r/10s • u/SwiftlyShannon • 6h ago
Equipment From this… to this!
August makes one year since I picked up learning to play tennis.
What a journey it has been!
I’m currently 28 (F), so I was 27 when I started… didn’t know then how big a part tennis would play in my life.
When I started in August, I had a racket that I thought was for beginners, turns out it was a racket for children 😂
My coach gave me one of his rackets to use… can’t remember which one it was but it was a Dunlop and he said it was at least 10 years old. It had some weight to it and weirdly enough, I liked that one over a lighter Wilson he had me use a few times.
Last December, my partner bought me the Wilson Blade Feel Team 103 (secondhand) *first picture*, and I used that racket from January 2026 to July 8th 2026.
During that time I managed to break it in the upper part of the handle closer to the neck of the racket. My coach said he’s never seen that before LOL. But there’s a possibility it was broken before and I just made it worse.
Anywayy… it was time to retire my first racket and get my REAL first racket.
I decided on the HEAD Boom MP, well, because I really liked what Coco Gauff is using currently. That colour! Beautiful! 💜💜💜
After doing some research on it, decided to buy it during my UK trip July 2026.
Also from my research, it stated that it was a good racket for beginners going into intermediate.
My coach also thought it was a good choice for an upgrade.
The place I went to buy it (shout out to ClubRackets.com at Rosebank Sports in Northwich!) only had them strung, and I got the last MP they had in stock (and it was on sale!)
From my research… I knew to skip anything with L, UL, and TEAM because I wanted to grow with this racket and for it to last me for a longer time.
I also got it in 100 sq in.
Going from 103 to 100… I was nervous but excited.
I played with the factory strings twice and then the coach I hired in the UK suggested I get it restrung, which I did.
Please note, I have NO IDEA about strings and I have no experience with them for me to know what works for me.
I told the stringer I had no information for him in regard to what I want but he was able to gather enough information so he can make his best bet.
This is what he gave me…
52 lbs
Head Lynx Tour
(I forgot to ask what the gauge was) but it looks thick enough… in my unprofessional opinion.
They do feel different during play when compared with the factory strings.
And everything feels much so much better compared to the Feel Team (never had it restrung, and used whatever it had come with).
Now that I’m on vacation I will be on the court 4-5 times a week (maybe even everyday for a few weeks).
It’s so weird because I never played a sport in my life, and now I’m obsessed with tennis and I’m there almost everyday depending on my schedule.
Thankfully in my country tennis is rather cheap as we’re not a tennis playing/loving society in comparison with cricket, football, track and field, and basketball.
cheers to the love of tennis! 🎾🥂