Switching to a lighter frame?

ac3111

ac3111

Professional
I started playing tennis 5 years ago -practicing 3-5 times per week. My first racquet was a Prince ozone 104 headsize. after a couple of months I switched to a K95, experimented with lighter frames but I ended up playing with K90 and PS 6.0 85. Whenever I tried to pick a lighter frame it felt like it was not like a proper racquet, it felt fake, cheap, like a plastic board. I love the feel of those thin boxy beamed racquets, I love the feel of their mass behind my shots. The last couple of years I did not have time to play often. a couple months ago I started playing again (4-5 times a week).

The problem is that even during my peak time in tennis I could not utilize a racquet like the K90 or the PS 6.0 85. They were like F1 cars that I could not drive them full throttle because I lacked the power and probably the skill. Now although I still play with them my level of play drops significantly after a set. The speed of my serve goes down massively.

I hit mainly flat forehands (very moderate spin) and one hand backhands. I like to come to the net but don't serve& volley. My serve is weak and I don't break strings in any case. The truth is that I can't take advantage of the full potential of my racquets. So I'm thinking to switch to a lighter frame.

I want it to be thin beam for sure and headlight...but more forgiving and easier to swing and maintain a good level of play.
I am considering 2 sticks. First the Wilson Pro Staff 95 BLX (16x19) and the Prince Tour Diablo MidPlus (16x18 ) .

If the switch does not satisfy me I will go back to the K90 and the PS 6.0 85 and never look back again.

Please share your thoughts with me. I'd like to hear your recommendations.

PS: my current set up is a K90 (VS touch mains/Luxilon supersense monotec crosses @ 48lbs) and PS 6.0 85 (Gosen OG sheep micro @ 44lbs).
 
Last edited:
cork_screw

cork_screw

Hall of Fame
Hey there's no shame in going to a light oversize frame. There's a lot of racquet snobs that all talk about tiny heavy midsize. But the oversizes do a lot for one's game. I am using an oversize and I'm winning just as much if not somewhat more with this than my midplus. Go with what works, and don't worry about your equipment, just focus on strategy.
 
MikeHitsHard93

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
cork_screw said:
Hey there's no shame in going to a light oversize frame. There's a lot of racquet snobs that all talk about tiny heavy midsize. But the oversizes do a lot for one's game. I am using an oversize and I'm winning just as much if not somewhat more with this than my midplus. Go with what works, and don't worry about your equipment, just focus on strategy.
Click to expand...

What're you using, corkscrew?
 
P

PeterWA

New User
If you feel that you would be better off with lighter, bigger frames, don't be afraid to make the switch. Play with what plays best for you. I'm not much of a racquet buff but I would suggest the Dunlop 300/3.0 line? Much more forgiving than what you have played with before in the past with still a decent amount of control.

But the best bet would be to demo, go out, and hit with what you want to try.
 
Shroud

Shroud

G.O.A.T.
My 2 cents is that if you are looking at the Diablo, you might want to look at the Prince Original Graphite Mid. Its 3 grams lighter and it has a 14/18 pattern which is more opened and well I thing you might like a bit more spin on the shots you hit with spin.

Though the POG is a bit more expensive.
 
ac3111

ac3111

Professional
Thank you for your input all of you. I was considering the Diablo Midplus because it is not expensive, has 19mm beam and is headlight enough. and is cheap... I am not living in US so I can't demo...
I played with the Wilson Pro Staff 95 BLX strung @60lbs. It felt less control than my current low strung setup but I could swing it for a couple hours without getting tired so much.

When you go 30grams lower I think you must alter your stroke mechanics. It's a whole new process.
Anyway we will see.
thanks again.
 
ilovetennis212

ilovetennis212

Professional
ac3111 said:
I started playing tennis 5 years ago -practicing 3-5 times per week. My first racquet was a Prince ozone 104 headsize. after a couple of months I switched to a K95, experimented with lighter frames but I ended up playing with K90 and PS 6.0 85. Whenever I tried to pick a lighter frame it felt like it was not like a proper racquet, it felt fake, cheap, like a plastic board. I love the feel of those thin boxy beamed racquets, I love the feel of their mass behind my shots. The last couple of years I did not have time to play often. a couple months ago I started playing again (4-5 times a week).

