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Absolute beginner Tennis questions...

N

Namuna

Platinum Member
Wife and I have tennis courts at our disposal in the Condo Complex we live in and we want to give Tennis a try (we're both ABSOLUTE beginners and know ZERO about racquets and such).

I've been doing some searching/reading and so far it looks like tennis-warehouse.com is the place to go and Prince, Wilson and Head are some of the more liked brands.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to read up (remember, I'm an absolute beginner here) on Tennis and what's recommended for someone just getting started?

Thanks much!
 
the wife and I went to Gold Coast Sports (local shop), picked up some $20 rackets, and a couple tubes of balls, and basically started playing...

we play recreationally, so it's not as if we need high-end equipment. I actually "upgraded" last month, on a $35 racket that had a lighter frame... and she went with one with a larger face...

All told, we've been playing for about 4 years, and spent a grand total of about $100 on the two of us.. Just starting out, I'd recommend the same thing.. that way, if you decide it's not for you, you' haven't blown a huge amount on it...



CDN prices mind you.
 
If you're a beginner, don't bother wasting the money on the stuff you mention. Go to your local walmart and pick up a couple of cheapey raquets, a can of balls, and start hitting.

If you really want to learn how to play, the only way you're going to at this point is to take lessons.
 
My dad and I played quite a bit when we lived in an apartment complex with tennis courts. We bought matching Prince Graphalu (probably pieces of crap) raquets and a couple tubes of balls, and had at it. We had a ton of fun, stayed in shape, and made the most of some really boring summer nights.

It's the game that makes it fun - not the equipment. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Namuna
Wife and I have tennis courts at our disposal in the Condo Complex we live in and we want to give Tennis a try (we're both ABSOLUTE beginners and know ZERO about racquets and such).

I've been doing some searching/reading and so far it looks like tennis-warehouse.com is the place to go and Prince, Wilson and Head are some of the more liked brands.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to read up (remember, I'm an absolute beginner here) on Tennis and what's recommended for someone just getting started?

Thanks much!
Click to expand...

I try to buy racquets that are at least around $35 or so, dont go any less than that, you want a decent (not expensive) racquet to start off with. Take some tennis lessons from a pro (or a certified trainer)before you try to start playing yourself. It might cost you, but it will be well worth it. The reason is that if you try learning by yourself, you will pick up some bad habits that will be very hard to get rid of later on.
 
If you buy anything over 50$ you will be overdoing it. A good raquet needs to be in the hands of an amatuer not a begginer. I suggest picking up some Prince or Wilson raquets that are under 30$.
 
If you're just starting, then you have no need for high end equipment. I'd go over to your local Target store and get a couple rackets and balls. That's where we got ours and they work just fine. I'm pretty sure than were at or under $20.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone, much appreciated.

I'll definitely be checking out Walmart and Target and such for some beginner racquets...Something I did read about cheapo racquets though is that they aren't very forgiving as far as dampening the vibration from hitting the ball...Which leads to sore arms/writs/elbows.

If this is true, at what price point do racquets start 'dampening' the vibration? Even at a beginner level, I'm willing to spend a little more if it means less soreness.

...Then again, the shape I'm in, I'm lucky if I can jog 1/4 mile and not keel over in pain. So that whole soreness thing might be a no-consideration thing for me.
 
Like everyone else said, just buy cheap racquets. You probably won't get very good at it unless you have someone who actually knows how to play teach you.
 
Originally posted by: Namuna
Thanks for the replies everyone, much appreciated.

I'll definitely be checking out Walmart and Target and such for some beginner racquets...Something I did read about cheapo racquets though is that they aren't very forgiving as far as dampening the vibration from hitting the ball...Which leads to sore arms/writs/elbows.

If this is true, at what price point do racquets start 'dampening' the vibration? Even at a beginner level, I'm willing to spend a little more if it means less soreness.

...Then again, the shape I'm in, I'm lucky if I can jog 1/4 mile and not keel over in pain. So that whole soreness thing might be a no-consideration thing for me.
Click to expand...

check out my post above, the wilson racquet i linked you to is definitely a good racquet. it's only cheap because the hammer came out like 6 yrs ago.

good racquet tho and a decent price.
 
