Tennis - Ways to Save Money?

sleet on 25/08/2016 - 10:46

Hi all tennis and sports enthusiasts.

There are few things in life that I try not to be stingy on and tennis is near the top of the list. But after talking to a workmate, I've come to realise it's quite an expensive sport.

A good racquet is $150-$300.
Then there is string and restringing costs $15-$30.
Over-grip costs $5-$10.
Good tennis shoes is $100-$200.
Weekly court hire $10-$20.

I love the sport but what are some ways you guys save money on tennis and sports in general?

I only really buy racquets/shoes/overgrips on sale. I try and get as many friends to come along for a hit to share court hire fees. And lastly, I enter comp which is quite cheap, fun and great way to make new friends.

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • nocure on 25/08/2016 - 10:47
    +2

    don't forget, the cost of balls

    • altomic on 25/08/2016 - 13:38
      +3

      Yep, you need balls to play tennis.

  • Ryanek on 25/08/2016 - 10:53
    +1

    Play doubles and you cut court costs by 50%

    • rf-harris on 31/08/2016 - 02:46

      Great suggestion but if someone wants to become a professional and earn big money and game then doubles won't give you as much as singles.

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 25/08/2016 - 10:53
    +1

    Don't know how to save money in regards to tennis but I agree. Think of all the potential tennis champions that never made it because their parents couldn't afford the costs. Or most sports for that matter.

    Spoilt kids…

    • Diji1 on 25/08/2016 - 12:18

      Well sure sport is and always has been an activity for the wealthy - even for sports that involve almost no costs such as running. 100 years ago almost no one played sport other than a few wealthy people who didn't have to work.

      It's been less than 2 generations since sports people started being paid enough in order that they do not have to work as well as play sport - partly because high society wanted to keep money out of sport in order that the lower classes stay out of it.

  • blehgg on 25/08/2016 - 11:25
    +1

    You can buy your grips and string in bulk on ebay

    Get a 2nd hand stringing machine and learn to string yourself

    Jump the fence at your local school and only play during the day

    Enter rebel sport competitions for vouchers

  • scotty on 25/08/2016 - 11:30
    +5

    Try not to smash the racket when you lose the game so you have to buy a new one :)

    Seriously a good racket would last you years and I cannot remember when was the last time I restringed. However I don't play that much tennis these days and I am one of those who only re-string when it's broken. I also play with the $60 trainer/runner from the latest sale rather than a dedicated tennis shoes. So the only consumables are the balls & grip, and then find the cheapest court (or free) to play.

  • Nugs on 25/08/2016 - 11:32
    +1

    play the wii

  • cypher67 on 25/08/2016 - 11:39
    +3

    I think you are clutching at straws, most equipment based sports are expensive. Look at cricket, golf, cycling or any motor sport. Tennis is pretty cheap in the grand scheme of things. Look after your equipment and buy smart/plan ahead. I have a racquet I've had for 3 years, replaced the strings and grip once, new balls once every couple of months. Play once a fortnight using a court in my mates rental complex. ~$500 for 3 years of sporting fun. Bargain really. I spent $500 on a custom driver and shaft for my golf set, thats just one of 14 odd clubs and that doesnt include the balls and green fees. If you want a cheap sport take up running or swimming.

  • neil on 25/08/2016 - 12:21
    +3

    I've been playing for a few years but it's actually one of the cheaper sports you can play comparitively.

    A good racquet is $150-$300.

    I researched a lot for a good racquet based on reviews and finally bought a used Dunlop Aerogel 4D 500 for $35 from eBay. I think this racquet went for over $150/$200 at the time.

    Then there is string and restringing costs $15-$30.

    No getting around this unless you buy a machine. $15 would be a good deal. My local is at least $30 (Tennis Warehouse in Fitzroy) or so.

    Over-grip costs $5-$10.

    You don't need to change these very often. I've used mine for years.

    Good tennis shoes is $100-$200.

