New racket or not?

[MrAndersDK]

Hello this is my first post on TW, so please feel free to comment if I'm doing something wrong.

Ok, here's my question: I've been playing tennis for 2-3 years (I'm 28 years old now) now being coached once a week, and playing myself one to two days besides that. I'm not playing competitive matches only for fun with friends. So you can get an idea of my skill level I have tried to rate myself in all the categories of this list

http://assets.usta.com/assets/639/15/National tennis Rating Program.pdf

Forehand: 3.5
Backhand: 2.5 (Just changed to a onehanded backhand because I feel it is more natural for me, but my old coach would not allow me to play with one hand, my new coach will)
Serve: 3.0
Volley: 2.5
Special: 2.5
Style: 3.0 - 3.5

So as you can see I feel that I'm diffidently not a star player, but I'm starting to get the hang of it. In all the years I have played with a Babolat XS select racket. It has been great but I feel it is to powerful for me now, as my technique has developed. To elaborate on my problem I have strated to implement the playing style explained on this website http://lockandrolltennis.com/, and it has really helped me. My shots are much more effortless and feels much more natural. However, when I really try to make big shots with that technique I find it difficult to control the ball, the shots feels really good, however they always a bit to long.

I've heard that beginners racket like my babolat select, adds a lot of power to the shots, which is great for beginners, but could it be that as my swing has improved and become larger the racket helps to much??? I'm not sure my reasoning makes sense, but in my head it kind of makes sense that if the topspin I generate is proportional to my racket speed and the power of my shot is also proportional to my racket speed, then because of the added power I can't simply generate enough topspin to keep the ball going down inside the court, when I'm going for the big swing. So when I play I kind of restrict my racket speed to be able to control the ball.

Of cause I know that if a really good player, played with my racket he could probably make enough topspin to make the shot, and of cause I could train myself to generate enough topspin to make the shot, with my racket. But could it be that changing to a racket appropriate for a more intermediate player could actually make it easier for me to play, with a big swing? I mean if I then don't restrict my racket speed, I could train myself to swing even faster, and then achieve the same speed as with my old racket, but because of the added racket speed, I would have much more topspin with the new racket (with a shot with the same speed as the old racket)? So my new shot would have the same speed but much more spin. All in all, do you guys feel that you can reach a point where you can generate so much racket speed that it's actually difficult to play with a Power or Game Improvement Racket, and should change to a tweener?

Hope my question makes sense, else feel free to answer for more information. Please don't flame me if my question is totally stupid, and you feel that I just need to learn better technique, and don't blame my equipment .


If you feel that I should try to change my racket, could you comment on which of these rackets you feel would suit me (I also would love other suggestions, just racket I've looked at, that I find ahve some of the characteristics I think I'm looking for):

http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/descpageRCWILSONH-WS100.html
http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/descpageRCWILSONH-STM99.html
http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/descpageRCWILSONH-STM99S.html
http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/descpageRCWILSONH-WPS100.html
http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/descpageRCWILSONH-BLXB98.html

I live in europe, so unfortunately I can't use TW's demo program, however I think I can demo rackets at my local tennis shop, but if you all feel it would be a waste of money and time to do so, I will stay with my old racket. Also I hope to really develop my game this season and get up to a solid 3.5 in all categories, and maybe going for 4.0-4.5 rating next season.

Hope all you expert can help me. Thanks in advance.

Anders

 

[Lukhas]

TWE has a demo program you know.

 

[MrAndersDK]

Oh, they do. Great, then that's an option too, again if you people think it even makes sense, to do it?

Can you provide a link to the TWE page about demos, can't seem to find it

 

[Lukhas]

You just choose a racquet and click on "Demo". What are your strings and tension BTW?

 

[MrAndersDK]

Ok thanks, I get that option when I change my country yo germany, but it is not available for denmark, so I guess I can't demo rackets in denmark.

I actually can't remember which strings and tension I have. I don't know anything about the different string, so just went with what the shop recommended.

 

[Lukhas]

Well, I guess you could try a more control oriented string (not co-poly please!) to see if it makes any difference.

 

[MrAndersDK]

Yeah maybe that is an idea to try, is it also correct that I should go for a higher tension to reduce the power and a thinner string to increase spin as well?

