Racquet Transition-Suggestions Welcome

[royfrombigd]

I'm a long time reader, but this is the first time I've ever posted anything so I apologize in advance if I don't follow proper protocol. My dilemma is this: I've been playing at a fairly high level 3.5 USTA, but will be playing 4.0 in the spring for the first time, probably strictly doubles. I've been using the MG Radical MP for a couple years now. I gravitated to this racquet because I'm not a natural topspin hitter and I had a penchant for hitting long with any 'tweener racquet. I love the control I get from the Radical, but pace has always been a concern since I just don't have the natural power a player's stick demands. I've tried tons of string and tension combinations, but control just gets terrible for me when I go more than a couple pounds below mid tension. I'm going to try out some racquets but was hoping for some suggestions for increasing pace without losing too much control and would obviously like to make as smooth a transition as possible from my current stick. I honestly feel like I will need more pace in my game particularly on serve to be successful at 4.0 and I'm afraid I may be too old (I'm 43) to develop more power needed for my Radicals. The first racquet I'm going to demo is the Pure Drive Standard with Cortex. I hear it's great on serves, but the 16x19 string pattern concerns me on groundstrokes(the Radical I use is 18x20). Again, any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[dman72]

I'm a long time reader, but this is the first time I've ever posted anything so I apologize in advance if I don't follow proper protocol. My dilemma is this: I've been playing at a fairly high level 3.5 USTA, but will be playing 4.0 in the spring for the first time, probably strictly doubles. I've been using the MG Radical MP for a couple years now. I gravitated to this racquet because I'm not a natural topspin hitter and I had a penchant for hitting long with any 'tweener racquet. I love the control I get from the Radical, but pace has always been a concern since I just don't have the natural power a player's stick demands. I've tried tons of string and tension combinations, but control just gets terrible for me when I go more than a couple pounds below mid tension. I'm going to try out some racquets but was hoping for some suggestions for increasing pace without losing too much control and would obviously like to make as smooth a transition as possible from my current stick. I honestly feel like I will need more pace in my game particularly on serve to be successful at 4.0 and I'm afraid I may be too old (I'm 43) to develop more power needed for my Radicals. The first racquet I'm going to demo is the Pure Drive Standard with Cortex. I hear it's great on serves, but the 16x19 string pattern concerns me on groundstrokes(the Radical I use is 18x20). Again, any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

How about the radical oversize with 18X19 pattern? The Pure Drive is probably a big jump for you from the Radical MP, as it is basically a top-spin hitters stick. It would help on the serve, but you might have problems keeping the ball in play. I'm guessing that you're more of a flat hitter from your descriptions of how shots go long when you lower tension and such. The radical OS is still a control oriented racquet, but with a bit more power and a bigger sweetspot than the MP. I'm not sure how much it will help on serve, though.

[royfrombigd]

How about the radical oversize with 18X19 pattern? The Pure Drive is probably a big jump for you from the Radical MP, as it is basically a top-spin hitters stick. It would help on the serve, but you might have problems keeping the ball in play. I'm guessing that you're more of a flat hitter from your descriptions of how shots go long when you lower tension and such. The radical OS is still a control oriented racquet, but with a bit more power and a bigger sweetspot than the MP. I'm not sure how much it will help on serve, though.
Thanks Dman. I did play at one time with OS Radical FXP and did pretty well. I just had better luck with the MP on groundstrokes and I didn't really notice much difference in power with the OS VS the MP. Maybe the Migrogel or Youtek OS have more pace. I'm not a huge topspin hitter, but I do think my technique has gotten better so I would like to try the Pure Drive. If I could get more pace on serve, I might be able to alter my strokes for the PD. Does any racquet maker have something with Pure Drive-type specs, but in an 18x20 pattern? Thanks.

[Doc Hollidae]

Try the Speed MP's in both string patterns. The 16x19 has more power and the 18x20 has more control. These two sticks will keep a lot of the qualities of the Radical MP, but give you a little more pop.

[dman72]

Also, the head Instinct line...they are 18X19 patterns like the OS radicals, but thicker beams and stiffer.

[royfrombigd]

Try the Speed MP's in both string patterns. The 16x19 has more power and the 18x20 has more control. These two sticks will keep a lot of the qualities of the Radical MP, but give you a little more pop.

Thanks, Doc. I'll try the Speed MP. I was intrigued by the specs of the racquet when it first came out, but figured it would have less pop than the Radical since it was heavier. The exra weight could be a concern, though.

[dman72]

Thanks, Doc. I'll try the Speed MP. I was intrigued by the specs of the racquet when it first came out, but figured it would have less pop than the Radical since it was heavier. The exra weight could be a concern, though.


More weight gives you more pop, all things being equal. The radical's are flexible frames, which tends to mean a bit less pop. The big serving sticks are usually stiff (pure drive, Wilson PS85, etc)

[royfrombigd]

Also, the head Instinct line...they are 18X19 patterns like the OS radicals, but thicker beams and stiffer.

Interesting, I've not considered the Instict, mainly because I just don't know that much about them. It doesn't look like TW sells them anymore so I can't find any reviews, but did pull the specs up from ******* Sports which still sells them. Have you ever hit with one? Thanks.

