frontpage Posted by Exposure • Aug 23, 2022
Aug 23, 2022 6:24 PM
Item 1 of 1
frontpage Posted by Exposure • Aug 23, 2022
Aug 23, 2022 6:24 PM
Head Speed Graphene 360+ Pro or MP Tennis Racquets
+ Free Shipping$149 each
$239
Tennis Warehouse
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I've been playing tennis since 10 and after 40 years, I like middle of the road racquets such as the Wilson Ultra 100 and Babolet Pure Drive. I own both of them and with slight mods they play somewhat similar. As others mentioned the Slickdeal is going to a local tennis shop and demoing some rackets first, that way you get a racquet you will keep for a long time.
FYI- there are other/better racquets on sale at TW for similar prices:
Yonex eZone- last year's model $179- much more friendly all around racquet
Wilson Ultra 100 V2 older model - $159 one of the best selling raquets 7 years ago
and the best selling racquet in the world:
Babolet Pure Drive 100 , the 2018 model is $179
but I would go to a local tennis shop and demo some to see which one fits your style, Tennis is half psychological so you would p[lay better if you are comfortable with your racquet.
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I played tennis in college (D3) but that was 20 years ago. I'm picking it back up again with my kids and competitively with a buddy, and I'm still using my rackets from college! That's all I know and have used, and have to go off of.
My go-to in college was a couple Dunlop Tour Revelations. I also have a Wilson Hyper Hammer and a Wilson Sledge Hammer … again from 20 years ago. Now that I'm getting back into it, the hyper hammer seems to feel the best.
I'm 6' 2", and grip size on these I think is 4 1/2 or 4 3/4. Strings are roughly 60lb. Control has always been my problem. Way too many unforced errors, so maybe strung for more control is better.
After some research here I've found the Hyper Hammer 5.3 … but I just don't know since it's been so long. I'd really appreciate your help in finding the right racket for me, since I don't have anywhere to demo them right now!
Years ago I had a pair of Pro Staff Hammer 4.0s. My car was broken into, and they stole all my gear. I didn't want to spend a bunch of money, so I replaced them with a couple of 50 dollar Hammer somethings from Costco. They weren't quite the same, but they were very playable. With your skill level, you will likely be able to adapt and play well with whatever you choose, but I'd search for something very similar to the 5.3, as it was a great all-around racket.
No neighther of these racquets are good for someone trying to just get into tennis. Neighther of these are beginner racquets, and you will struggle to learn the game.
When you are starting to learn the game, the MOST important factor is to not get bored. For that you NEED to get a rally going. Which means should have to be able to get the ball across the net multiple times in a row, and preferably not too far from you are aiming. $15 Walmart rackets are going to serve you a lot better for that, than these advanced level racquets. If you are in doubt and don't know what the specs means, DO NOT BUY this racquet. The reviews are done mostly by advanced players, and there is no point in looking at reviews of these racquets.
Expensive==better does not translate well in tennis.
These racquets are for someone who are already well into their game (more advanced level , around 4.5 NTRP or above), to control their pace and spin. This needs more good setup into the shots, and better technique, which most folks below 4.5 NTRP lacks. And these racquets WILL hurt their ability to play consistent tennis.
When racquets can provide you some help, there is no reason to not use it. And for that look for more beginner level racquets. They are usually less than 9.5oz and head heavy balanced.
Head TI S6 is a really good beginner racquet if you are someone starting the game, and thinks that they are going to play for many years. Walmart rackets are not bad either, and is definitely more value if you are not sure whether you will be playing beyond a year.
You can get a Head TI S6 racket for around $75 or less most of the time, even though the advertised retail price is higher. They are available at many retail shops (Dicks Sporting) and also online.
Ofcourse, if you insist... go ahead and do whatever you prefer to do.
I'm in my mid-40s now but gave up tennis as a kid because of chronic tennis elbow from the era of ultra-stiff "beginner" wide-body Wilson Profiles/Hammers Prince CTS Approach-type racquets.
As an adult, I discovered that tennis could be enjoyable and pain-free with racquets like the Head Prestige Mid and Speed Pro. The Speed series is a much more forgiving and lighter, beginner-friendly option than the Prestiges.
If you can hit with a TI-S6, you could hit almost the same ball with a Head Speed, minus the incredible pain. And there is a minimal learning curve. If you play well with a TI-S6, you'll play well with a Speed. If you put the actual heads on top of each other, the supposed extra 10 sq. inches in head size is not noticeable.
I have a lot of racquets that I've accumulated since childhood and playing USTA juniors even though I don't play anymore. If I were to go back 35 years, I would not start with "beginners" racquets. No one's arm deserves that kind of pain.
Thanks.
I've got a Head Liquidmetal Radical Oversized. Bought it 10 or so years ago at big 5 or something for $90 ($179 was full price). I dont even remember playing with it until 2021 when I started playing again last year.
I randomly play with friends. Not beginner but not intermediate either. I took lots of classes when in middle school, so I know the basics. Can serve, volley, play the court and do a rally
I had the racket restrung last year with syn gut 59 lbs. Biggest problem I have is that the ball goes into the net. I went to a tennis shop and they said the racket is an old but good design (I looked it up and its the same racquet Agassi used, but the OS model). They said re-stringing wont change, but could not definitely say that a new racquet would be a significant change for me. Not sure whether to keep playing on this or move to a smaller racket. Headsize for this radical is 107 sq/in but I think they measure from outside the frame. I rarely hit shots on my frame.
From the control-power index chart on head's website, the speed series is more power than the radical but I dont know if that still holds with the older radical.
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FWIW, I just started playing a little after 10+ years. I have one racquet that has strings from around 12 years ago, and I can still hit OK with it.
I've got a Head Liquidmetal Radical Oversized. Bought it 10 or so years ago at big 5 or something for $90 ($179 was full price). I dont even remember playing with it until 2021 when I started playing again last year.
I randomly play with friends. Not beginner but not intermediate either. I took lots of classes when in middle school, so I know the basics. Can serve, volley, play the court and do a rally
I had the racket restrung last year with syn gut 59 lbs. Biggest problem I have is that the ball goes into the net. I went to a tennis shop and they said the racket is an old but good design (I looked it up and its the same racquet Agassi used, but the OS model). They said re-stringing wont change, but could not definitely say that a new racquet would be a significant change for me. Not sure whether to keep playing on this or move to a smaller racket. Headsize for this radical is 107 sq/in but I think they measure from outside the frame. I rarely hit shots on my frame.
From the control-power index chart on head's website, the speed series is more power than the radical but I dont know if that still holds with the older radical.