Tranqville
Professional
It's reported to be a bit sluggish due to head size and weight distribution for 1HBH. I never hit with it, so I don't really know.
Modern racquet for 1hbh
- Thread starter canta_Brian
- Start date
It's reported to be a bit sluggish due to head size and weight distribution for 1HBH. I never hit with it, so I don't really know.
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
You make these claims of three Exhibits that are not good for 1HBH, but give no justification for why this is the case. Please don’t say it is because you read about it on this forum. While I haven’t played with oversize racquets, I have démoed Blades, Pure Drives etc many times and didn’t like them for either my FH or 1HBH - there wasn’t any big variance on either wing for me.
My counterclaim would be that you would see Blades, Pure Drives, AeroPros and other thick beams used a lot by 1HBH players on the pro tour, college ranks and at your local club as they are amongst the most popular racquet models amongst all players whether they have a 1HBH or 2HBH. Just look at the diverse recommendations just on this thread and other threads in the past where posters recommend 1HBH racquets. The racquets I like have been excellent on both wings and at the net.
Incidentally, a high % of 1HBHs today are seen only amongst senior 60+ age group players and they almost exclusively use either Oversize racquets and/or thick beam racquets. Just go around your club or local college practice or pro tournament and see what racquets are used by 1HBH players - you will see a lot of racquets that you say are not suitable. Advanced 4.5+ players under the age of 40 who have 1HBHs are few and far between and even there you see quite a diversity of racquet specs.
I‘ve heard often players at my clubs talk about liking some racquets for serving and others for groundstrokes. I can’t recall people telling me they like some racquets for FHs and others for BHs. Advanced players don’t have a very unbalanced game where their BH is much weaker than their FH and they might have smaller difference in pace/spin/error rate between the two wings - BH liability that needs a lower SW or thin-beam racquet to generate good swing speed is a technique issue that is more common at lower levels and that should be fixed by correcting technique. So, 4.5+ players don‘t need different racquets for the BH wing as their swing speed, body rotation and early setup will still be pretty good on the 1HBH side. My social group is mostly 4.5/5.0 players or coaches who typically have somewhat textbook technique that was developed under coaching at the junior level. So, I can’t comment much or know much about the preferences of those at lower levels who learned tennis as adults. Since the board here seems dominated by adult learners, it seems like my views of racquets not making a huge difference compared to technique always seem to be contrarian,
On the other hand, I think strings and tensions make a huge difference and the power/control/spin potential of any racquet can be tuned over an incredibly wide range by experimenting with strings and tensions. My philosophy is to choose racquets based on comfort, stability and feel while power/control/spin can be tuned easily by changing strings/tensions. But, many posters here want to change racquets before they change strings and tensions. They also play with poly strings for way too long after it goes dead, get injured and then blame whatever racquet they are playing with.
Last edited:
bertrevert
Legend
Think he quoted RF prior, and in the same vein, think that justification enough.
In this racquet forum,,, we primarily talk racquets. Strings are of course important, have you explored your ideaas in that forum?
It's important to ask around and obtain views from others. Which you clearly do. I belong to a high-powered club too, but those conversations aren't the only source to validate my views, in fact I consider the forums here full of knowledgeable players. You say "adult learners" but that perhaps sounds a little belittling...
You are getting confused by the discussion, attributing it to be proscriptive, when in fact lifetime players just offer their opinions about what they believe they've found for themselves and then see if they agree somewhere in the middle...
Last edited:
bertrevert
Legend
Comp. 3 setters. Under tuff weather. Singles. An opponent in the zone. Sometimes we never find out till we find out...
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
I’m 51 and use OHBH. It’s actually my better side, I found OHBH to be the most beautiful stroke in tennis , so I spent a long, long time developing & grooving the strokes as a developing kid. I guess all that practice just stuck with me. The forehand side came naturally but rely heavily on spin & power, whereas my backhand side has much more variety that does not always require power.
Since moving away from playing with the mids, I initially had difficulties using the rackets like the Pure Drive, or Aeropro Drive for my OHBH. While my forehand got a boost in power & spin, I still preferred heavier sticks with 95” headsize and HL balance like the Six One 95, Rebel 95 and the Prestige MP.
