I'm using the racquets that they give us in P.E., but I really love the sport, and I am definitely improving. I was wondering what a good racquet to buy would be.

Height and weight?

6'1" and 170. Yeah. I'm a little skinny

http://www.tennisexpress.com/BABOLAT-Pure-Drive-GT-Tennis-Racquets-11895

http://www.tennisexpress.com/BABOLAT-Aeropro-Drive-GT-Tennis-Racquets-15502

If you are considering spending a good amount ($100+), I highly recommend going to a club or tennis shop to demo different rackets. There are a lot of good rackets out there, it just depends on feels the best to you.

Do NOT go buy some cheap metal racket from Academy. If you want a racket that will actually work for you, and that you can keep for a while, spend a little cash. You can even go demo some rackets at a tennis club, then check out Academy and see if they have the previous year's model, should be the same, but at a discount.

Also, if you do buy a prestrung racket at a store, spend the extra money to get it restrung with something good. The string they string it up with from the factory usually sucks

Ive heard the same thing as everyone is saying. dont buy a cheapo one, spend a little more to get a better quality. Doesnt mean you hafta go overboard for a pro quality one, but its worth the extra money than going to academy. I started playing tennis recently also, and I got a nicer racquet too. I love it. Maybe Im spoiled now, since im still just a beginner, but I like my nice racquet over the crappy ones some of my friends use.

i've got some used ones that i could part with if you don't want to spend over $100.

My very first racquet that I learned to play on was a cheap ProKennex. Maybe about $35.

The one I used for several years on my highschool team was a Wilson. Not expensive at all either. Maybe $80. (But that was 16 years ago) Just because a racquet is expensive, doesn't mean it's the best for you. I wanted a bigger sweet spot, and I actually liked having a little bit heavier racket.

Depends on what you want, and what you like. Do you want really lightweight? Do you want something to help you get more control, or more power?

Here's a decent website that breaks down the different types of racket, based on what you're looking for....

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/SelectingRacquet/SelectingRacquet.html

Really depends on your skillset...how comfortable and what are you looking for with your arm speed, control, service game, etc...

I'd try out some different racquets and see what combinations work for you. I imagine as you're progressing as a player, you're going to want to head in the direction of more grip as I imagine you'll get the stroke down to get ample power. But again, it all depends on your skillset.

I'd suggest exploring Wilson BLX. It's their new line and I suppose a little higher end, but worth it, imo.

[This message has been edited by TXAggie2011 (edited 2/27/2010 1:41a).]

I can't stand Wilson, their racquets are so big and poorly weighted. I'm not a fan of their characteristic head heavy frames.

I've always been impressed by Prince, and some of their older models are really nice.

I've also thought that Babolats were some of the best all-around racquets that I've tried, although I have heard that this has changed over the years.

I suggest that you demo the racquets as stated above and then find a similar, but older model to purchase. Many of the finer racquets that I tried while I was serious about tennis are now going for less than $100. There are some good deals out there, so look around and find something that suits you.

although i'm definitely not a wilson guy, if that's your opinion of them currently (big, poorly weighted, head heavy), you might want to check out some of their new frames. they hardly make any head heavy frames any more, and certainly none of the ones they're making any money off of these days are anything like their hammer line from the 90s and early 00s.

the only prince racquets that are any good right now are the EXO3 black, rebel, and maybe the ignite (though no one really uses it except the bryan brothers). if you're a beginner, maybe try the black team or the ignite team (team at the end of any racquet name typically means that it's lighter and less head light than it's original namesake, and thus, more manageable for a lower level player).

don't waste you're money on a head racquet unless you get a prestige, and don't waste your money on a prestige unless you're a 5.0 or better.

babolat currently has the most well-rounded frames on the market, with wilson a couple steps behind IMO. they have been increasing in quality and popularity every year for the last 5-7 years or so. hard to go wrong with the pure drive, aeropro, or any of the storm line.

If you are a beginner, it really doesn't matter. Just get a cheap oversize racquet.

You can make plenty of improvement with a beginner racquet. Nothing worse than spending $100 and having it collect cobwebs in your garage 2 months later.

^agree.