I fractured my hand earlier this year and lost some grip strength. I have started using a racquetball glove when I play. Like Ronaldo said, my strokes are so solid and it keeps the racquet twist to a minimum. I don't notice any reduction in feel. I will keep using it in the future.
How many people still play with rackets that are over 20 years old?
- Thread starter jimanuel12
- Start date
13GATOSNEGROS
Professional
Played my +45yrsSnauwaertMini today. This racket is pure fun, one of my favorites. True love.
DTA Dropshots
Rookie
I found that playing with a glove to be a positive. UNTIL SUMMER! Then the sweating issue makes it a blister factory for me. Playing doubles for 3-7 hours makes gloves a non-starter. I just have to make do with my sweatbands and lots of re-wrapping of the overwrap.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
My day with the glove may come next year. Did not play this summer as the nets were removed along with basketball rims across the city. Too many undesirables hanging around the courts without masks. Picklers were forced to play in their driveways.
NicoMK
Hall of Fame
So this thread started in 2011, we're in 2023, thought that we could revive it for a while -- last post is from December, 2020. I'm curious to have your feedback :
How many people out there still swing a racket which is over 20 years old? How do you feel about it?
If you had the chance to demo recent frames, did you notice any smart addition to your game or did you feel that it just brought nothing special?
Or, maybe you still play with a classic of the 90s, early 2000s but you now string it with hybrid or full polyester. Have you felt any improvement or was it worse for your arm / shoulder etc.?
Discuss
How many people out there still swing a racket which is over 20 years old? How do you feel about it?
If you had the chance to demo recent frames, did you notice any smart addition to your game or did you feel that it just brought nothing special?
Or, maybe you still play with a classic of the 90s, early 2000s but you now string it with hybrid or full polyester. Have you felt any improvement or was it worse for your arm / shoulder etc.?
Discuss
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Me. Returned to max200g to fix shoulder issues caused by stiff rackets. I’m planning to keep using them as really I dont feel I lose anything. And my shoulder is fixed. Trying it with hybrid of multi and poly but honestly I think synthetic gut is the best option. Modern frames - tried all babolats and they just made me lazy -sure more spin and power but at the cost of. my shoulder. Tried all pacifics and they are good but certainly dont add anything. Plus I grabbed 3 max 200g locally for 10 euros each. That helps.
don’t like any head frames really and my muscle memory from being 13 and using a max 200g seems to work well. I find you just need to play the game more aggressively, attack the space more, and move forward.
more. Or just maybe I’m just old and stupid.
don’t like any head frames really and my muscle memory from being 13 and using a max 200g seems to work well. I find you just need to play the game more aggressively, attack the space more, and move forward.
more. Or just maybe I’m just old and stupid.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Even in 2011 rackets that were over 20 years old weren't significantly different to be a problem to play with. You have to go back to the mid 1970s really to be limited to frames that were too small/heavy/flexy to work adequately. Consider a Prince Graphite II (1992): it's essentially PS97 spec (97sqi, 340g strung, open string-bed, 22mm beam). Indeed the oversize version was probably only 103sqi, so it's a Pro-Staff X equivalent! Yes, modern frames are lighter, and have been cleverly engineered to feel solid even at those lower weights, but I read a lot of 'you need to add lead here and a leather grip', so you end up about around the same spec. The sweetspots are pretty much the same size. Even my MAX 150G (68sqi) is no problem if you commit.
There's no question that if you start your session with a modern tweener, you will definitely struggle with an old-school 360g racket. But if you start your session with the latter, then move to a tweener, they feel terribly weak and uncontrollable. It really is just a matter of what you want to get used to.
P.S. my players: MAX 200G, MAX 300i
There's no question that if you start your session with a modern tweener, you will definitely struggle with an old-school 360g racket. But if you start your session with the latter, then move to a tweener, they feel terribly weak and uncontrollable. It really is just a matter of what you want to get used to.
P.S. my players: MAX 200G, MAX 300i
graycrait
Legend
Wilson Pro Staff 5.7Eb Stretch Oversize chopped to 27.25". I discovered this 115" 18x20 11oz 66RA monster a while back and when I see one in grip size 4 I usually will buy it. People made the jump from 65" to 100" because it made the game easier, I'll subscribe to that notion as well and jump from 98/100 to 115. Although it is not as much of a jump as the earlier one it is enough to make the game just a bit easier/funner for me.
