Tricky Racket Question for Injured Player

[Adamclub]

Situation...I am recovering from shoulder surgery and will be able to play again sometime after xmas. I will be playing national over 35 events.

Current/Ex racket... Wilson tour 90 4 1/2 with wilson overwrap.

Style of play...All court, serve and volley at least once a game, flatish forehand, single handed backhand is my strength. Good variety on backhand side, 75/25% split topspin to slice.

Looking for...All court frame around 315-330 grams due to shoulder issues and getting old!!

Thinking about Volkl v9 or 10, Technifibre, n-Blade.

Current or new frames considered, what are your thoughts?

 

[haerdalis]

The Pk 5g is a great all-court racquet even if you dont have injury problems. If you do have arm or shoulder problems it is even better. Give it a demo.

 

[dave108]

Like you, I have been having shoulder problems. No surgery though. I used to use a Dunlop HM 200G leaded up, but switched to lighter frames to help with the shoulder. I have tried both the ProKennex 5G and nBlade 98, and I like the nBlade much better. Maybe its because my 5G frame snapped after 3 weeks of use, but it had a very weird feel to it - slightly hollow. Difficult to describe. The nBlade on the other hand is a very nice racquet. Very flexible, very solid despite its 11.3 oz weight (or thereabouts), and has very good feel. Some on this board have complained that it doesn't volley well, but I think that it is one of the better volleying racquets I've used. It is more head heavy than your Tour 90, so it will take some time to adjust. I found the most adjustment on my backhand (1 hbh, topsin and slice). I play an all court style in singles, and a lot of doubles. Strengths are backhand and volleys. Probably around 4.5 or so. I string the nBlade pretty loose at 54 lbs with a soft string - lately its been wilson sensation. Give it a try.

 

[J D]

Adamclub, I tore my rotator cuff but didn't have the surgery (long story). Where you will really feel the stress on your shoulder with a heavy frame is with the one handed backhand. I learned a two handed backhand after my injury and still switch between the two.

When I was able to return to tennis, I tried to use my old 12 ounce mid (Yamaha Black Gold 90) and played horrible tennis for about a year. I finally gave up and went with a lighter and wider frame and my game (and shoulder) improved instantly. It took about 4 years for my shoulder to regain enough strength for me to be able to go back to a player's frame. Now, though, I find I play better with a tweener (PD+), partially due to getting older but also just because of the ability to instantly go from defense to offense.

IMO, lighter and more powerful generally mean much less stress and work for the shoulder. I would definitely recommend a PD type frame (there are several) for someone coming back from a major shoulder injury. Even when your shoulder gets back in shape, don't be surprised if you find you still want to stay with the lighter racquet. Frames like the Pure Drive w/Cortex, NPro Open, Flexpoint Radical, Mfil 300, and DNX 9 would be on my shortlist to demo if I was coming back from another shoulder injury.

 

[onkystomper]

Fischer M speed 98. Ridiculously comfortable and hasthe classic fischer feel as a bonus.

I had a problem with my AC joint in my shoulder and tennis elbow. i switched to the m speed and was pan free in about 2 weeks.

 

[Steve Huff]

The M Speeds ARE comfortable and soft. I'm using the 105 version now, after a long time playing with the 5g. It's low-powered, but still has a big enough sweetspot. The 98's would be even lower powered. (I have 2 of them also, but haven't strung them up yet, although I used to have a VT Pro 98, it's predecessor). The Fischers also have a grip similar to Volkl--more rectangular, but not as much as Head.

 

[Dunlopkid]

PK, Volkl, and Fischer are the ways to go if you're looking to preserve joints.

 

[Adamclub]

Thanks guys for excellent responses. I will think on about the frames mentioned and demo all as its the only way to get it as right as i can. Thanks again and happy hitting...for me eventually !!!

 

[haerdalis]

Good luck!

 

[Voltron]

I think you should try some Yonex MPs, VERY easy on the arm, VERY good control, I love them for my all court game.

 

[bertrevert]

Yeah can I second the RDS 001 MP. It is a 98 that plays as big as a 100. It's perhaps a little stiff, but hitting clean gives a good crisp response. Stock it is light and easy to weild.

I've leaded mine up to be (6g on the handle at the buttcap and 2g at 10 and 2) a nice head-light 12oz deal.

It has a stiff hoop and yet the yoke has good give. With soft grommets at 4 corners the stringbed is responsive and shock is not easily transmitted. Change the cheap grip it comes with and you have better dampening.

Off-centre shots in the square-ish head seemd to be better handled. The long mains give good pop, the wider crosses plenty of control. Just the sweetspot seems huge.

I've found on some ground strokes the head really whips through and is quite flexy. Feels almost liquid.

Actually, Volleys not so hot. (That may just be me though.)

Also actually, shock reduction should be a big concern - so you may want to steer away from anything too stiff?