Looking for a new racquet similar to Boris Becker 11 Mid

[dode]

After playing at Nationals this weekend, I have decided that I want to try and find a slightly different racquet. I love my BB11 mids. Currently I am playing them with Pacific Tough Gut mains and Gamma Zo Tour Rough crosses. I like everything about the frame except the head size. I would REALLY like to find a frame with the same specs, but with a 95-98 inch head size. I currently own a pair for regular BB11's, and I like them, but I don't like the 18x20 string pattern. I also own a pair of BB11 Lites, which have a 16x19 pattern and a 98" head, but are significantly lighter and more powerful than the mid.

So can anyone point me toward a racquet that would be what I am looking for? I just really don't like the 93" head size playing doubles. That is really the only thing I ould change about the racquet.

Thanks.

John

[Brian72]

I've played with the Becker 11 Mid. And really enjoyed it as well. Have since moved on. Recently picked up the Becker Melbourne. Was going to recommend that until I saw you didn't like the 18x20 string pattern. What is it about the 18x20 that you don't like?

As for the Melbourne, I've found it to be super solid at net, offers me plenty of topspin and Maneuverability hasn't been an issue at all, and it offers plenty of pop with the right string combo.

The only caveat that I've heard regarding this racket is that some find it too powerful or find the string bed to lively. This hasn't been an issue for me however.

[royfrombigd]

If you want a more open string pattern with a 98" inch head, the Youtek Prestige Pros is a good place to start.

[dode]

The thing I don't like about the 18x20 pattern is mainly in serving. My serve seems to be much less effective in that my flat serve have less pace, and less bite on my heavy spin serves that turn my serve from a weapon to much more average. That seems to more than negate the more consistent volleys I am able to hit.

Also, my balls don't have the dip on ground strokes that I get from my BB11 mids. I have hit with a Melbourne before and it seemed very similar to my standard BB11's.

John

[Brian72]

Another racquet you might want to consider is the Donnay X-Dual Core Gold 99. It has the 16x19 string pattern. I've played with the Platinum and really enjoyed it.

Best of luck in your search.

[basil J]

dunlop 4d 200 tour. Good mass, open string pattern and good solid frame.I went from the becker mid to a PK KI5 to a melbourne and after a short transition have had no issues with spin or pace. Frame cries for gut mains, which I see you already use. How about the BB london tour? too close to the BB 11mid?

[Meaghan]

I really liked playing my volkl dnx 10 mids, like you I loved the racket but wanted something a little bigger for defensive reasons more than anything. I tried the Melbourne and once leaded up played well, tried the Legend and with its more extreme spec that made the racket feel more stable. The dense pattern was not a problem, I'm fact the opposite excellent control, great spin, defensively superb, but I lacked confidence in my 1hbh, the hoop being rounder than the volkl, volleys too were ok but not like my volkl. Anyways after an up and down trip with a Yonex 89t, I realised that those skinny volkl frames are for me. My friend was selling a c10 pro I thought id give it a go and it feels like the bigger brother to my dnx mid, leaded up, its 372g and 32cm balance, but its super manoeuvrable like a mid, loving it.

[zapvor]

i would try something like the london or nyc

[SoBad]

Originally Posted by zapvor

i would try something like the london or nyc

Becker hangs out in London ALOT.

[zapvor]

Originally Posted by SoBad

Becker hangs out in London ALOT.

mcenroe hangs out in nyc a lot

[SoBad]

Originally Posted by zapvor

mcenroe hangs out in nyc a lot

He sits around the F train station in Roosevelt Island with a bottle of vodka, limes, a knife, tonic water, and a huge bag filled with fresh ice.

[zapvor]

Originally Posted by SoBad

He sits around the F train station in Roosevelt Island with a bottle of vodka, limes, a knife, tonic water, and a huge bag filled with fresh ice.

lets not hijack this thread. by the way, you are talking about someone else. but minus the ice

[Cesare]

Agreed on the BB delta Core London 98 16x19 .add some lead tape, that's a flexy racquet with great feel and decent pop

[dode]

The Head Prestige Pro looks like it could have possibilities, but it is quite a bit stiffer than I am used to playing. I still may have to give it a try.

Now that Donnay is pretty intriguing. It is a little on the lighter side, but not so much that I couldn't get it up close to where I like it. I have never hit with a Donnay, but I may have to try and get my hands on one of those.

I like the Volkl and BB racquets, but I don't think the NYC or London is going to work. The NYC is definitely too light (my racquets now are about 345-350 grams strung) and powerful. The London appears to be very similar to the BB11 Light that I have now that I play with on occasion if I get fatigued.

The London Tour is definitely not on the list, since it is a 93 inch frame with the 18x20 string pattern.

The dunlop I will have to look into more. I am not familiar with it at all.

So far a couple of good suggestions. Any others?

John

[sargeinaz]

volkl c10 pro? pacific x force pro?

[neverstopplaying]

John,

I played with the 11mid for about a year. I loved it for its feel, serving ability and power. In the end I wanted a larger head size and a little less swing weight.

I don't feel that either the London or prestige pro offer this.

I agree with the pacific (I played with the fisher one) or possible the C10 (though only from what I've read on tt). I recently switched to the donnay pro one and it may also fit the bill. it is slightly more powerfull than the 11mid with all of its qualities.

[ChicagoJack]

Originally Posted by dode

After playing at Nationals this weekend, I have decided that I want to try and find a slightly different racquet. I love my BB11 mids. Currently I am playing them with Pacific Tough Gut mains and Gamma Zo Tour Rough crosses. I like everything about the frame except the head size. I would REALLY like to find a frame with the same specs, but with a 95-98 inch head size. I currently own a pair for regular BB11's, and I like them, but I don't like the 18x20 string pattern. I also own a pair of BB11 Lites, which have a 16x19 pattern and a 98" head, but are significantly lighter and more powerful than the mid.

So can anyone point me toward a racquet that would be what I am looking for? I just really don't like the 93" head size playing doubles. That is really the only thing I ould change about the racquet.

Thanks.

John

Hi John,

Lots of really good suggestions here already. As much as I'd like to recco my P1 to a fellow doubles specialist, I think it might be a teeny bit too stiff at 64-66 ra in comparison to what have been using. Here's a few that come to mind (many of which already mentioned) with the criteria that you are shopping for. They are getting hard to find, but the 16 x 19 HEAD Microgel Prestige Pro MP is a pretty sweet hit, and way more comfy than the IG PP MP. The swingweights on some of these are well under the 330 on your BB 11 mid, but that's cool because that just gives you room for lead at 3:00 and 9:00, with counter balance in the pallete, which is the holy trinity for customizing for doubles play. Also worth a mention.. it's a tad more head heavy, but the IG Radical Pro falls in line with your shopping list everywhere else.





Jack