NicoMK
Hall of Fame
I feel the same about having to play more aggressively, but in the end it's not "quite" the game I feel at ease with. Glad you're enjoying the 200G and a cured shoulder!I find you just need to play the game more aggressively, attack the space more, and move forward.
more. Or just maybe I’m just old and stupid.
Yep agree too. A lot of pals in my club have long switched to stiffer and lighter tweeners. Age doesn't help either. Recently I tried to end a session with the famous blue racket made by the famous French brand. Couldn't hit a ball in the court and the feel was absolutely terrible. Not saying that the racket is crap, I'll admit the easy power but, as I wrote just above, definitely not for me.
Or, maybe I'm just like @michael valek said : old and stupid.
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NicoMK
Hall of Fame
Apart from the head size, still the specs of a classic, right?
graycrait
Legend
@NicoMK , It is actually 27.75. So I remove the butt cap cut off a bit and bring it to a smidge over 27.25." The one I am currently hitting with is 11.2/318g and 5.5HL strung w/1 OG over base synthetic grip. Beam is kind of wide but it works so well. I filled a couple with tiny Styrofoam beads, about 9g. Strung with Ash Kev mains x ZX crosses. Right now I like my "normal" rackets 326-332g, although I still have several I swing that are around 341g. Hard not to like Volkl Tour 10 Mid 93" 18x20. However, I have so much fun with those 5.7Eb 115 18x20s. The others in that series don't grab me, the 4.7 or the 110 18x20 6.7. The slightly later FPK Titanium 115 18x20 is dimensionally the same as the 5.7 but plays "brassier" IMHO.
Wilson 5.7 Prostaff EB Oversize
Wilson 5.7 Prostaff EB Oversize
| Head Size: | 115 sq. in. / 742 sq. cm. |
|---|---|
| Length: | 28.00 inches / 71.12 cm |
| Strung Weight: | 11.00 oz / 312 g |
| Balance: | 5pts HL |
| Swing Weight: | 342 |
| Beam Width: | 0.0mm |
|---|---|
| Tip/Shaft: | 27.5mm / 0.0mm |
| Composition: | 60% Graphite / 40% Fiberglass |
| Power Level: | Low-Medium |
| Stiffness: | 66 |
| String Pattern: | 18 Mains/20 Crosses |
|---|---|
| Main Skip: | 8T,10T,8H,10H |
| String Tension: | 55-65 |
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Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
No, I think we're not stupid! I play mainly with guys in their 30s, 40s and 50s and most of them use modern sticks like Radical Pro, Speed Pro, PS97 etc, which I've also tried extensively. I'm able to compete with all of them including serving, and I'm confident the feel of the classic sticks is more enjoyable. I'd feel a bit guilty if I took a 200G to a 'Classic Rackets' tournament!I feel the same about having to play more aggressively, but in the end it's not "quite" the game I feel at ease with. Glad you're enjoying the 200G and a cured shoulder!
Yep agree too. A lot of pals in my club have long switched to stiffer and lighter tweeners. Age doesn't help either. Recently I tried to end a session with the famous blue racket made by the famous French brand. Couldn't hit a ball in the court and the feel was absolutely terrible. Not saying that the racket is crap, I'll admit the easy power but, as I wrote just above, definitely not for me.
Or, maybe I'm just like @michael valek said : old and stupid.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
Lately I’ve been hitting with the Adidas GTM, fantastic stick, really came alive once I strung it with Gamma Ocho 17 multi. Shaped multis are the bomb.
I am playing with a Rossignol F230. Love the feel and flex. Yes it's a small head, and I do occasionally shank the ball, but I did that a lot when I was in high school playing with a 110" head too. It's bad habits in the feet and eyes developed early that cause it, and the small head keeps me honest and aware of those habits creeping back in. I don't plan on going back to anything modern unless I have no other choice. I just love the sweet feel too much. No modern frame that I've hit with comes very close.
ekucheraw
Rookie
Oh man I've been having a blast with some classic frames recently. Yamaha Ceramic Series 90 Gold and Bronze have been a treat, as well as the YFG 30, just feelings you can't really get nowadays that I love.