Now that I play with sticks with bigger heads but lighter overall static weight like the Blade 98, Black Ace Pro and Blade Pro, my backhand has adjusted to using those frames. Today, I was hitting with the Ezone 98 Tour, which Tennisnerd said it felt weird on his backhand, and my backhands were super effective with that racket. I can also use the tweeners effectively now,
I think initially there will be some adjustment period when switching rackets, but if your techniques are solid with good fundamentals,, any racket with the preferred feel (*more direct, muted, stiff, flexible, and etc.) should work, I don’t think there is a specific racket that is better for OHBH.
Since moving away from playing with the mids, I initially had difficulties using the rackets like the Pure Drive, or Aeropro Drive for my OHBH. While my forehand got a boost in power & spin, I still preferred heavier sticks with 95” headsize and HL balance like the Six One 95, Rebel 95 and the Prestige MP.
Now that I play with sticks with bigger heads but lighter overall static weight like the Blade 98, Black Ace Pro and Blade Pro, my backhand has adjusted to using those frames. Today, I was hitting with the Ezone 98 Tour, which Tennisnerd said it felt weird on his backhand, and my backhands were super effective with that racket. I can also use the tweeners effectively now,
I think initially there will be some adjustment period when switching rackets, but if your techniques are solid with good fundamentals,, any racket with the preferred feel (*more direct, muted, stiff, flexible, and etc.) should work, I don’t think there is a specific racket that is better for OHBH.
Last edited:
Deki
Rookie
For me Important is:
Beam thickness, max 22 mm
SW 325-335
Grip shape : like Wilson, Yonex, Dunlop…
Why grip shape?
Head and TF are great frames, but grip shapes are more rectangular and its good on FH but on 1HBH doesn’t work good, for me as said.
Currently wielding with Six One 95 and with customised VCore 98 (with IGPP, PD, PT 2.0 in my bag).
Beam thickness, max 22 mm
SW 325-335
Grip shape : like Wilson, Yonex, Dunlop…
Why grip shape?
Head and TF are great frames, but grip shapes are more rectangular and its good on FH but on 1HBH doesn’t work good, for me as said.
Currently wielding with Six One 95 and with customised VCore 98 (with IGPP, PD, PT 2.0 in my bag).
Winners or Errors
Legend
Ironically, my one hander works best with Volkl and TF, and old Head grip shapes. To each his own. The other specs are in line with most of my sticks.
So good and helping to hear this.
I'm getting old at late 50s, still stuck with heavy smaller head frame, because I can NOT give up the joy of my one handed backhand.
I use tf40 315, heavier than 315, and it says 98 but I think it's actual size closer to 96.
I think I will give some commitment to 100+ lighter frames.
Old head grip shape was interesting coming from old head prestige mp.
It is more oblong and had fuzzy bevels.
I hated it initially but once I got used to it, it was wonderful.
I found myself swing it more intuitively.
My backhand quantum leaped with the old prestige and I could hit a wide variety of backhand very intuitively, if you know what I mean.
bertrevert
Legend
Most satisfying BH was with the Dunlop MW200G. Centred, with good strings or gut, would absolutely nail it. Trouble is I would just get exhausted with it pretty quick.
@Winners or Errors The old Head grip shape was more rectangular than square, had in the LM Rad. It seemed to slot into the BH hold, and throughout the swing in some way better.
@Winners or Errors The old Head grip shape was more rectangular than square, had in the LM Rad. It seemed to slot into the BH hold, and throughout the swing in some way better.
Vcore 95 2021 is my main racket and it’s really good for my 1hbh. But recently I’ve played few times with PA vs and it’s slightly better for me. Same manoeuvrability, accuracy and spin but with more power.