Originally posted by: Namuna
If this is true, at what price point do racquets start 'dampening' the vibration? Even at a beginner level, I'm willing to spend a little more if it means less soreness.
Click to expand...
Since you're just starting out, as long as your racquet isn't one of those solid steel ones that escaped the '80s, you should be in good shape. 😉 Plus, it'll probably take a little time until you learn the feel for a solid, centered hit and your arm starts absorbing the most vibration. In the meantime, you can pick up a $5 dampener (sold right next to the racquets) or just tie up one of those produce rubber bands from celery stalks on the bottom middle strings.
 
Well, we went on a few errands today and actually picked up a pair of Wilson Titanium 'Impact' sticks.

The 2 racquets and some balls came to a total of just over $50. Now we just need to schedule time on the courts and get to seeing if we like it.

Thanks again for all the advice.
 
Originally posted by: Namuna
Well, we went on a few errands today and actually picked up a pair of Wilson Titanium 'Impact' sticks.

The 2 racquets and some balls came to a total of just over $50. Now we just need to schedule time on the courts and get to seeing if we like it.

Thanks again for all the advice.
Click to expand...

Good deal, have fun... Tennis gets REALLY fun to play once you get the hang of it.
 
Lesson #1 - Always keep your eyes on the ball. Never, and I mean never take them off the ball. From the point where your opponent strikes the ball, to where it bounces, to where your raquet meets the ball, and back - follow the ball with your eyes, and head if necessary.

Never take it for granted. I'm dead serious. Don't blink as you hit the ball - don't worry, it's the ball isn't going to hurt you or jump up and bite you if you watch it.

Reason for this - if you watch the ball approach and through your swing as the ball hits the raquet (or vice versa if you prefer), you are much much less likely to "wiff" the ball and look like an idiot. If you can see where the ball is as you're swinging, it's very doubtful that you will miss.

Don't be worried about where you want the ball to go. The important thing is to actually hit the ball. After all, if you miss it, you've just lost the point without even trying.

Once you master watching the ball, which is probably one of the hardest things to do, and consistantly hit the ball back, then it will come much more naturally later on when trying to "position" the ball for your opponent, which is more done by "feel" and the amount of swing and spin you put on the ball rather than "aiming".
 
I absolutely agree with what everyone's saying in this thread. cheap walmart racquets plus a couple cans of balls would be more than enough. As for the vibration dampening, the soreness is more from mishits (hits that land outside the sweet spot in the middle of the string bed). When you hit a ball, the racquet will flex a little. With the cheaper racquets, the racquets tend to flex more and twist out of your hands on a mishit, thus contributing to the "more soreness idea". However, once you get the hang of hitting the ball square on the strings, there shouldn't be any soreness. If you're worried about vibration though, just pick up a vibration dampener for a couple bucks, and it'll work wonders on any racquet you buy.

SunnyD is right in saying that the first thing you should do is to keep your eyes on the ball. However, what's the point in keeping your eye on the ball if you can't hit it correctly? The ideal grip for a forehand is what is called an Eastern grip. The analogy we like to use is the hold the racquet like a hammer, and you're using the edge of the racquet to hammer in nails. This keeps the face of the racquet perpendicular to the ground. You want to make contact with the ball when it's slightly in front of you. If you're right handed, take a step with your left foot before you hit the ball. this turns your body slightly sideways and allows for hip rotation, which is key in hitting a good shot. Many people think hitting a ball is all in the arms and wrists, when actually it's in the hips. Sorry, it's hard to explain in words, try and find someone who plays to show you the ropes. The best way to learn correct form is to emulate someone else.

Another tip - don't try and learn from the pros you see on tv like in the French Open. Tennis can be a complicated sport. We get a lot of kids who, after watching an Open on tv, come to their lessons trying to hit 150 mph serves like roddick or attempting to use extreme western forehands, which is what 98% of the pros use, and that doesn't help them any. Learn the basics first and learn them well, and then you can build your game. Tennis is a game you can play for life, so I hope you stay interested in it!
 
Originally posted by: Namuna
Thanks for the replies everyone, much appreciated.

I'll definitely be checking out Walmart and Target and such for some beginner racquets...Something I did read about cheapo racquets though is that they aren't very forgiving as far as dampening the vibration from hitting the ball...Which leads to sore arms/writs/elbows.

If this is true, at what price point do racquets start 'dampening' the vibration? Even at a beginner level, I'm willing to spend a little more if it means less soreness.