At the club I used to teach at I would play students using a T2000 (insanely fun to serve with), ProStaff 85 (I miss hitting with this but the prices for them these days are more than I can afford), Miss Chris (a gift from a parent after seeing me playing at league with the T2000), and a few other wooden rackets we had lying around. Almost wish I'd grabbed a few on my way out lol
At the club I used to teach at I would play students using a T2000 (insanely fun to serve with), ProStaff 85 (I miss hitting with this but the prices for them these days are more than I can afford), Miss Chris (a gift from a parent after seeing me playing at league with the T2000), and a few other wooden rackets we had lying around. Almost wish I'd grabbed a few on my way out lol
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Made in Austria or made in England doesn’t matter. Just enjoy.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
What racket was that?When I read all these great comments of yours, old and new, I feel less alone thanks
Feel, isn't it what it is all about, after all?
Had an enjoyable hitting session tonight with a fantastic MIA racket. Last week I played sh*t but today it felt so good!
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
Well, it’s 12 years later, and this still is an accurate answer for me. I have flirted with newer equipment over these intervening years, with varying results, but my best and most effective play still comes with this equipment.
I also probably look like a refugee from the 1980’s with my choice of on-court clothing and shoes, as well, sticking with whites from the neck down.
NicoMK
Hall of Fame
I'm afraid it's not a Head, sorry @vsbabolat , it's the other famous Austrian brand (now German).
NicoMK
Hall of Fame
Don't forget the Tournagrip to look like Pete
You don't play because you don't feel like playing?
Don't forget the Tournagrip to look like Pete
You don't play because you don't feel like playing?
Not really. Middle-age, broken body, busy life, take your pick. But no Tournagrip. Edberg is the hero.
S
Slicehand
Guest
people over 60 years old
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
NicoMK
Hall of Fame
Then don't forget the BowBrand logo on the stringsNot really. Middle-age, broken body, busy life, take your pick. But no Tournagrip. Edberg is the hero.
Rayzor
New User
Before switching to my “new” BLX Steam 100 about a month ago, I was competing with a pair of 1989 Head Elite Masters for about 9 months. Before that, I used 3 Head Ti/i.Radicals.
I think the newest racquet in my collection of about 80-100 racquets is a 2016 Pure Aero. The bulk of my stash is late-80s to late-90s Head racquets.
I think the newest racquet in my collection of about 80-100 racquets is a 2016 Pure Aero. The bulk of my stash is late-80s to late-90s Head racquets.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Head Radicals a great start and ending point. Have a Kaboodle of them
Winners or Errors
Legend
Kneissl White Star Pro Masters… sweet stick when I’m moving well. Serves bombs, clocks groundies, crushes volleys.
ekucheraw
Rookie
First real player racket I got when I was younger was a Head Liquidmetal Radical MP. I wish I had one still, I’d love to see what I’d think of it today.
serveandvolE
Rookie
I played with Head Graphite Edge back in high school in the 80s and it's what I'm using now.
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optic yellow
Legend
Mine aren't quite there but I don't think they're much worse than the modern ones from what I've seen. I mean I helped someone demo hit a couple modern frames (idk exactly which, they may have been 2021s) and they felt nice but I didn't really feel like they were allowing me to do things I couldn't do with my regular gamers.
kevin qmto
Hall of Fame
To me, mainstream brands lineups have changed very little from 2010-present in terms of feel or actual technology. Not just whatever gimmick tech they talk about on the packaging.
I am very impressed. It is not an easy stick to play well consistently with the small head and the relatively heavy weight.
Winners or Errors
Legend
Well, at the 4-4.5 level I don't get rushed a lot. Were I a 5+, it'd probably be harder.
Then don't forget the BowBrand logo on the strings
I played with Bow Brand for a while, but they don't make them anymore. Great string, but lasted for one hour.
Frankc
Professional
Just agreed all - looking at my bag now and truly loving a varied and flatter game now - and remember that funny earlier term called "feel?" Variety and feel that opens up the court keeps this game so interesting for me..