TennisHound
Legend
PD and or PA
DJTaurus
Hall of Fame
If your 1HB is also natural with PAVS and the flex doesn’t bother your arm go for it. One of the best sticks i ve ever tried and purchased.
lim
Professional
I demoed the 360+ prestige mid and 6.1 95s are my stick of choice. I've played with a handful of prestige mids but never committed to it as my main stick. Compared to earlier gens the more open pattern and crisper feel made it much more user friendly and 6.1 like. If I was set on using a prestige mid to play matches I would use this version over a PC600 even without that "classic" plush feel. I'd say the 360+ mid edges out the 6.1 on serve accuracy and knifing slices, but the 6.1 overcomes it with its easy put away power and ability to block heavy balls when you're getting pushed back. Spin potential was also better with the 360+, more comparable to a 18M 6.1 but it wasn't anywhere near as lively as 16M 6.1, especially a 16x18 version.
Matches aside, if you're just talking about a stick for rally balls then absolutely- I'd hit with the prestige mid all day. Up there with all the other classic thin beam mids.
Last edited:
phanamous
Rookie
If your 1HBH is somewhat flat, there's definitely a preference for smaller heavier racquets for better stability and control.
My 1HBH has moved to a bigger lighter frame with some minor adjustment with great success. I'm now just hitting with much more spin on both sides, and pace as a result. The easier racquet head speed allows my 1HBH to be very whippy. The added spin and bigger sweet spot have reduced my unforced errors greatly I've noticed.
Went from a 97, 345gm, 330SW to a 101, 330gm, 320SW after a years long trial with a bunch of frames with various headsizes and string patterns. It was a big surprise to me as I really didn't think I could go bigger than 98. Still experimenting and will likely add a 105 just to see if it'll work also.
My 1HBH has moved to a bigger lighter frame with some minor adjustment with great success. I'm now just hitting with much more spin on both sides, and pace as a result. The easier racquet head speed allows my 1HBH to be very whippy. The added spin and bigger sweet spot have reduced my unforced errors greatly I've noticed.
Went from a 97, 345gm, 330SW to a 101, 330gm, 320SW after a years long trial with a bunch of frames with various headsizes and string patterns. It was a big surprise to me as I really didn't think I could go bigger than 98. Still experimenting and will likely add a 105 just to see if it'll work also.
So far my arm feels good after playing with PAVS. I usually hit for 2,5h per session. I added weight inside the handle for more HL balance. Volleys are also extremely good with the PAVS. I need to work more on forehand but every session is getting better.
For tournaments I still prefer VCore 95.
bertrevert
Legend
Been rabbiting on over in this thread
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
Hearing a Pro talk is ace. Right at the start of the vid she relate how the Aero helped her FH but she lost her BH DTL...!
I don't think I need any more confirmation than this, that, yes, a racquet can suit certain strokes. (And, no, Bethanie not able to change that match-winning, elite, grooved stroke to the racq.)
Bethanie Mattek-Sands doing her thing!
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
Hearing a Pro talk is ace. Right at the start of the vid she relate how the Aero helped her FH but she lost her BH DTL...!
I don't think I need any more confirmation than this, that, yes, a racquet can suit certain strokes. (And, no, Bethanie not able to change that match-winning, elite, grooved stroke to the racq.)
bertrevert
Legend
Am not one to argue. Given time, you adjusted. You can adjust to anything.
Respectfully, I would suggest, however, you could not now go back the other way.
That you cannot successfully now go back to the small-headed heavyweight racquets because your journey is actually one we all take with age. I had to certainly stop trying with a MW200G or a Kfactor 6.1. Your 1HBH would be ace with those old killer frames but only for a short while. Lets say you picked up your gorgeous Prestige from yesteryear. And played a match. At the end of the match although overall you'd say your 1HBH was not so ace with it, it would be for other reasons. You would tally up the stats, you would say you've now adjusted to a lighter bigger racq. I would disagree and point out you tired during the match and stopped swinging as hard as needed.
It's my guess (only) you've modified what you use to suit what you can sustain in a match.
We're all physically changing always. But your trajectory looks like a recognisable one to me.
