Even the
best tennis racquet in the world could not make you a winner if you do not have the passion, skill, and effort. That being said, the kind of tennis racquet you use plays a major role in determining your game level and your advancement in the sport.
In as much as price should not matter as to whether you are a tennis champion, the quality of your racquet may just cost you a win. Here are some arguments as to whether or not you should buy a cheap or expensive tennis racquet.
1. It goes much further than price
The price of a tennis racquet should not matter as much as it is made to. This is not to say that you should buy a 2 dollar racquet using this claim as your back up. Of course, things like quality, type, and your preferences should play a significant role when choosing a racquet. Price should only come after all other boxes have been checked.
The reason why the price is not too much of a factor is that with the ever-changing economy and the continued availability of used pro racquets, the price is a very uncertain factor. A tennis racquet that may have cost 100 dollars this year can change to 40 dollars next year and vice versa. That does not mean that the quality or type of the racquet has changed any bit.
You may also have some sort of connection, or just a streak of good luck, where you just happen to lay your hands on a very expensive racquet, but you only get to pay a very minute price as compared to its original value. Maybe you are Serena’s nephew (hey, these things happen). The point is, it goes beyond the price.
2. Your Reason For Playing
If you are a leisure player who hits balls once a week or twice a month and you have no intention of joining a tennis team or being in a tournament, then there is absolutely no reason as to why you should buy an expensive racquet. Logically speaking that will be a waste of resources.
A cheap racquet, perhaps 30 dollars, will do just fine, and it will allow you to have a good evening playing tennis. On the other hand, if you are in this for the long haul, then you can invest in a good racket once and use it for a longer time.
However, this still depends on the level of expertise you have. Even if tennis is long-term for you, if you are a beginner, you should consider starting with a cheap racket and work yourself up. Just get a racket that seems to be of reasonable quality and use it to train and know the game. Again, the racquet does not make a player, the technique does.
If you are an experienced player, then you probably know the racquet that is best for you and price should not be a major factor, because, at this point, the game is more important than the price tag of a good racquet. That is not to say you should go crazy and buy a 2000 dollar racquet. Do everything within reason.
3. Racquet Type and Quality
Now, when you are at a sports shop or to the nearest Walmart, looking for a tennis racquet, always make sure to do as much examination as possible. We are not talking about calculations or paperwork. This is more physical.rnAsk the attendant if they can allow you to take a closer look at the equipment. Feel the strings, feel the shaft, try to swing it and see whether it feels good in your hands. While most cheap racquets are made of composite materials such as aluminum, you can always find one or two good ones.
The more expensive racquets have graphite or carbon as the major components and will, therefore, be a bit lighter. In tennis, it is known that a heavy racquet is most likely stiff and thus hard to swing. A heavy racquet, which is common with the cheaper ones, will have the risk of wrist injury during swing time.
A lighter racquet is easier to maneuver and therefore better to play with. However, if you are a beginner with a pro tennis racquet, it may not be useful to you since you may lack the control, balance, and skill to handle that racquet at that moment. The solution to this dilemma is to get an intermediate racquet which has both mid-level weight and price. This way, it will not be too expensive or too cheap.
4. Get professional Opinions
At the end of the day, there is not a single right answer as to whether cheap or expensive racquets are better. After all, cheap and costly are very relative. Therefore, little professional help is always welcome.
rnIf you are starting out, and you are yet to make any physical friends, you can join a social media thread following the same topic. There you will get to hear the opinion of other more experienced tennis players, which hopefully will make decision making easier. However, be careful about making a final choice based on online information, as some people post things for malicious reasons and these may lead to your misleading.
In case you happen to have an older brother or an approachable coach, then get their advice on this. Time and experience have a way of teaching people lessons on things that do not have definite answers such as these. If possible, let them see the options you have. This makes it easier for them to recommend the one they think is better for you.
Consider your preferences
You will be the one to love or hate your racquet. You will also be the one to gain or lose on it. Therefore, make sure that you get a racquet that feels right for you despite what other people say. Most times, we tend to choose racquets because we were told they were good for us, or because all our peers have them, and then we end up being frustrated by them.
What we do not realize is that the less we enjoy a racquet, the less our chances of growing in the game. The negative energy flows into the way we play, and sooner or later our skills will begin to suffer. Make sure to get what you feel comfortable using. That is the best tennis racquet for you.