The Bag ( Pacific Bag in admiration for the last of the dynamic guts - Pacific Prime): Head Prestige Tour (year 2000 or so - delicious twin tube feel - just add weight to your liking) with Pac Prime at mid/low tension and Snauwaert Mid Graphite (year 86 or so - No, not 1886...) with Gosen "Softer Feeling" multi at low 40s...
You know we are all delusional - yesterday when hanging at the courts a serious player looked me in the eye and proclaimed," You know that you are missing all the new advances in technology..."
The Bag ( Pacific Bag in admiration for the last of the dynamic guts - Pacific Prime): Head Prestige Tour (year 2000 or so - delicious twin tube feel - just add weight to your liking) with Pac Prime at mid/low tension and Snauwaert Mid Graphite (year 86 or so - No, not 1886...) with Gosen "Softer Feeling" multi at low 40s...
You know we are all delusional - yesterday when hanging at the courts a serious player looked me in the eye and proclaimed," You know that you are missing all the new advances in technology..."
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Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Missing all that pain and agony, excessive miseryJust agreed all - looking at my bag now and truly loving a varied and flatter game now - and remember that funny earlier term called "feel?" Variety and feel that opens up the court keeps this game so interesting for me..
The Bag ( Pacific Bag in admiration for the last of the dynamic guts - Pacific Prime): Head Prestige Tour (year 2000 or so - delicious twin tube feel - just add weight to your liking) with Pac Prime at mid/low tension and Snauwaert Mid Graphite (year 86 or so - No, not 1886...) with Gosen "Softer Feeling" multi at low 40s...
You know we are all delusional - yesterday when hanging at the courts a serious player looked me in the eye and proclaimed," You know that you are missing all the new advances in technology..."
Frankc
Professional
@Ronaldo
Yep - good call - funny how joint pain has been "normalized" as a part of tennis nowadays...
Additionally, for me, the precision and feedback from a frame with good flex and mass are good therapy for me on the court. I just don't like surprises, both good and bad, that a light & stiff frame tends to hand out at will...
( Ah, the curse of growing up with a Kramer medium in hand - the elysium field of feel, variety and precision...)
Yep - good call - funny how joint pain has been "normalized" as a part of tennis nowadays...
Additionally, for me, the precision and feedback from a frame with good flex and mass are good therapy for me on the court. I just don't like surprises, both good and bad, that a light & stiff frame tends to hand out at will...
( Ah, the curse of growing up with a Kramer medium in hand - the elysium field of feel, variety and precision...)
NicoMK
Hall of Fame
Exactly.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
I played with my 300i strung with Element today, three weeks after stringing. The plow-through / pocketing is amazing, whilst still being controlled. Should be provided by pharmacists as a TE cure.
gold325
Hall of Fame
Prostaff 6.7EB
323.5g / 6HL / 320sw
110 si / 18x20 / 61RA
Poly 17g @ 56 lbs
Played today against a 4.0 (3.5C) guy with Pure Aero 2023 with RPM Blast - was able to produce a better ball with this stick than the PA and won both feed games where I used this.
This stick (and the 5.7EB) feel great and produce better result and more fun (for me) than many classic OS sticks like the POG, RadOS etc.
My regular racket is an Ultra Tour 18x20 so it is very very different BUT somehow I have no trouble switching too and from other than making damn sure I come over every ball without fail, which is a good idea with every racket anyway.
@graycrait
@Humbi_HTX
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Never knew till 1977 that Wilson sold Kramers & Pro Staffs that weight over 14 ounces strung.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Flexy mid
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Prostaff 6.7EB
323.5g / 6HL / 320sw
110 si / 18x20 / 61RA
Poly 17g @ 56 lbs
Played today against a 4.0 (3.5C) guy with Pure Aero 2023 with RPM Blast - was able to produce a better ball with this stick than the PA and won both feed games where I used this.
This stick (and the 5.7EB) feel great and produce better result and more fun (for me) than many classic OS sticks like the POG, RadOS etc.
My regular racket is an Ultra Tour 18x20 so it is very very different BUT somehow I have no trouble switching too and from other than making damn sure I come over every ball without fail, which is a good idea with every racket anyway.
@graycrait
@Humbi_HTX
Must be tough on the 65 & over USTA league players
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