Did you lose your BH? No. But it may not be the killer stroke it once was with those great 1HBH racqs. I'd love to use them, but cannot sustain them. Given my path with age I most certainly stay on the lookout and change my racq to suit my 1HBH (or any other stroke) because underneath it all is what I can do physically. Crucial to that are SW and static weight and head size. As I tire I lose form. We all do. When yr younger not notice it.
Racq specs influence every shot. Could I nail a BH DTL with the MW200G or the Kfactor 6.1 - sure. Can I now? One or three, but not a match no.
I hit a better 1HBH with those HL heavyweight small-headed racquets. My shot today is not as good because I cannot wield them all match.
PS. I should add that the immediate response is hey but ALL shots breakdown... Nah, the 1HBH seems a bit more vulnerable to an aged shoulder....
Last edited:
ProRadTour
Semi-Pro
@canta_Brian I have recently been hitting a modified Extreme Tour and for me I have found it the best modern frame to hit my one hander with. My main frame for the longest time has been the VCore Pro 330 2018 version.
I modified my Extreme Tour to 315 grams, 330 grame unstrung swingweight, two grams of lead at the top of the handle and a leather grip. I have two layers of 7 inches of lead under the bumper from 11 to 1. It crushes the ball for its specs, I have been on a quest to find a lighter frame that plays like a players frame but with a bit more pop and easier to wield. I think I have found it in a modded Extreme Tour.
The Extreme tour needs to weight to shine, and given you main frame is 330 grams I would give a modded an Extreme Tour a go, around 310-315 grams unstrung should do it. It is really a great all-rounder frame once modded. If you still have the frame, worth a shot.
I modified my Extreme Tour to 315 grams, 330 grame unstrung swingweight, two grams of lead at the top of the handle and a leather grip. I have two layers of 7 inches of lead under the bumper from 11 to 1. It crushes the ball for its specs, I have been on a quest to find a lighter frame that plays like a players frame but with a bit more pop and easier to wield. I think I have found it in a modded Extreme Tour.
The Extreme tour needs to weight to shine, and given you main frame is 330 grams I would give a modded an Extreme Tour a go, around 310-315 grams unstrung should do it. It is really a great all-rounder frame once modded. If you still have the frame, worth a shot.
Tranqville
Professional
As a Yonex VCP player, I very much wonder what you found lacking in your 330?
ProRadTour
Semi-Pro
Not that much really, it's still my favourite frame. But after you add a leather grip the weight gets a bit much to wield over a long period of time. I have become accustomed to a leather grip so it's mandatory for me now.
Just looking for a bit more pop and and a ligher configuration. I still love the VCore Pro and won't sell them. But I have also been really enjoying the Extreme Tour.
I recently bought the Ezone Tour 315g. It not as Headlight as my favorite 1hbh racquet (prostaff 340g) but works great for my BH. I just added a Wilson overgrip. I’m used to heavier racquets however, so not a recommendation for everyone, but this racquet feels a lot lighter and still quite stable.
Tranqville
Professional
I have been researching modern 1HBH racquets, as you guys know, so here's my current list of
Ultimate 1HBH Racquets in 2022
Game styles
Attack (A)
Counter-Attack (CA)
Grinder/Baseliner (G)
All-court/Universal (U)
Modern-Traditional
Angell K7 Red (U)
Prince Textreme Tour 95 (U)
Prince Phantom 93p (A)
Head Prestige Pro & Tour (2021) (U)
Head Radical Pro & MP (2021) (U/G)
Yonex Vcore Pro (97, D, H) (U)
Wilson Pro Staff (97, RF97) (A)
Modern
Head Extreme (Pro, Tour) (U/G)
Dunlop CX 200 Tour (U)
Babolat Pure Strike Tour 3d Gen (A)
Yonex Vcore 95 (2021) (U)
Yonex Ezone (2022) (G)
Technifibre TF40 315 (U)
Technifibre RS 305 (U/CA)
Wilson Blade v8 (16x19) (U/CA)
Ultimate 1HBH Racquets in 2022
Game styles
Attack (A)
Counter-Attack (CA)
Grinder/Baseliner (G)
All-court/Universal (U)
Modern-Traditional
Angell K7 Red (U)
Prince Textreme Tour 95 (U)
Prince Phantom 93p (A)
Head Prestige Pro & Tour (2021) (U)
Head Radical Pro & MP (2021) (U/G)
Yonex Vcore Pro (97, D, H) (U)
Wilson Pro Staff (97, RF97) (A)
Modern
Head Extreme (Pro, Tour) (U/G)
Dunlop CX 200 Tour (U)
Babolat Pure Strike Tour 3d Gen (A)
Yonex Vcore 95 (2021) (U)
Yonex Ezone (2022) (G)
Technifibre TF40 315 (U)
Technifibre RS 305 (U/CA)
Wilson Blade v8 (16x19) (U/CA)
Last edited:
birdwizard
New User
1HBH Racquets
Flat- Prestige Mid, Phantom 93P, RF97
Topspin- Clash 98, Radical MP, TF40
Slice- W6.1, Volkl PB10 Mid, RF97
Overall- Blade 18x20 for those that can handle the swingweight. Clash 98 for people who like HL (I know it's a surprise). RF97 for the few who can wield it.