Also anybody has any comments about changing rackets, is it a bad idea? Or could it maybe make my game easier, to go for a tweener racket?

 

[Lukhas]

Thinner string increases power, so it's kinda moot to do this. For instance, try a go-to s-gut that will indicate you what you want next. I think about Prince S-Gut Duraflex, or Prince S-Gut Original. Duraflex is said to be a bit more crisp, more control than the Original with better durability. And it's cheap. Tension won't last long, but from there you know what you want. Think of it as a basis for further choices.

As for the racquet, cross the Blade BLX 98. Not for you, gets tiring after a certain time. Steams also have pretty good pop. I think you should maybe try a less powered string first before you change your racquet. Are you closed to other brands than Wilson? There were only Wilson in that list.

 

[MrAndersDK]

No I would also consider other brands, just looked at Wilson first. The only thing I'm sure of is when I eventually buy a new racket, I would like to at maximum have a 100 sqr inch head size, because I think the 105 I have now it a bit clumsy. Would also like that the frame is a bit thinner as well.

Yeah thought that the BLX 98 was the least likely candidate as well. Not sure if you think the steams are wrong for me to, or you think they could be ok? Do you have other suggestions?

thanks

 

[RetroSpin]

I'm not familiar with the frame you have but if it is high powered beginners frame, yes, you should upgrade.

At your level, you can go one of two ways, given the fact that you aspire to reaching the 4.5 level. One way is to go with tweener type frame, like a Babolat PD or APD or one of the clones, like the Head Extreme or Dunlop 500. These frames are powerful and require a good bit of topspin to control, but they define the modern frame.

The other way is to go with a more control oriented frame, like a Dunlop 200 series, Prince Rebel, Head Prestige, etc and learn to generate more of your own power. I think this way leads to better stroke mechanics, but it might be a bit more challenging.

Once you decide, then you need to get a feel for how heavy a frame you can wield and how stiff you want to deal with. Preferences vary, but most people would say go as heavy as you can handle and too much stiffness can result in arm injuries, so be careful there.

I don't know about TWE but there are some great deals on offer from TW US now. I think the Prince Hybrid Shark is a terrific racquet at your level, any level really, also the Prince O3 White, both on sale. I see the Dunlop aerogel 500 T is also very cheap. No need to spend a fortune to get a very good frame.

 

[lightthestorm]

Try the 03 White or the Head Instinct MP. Two rackets that I really enjoyed hitting with, and would (imo) suit a variety of players.

 

[maxrenn]

I used to play with a Babolat XS too and switched because of the power and control issues you mention. I'm currently playing with a Dunlop 400 which I have found to be good at reigning in the power and providing more control.

 

[MrAndersDK]

thanks for all the input, more is still appreciated.

I've looked at the two rackets:

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunlop_Aerogel_4D_500_5Hundred_Tour/descpageRCDUNLOP-D4D5T.html

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_O3_Original_White/descpageRCPRINCE-PO3W.html

seems like they have similar specs, exept for the stifness, the dunlop being 71 whereas the prince id 65.

The dunlop they say is for 4.5+ players whereas the prince is for 3.5 - 5.5 players. Is this only because of the stiffness?

Don't know why but somehow I think the dunlop racket attracts my attention more. But is that a too advanced racket for me?

The price in the US is only 65$, thats amazing, even with postage to denamrk and import tax it is still much much cheaper, than any quality racket in denmark, so can't beat that price.

@maxrenn: glad that i'm not totally crazy about my feeling of the power issue, and you had the same issue, that assures me that I may need to go for a new racket.

So what to choose, what to choose all the choices .

Hope to hear some more great imput, thanks alot guys.

 

[ricki]

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_O3_Speedport_Black/descpageRCPRINCE-SP03BK.html

I would recommend this one. Price is stil o.k. and if you string it correctly it will last you to any "USTA level" and you wont need to switch and you can focus on skills

 

[ricki]

btw I recommended Speedport Black because it has some pop and you will NEED pop when you learn to play correctly with spin. You cant swing at 110% for 2 hours to keep balls behind service line playing some heavy flexy midsize racquet.

 

[MrAndersDK]

Ok, skema interesting to. However, the Prince you link to seems very similar to the dunlop, specwise, but the dunlop is cheaper

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

Pick any tweener and stick with it. It's worth the switch.