...Then again, the shape I'm in, I'm lucky if I can jog 1/4 mile and not keel over in pain. So that whole soreness thing might be a no-consideration thing for me.
Click to expand...

If your arm ends up hurting, check out this site: http://www.racquetresearch.com/.
 
Originally posted by: Namuna
Thanks for the replies everyone, much appreciated.

I'll definitely be checking out Walmart and Target and such for some beginner racquets...Something I did read about cheapo racquets though is that they aren't very forgiving as far as dampening the vibration from hitting the ball...Which leads to sore arms/writs/elbows.

If this is true, at what price point do racquets start 'dampening' the vibration? Even at a beginner level, I'm willing to spend a little more if it means less soreness.

...Then again, the shape I'm in, I'm lucky if I can jog 1/4 mile and not keel over in pain. So that whole soreness thing might be a no-consideration thing for me.
Click to expand...

there are essentially 'shock absorbers' or string dampeners you can put on your strings, you can pick them up almost anywhere. 5 bucks will get you 2 or 3 of them. they help out tremendously, in fact i would say they are mandatory. you dont get that 'PING' sound when you hit the ball and it really helps your arm.
 
Originally posted by: gistech1978
Originally posted by: Namuna
Thanks for the replies everyone, much appreciated.

I'll definitely be checking out Walmart and Target and such for some beginner racquets...Something I did read about cheapo racquets though is that they aren't very forgiving as far as dampening the vibration from hitting the ball...Which leads to sore arms/writs/elbows.

If this is true, at what price point do racquets start 'dampening' the vibration? Even at a beginner level, I'm willing to spend a little more if it means less soreness.

...Then again, the shape I'm in, I'm lucky if I can jog 1/4 mile and not keel over in pain. So that whole soreness thing might be a no-consideration thing for me.
Click to expand...

there are essentially 'shock absorbers' or string dampeners you can put on your strings, you can pick them up almost anywhere. 5 bucks will get you 2 or 3 of them. they help out tremendously, in fact i would say they are mandatory. you dont get that 'PING' sound when you hit the ball and it really helps your arm.
Click to expand...

I agree that they're useful... but a tiny piece of rubber or plastic won't do a thing for serious 'tennis elbow' problems. The root cause is the overall-light, but head-heavy, construction of modern racquets. Vibration of the stringbed is a relatively small factor, IMO.
 
FOLLOW THIS ONE RULE:
Play with NEW balls. Use the same balls at MOST 3 times. Then toss them. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about here.

Do NOT save old balls, just toss them in the trash.
 
Originally posted by: MAME
FOLLOW THIS ONE RULE:
Play with NEW balls. Use the same balls at MOST 3 times. Then toss them. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about here.

Do NOT save old balls, just toss them in the trash.
Click to expand...

Seconded.
Playing with dead tennis balls will RUIN your game, especially starting out.
 
Originally posted by: MAME
FOLLOW THIS ONE RULE:
Play with NEW balls. Use the same balls at MOST 3 times. Then toss them. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about here.

Do NOT save old balls, just toss them in the trash.
Click to expand...

wtf?

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure that the OP isn't good enough to hit the ball hard and consistently over the net, to have any decent rally's that the ball pressure will matter to him at all. Just play with the same balls. When the balls don't bounce well get some others to play with.

I've been playing Tennis for 10yrs now. Great sport.

Practice just hitting the ball. As you get better practice striking *over the ball* for a top spin. Remember this WILL TAKE SOMETIME to master. For different ball heights and bounces and for how hard you intend to hit it you will have to vary the amount of top spin you use GREATLY. But once you nail it it is FANTASTIC 😀

Movement is vital. So get some trainers that have good lateral movement. Running trainers generally SUCK at this. They are made to run forwards and turn slightly and not much side to side stuff.

Wear a wrist band it will help your wrist out at the start. Or go without and see how you manage.

Practice practice is key. I use to be totally cack when I started. A few years down line I am much better. I use to play with a £10 racquet. But once I got better I moved up. You defiantely notice a different with better and more pricey racquets imo. I am settled on my Fischer racquet now.

Try to strike the ball in front of you. Behind is much harder.

Watch Tennis it gives you a lot of ideas and strategy. But if you take lessons that will greatly improve you.

Koing
 
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