The problem is that even during my peak time in tennis I could not utilize a racquet like the K90 or the PS 6.0 85. They were like F1 cars that I could not drive them full throttle because I lacked the power and probably the skill. Now although I still play with them my level of play drops significantly after a set. The speed of my serve goes down massively.

I hit mainly flat forehands (very moderate spin) and one hand backhands. I like to come to the net but don't serve& volley. My serve is weak and I don't break strings in any case. The truth is that I can't take advantage of the full potential of my racquets. So I'm thinking to switch to a lighter frame.

I want it to be thin beam for sure and headlight...but more forgiving and easier to swing and maintain a good level of play.
I am considering 2 sticks. First the Wilson Pro Staff 95 BLX (16x19) and the Prince Tour Diablo MidPlus (16x18 ) .

If the switch does not satisfy me I will go back to the K90 and the PS 6.0 85 and never look back again.

Please share your thoughts with me. I'd like to hear your recommendations.

PS: my current set up is a K90 (VS touch mains/Luxilon supersense monotec crosses @ 48lbs) and PS 6.0 85 (Gosen OG sheep micro @ 44lbs).
Click to expand...

I recommend you to pick wilson six.one 95.
I used to use wilson ps 90 but I had some trouble like you.
I came down in weight little bit. PS90 to six.one.95.
I like it. I could generate Almost same execution from 95.
 
ac3111

ac3111

Professional
I have 2 Wilson K95 18x20. But since I started playing with K90 and the PS 6.0 85 the K95 feels like a board of plastic.
 
Shroud

Shroud

G.O.A.T.
ac3111 said:
When you go 30grams lower I think you must alter your stroke mechanics. It's a whole new process.
Anyway we will see.
thanks again.
Click to expand...

It will be interesting. I have a racket that I use pretty often that is more than an ounce heavier than my other rackets. I don't find myself altering anything. Its a bit slower to swing but nothing that makes me consciously do anything differently. When I switch the lighter rackets are just a bit easier to swing.
 
hrail

hrail

New User
I was in the same situation as you some time ago
and ended up picking the Pro Staff 95. have customized it
to bring up some power and similar feel to the 90.
What I've done to my 95 frames, I have two:
Both came on spec from factory, 313 grs unstrung.
First I replaced the stock grip with a Wilson leather grip and
added a pro overgrip, that added 7 grs total to the handle.
Then added 8 grs of lead tape at 12 o'clock under the bumper.
Strung both rackets with VS Touch natural gut on mains and
Luxilon 4G on the crosses (22.5 - 21 kg string tension), added
power pads to the throat area and some string savers as Fed pattern,
this adds 18 grs total.
So the final specs after customizing, 346 gr strung, 32.2 6 pt HL
and 332-335 swingweight.
This set up works wonders for me, similar feeling to the 90
but easyer to manouver and not as demanding as the 90.
You have the plus of the 95 headsize, more forgiving on misshits
Deffinetely worth a try,
Cheers !!
 
jelle v

jelle v

Hall of Fame
I'm not familiar with playing with these kind of rackets, but the logical thing to do, as mentioned above, would be to try the Pro Staff 95..

Head Size:95 sq. in. / 612.9 sq. cm.
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 11.5oz / 326.02g
Balance: 7 pts HL
Swingweight: 306
Stiffness: 62
Beam Width: 18mm / 18mm / 18mm /
Composition: Basalt
Power Level: Low
Stroke Style: Full
Swing Speed: Fast
String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
String Tension: 50-60 pounds

It's thirty grams lighter and maybe the only drawback, is the much lower swingweight. That may be solvable with adding a little lead tape in the hoop.

