Choosing a New Racquet Choosing the best racquet for you Websites www.holabirdsports.com www.tenniswarehouse.com www.tennisexpress.com www.racketman.com www.midwestsports.com Local stores Racketman – Has an awesome demo program and a ball machine in store to try out racquets. In Chesterfield. Sells brands that you won’t see at Sports Authority or Dick’s Sports Authority – Decent selection of racquets, more for casual players in store, online have similar racquets to Racketman Sells the basic brands: Wilson, Head, Prince Dick’s – Similar selection to Sports Authority, carries more “performance frames” Sells the same brands as Sports Authority #1 Grip Size If you choose the wrong grip size it can lead to tennis elbow Adult racquets start at 4” and go up to 4 5/8” or a number system 0 to 5 Most girls will need a 4 3/8” or 3 Most boys will need a 4 3/8” to 4 ½” Use this to help measure your grip http://www.holabirdsports.com/s/content/TTCSelectGrip.html Should purchase a new replacement grip every season, if you don’t use overgrips Should purchase a roll of overgrips, to reduce wear and tear on grip #2 Types of Racquets Game improvement Oversided head (106-135), lightweight, but head heavy For beginners with shorter swings, helps generate power Larger sweetspot Tweener/Intermediate Smaller head (95-105) A little less power, more control Player supplies more power Control/players racquet Smallest head (85-94) For Advanced players, very precise Player has to generate most power #4 Head Size Racquets come in 3 head sizes and is measured in sq inches Oversized head sizes (106+) – larger sweet spot, not as maneuverable and accurate, more power, less control Midplus head sizes (95-105) – smaller sweet spot, more maneuverable/accurate, a bit less power, more control Midsize (85-94) – same as Midplus essentially We shouldn’t get anything less than 95 or over 110 #3 Strings and Stringing Most racquets come unstrung, so you can choose the strings Strings are like racquets, different ones are made for different things Gauge of string ranges from 15g-18g in most stores Larger number = thinner strings = more spin, but not as durable Most use 16g or 17g String tension depends on the racquet Lower tension = power, higher tension = control Suggestion: 58-62 lbs Don’t restring a cheaper racquet Anything less than $70 unless it was on sale We have a stringer so I can string at cost, and you won’t have to pay markup on the strings You should restring at least once a year http://www.holabirdsports.com/s/content/TTCFaq.html #4 String Pattern The string pattern can affect how you hit the ball as well An open string pattern (16x18, 16x19) will create more spin, a bit more power, a bit less control A denser string pattern (18x19, 18x20) string pattern will not create as much spin, a bit less power, a bit more control Suggestions Have your child make a list of a few racquets they like Send that list and I can help pick out the best Or give me a price range and I will look for racquets in that range Look at game improvement or tweener racquets Demo racquets if you can Most websites as well as racketman let you demo Don’t just buy the most expensive, it may not be the best for you Take your time in making the choice Look at other lesser known brands (Babolat, Volkl, Yonex, Dunlop) Usually doesn’t cost more than $5-10 dollars per racquet 2010 models will be out, so lots of good sales will start on older, but still quality racquets Suggestions Con’t I wouldn’t spend anything over $200 for a racquet Most racquets are in the $70-$150 range There is a list of racquets on the team website to help with your search Think about purchasing a second racquet if you plan on playing a lot in the off-season You don’t want to break your strings in a match and have to switch back to an older completely different racquet Get it strung the exact same way, or change the tension slightly Keep the strings out of the sun and don’t get them wet, they won’t last as long.