Racket Quandary - Moving from a McEnroe Maxply 2006 to something Betterer

[kanulondon]

Hi,

Not sure whether to post in this forum of tennis tips / instructions.

I took up play tennis seriously (as in once / twice a week every week all year round) in 2013. Up until that time, I was always pretty much a fair weather April - October player.

Anyway, at one point I was rocking about 4 different. I rationalised down to two and cast off my old Wilsons, Yonex and a 2005 Babolat which I just hated.

I had the Dunlop 300 4D and The McEnroe Maxply. I remember back in '13 whilst hitting with a guy (after a match) he told me my shot with the McEnroe were far heavier and troubled him a lot more. He advised me to play with the stick.

Since I knew no better, I took his advice (he was a better player) and I ditched the Dunlop 300's and bought x3 Maxply's.

Then started my journey in which I found a very good serve (though it took me almost 6 months) and I really enjoyed approaching the net and my volleying. But I was never happy with my forehands. My backhands (1HBH)were OK though and I'd often get a notable mention from opponents on that stroke as well as my serve..

Another niggle with the McEnroe was a sore arm, but I countered this by not playing every day. I also had arm pain with pretty much EVERY racket I used in the past.

Anyway, I didn't care. I was using a 2006 Maxply and I was kinda happy. I was becoming a better player. I am UK based but I guesstimate I'd gone from 3.0 / 3.5 play to 3.5/4.0 play but who knows.

Sorry for the back story....

Roll on to the present. I put my Maxply's in for re-string. They came back and I loved it. However randomly one of rackets snapped it strings after only 3 hours of play. I am not a string breaker at all, last time I snapped string was back in 1998...

So I thought I'd scour the market. Picked up a used Wilson Steam BLX 100 from Gumtree (like Craiglist) for peanuts from a guy who swore he only used it four times (an older gent, so I believed him).

Had a practice game and it felt weird, very weird. But enjoyable. I could feel the extra racket head speed from the lighter racket. I didn't finish the match but I was 6-2 5-5 and all was well.

Played another match (club ladder) with it two days later, I was fighting my body as I didn't prepare well but once my stomach settled down I won the match in 3 sets and again enjoyed the stick immensely.

Just back from another practice match with a guy who beat me last summer and I comfortably beat him 6-3 , 6-1 and my level of play was great. Aggressive at all the right moments, I felt I had good control and my forehand was a weapon again! Whilst not serve bombs, I got a lot of free points.

So decision time..

The way I feel right now, I want to keep on playing with this racket and buy another one..but I need your help. As I don't really know much about rackets and I know the steam isn't that highly rated

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/REVIEWS/WS100/WS100Review.html

But it's working great for me...

Steam BLX
+ve's
Getting more racket head speed
Easy spin on serve, getting a few easy aces out wide
Forehand is a weapon again when used at the right time.
-ve's
Not great for Volley's but acceptable
Serve mph isn't as high (but I don't care as spin is immense)

McEnroe
+ve's
Free points on serve (normally 5 aces and a good few unreturnables)
Excellent volleying
-ve's
Tires out my arm (esp serve), cannot play two competitive 2hr matches in a row (need a day break between games)
Less RHS, so forehand isn't a game changer

To add to this, I've decided to buy a used Babolat Pure Drive Team 2015 and should get it this week (though I can backout on the deal). In UK, you don't get many racket DEMO's. So I decided I'd buy a few sticks and have a play in my league and see how I get on.

Questions

1. Should I just keep using the Steam?
2. Should I find a BETTER Wilson Racket? Perhaps the PS series?
3. What of the Babalot? Should I still buy it? It specs appear very similar to the Wilson BLX Steam
4. I assume I should ditch the McEnroe?

Pure Drive Team 2015 Specs

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_Pure_Drive_Team/descpageRCBAB-PDT.html

Wilson BLX Steam Specs

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageRCWILSON-WS100.html

McEnroe Specs

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=21382

Am I just getting carried away as I won a few matches? I'm not sure but I know that even this very average racket has livened up my game no end. I am also wondering whether with the all the tennis I am playing, I have improved somewhat but clearly not enough to make best use of the 10 year old Maxply....

Thoughts or insults welcome

KL

 

[kanulondon]

Any thoughts? I know my post is long winded....but surely someone else has been on a similar journey?