There may be other rackets that come closer to your ideal specs directly from the factory, but if you like the feeling of the box beam so much, it will be hard to find something with similar feel.
 
Imago

Imago

Hall of Fame
Yes, 19/22/21

To me, Federer's and Grisho's racket are too flexible. They literally bend in your hand.
 
Last edited:
ac3111

ac3111

Professional
Well one of the frames I have been playing after K95 and before K90 and PS 6.0 85 was the Pro Staff 6.0 95...

I will give a go again to my K95 and the PS 6.0 95. after a 2 year break from tennis it's like starting over.
I have hit today with the K95. It's a beast racquet. You get the depth, you have bigger sweetspot, you have the power but my backhand slice and generally my shots do not knife the ball not the way I do it with the smaller headsize racqs. The PS 6.0 85 and the K90 are killing machines.

I think even the K95 and the PS 6.0 95 are above my league.

I may try to record my hitting sessions with all these racquets and post them here to hear your comments. Thanks again.
 
ac3111

ac3111

Professional
Ι'm working on it. I have to find a way so that the camera focus on me and not showing the other person I'm playing with. If I place the camera on one side then you can see me hitting but not where the ball lands. I will figure it out soon. I will include serves and a hitting session. Racquets that will be used will be Wilson K95 18x20, Wilson PS 6.0 95, Wilson K90 and Wilson PS 6.0 85.
 
MauricioDias

MauricioDias

Rookie
I played with all wilson racquets you mentioned and I also like the heavy ones. I recommend that you try Wilson Pro Staff 95 BLX (16x19), and the new pro staffs 95 that are composed also by kevlar and would not present suach a different behaviour compared to your other racquets.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
I played with 12.5 oz rackets for years, but after turning 62, decided it was not to my advantage after 90 minutes on court and dropped my SW down to 320 and my racket weight to around the same.
Now I can play 7 sets of doubles or 4 sets of singles, and still hit my maximum shots.
At my level, around 4.0, nobody can hit a ball that overpowers my racket anyways.
 
ac3111

ac3111

Professional
Wilson Pro Staff 95 BLX (16x19) is one of the two I intend to go for. But first it will be the video...
 
SCRAP IRON

SCRAP IRON

Professional
Demo the 6.1 95 Spin effect. You might find the new technology will allow you to attempt offensive shots that you never could before. If not, you go back to the old familiar frame.
 
G

guitarplayer

Guest
Lee makes his own racquets. Top Secret...government issued...a part of the Afforadble Health Care Tennis Program.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Yeah, they're called 200's, 300's, and 500's, with some thought to weight control and 5/8 grip sizes.
 
ac3111

ac3111

Professional
I played today against a much younger opponent, 19 years old. I am 33. This was the second time playing against him.
The first time (which was a week ago) I used the PS 6.0 85 (Gosen OG SM 16 @ 45lbs).
Second time I used the K 95 (18 x 20) strung with Weisscanon Explosiv 16g @ 53lbs.

I lost both times but my game was totally different between the 2 times we played. With the PS 6.0 85 I could not hit big but I was able to pull some return winners rallye and play spectacular points. We were exchanging lots of balls.

The second time playing with the K95 I cant remember having a rallye over 9-10 balls. My serve was better I earned more points from there but my returns were awful. Ball was sailing very long. My backhand chip was hitting the frame.

I figured out that I defended way better using the PS 6.0 85, despite the smaller headsize. And this is because I was using the pace of my opponent to guide the ball. The PS 6.0 85 has amazing control. Another thing I like about the PS 6.0 85 and the K90 is the slice and the backhand chip. Believe it or not I think I hit flatter when using the PS 6.0 85 or the K90 compared to the K95.

Anyway, I think I should go back to the beginning. Go to a lighter frame, pick a few private tennis lessons and work out a bit.

