Tennis racquets- which one?

[Neilk]

Hi,

I broke my tennis racquet several months ago and I need to get a new one. My last one lasted a good 7-8 years.

What racquets can you recommend in the $100-125 range? I play pretty well and enjoy hitting the courts every now and then, but I don't need a top of the line racquet, especially since I was very happy with my 2nd generation Wilson Pro-Staff (not the original one), so anything being produced today would kill it. I'd like something in the 90-95 sq. in.

I'll try to demo your recommendations.

Thanks,

[Bill Verburg]

One of the nicest playing racquettes that I've used recently is a 98 in² Head Ti, very light weight, very maneuverable and still very solid.

[jbryant]

I use the Head Ti- 5, They are not a "new style", but work very well.

[hex9145]

Try the Head Prestige, it hits a lot like the pro staff 6.0 but easier on the arm.

[}{arlequin]

I never strayed from Prince, but recently (prob last 8 yrs) it's hard to find a midsize racquet. I hate those large oversize frying pans. If you know what you're doing you don't need such a large sweetspot.

And I would also look for a non-widebody frame. All those "Hammers" etc. are so wide that when you go for a heavy slice or topspin, you occasionally end up catching the ball w/ the frame.

[Sarc]

Why stray from the pack? Get a new Pro-Staff tour 95 and you can be just like Roger Federer

Just picked up my ProStaff 5.1 and I'm loving it. Got a good deal at www.holabirdsports.com

[Neilk]

Well the weather hasn't been cooperating so I haven't had a chance to demo and of your suggestions.

Did "ya'll" demo racquets or just picked up something based on the salesperson's recommendation?

[}{arlequin]

I've demo'd them twice, but other than "swing weight" I don't think I was able to deduce much more. I use the same string tension on all my racquets and the demo models rarely have the same tension. That part alone changes the feel quite a bit.

[Bill Verburg]

I had a Ti S4 for a few years till the anti vibe thingee broke. As I said very solid, very maneuverable, very light very forgiving. They talked me into a Head Liquid metal Radical which is an unforgiving heavy bastard. But it forces me to concentrate on technique and rewards good form.

[Sarc]

Originally posted by }{arlequin
I hate those large oversize frying pans. If you know what you're doing you don't need such a large sweetspot.

I was watching Serena play the other night, and I couldn't get over how huge her "frying pan" was.

[Sarc]

Originally posted by Neilk

Did "ya'll" demo racquets or just picked up something based on the salesperson's recommendation?

A little of both; tried at the shop what the salesguy recommended. Then I tried a few other rackets that I thought would suit me better, picked one, then "checked it out" for the weekend.

[createj]

I had a Ti S4 for a few years until the anti-vibration mechanism failed. As I previously stated, it is very solid, maneuverable, light, and forgiving. They persuaded me to purchase a Head Liquid Metal Radical, an unforgiving heavy bastard. It does, however, force me to focus on technique and rewards good form.

[createj]

other tennis rocket its famous but my favourite is best budget tennis rackets