The Wilson blx pro open has been very good to me. Great all around racket.

 

[MrAndersDK]

Yeah you all definitely convinced me I need to change. Also I just measured the frame thicknes of my babolat XS select it was 33 mm, not wonder it feels at big clumsy.

So now I need to select at good tweener.

I already looked at:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunlop_Aerogel_4D_500_5Hundred_Tour/descpageRCDUNLOP-D4D5T.html

But is this really a tweener, or is it too advanced for me?

Should I maybe go for
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunlop_Aerogel_4D_300_3Hundred_Lite/descpageRCDUNLOP-D4D3L.html

or

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_O3_Original_White/descpageRCPRINCE-PO3W.html

instead? As I already said, I kinda like the dunlop 500, for some explainable reason, but is it to advanced for me? Will it be impossible to achieve any power for me with such a racket, or do you think I will be able to learn fast how to play with that racket?

 

[Lukhas]

^I think you should search something in the 290 to 300 grs strung given the fact your racquet is in the 270's strung. That's already suite a leap in weight. Maybe 100in² headsize (645cm²). Something like this:
http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/descpageRCYONEXH-TVC98T-EN.html
Or this:
http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/descpageRCPRINCEH-XO3RT-EN.html

The tool:
http://www.racquetfinder.com/

 

[GoudX]

The Head Radical is always worth consideration.

 

[ArliHawk]

Head Graphene Speed Mid plus would also be a good option.

 

[lightthestorm]

Prince 03 White! My first standard sized racket, and I had it for 3-4 years.

It's a plush, soft racket, and it's a good beginners-advanced racket. I did everything on that racket, and it held up to the tests everytime. It's the perfect racket to develop your strokes on, but it was also very good to me when I played major sectional tournaments.

 

[RetroSpin]

I don't think any of the racquets are "too advanced." The differences between them are relatively minor, certainly they are minor compared to the difference between what you are playing now and the frames you are looking at.

The differences between say the Dunlop or Prince Black and the Prince White or Shark basically come down to power and stiffness. Some people like the higher powered frames, while others want more control. Some people are sensitive to a stiff frame, others are not.

At $65 for the 500T, you really aren't taking a huge financial risk. The TW feedback on it is pretty good. I have used the Shark and found it very easy to use and just a really good all around frame.

 

[MrAndersDK]

Thank you all so much for your guidance. It really helped me to have a fruitful discussion with my local tennis dealer, where I actually had some input and idea of what i wanted.

I ended up with the Wilson steam 99s, after a long discussion. The dunlop was hard to find in europe, and with the import tax and vat to denmark it could end up costing me the same as the steam 99s, so buying it local is a bit easier.

Again thanks for all your help and input, I really know a lot more about tennis rackets now.

Now of to the tennis court to try my new racket.

 

[Fintft]

Wilson Six.One 95 BLX

Or if you want lighter

Head IG Speed MP 315

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

Thank you all so much for your guidance. It really helped me to have a fruitful discussion with my local tennis dealer, where I actually had some input and idea of what i wanted.

I ended up with the Wilson steam 99s, after a long discussion. The dunlop was hard to find in europe, and with the import tax and vat to denmark it could end up costing me the same as the steam 99s, so buying it local is a bit easier.

Again thanks for all your help and input, I really know a lot more about tennis rackets now.

Now of to the tennis court to try my new racket.

Let us know how it goes!

 

[MrAndersDK]

First impression: Tennis is a completely new game!!! It's completely turned around what is difficult and what is easy. When a slow ball comes to me, where I really have time to load my swing and power, I can make the most precise balls, and outplay my opponent, this was very difficult with my old racket, because of the extra power.

When I have less time and is under pressure, my balls often goes in the net, however I know why they do so, I can feel the miss-hit instantaneous.

So al in al I need a lot of practice with my new racket, but I feel like I'm playing real tennis now, where I need proper technique and footwork to play well, and a big swing is favored.

Also now I know what to practice, with my old racket I simply couldn't identify why some shots would not go inside the court (as I said earlier it was often the easy shots, that should win me the point).

Again thanks for your advice, should have changed racket a year a go.