Help Choosing Tennis Racquet for Son

[ColoradoMom!!]

I have googled the topic, and see how to measure his hand for grip, and a few other pointers, but there are so many choices!

My son is 12, and has never played. He is pretty athletic, about 5'2" and is pretty solid - i.e. he isn't skinny. I think from what I read that a junior racquet is too small, so I guess a 27"? But all the stuff about flexibility, how powerful vs. control has my head spinning. Also - 10 to 11.5 oz. ???

Help - even suggest a racquet by name and model. I am lost!

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Gosh - no tennis advice??

 

[marcyinPA]

My DS11 just started tennis camp this week. He's a beginner...never played. We went to Target and they have a chart, with sizes. He fit into the 25 inch category. He's small...like 4'9". Age-wise, the chart said up to age 10, but I thought it would be smart to go by height.

We got him a Wilson "Roger Fedderer" racket..for $20. It's all he really needed, unless he's gonna go pro on us!

So far so good, by the way....he really enjoys this tennis camp. I'm loving it because it was FREE...four weeks long, 1-4 every day. Plus, next Tuesday, they are going on a bike and boat trip. Four miles in a canoe, and four miles back on a bike. He can't wait!!!

 

[Oh Kay!]

My DS11 is 57 inches tall and uses a 25" racket so 27" for your son sounds about right. The instructor told us what size to get. BTW, the size was the only thing he told us. For a beginner, I don't think you need to worry about other details. I also got him the Wilson racket like the PP. I am not planning to upgrade to a better racket until DS grows out of the current one and/or he becomes a better player.

 

[r3ngels]

I went to Sports Authority and asked them there.... they were really helpful and we got a pretty good deal too.

 

[SunshineOR]

I wouldn't worry about the other stuff. I agree a junior would probably be too small, but when you get an adult size, be sure to get one with the right size grip. Biggest mistake people make is getting a handle with a grip too large. I've never even done all the measuring, sounds great, but I wouldn't get too caught up in it. I would say until he gets serious about it and really competitive, a cheapie from Target or whatever will be fine.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Thanks everyone for your help! That camp sounds great - that would so great if we had such a deal here!

Maybe we will hit Sports Authority since I have a coupon. He is a baseball player, and let me tell you - finding the right bat is such an ordeal - I didn't want to mess up the tennis racquet, but it sounds like it is an easier fit.