What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £110 (~$147) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £94 (~$125) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £72 (~$95) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £50 (~$66) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £28 (~$37) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Getting it home — large gym equipment is a collection sale and usually needs two people and a van. On boards and hulls, water ingress that has already softened the core.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a tennis racket is worth what is being asked:
- Cracks at the throat, which end the frame
- Frames more than a decade old, which lose stiffness
- Broken or missing grommets
- Cheap aluminium rackets
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Recent frames from recognised makers
- No cracks at the throat or hoop
- Original grommets intact
- Cover included
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeit premium racquets and golf clubs exist and typically show in the serial markings and the finish quality on the head.
Ask for the weight and dimensions before agreeing collection. On boards, ask the seller to tap along the deck and say whether the tone changes.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about a tennis racket, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Press them and be honest. Dead strings are normal on a used racket and buyers accept the cost when told, but not when surprised.
Read the butt cap. Grip size is as important as shoe size and a wrong one is unusable without a rebuild.
Check the edges and around the grommets carefully. A hairline crack ends the racket’s life and must be disclosed.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Inspect the throat and hoop closely for hairline cracks
- Check the grommet strip is complete
- Note the head size, weight and string pattern
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The racket flat, whole, strings visible
- The throat showing head size, weight and grip size markings
- The strings close up, showing wear or notching
- The frame edges and grommets, plus any chip or crack
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, model and head size in square inches
- Unstrung weight and balance if marked
- Grip size, and whether an overgrip is fitted
- String condition and when last strung
Live tennis racket listings
There is 1 live on WishThrift right now:
When to buy
April through August, peaking around the summer tournament season. Recognised models sell within days in season.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have a tennis racket sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell tennis racket for what to photograph and how to price, or what tennis racket is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used tennis racket?
Around £10 to £72 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check a tennis racket before buying?
Ask for the weight and dimensions before agreeing collection. On boards, ask the seller to tap along the deck and say whether the tone changes.
Is buying a tennis racket second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Getting it home — large gym equipment is a collection sale and usually needs two people and a van. On boards and hulls, water ingress that has already softened the core.
See also: all buying guides · tennis racket value guide · selling tennis racket · Sports & Outdoors · condition grades.