    Around the time of the Australian Open (Jan), Aldi has tennis stuff on sale including shoes. Cost about $30 or so. Had mine for about 4 years but need to buy new ones this Jan.

    Weekly court hire $10-$20.

    Especially gets expensive if you need to put on the lights. My yearly club membership is around $250 so if you go often then it works out cheaper.

    EDIT:

    Should also add decent balls which for me last a few sessions (Wilsons) which are around $10 for 3/4. Biggest expense is the after game beer to commiserate the poor tennis play. :)

    • Colombian on 25/08/2016 - 12:46

      I wouldn't buy a Dunlop Aerogel 4D 500. I don't know you but in my case, I feel better playing with Wilson racquets. Tried Prince a couple of times, also tried Head and had to go back to Wilson.

      I'm pretty sure it is the same case for everybody, some feel better with Head or whatever.

      • neil on 25/08/2016 - 13:07

        Bit late now, I've been playing with it for 5 years. I'm not that good of a player to feel a big differences between racquets (well except for Aldi/Cheapo vs. modern expensive).

        • Colombian on 25/08/2016 - 13:09

          At least you are still playing :)
          I haven't played much since I came to Australia 9 years ago. Played a couple of times with another guy and that was it. Being an international student for most part of my stay, it did not allow me to these luxuries.

      • phocus on 31/08/2016 - 15:04

        "some feel better with Head"

        hehehehe

  • sleet on 25/08/2016 - 12:35

    Haha lots of differing opinions on tennis!! Good to see. I will gladly post pics of my tennis shoes later this week. I have worn normal joggers/trainers or even cheaper tennis shoes and this is one thing I will not be stingy on. The amount of comfort, manouverability, traction is definitely not the same.

    I do play 2-3 times a week, almost every week of the year so I chew through shoes/grips/balls quite fast.

    Just after tips on how to save money!! E.g. I buy tretorn tennis balls which are pressureless balls and they last a very long time.
    I sometimes use local council courts to save on court hire.

    • neil on 25/08/2016 - 13:10

      buy tretorn tennis balls which are pressureless balls and they last a very long time.

      Is there a difference in game play between using those and regular tennis balls. I'd imagine the surface/fuzz of the ball would fade away.

  • Colombian on 25/08/2016 - 13:50

    If you are going to play on hard surfaces it does not make any difference whether you buy Tretorn or not. Surface of the ball will fade away long before they lose pressure.

  • slow on 25/08/2016 - 14:31

    Big + for pressureless balls, yes they are more expensive upfront and do wear eventually but don't lose pressure so last heaps longer. Normal balls start losing pressure as soon as you open the can.
    And most people would not notice the difference.

  • downtime on 25/08/2016 - 14:55

    Play on synthetic grass (carpet) surface to put less pressure on your body and the shoes & balls last longer.

    Shoes need not be $100-200. There are $50-60 pairs when you look around (I got an Adidas pair from ozb and a Head pair from acquaintance for $60ea), and some cross-trainers are fine (depending on soles).

    A 3-4hr session is only $30 - $35.

  • ozbglow on 26/08/2016 - 10:33

    Get my overgrips from ebay for $1 each.
    Bought racquets at Rebel clearance outlet store in Auburn - paid $70 each for a couple of good Head racquets including covers.
    Ryde council has a family deal where we pay $85/year to play one hour a week on weekdays after 3.
    Canterbury council has a deal with sportsmax.com.au where you pay $41/month for unlimited court hire

  • WT on 26/08/2016 - 12:03

    I play once a blue moon, my racquet is 20+ years and I also use dads which is probably 25-30. Recently I used my uncles and sure it was nicer and strings were fresh, but I didnt play any better. My biggest expense is balls going soft or fluffy. I dont pay for court hire since I found a council court that has the booking number faded ;-)

  • JY1 on 31/08/2016 - 11:51

    Don't get white overgrips :)

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