bit with one and it's sound every where. Much better feel than the 100. Otherwise I won't comment as racquets are personal taste. I'd put the Head Graph Sp Pro in the test, I do have one and it's light enough and easy hitting, just a bit to rigid for me after a while.
 
robbo1970 said:
Ive just realised you are in the UK and stuck with Sports Direct.

Same here.

Ok, firstly, I am in a similar boat to you. Grip size question, if you go for the smaller one, you can build it up with an overgrip, but the larger one is just....larger.

For the price, the Juice 100 looks good. The reason SD keeps its prices low is because that is last years colours.

Going under 300g in weight is ok if the racket has enough stability and the right balance. If you look at the Prince Blue and Red, both are sub 300g but get good reviews in terms of being stable for their respective weights. And its about build quality. A 290g cheap frame is likely to feel less stable that 290g quality frame.

I actually think the Juice 100 might be worth a punt, but have a look at the Steam 100 as well.
Click to expand...

Certainly not stuck with Sports Direct. I live in the UK and only use Sports Direct to buy balls and overgrips.
 
My best recommendation to you would be to demo some racquets. Take 3 or 4 at a time out with you and hit groudstrokes, volleys, serves, etc. with each of them. Try to find one you like and have confidence in.

That being said, I think light weight racquets are a terrible idea. A 9.5 oz., head heavy racquet is going to be worse for your arm and technique than a 12 oz. head light racquet.

I would look for something no lighter than 11 - 11.5 oz. Stay away from anything that has a head heavy balance point. You will thank yourself for doing so.

Best of luck.
 
I would not suggest the juice pro at your level. It is a nice, underrated racquet but best in the hands of someone in the upper interm/advanced player. My vote would be the juice 100.
 
also out of curiosity as well, how comes the juice 96 isn't getting much love?

is it because of the heavier weight or the smaller head size?
 
Audiophile said:
My best recommendation to you would be to demo some racquets. Take 3 or 4 at a time out with you and hit groudstrokes, volleys, serves, etc. with each of them. Try to find one you like and have confidence in.

That being said, I think light weight racquets are a terrible idea. A 9.5 oz., head heavy racquet is going to be worse for your arm and technique than a 12 oz. head light racquet.

I would look for something no lighter than 11 - 11.5 oz. Stay away from anything that has a head heavy balance point. You will thank yourself for doing so.

Best of luck.
Click to expand...

Is that strung or unstrung weight?
 
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