I really don't want to become a racketaholic again and run 3 different sticks. FOr me they become excuses for losing

 

[JohnBPittsburgh]

There is a reason there is a thread called diary of a racquetaholic

I think if you like the Steam, enjoy it. If you want to try out a couple others, I would do it as well. I think everyone is different, and the only way to find out is to demo, or buy. How much you are wiling to spend is up to you. I would have to say though, after spending a significant amount of money, that racquets, are just racquets to an extent. As much as I would love to be able to justify all the money I have spent, I could have got by with 1 or 2 racquets. I was enthralled with the thought of, this next racquet will take me to another level (I still want just one more frame lol) !!! But my best advice would be, play with what you like, and if you want to try out a few, do it. But don't get crazy worrying about equipment, in the end, playing, working out, and practicing will make way more of a difference in your game than any racquet. I love all of my racquets, but in the end, they are just sticks with strings.
So to answer your last 4 questions...
1. Yes
2. Not right now
3. I would say not right now, I have around 15 similarly spec racquets (out of 22), and they are all the same basically IMO But it is your call in the end.
4. Unless you are strapped for cash, I would hold on to it, I hate when I sell something and later on I want it again. But if YOU hate it, and won't ever use it, then I would say get rid of it.
I hope this helped. In the end, I had some extra money and bought a lot of racquets. It has been a double edged sword because I never play with just one extensively, and I always have a hard time choosing what I will hit with. I also have to resist the urge to switch racquets when things aren't going well. 2 problems I wouldn't have if I only had 2 or 3 racquets. LOL, I wanted to get the steam 99s and 105s but never got around to it, I have been too busy with Prince Enjoy this awesome game!!

 

[kanulondon]

I think if you like the Steam, enjoy it. If you want to try out a couple others, I would do it as well. I think everyone is different, and the only way to find out is to demo, or buy. How much you are wiling to spend is up to you. I would have to say though, after spending a significant amount of money, that racquets, are just racquets to an extent. As much as I would love to be able to justify all the money I have spent, I could have got by with 1 or 2 racquets. I was enthralled with the thought of, this next racquet will take me to another level (I still want just one more frame lol) !!! But my best advice would be, play with what you like, and if you want to try out a few, do it. But don't get crazy worrying about equipment, in the end, playing, working out, and practicing will make way more of a difference in your game than any racquet. I love all of my racquets, but in the end, they are just sticks with strings.
So to answer your last 4 questions...
1. Yes
2. Not right now
3. I would say not right now, I have around 15 similarly spec racquets (out of 22), and they are all the same basically IMO But it is your call in the end.
4. Unless you are strapped for cash, I would hold on to it, I hate when I sell something and later on I want it again. But if YOU hate it, and won't ever use it, then I would say get rid of it.
I hope this helped. In the end, I had some extra money and bought a lot of racquets. It has been a double edged sword because I never play with just one extensively, and I always have a hard time choosing what I will hit with. I also have to resist the urge to switch racquets when things aren't going well. 2 problems I wouldn't have if I only had 2 or 3 racquets. LOL, I wanted to get the steam 99s and 105s but never got around to it, I have been too busy with Prince Enjoy this awesome game!!

Excellent reply John and thanks for your thoughts. For the amount of time I play tennis, I've actually ignored my rackets as I thought I was doing good with the old Maxply...

Money isn't an issue (thankfully) and I've spent much more on my other pursuit of cycling (albeit almost exclusively commuter cycling...loving #strava)

But I didn't want to buy new rackets as they seem quite expensive for something I may not get on well with. In the UK, it's very hard to DEMO rackets. I called a local shop and they said, sorry we don't do DEMO's it too hard. You can buy one and bring it back! No use really...

I also don't like the thought of running more than 2 rackets, I struggled with the 300 and the McEnroe...always blaming one or the other if I didn't like my style of play! However perhaps I should take a carefree approach without going too wild..

I will keep using the Steam until I get my hands on the Babloat. Will play a two matches with it and I'll soon know whether it plays better / worse / same. If it plays the same, I'll probably sell it and then thinking about either keeping the Steam (and buying another) or venturing into another Wilson racket..

I just don't want to become a racketaholic!

