Does my 80s tennis racket need replacing?

[itm]

I've just started playing tennis again regularly as a hobby (having not played for over 20 years). I'm very much in the beginner category - had a few lessons in 1990 but don't remember much about them!
I'm still using a racket that I bought in the 1980s. It's all white and carries the TECNO Pro brand. On the shaft is written: "Super Mid CAT (Computer Aided Technology) S-2-Glassfiber. There's a photo here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/862b12wsfx12txj/20180701_231043.jpg?dl=0

My question is: if I were to spend £70-90 on a new racket today, would I expect to get something significantly better than this? If so, could anyone recommend something that's reasonably lightweight?

 

[Pigeon_Killer]

You might be able to get something better but unless you don't feel comfortable using your current racket I wouldn't bother.

I replaced mine last year, after nearly 20 years of use, and apart from a slightly tighter string tension it's the same size and weight as my old one. Most importantly, it's made no difference to my game

 

[itm]

You might be able to get something better but unless you don't feel comfortable using your current racket I wouldn't bother.

I replaced mine last year, after nearly 20 years of use, and apart from a slightly tighter string tension it's the same size and weight as my old one. Most importantly, it's made no difference to my game

Thanks. I suspected that might be the case, but didn't know whether tennis racket technology had moved on dramatically in the last 30 years

 

[Weazle]

I'm still using a racket that I bought in the 1980s.

That's more than 30 years! Personally I would definitely replace it ... you can get a cheapo one from Sports Direct or eBay for £20 .... I think a new one will be much lighter than the 80's one and probably a lot less stiff with shock absorption. Go into a store (Sports Direct, Decalathon, etc) have just hold one and swing it a few times. If you don't like you can still use your old raquet.

 

[itm]

That's more than 30 years! Personally I would definitely replace it ... you can get a cheapo one from Sports Direct or eBay for £20 .... I think a new one will be much lighter than the 80's one and probably a lot less stiff with shock absorption. Go into a store (Sports Direct, Decalathon, etc) have just hold one and swing it a few times. If you don't like you can still use your old raquet.

I'm not unhappy with the weight of my current racket - it weighs 350g. I have swung a couple of rackets in the shop before, but you really need to hit some balls with them to get an idea of whether they would be an improvement. I just don't know what improvements have been made over the last 30+ years to change the quality of strike.

 

[Tibbz2]

How come there is no big tennis thread? I'm just starting playing for the first time and it's sad there isn't a thread for advice!

 

[inogen]

I used to have that racquet. I loved it.