Our Tennis Thread

[L Sanchez MD]

Never buy new racquets on E-bay. There are two types of new racquets on Ebay - fakes, and ones that are being sold by people who are "cheating" (such as teaching pros who sell the racquets they are supposed to be playing with).

As far as the playing characteristics - it's much like many racquets out today. Medium power/control, good spin, fairly forgiving.

I get ya!

What are the other racquets in the same sort of price/quality bracket as the K Surge?

[Rob ITST]

It changes all the time. I'm not trying to push Wilson (all brands are equal quality, imo), but they generally have the best deals in that type of racquet, mostly because they just make more racquets than anyone else. Dunlop usually has some good ones too.

The older model Wilson 6.1 can usually be found at a good price - there are two models, the standard and the "Team". The standard 6.1 is a classic - awesome control, a little heavy (a good thing, imo), 95 sq in, 16x19 string pattern. The Team is lighter, and with a tighter , 18x20 pattern (not as good for spin, but your strings will last quite a bit longer).

Head Radicals can be found at good prices as well - excellent control, fairly flexible. They generally come in two options: midplus and oversized - the oversize is better suited for intermediate players, the midplus is better for advanced players.

It's hard to think of everything off the top of my head - there's just so many good deals to be found. I suggest you just visit a local shop and see what they have. The best deals are just the racquets they have left over from the previous year, that they are selling at reduced prices. If you find something you like, post it here and I'll tell you if it's a good racquet/price - I know what the dealers pay for them, so I can help you bargain with them over the price.

[L Sanchez MD]

Seems to be a decent price for the midplus Head Radical.
http://www.sportsdirect.com/head-youtek ... ket-743049

I'm not sure I could allow myself to play with a racquet that resembled Murray's though

We don't have any tennis shops here at all in Belfast, so I can't go in and talk to a guy, unfortunately! The disadvantages of living in a 3rd world country
It's a miracle there are courts to play on...


Thanks for all the info - would be flying blind otherwise!

[Rob ITST]

Not a bad racquet, but I'd look for an Intelligence, Liquidmetal, Flexpoint, or Microgel Radical. When the YOUTEK's were released, Head started using a different mold to make the Radicals - the old ones are better, imo, and you can probably find an even better price. Actually, Murray uses one of the old Radicals, not the current models.

[L Sanchez MD]

Not a bad racquet, but I'd look for an Intelligence, Liquidmetal, Flexpoint, or Microgel Radical. When the YOUTEK's were released, Head started using a different mold to make the Radicals - the old ones are better, imo, and you can probably find an even better price. Actually, Murray uses one of the old Radicals, not the current models.

Worse price, but did find one... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Head-Flexoint-R ... 383&sr=1-9

[Moralspain]

Not a bad racquet, but I'd look for an Intelligence, Liquidmetal, Flexpoint, or Microgel Radical. When the YOUTEK's were released, Head started using a different mold to make the Radicals - the old ones are better, imo, and you can probably find an even better price. Actually, Murray uses one of the old Radicals, not the current models.

Worse price, but did find one... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Head-Flexoint-R ... 383&sr=1-9

nice racquet mate, i used it in the past, solid feel, and i still have the Prestige version which is also a very good racquet, i don't think Youteks' are better

[L Sanchez MD]

How much worse are the YouTeks? Cos they're actually cheaper And I'm broke-ville central.

[Moralspain]

How much worse?, can't tell, they're good sticks but either the Flexpoints or the Liquidmetals are better, in my humble opinión, 75 pounds is a good price btw, i would try to demo some racquets before making the decision to buy a racquet though

[VillaJ100]

Find it so hard to describe rackets in terms of 'good'. its such a individual thing for me.

[L Sanchez MD]

Problem for me is that I can't demo racquets since there is no local tennis store (I don't think in the entire country, but not certain).
So I just have to go for something that people reccommend is 'solid' and hope that I like the feeling and way it plays.

[L Sanchez MD]

Alright well I found the MicroGel at a more reputable looking site.

http://www.pwp.com/cl-tennis-rackets-de ... Radical-MP

Thinking I'm gonna get it..

Suggestions for the strings and tension?
If it helps, it's still pretty cold here atm, around 10 degrees C.

[Rob ITST]

See if you can find a place that will ship demos to you. If not, then you just have to take a chance and learn to love what you get.

String recommendations:

1st, I need to know a little more about how you play. Baseliner, heavy spin, etc.

2nd, if possible, do NOT get it strung by the place you buy it from (assuming you are ordering online). Those places do really crappy jobs because they know you won't be sending the racquet back to them to re-string.

[L Sanchez MD]

See if you can find a place that will ship demos to you. If not, then you just have to take a chance and learn to love what you get.

String recommendations:

1st, I need to know a little more about how you play. Baseliner, heavy spin, etc.

2nd, if possible, do NOT get it strung by the place you buy it from (assuming you are ordering online). Those places do really crappy jobs because they know you won't be sending the racquet back to them to re-string.

Ahh, fair enough! So I should just get whatever crap comes with the racquet as standard (Head Sonic Pro 1.25 apparently), and get it restrung.

In terms of my playstyle, I'm a newb. I guess I hit with medium spin and power from the baseline, and love to slice on the BH. So something that would emphasize the spins is gonna suit, I think. I don't generate a lot of power for myself (prefer redirecting the opponent's power), so maybe a setup that would allow me to generate a little more myself.
I like playing half-volleys and feel shots.
I do suck at most of those things, but my slice has improved about 200% since any video I posted.

[djarvik]

Maybe get a racket that is very "customizing" friendly. Then, with some lead tape make it feel as you like.

[Rob ITST]

I'm a newb.

If you're a somewhat beginner, I'd at least try the strings that come with the racquet.