Used tennis rackets from Tennis-Point: inspected quality
Used tennis rackets: a worthwhile bargain or an unnecessary risk? Tennis rackets are, without exception, built to be very robust. Some players use the same racket for well over ten years. And a tennis racket is different from, say, a pair of skis: the frames on rackets from leading manufacturers are designed so that the impact of the ball is absorbed mainly by the strings. The frame itself barely flexes on contact and isn't put through material-stressing vibrations. A ski, on the other hand, bends significantly with every turn, which causes the material to “fatigue” over time – the result being less stiffness and less elasticity. A tennis racket behaves completely differently.
The materials most rackets are made from barely fatigue and keep their “stiffness” for years. So there's nothing wrong with buying a used tennis racket and saving some real money in the process. In our shop at Tennis-Point we carry used rackets from all the leading brands. They end up for sale either because they were sent back to us as demo rackets, or because they're rackets that customers return to us after finding, against expectations, that the racket they bought didn't work out for them – for example, because they ordered it in the wrong grip size.
How are used rackets checked before being sold?
When rackets are sent back to us, we put them through a careful inspection before releasing them for sale. The main focus is the frame. We carry out an intensive visual inspection of the frame. If it shows any damage to the paint, those spots are meticulously examined for underlying material damage. Only if we can rule out internal cracks or other types of damage to the frame does it receive a positive inspection verdict. Of course, we also check the shaft and the handle.
Most players play with an overgrip over the base grip. That's why the grip the racket ships with from the factory is usually as good as new. If in doubt, our workshop fits a new base grip. We also check the grommet holes in the frame, since these are fitted with a grommet strip to protect the strings, and that must of course also be intact on a used racket. Our professional inspection of used rackets covers the following points:
Visual and pressure check of the entire frame Visual inspection of the shaft and handle Check of the string guide grommets Check of the string tension for firmness Inspection of the entire racket paint finish Grommet strip on the racket frameWhich type of used racket is right for me?
Especially newcomers to tennis like to buy used rackets, because after their first few hours on court they often don't yet know whether the “tennis bug” will bite and whether they'll stick with the sport. When buying a used racket, the same rules apply for choosing the right tennis racket as when buying a new one. You'll find detailed tennis racket specifications here.
If you're just starting out with tennis, a used racket is a good choice for the first while. When browsing the racket range in the shop, though, make sure you buy a used racket in the right grip size. The best way to find yours is at your club, by having other players or your coach hand you their rackets to try.
To do this, wrap your whole hand around the racket at the end of the handle. Between the base of your palm and your fingertips on the other side there should now be just enough room to slide your index finger into the gap. If that's the case, check the frame of the racket to see what grip size it is – that's exactly the size that's yours. Now go to the used racket selection in the shop and pick a model you like. Clicking on the racket opens a new menu where you can immediately see which grip sizes the racket is available in as a used model. If your grip size is among them, you can head to checkout with confidence.
Used rackets: also an option for experienced players
It's not only tennis beginners who choose a used racket. Very good players regularly browse the used rackets in our shop too. That's because the big brands usually refresh their racket line-up once a year. Once you've found a new racket that suits your game perfectly, it can happen that later on you want to buy a second one – to have a spare in your bag for matches. But often your favourite racket is no longer available as a new model by then. With a bit of luck, though, you'll find it in the “Used rackets” category in our shop.
Which brand should I choose for a used racket?
Generally speaking, all the well-known brands now put very good rackets on the market. There's no brand that would fundamentally be a bad choice for beginners either. That said, beginners find it easier with what are known as “neutral frames”, which we list under all-round rackets. These are well balanced in how they play and are more forgiving of imprecisely hit balls than, say, tournament rackets. A great way to find the right racket – and the right brand for you – is our racket finder. Simply enter a few parameters, and the racket finder will show you rackets that match your requirements particularly well.
We hope you enjoy choosing your used tennis racket!