Caveat: Yonex racquets don't work for me...
Flat- Prestige Mid, Phantom 93P, RF97
Topspin- Clash 98, Radical MP, TF40
Slice- W6.1, Volkl PB10 Mid, RF97
Overall- Blade 18x20 for those that can handle the swingweight. Clash 98 for people who like HL (I know it's a surprise). RF97 for the few who can wield it.
Caveat: Yonex racquets don't work for me...
Last edited:
power_backhand
Rookie
My one hand backhand is my best shot. It feels amazing with the Dunlop cx 200. Added a leather grip and weight at 3 and 9 for total weight of 338 g and 7 pts HL. Great racquet for the one hander.
Tranqville
Professional
I always had Dunlop CX 200 in my list, somehow forgot to include it, fixed that!
Tranqville
Professional
How much weight did you add at 3 and 9 total?
Tranqville
Professional
For v8 the SW has been reduced to about 325, very manageable. I think the difficultly on the one-hander is in the polarized weight distribution. Such racquets work great for 2HBH counter-punchers like Medvedev who use the heavy racquet head to handle balls in late contact points.
power_backhand
Rookie
I added 6 grams total at 3 and 9. Note: I've got the previous version of CX200. The specs look pretty much unchanged though.
TennisLurker
Professional
the pro staff 6 1 95 is good enough for the forehands of Del Potro and Bautista Agut, and good enough for the one handed backhand of Kohlschrieber and Gaudio
birdwizard
New User
That's an interesting observation. I just know for me the Blade probably produces the best combination of 1HBH strokes. I generally don't hit groundstrokes flat, so perhaps that designation is incorrect. I do have a full turn and takeback on the BH side, so perhaps that is why the polarization works well for me.
Huh? Medvedev doesn't use a polarized racket.
soulfree914
Rookie
My 1HBH is more of a weapon than my forehand. I currently play with a TF40 305 (18x20) that is made more HL and a Head 360+ Prestige MP. Both have been good on my 1HBH. I once demoed a VCore Pro HD 18x20 and that felt pretty good on my 1HBH a well.
Recently borrowed a Pro Staff v13 from two different friends to try it out and this triumped all for me! Can't forget how good it felt on the BH drive and even the BH slice. Part of it could be the strings but I was getting better precision out of it compared to the TF40 and more racquet head speed than the Prestige. Now I just need to figure out whether I should add more racquets to my bag or let this urge pass.
Recently borrowed a Pro Staff v13 from two different friends to try it out and this triumped all for me! Can't forget how good it felt on the BH drive and even the BH slice. Part of it could be the strings but I was getting better precision out of it compared to the TF40 and more racquet head speed than the Prestige. Now I just need to figure out whether I should add more racquets to my bag or let this urge pass.
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
Now that every racquet ever manufactured has been suggested as being good for a 1HBH, do you agree with my premise below posted near the start of the thread?
Amen.
Tranqville
Professional
So his prostock is built more around his earlier 6.1 95 specs? If that's the case, you have a point.
