Your Advantage Tennis Shop

I just had a great experience here. Best selection of racquets in the city, in my experience. Varieties in strings, grip sizes, and racquet brands (many tennis shops are limited in brand selection). Previous year models are also very well-​priced if you’re flexible. The sales person was really nice. It’s definitely a spot for tennis nerds… I did come in knowing what racquet I wanted and what specifications, but my sense from observing interactions in the store is that they are helpful for all tennis players, if you offer a little information about what you are looking for. Prices are competitive with online retailers like Tennis Warehouse. At the time I visited there were no string specials available (often there are with purchase of a new racquet), but the sales person told me that there are frequently specials and to add my name to the email list.

I went into this place asking to demo a specific racket that I’ve been researching. They took one look at me and decided that I was a beginner and said that the racket is for collegiate players. I nodded and said ok I’d like to demo it please. And he kind of rolled his eyes and shook his head while he took the racket down for me. Handed it to me and then walked away and never came back to me to answer any questions I had. I waited a good 6 or 7 minutes for him to return to me so that I can sign out the racket, but he never did. It’s a very small shop so it’s not like he couldn’t see me or was busy. There was no one else in the shop except me. Very arrogant staff. Whether or not I am a collegiate player or a beginner I shouldn’t be treated any differently. Kinda like this John S guy that Unilocaled about this place before me. Wait a minute… So I have to be polite to them in order to get any decent service??? THEY are the ones trying to get OUR business, NOT the other way around. It should be re-​worded to say «if you’re an arrogant snob or believe you are above everyone else… then this is a great shop for you»
They do have a good selection of rackets so if you wanted to see and feel the racket then it is worth the trip… but then buy it online from someone else.

I had no idea how hard it is to find a tennis shop in Chicago nowadays. It really occurred to me just how much tennis has fallen as a sport (compared to other sports like golf). My wife needed a new racket so we decided to check this place out. The customer service that we received was very good. The people that were working that day were eager to help us pick out a new racket and didn’t try to sell us more than what we were prepared to spend. We also decided to restring the racket and were happy with the results. It is a very small tennis shop and it is somewhat difficult to find parking on Ashland, but it’s one of the few options you have in the city to buy (and string) a new racket.

Great guys, awesome service — extremely helpful, even though I brought in a golf club not a tennis racquet.
I came in looking for a leather tennis grip to wrap around my new putter grip, which was extremely comfortable but hideous looking. A tennis player friend of mine suggested I look into tennis wraps. I was in the area, I had my clubs in the trunk, so I dropped by YATS.
Not having played tennis since I was forced to back in high school, I knew next to nothing about tennis, let alone anything about tennis products. Bob and his staff were great — they showed me the different options, sold me a great product, and even installed it for me on the spot and free of charge. And even though he’d never wrapped a golf club before (it did take two rolls of Head brand leather wrap), Bob made it look like a million bucks. Definitely a professional-​looking install — way better than I would’ve done myself.
While this may not be the most helpful review in terms of YATS’ tennis products and services (I have to admit that I’m totally unqualified to comment on that), I just had to post this comment thanking Bob and this staff for some world-​class customer service.

I wanted to change the size of my grip (take ¹⁄₈ off) which should only done professionally so I was excited that this place was willing to do it for me. I’m pretty sure it was the owner who was assisting me, and when I asked him a few questions, he would give me strange looks and answer rudely. I ended up leaving the shop and doing it myself. If you want to be treated like a valued customer, dont go here. Strings Attached is a better option for locals.

I came here for some basic stringing advice and I was basically treated like a complete newb to the sport. I simply wanted a string that offered more CONTROL (and there are variations that offer different things to suit your game) and the staff looked at me like I was crazy. There were three people free to assist me and there was nobody else in the store. Not one reached out to help me and I ended up leaving with my racket.
The store was also dark, dingy, and highly unorganized. Do yourself a favor and visit Strings Attached in Lincoln Park instead.

Great service. Very helpful in picking out a racket and shoes. Staff was very knowledgeable. Great selection of rackets. They do all the rackets for NU Tennis Team. Will definitely go back.

I am a fan of Your Advantage. I understand the point of view of some of the reviewers regarding some of the younger people working there. I too felt a bit «dismissed» when I first went in and asked questions. I persisted and have actually been given some good tips and guidelines about racquet specs and how they translate in to playability. It does mater who you speak with. Find someone you like and stick with him/​her. I am currently demoing racquets and have found all the staff to be very helpful and patient while I check out my options. Your advantage is also the best shop for racquet stringing. The owner Bob takes great pride in getting you a racquet strung to you absolute satisfaction. In my experience, he treats all levels with equal respect. They’ve done wonderful things with my strings — it will feel like a new racquet they are done. Great selection of racquets and shoes. The staff knows tennis. You can’t go wrong.

I’ve visited once and find: average price, turnaround time, quality. Below-​par service.
When I asked the guy at the service desk for suggestions regarding string tension for my rackets, he basically responded with a sigh and eye-​rolling. I would have been happier had he just given a phony BS answer than none at all. I am an intermediate-​level player and would have appreciated the advice, and that alone would have been enough to make me a regular customer.
Will not be back to annoy staff with legitimate questions.

Nopes. Not good here. Decent program for trial-​ing rackets. Overpriced rackets and the kicker is when i asked the young staff if they played tennis — response was, umm, a little here and there on weekends. My advice? Don’t solicit a place where they really don’t know the game.

I resurrected my old wilson prostaff rackets from the closet that have been collecting dust for about 8 years now and brought it into the shop. For about $ 60 I got both rackets restrung and new grips. Brought it in on a Monday and they were ready by Thursday. String job is great, I’ll definitely go back to them again!

This small tennis shop is easy to miss, but I’ve been coming here for years (back to their old days on Southport). Always a good selection for your tennis needs, and Bob is the only guy I trust to restring my sticks.

Just got back in the the whole tennis gig and needed to get a couple racquets/​shoes/​etc. Its tough to find brick and mortar store like Your Advantage anymore. This really isnt a beginners store though, they carry high end equipment. They have a great selection of new ($ 100+) and demo ($ 50+) racquets. The owner is real nice and will make sure to get your racquet strung in a day or two. (*you have to be kind of pushy, if you need the racquet that day, then stress that you need it! he’ll say that its «way to busy, no way» but he’ll get it done, just make sure to go in right when they open 10am if you need it that day) Stringing prices arent to bad, $ 24 with strings. They also have a drop box, just in case you bust your strings late and they’re closed.
Over all, I really like this place. Its right down the street from my house, the staff is nice, and they’re willing to take care of ya.
If I’m forgetting anything just ask me