PS: I recorded the warm up today but again my opponent is visible. Tomorrow though I will hit the court and try record my service motion which is a bit inconsistent, not fluent and not that much effortless as it should be.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
You can't draw any conclusions from two playing days using different rackets against the same player.
Maybe you can, after 5 playing days.
Feel is feel, and for most players, smaller equates to "better" feel.
As one old fart said to me, you hit better with smaller rackets, you PLAY better with bigger. He plays with a 100, which he considers BIG.
 
Timbo's hopeless slice

Timbo's hopeless slice

Hall of Fame
I can only say I have switched to a quite light (11.4oz) Donnay F100 and played two 5.5+ players th eother nigh without fram eissues..

I think I am a believer..
 
ac3111

ac3111

Professional
LeeD said:
As one old fart said to me, you hit better with smaller rackets, you PLAY better with bigger. He plays with a 100, which he considers BIG.
Click to expand...

You may play better with the bigger racquet because I guess you make less mistakes and among recreational players usually the one who makes the less mistakes wins...so maybe that's why the smaller head hits better but on a course of a match or a point it's more difficult to win using it.

In any case I feel I need to go back to basics, pick a lighter frame a bit bigger and take a few lessons to refine my game.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
The whys are often debated, but the overall results seem to be the same.
Nobody said a 135 racket is better, nor is a 107, or 104.
 
T

TennisCJC

Legend
ac3111 said:
I played today against a much younger opponent, 19 years old. I am 33. This was the second time playing against him.
The first time (which was a week ago) I used the PS 6.0 85 (Gosen OG SM 16 @ 45lbs).
Second time I used the K 95 (18 x 20) strung with Weisscanon Explosiv 16g @ 53lbs.

I lost both times but my game was totally different between the 2 times we played. With the PS 6.0 85 I could not hit big but I was able to pull some return winners rallye and play spectacular points. We were exchanging lots of balls.

The second time playing with the K95 I cant remember having a rallye over 9-10 balls. My serve was better I earned more points from there but my returns were awful. Ball was sailing very long. My backhand chip was hitting the frame.

I figured out that I defended way better using the PS 6.0 85, despite the smaller headsize. And this is because I was using the pace of my opponent to guide the ball. The PS 6.0 85 has amazing control. Another thing I like about the PS 6.0 85 and the K90 is the slice and the backhand chip. Believe it or not I think I hit flatter when using the PS 6.0 85 or the K90 compared to the K95.

Anyway, I think I should go back to the beginning. Go to a lighter frame, pick a few private tennis lessons and work out a bit.

PS: I recorded the warm up today but again my opponent is visible. Tomorrow though I will hit the court and try record my service motion which is a bit inconsistent, not fluent and not that much effortless as it should be.
Click to expand...

I don't know what to think of this - ps 6.0 85, k90, and k95 probably all are heavy with swing weight around 330-338 range. High swing weight makes sense for better defense as you say above and for slices which are not high RHS shots.

If you want to go lighter, the PS 6.1 95 is good but it needs weight in the head as its 306 stock swing weight is too low.

Also, Dunlop f3.0 and m3.0 are good rackets in the 11-11.5 oz range with decent swing weights. I just bought 2 volkl v1 pros and these are sweet too. I tweaked mine to 330g, 4HL, and 330-333 swing weight.

Any of these 4: ps 6.1 95, Dunlop f3.0 or m3.0, or volkl v1 pro would be worth a demo - all are very solid lighter frames.
 
jelle v

jelle v

Hall of Fame
TennisCJC said:
I don't know what to think of this - ps 6.0 85, k90, and k95 probably all are heavy with swing weight around 330-338 range. High swing weight makes sense for better defense as you say above and for slices which are not high RHS shots.

If you want to go lighter, the PS 6.1 95 is good but it needs weight in the head as its 306 stock swing weight is too low.