Tranqville
Professional
What really impressed me about the Blade is that it's equally good for my FH and OHBH, and that it's a very reliable racquet, that works for me even when I have a bad day.
Dragy
Legend
It would be interesting for everyone making suggestions to add what kind of shot they are referring to?
- Full power modern pro-like OHBH, executed from early prep and full coil?
- More compact flattish moderately paced shot, used by classic crowd?
- Making BHs when stretched - bunts, blocks, etc.?
I personally may use all of them in matchplay, and while smaller heavy sticks work fine do drive the full shot, providing good control, surviving pressure with OHBH is much easier with tweener frames which are more forgiving and produce depth much easier.
So when you suggest 95 330+ SW sticks, do you have in mind sweet rallying, or competing as a OHBH player?
- Full power modern pro-like OHBH, executed from early prep and full coil?
- More compact flattish moderately paced shot, used by classic crowd?
- Making BHs when stretched - bunts, blocks, etc.?
I personally may use all of them in matchplay, and while smaller heavy sticks work fine do drive the full shot, providing good control, surviving pressure with OHBH is much easier with tweener frames which are more forgiving and produce depth much easier.
So when you suggest 95 330+ SW sticks, do you have in mind sweet rallying, or competing as a OHBH player?
Tranqville
Professional
Excellent point! Which specific frames do you have in mind?
My search locked me on Blade, Radical Pro and Pure Strike Tour 3d Gen (which I got from my Babolat store just minutes ago for testing!)
Dragy
Legend
I don’t mean anything particular, maybe PD as some suggested? The main reason not to would be health reasons, but then you have Blade 104 or Gravity MP or anything else
I used a PA plus, 2008 version I guess, a decade ago. OHBH was my best shot: no doubt, no spraying - if I managed to prep at least half-decently
Now I use leaded up Ultra Tour, 97 18x20
which represents my loyalty to tt ideals more than anything else. I like my BH when I hit it clean, and I usually manage to set up with decent timing. But I guess some other frame would be easier to use when pushed and stretched - should try some day maybe Speed MP.I also used DR98 through couple of years with decent efficiency on that wing.
birdwizard
New User
This is exactly it. Some racquets do some of these really well but not everything well.
It is on the challenging side. I need to have good form/position and add a little extra burst at the start. I don't mind it normally as otherwise the racquet handles the swing well. I am very confident with my swing. I am shocked at how easy the Speed Mp 360+ or Radical 360+ series are in comparison.(every time I switch to them)
Last edited:
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
I actually pulled out my beloved i.Prestige Mid, and you are right. It felt so good, but I basically sucked at everything, except my backhand and the serves. The problem was that just like using the RF97, I got tired really fast and my form broke down. But the few backhands that I was able to hit were pretty awesome. Unless there is a rule change (*Who ever gets to three games first wins the set), I wouldn't be able to use it in the competitive matches.
I'm not going back to the mids... Actually, I'd love to but not able to.
bertrevert
Legend
Wait, what? You didn't mention serves! No no you need it back. Crush them serves, cmon that's all that's needed, just bombs away and you're on top. Or serve+1 will do.
Hhaha wish it were so too...
The other thing to consider is the 1hbh is less a one-shove-suits-all type shot, it's more finicky or soemthing.
So when we talk about racq for the 1HBH, which is a conversation many think we can't even have, because how does the racq differ... I think we have to start with how does the stroke differ.
It's a more, I don't know, finicky, more moving parts type of shot? Akin to the serve.
The stance is more extreme, the takeback usually bigger and has to be held in a good spot by the other hand, the wrist (one) is not guided by another hand....
So I think also a racq that can deliver touch feedback helps here. When executing the shot feedback and touch to get the racquet face colliding properly. So some properties we look for are manouverability, headlightness, collision strength (polarised), and then ease of motion through the air.
My example is a Pure Drive just doesn't cut it for my 1HBH, I don't want a bludgeon I want a scythe.
Tranqville
Professional
I agree with this guy time410s. The racquet actually makes so much difference!
