XL -- seems like pros and beginners like them alot, but not the in-between

[nikolaih]

I was perusing the strnger's measurements of the French open players and noticed alot of frames coming in at over 69 cm (a 27 inch, standard length frame is about 68.58 cm). Note, the first few players listed are all standard but as you go down, there seems to be a ton of extended length frames. Nothing too drastic, but alot that seem to be in the 27.25-27.5 range (69.3 to 70 cm).

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=68263&highlight=french+open

Kind of interesting, because looking at the player's frames and the users of them here, I don't see as big a representation of extended length frames as I do on the pro listing. And it's just my impression from reading posts here that they are considered an oddity more than a standard option. The extended length's do show up more often in the newer tech frames, especially the beginner tweener offerings.

Any ideas why this is? Travlerajm got any theories? Is it possible that player's frames are marketed a bit more to people more accustomed to traditional racquets, since extended lengths is newer trend (although obviously not that new)? Or is my impression wrong, and alot of players frames and users of them here actually use greater than 27" frames?

Another idea is that maybe the pros add a little length for clay? But length seems to wildly change the balance of a racquet so I'm not sure if this would be worth it.

[stevewcosta]

Hate anything over 27. Awful invention. Maybe they are popular w/2HBH, thus the popularity at the dirt open. Probably what you said, but I didn't read your entire post.

[nikolaih]

*crickets chirping*

Maybe XL racquets are even less popular here than I originally assumed..:o

[BlackJesus]

I'm considering to switch from a standard lengh racquet to an XL one, in particulare the Tecnifibre T-Fight 325. The reason is that all Xl player's racquet are listed to SW higher than 330. I play only on clay and my great problem was that with a regular MP my shots were alway too light. Only with mid racquets I could generate the power and spin right for me but the downside was the small head. So I've decided to give XL racquets a try

[SFrazeur]

Racquet lengths go through phases, you might look at the age range of those players to see if they are of an age when XL racquets were "in"; Such as the mid 1990's.

On a personal note:
I have thought about extending one of my racquets to 27.25. But the issue is I use 90's that are already roughly 13.oz's. If I were to add .25 to one it would make the racquet a log. I think I would need to get a hold of a asian racquet, and then lead it up.