Im a 4.0, and I've only ever used the same racket. Am I crazy?

[PistolPete23]

This is known scientific fact.

Not saying you're wrong, but I'd like to see a study on this known scientific fact. I've heard different opinions on this from different people. For me personally, I've used racquets as an active junior for well over several years without noticing deterioration of playability. I also almost never restring unless I break the strings, which was more frequent with those Prince synthetic gut strings (with Duraflex!) I used back in the day. Now I play mostly with 16 gauge poly strung at 53 lbs. I've been hitting frequently (often against the wall, which wears down strings even faster) for a month, and the strings are still playable. In fact, because I strung them on the tighter end of the spectrum to begin with, they feel better now than when they were new. If you notice the frame becoming softer after a year or two, perhaps it's because you're stringing your frames so frequently. There's evidence that the stringing process puts more stress on the racquets than repeated hitting would; I seem to recall that Kuerten enjoyed a softer frame and would string his racquets several times at high tension before actually playing with them.

 

[max]

I don't like the feel of poly, and the re-stringing, etc., and the slight bump up in price for all the hassle. In my mind, I'm seeking that great $5 string that I can buy a ton of, use a set every two weeks or so. But then, I'm just a 4.0.

 

[max]

I can attest to racquet deterioration in my Volkl C-9s after 20 years of playing and who knows how many restringings?

I say this because they've become less stiff. . . and I have added a new C-9 in the past year that had little use. . .and which is noticeably stiffer--for the better! I wish my racquets had the firmness they used to.

I suppose if I didn't string, I'd restring less, and the racquets would last a bit longer.

 

[Deleted member 756272]

Definitely not crazy, probably the most practical and smartest move for the performance player. The tennis racket is a precision instrument and players get more precise results with more practice using the same instrument over a long period of time (i.e. the reason why many pro players use paint jobs of rackets they used as juniors*).

***Acknowledging that there is another tier of Pro Stock frames e.g. Head PT57s, H-series, etc.***

Therefore, it wouldn't surprise me if there are Pro Stock rackets in a decade with the current Graphene (or any other branded tech like Countervail) rackets under a paintjob of the latest and greatest in graphite technology.

Players interested purely in performance don't switch rackets often. Its very difficult to get consistent output when you change the inputs constantly. On the other hand...

Not speaking for all racketaholics on this forum, but for me, I get more enjoyment out of tennis by testing new rackets, customizing them, and internalizing its "feel" on contact. Its the tinkering and experimenting that gets me most excited about the sport.

But, when I have an important hitting session or game, the 'old faithfuls' are packed first. If I'm hitting with someone new, I'll bring a range of rackets and a couple with synthetic gut in case they're not at the same level so I can hit "easier/softer" shots back to them.