Also, Dunlop f3.0 and m3.0 are good rackets in the 11-11.5 oz range with decent swing weights. I just bought 2 volkl v1 pros and these are sweet too. I tweaked mine to 330g, 4HL, and 330-333 swing weight.

Any of these 4: ps 6.1 95, Dunlop f3.0 or m3.0, or volkl v1 pro would be worth a demo - all are very solid lighter frames.
Click to expand...

Exactly, the high swingweights of the rackets that he tried will be killing if you want to experience a easier hit, that's why i proposed the PS 6.1 95 too, with the suggestion of adding weight to get a little higher swingweight.
 
robbo1970

robbo1970

Hall of Fame
cork_screw said:
Hey there's no shame in going to a light oversize frame. There's a lot of racquet snobs that all talk about tiny heavy midsize. But the oversizes do a lot for one's game. I am using an oversize and I'm winning just as much if not somewhat more with this than my midplus. Go with what works, and don't worry about your equipment, just focus on strategy.
Click to expand...

I like your way of thinking.
 
Fintft

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
ilovetennis212 said:
I recommend you to pick wilson six.one 95.
I used to use wilson ps 90 but I had some trouble like you.
I came down in weight little bit. PS90 to six.one.95.
I like it. I could generate Almost same execution from 95.
Click to expand...

I agree.

Why would the OP try the lighter Pro Staff 95, instead of the BLX 95?
 
ednegroni

ednegroni

Rookie
Six.One Team/95L. It's almost evenly balanced so you can weigh it up however you want to the weight you want. Solid racquet.
 
Fintft

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
ac3111 said:
At the moment I am playing with my old Wilson K95 18x20.
Click to expand...

Ok then here are some gradual suggestions:

- 6.1 95 BLX Amplifeel 2012, it's about 14-16g lower swing weight then your K95. (BTW, I prefer the 16X18, but could be b/c I use full bed natural gut).

- Or the new 6.1 95 2014
- 6.1 95s
- PS 95
- Head IG MP Speed 315 or the current model Joker is using if you really want to go low in weight.
 
ac3111

ac3111

Professional
What is your thoughts on the battle between Wilson Pro Staff 95 BLX and Donnay Pro One 97 (18x20)...
Which of the two has more power?
 
Lukhas

Lukhas

Legend
My bet would be on the Donnay even without hitting with it. The Prostaff 95 is really underpowered. I find it even less powerful than its 90in² counterpart.
 
ac3111

ac3111

Professional
TW University agrees with you...
The only thing is they are hard to find in Europe.
Is Donnay QC better than wilson?
 
ac3111

ac3111

Professional
As far as I know they have only L3 for the time being. And they are more expensive than a Wilson Six One 95...
 
Shroud

Shroud

G.O.A.T.
Lukhas said:
My bet would be on the Donnay even without hitting with it. The Prostaff 95 is really underpowered. I find it even less powerful than its 90in² counterpart.
Click to expand...

Sorry to jump in here, but I think what you are saying is vogue...the racket should supply some power.

I have the hardest time understanding that. I do everything I can to minimize power in favor of control. Is it just a personal thing?
 
Lukhas

Lukhas

Legend
Shroud said:
Sorry to jump in here, but I think what you are saying is vogue...the racket should supply some power.

I have the hardest time understanding that. I do everything I can to minimize power in favor of control. Is it just a personal thing?
Click to expand...
Depends of the player. Not everybody is built the same or has the same capacity to hit hard. For example, look at A. Radwanska. Does it really surprises you that she plays with a Pure Drive?
ac3111 said:
As far as I know they have only L3 for the time being. And they are more expensive than a Wilson Six One 95...
Click to expand...
Well, leather grip and lead tape.
 
Fintft

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
Lukhas said:
Depends of the player. Not everybody is built the same or has the same capacity to hit hard. For example, look at A. Radwanska. Does it really surprises you that she plays with a Pure Drive?

Well, leather grip and lead tape.
Click to expand...

Same goes for many club players (me included- although I want some control as well).
 
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