 

[fuzz nation]

I don't wish racquetaholic status on anybody, but there's no crime with enjoying a couple of different frames, especially if you're undecided and also developing your basic game. The racquet thing really becomes an issue if the constant switching off becomes a distraction.

As long as you don't have to make substantial adjustments when switching from one racquet to another, it may improve your curiosity and general enjoyment when you have options to experiment with for a bit. If you eventually gravitate toward one frame or another, that could be the one worth sticking with for a longer stretch.

If you get the impression that a certain racquet is working against you, it's probably smart to leave that one at home for at least a little while. One caution: I've been seduced once or twice by a new racquet that seemed to serve absolute lightning bolts, but wasn't so good for the rest of my game. In retrospect, I've been happiest with racquets that didn't have much of a glaring weakness for me, even if they didn't deliver too many fireworks.

 

[kanulondon]

I don't wish racquetaholic status on anybody, but there's no crime with enjoying a couple of different frames, especially if you're undecided and also developing your basic game. The racquet thing really becomes an issue if the constant switching off becomes a distraction.

As long as you don't have to make substantial adjustments when switching from one racquet to another, it may improve your curiosity and general enjoyment when you have options to experiment with for a bit. If you eventually gravitate toward one frame or another, that could be the one worth sticking with for a longer stretch.

If you get the impression that a certain racquet is working against you, it's probably smart to leave that one at home for at least a little while. One caution: I've been seduced once or twice by a new racquet that seemed to serve absolute lightning bolts, but wasn't so good for the rest of my game. In retrospect, I've been happiest with racquets that didn't have much of a glaring weakness for me, even if they didn't deliver too many fireworks.

Thanks for the considered response Fuzz.

Like you said, as long as my rackets aren't day and night different and I don't collect too many, it may aid enjoyment.

I guess I am sad to see the McEnroe stick go, as I served great but I literally feel I don't want to use it again as I've become far more rounded and still have the ability to hit some big serves occasionally.

The increase in my level of play is appreciable after only 3 matches...I am just curious to see what else is out there.. If this steam racket has made such a difference, what of some of Wilson's even Betterer offerings?

Although I am a big guy, 6ft 250lbs, a slight lighter racket is better for my game.

KL

 

[eelhc]

All all racquets stock?
Have you checked the weight + balance?
What was the string setup + tension in each case?

How strong/fit are you?

Quite a few folks I know run a heftier racquet for the 1st set and switch to the lighter one for the 2nd.

 

[kanulondon]

All all racquets stock?
Have you checked the weight + balance?
What was the string setup + tension in each case?

How strong/fit are you?

Quite a few folks I know run a heftier racquet for the 1st set and switch to the lighter one for the 2nd.

The Maxply's were all stock. I ran multi strings due to my arm issues and strung at mid tension range 58lbs or so.

I've not had outright injury arm wise, but more fatigue. I recall playing a guy after having played the previous night. First set sailed it 6-2 before my arm became absolutely useless for serving due to fatigue and I ended up losing (I rely on my serve a lot)

The Steam BLX has Luxilon poly strings at 52lbs apparently. The previous owner spent no more than 5 hours playing with the stick. I've spent about 4 hours now. I would go multi when re-strining (out of habit)

I weighed both sticks. My maxply weighed in at 341g / 12.1 ounces and the steam weighs 325g / 11.4 ounces

I'm a stronger than average guy but not very fit upper body wise. I've started doing some exercises to help me out there. I'm only ever tired on court when I haven't eaten right and my stomach is sapping my oxygen/blood supply

 

[eelhc]

Hmmm... 8 games (with some free points per your strong serve) with a 12.1oz racquet and your "arm became useless for serving due to fatigue"?

Something is not quite adding up.... How long (# shots rally) were the points in this match?

I suspect that a lighter racquet may be a temporary band aid.

 

[kanulondon]

Hmmm... 8 games (with some free points per your strong serve) with a 12.1oz racquet and your "arm became useless for serving due to fatigue"?

Something is not quite adding up.... How long (# shots rally) were the points in this match?

I suspect that a lighter racquet may be a temporary band aid.

You maybe onto something. If you look up reviews of the Maxply on these forums many referred to it as an arm breaker racket. Not so much for me but it's very stiff which has negatives and positives