[dman72]

Interesting, I've not considered the Instict, mainly because I just don't know that much about them. It doesn't look like TW sells them anymore so I can't find any reviews, but did pull the specs up from ******* Sports which still sells them. Have you ever hit with one? Thanks.

one of TW's competitors has both the Microgel and liquid metal versions. I can e-mail you the name if you want, and they are relatively cheap.

I haven't personally hit with them, but Richard Gasquet uses the LM version, and Agassi also did for a short period a few years back, and they have fans here on TW forums.

[royfrombigd]

one of TW's competitors has both the Microgel and liquid metal versions. I can e-mail you the name if you want, and they are relatively cheap.

I haven't personally hit with them, but Richard Gasquet uses the LM version, and Agassi also did for a short period a few years back, and they have fans here on TW forums.

Thanks Dman. I think I found the competitor you're referring to (I didn't know earlier you couldn't mention names here). I might also try to find one used from that online used company that starts with an e. I also found the way to pull up old reviews on racquets at TW and am looking at the Instict reviews. It seems the FXP version has the highest stiffness rating. I'll update you if I buy or demo one. Thanks again.

[dman72]

Thanks Dman. I think I found the competitor you're referring to (I didn't know earlier you couldn't mention names here). I might also try to find one used from that online used company that starts with an e. I also found the way to pull up old reviews on racquets at TW and am looking at the Instict reviews. It seems the FXP version has the highest stiffness rating. I'll update you if I buy or demo one. Thanks again.

Consensus here is that Flexpoint version of most Head racquets blow and that you should go with Liquidmetal or Microgel versions.

But, whatever works for you. Just remember increased stiffness can also increase your chances of getting tennis elbow and wrist pain.

[Doc Hollidae]

Thanks, Doc. I'll try the Speed MP. I was intrigued by the specs of the racquet when it first came out, but figured it would have less pop than the Radical since it was heavier. The exra weight could be a concern, though.

The racket isn't much heavier in static weight, but the Speed MP's SW's are both lower than the Radicals. I wouldn't worry about the extra weight, the Speed MP's are listed at 11.1 oz unstrung. Personally I don't think strings add .7 oz to the racket like TW has listed for the strung specs.

[royfrombigd]

The racket isn't much heavier in static weight, but the Speed MP's SW's are both lower than the Radicals. I wouldn't worry about the extra weight, the Speed MP's are listed at 11.1 oz unstrung. Personally I don't think strings add .7 oz to the racket like TW has listed for the strung specs.

Thanks, Doc. I definitely want to demo the Speed MPs in both string patterns. It's a hard racquet to demo locally and I can only find the Pro which I know will be too advanced for me. I had tried to demo early from TW, but was on a huge waiting list, but it does look like it is available now. BTW, I did demo the Pure Drive Cortex last night and was pleasantly surprised. I haven't hit with a 'tweener racquet in a while and I was shocked by how solid it felt all around. No wonder the racquet is so popular. The total weight is similar to the Radical, but it felt heavier in the head which I thought was weird since the PD is 5 points HL ad the Rad 2 points HL (am I missing something?). After a shaky first set I held serve pretty well after that and I liked the extra pop it gave. Plus, slice shots were easier with the PD (I suppose due to the open pattern). I will definitely have to make some adjustments, but I like what I see so far. I do consider myself a Head guy, so I'll give the Speeds a shot. Dman had suggested the Instinct, but there sure are a lot of mixed reviews on that one. Seems to be a love it or leave it racquet with the consensus deciding to pass overall on the racquet. I also read that Head does not plan to keep offering that line, so I may pass on it. Thanks anyway, Dman.

[dman72]

Dman had suggested the Instinct, but there sure are a lot of mixed reviews on that one. Seems to be a love it or leave it racquet with the consensus deciding to pass overall on the racquet. I also read that Head does not plan to keep offering that line, so I may pass on it. Thanks anyway, Dman.

I'd say it's worth a demo since it would cost you half as much, but there are so many other options out there as well in terms of brands we haven't talked about.

[fuzz nation]

Sounds like you could benefit from some racquets with a little more backbone than the Radical for what you're looking to do with your game. A few other possibilities that come to mind for me include Prince's Speedport Black, O3 White, and maybe their Ignite Team, although that one has an almost even balance.

You may also want to look into the Volkl DNX 9 - this frame seems to be an unsung hero around here with a small, yet very dedicated following. Try not to worry so much about the popularity of anything out there. You'll know what you like once you try it I think.

[royfrombigd]

Sounds like you could benefit from some racquets with a little more backbone than the Radical for what you're looking to do with your game. A few other possibilities that come to mind for me include Prince's Speedport Black, O3 White, and maybe their Ignite Team, although that one has an almost even balance.

You may also want to look into the Volkl DNX 9 - this frame seems to be an unsung hero around here with a small, yet very dedicated following. Try not to worry so much about the popularity of anything out there. You'll know what you like once you try it I think.

Thanks for the suggestions, Fuzz. I'm not really an impulse buyer, but I think I may have fallen in love with the Pure Drive Standard with Cortex. It's weird, the more power I have with the Babolat seems to translate into more confidence on the court. It may just be the excitement of hitting with a new racque, but I really like it. Plus, they are a really good deal now with a local retailer known more for golf equipment.