My New Racquet Dilema

[JackB1]

OK, just when I thought I was fine with the Wilson Juice 100, soon to be getting the Steam 99s a new development takes place…..
I switched to a one hand backhand. It just kind of happened. I was playing a friendly singles match and started fooling around with it and noticed how much more “natural” it felt to me. Plus, I was getting good pace on it too…something I rarely get with the 2 hander. So I stuck with it for 3 matches now and it’s better than I thought and getting better. BUT……I started noticing a little elbow soreness after playing each time. Nothing like TE, but I don’t want to take any chances and want to stick with the one hander now for good.
So…. I think I need to stay away from the light, evenly balanced tweeners that need poly.

Here are my new desired specs that hopefully won’t aggravate my elbow on the one hander and also enhance it...

-11.5-11.8 oz static weight
- 4-6 pts headlite
-95-98 “ headsize
-flexible…stiffness 65 or less
-not “too much frame” for my 4.0 level

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated as usual…..

Some initial ideas I had were:

Donnay Pro One 97
Yonex VCore 95d
BLX 6.1 Team (adding weight to the handle to make more HL than the stock 2 pts)

[TennisCJC]

Volkl o10 295 or Volkl PB10 295 - put a little lead a 3&9 o'c and counter with lead on handle to your desired balance and you are good to go. Use soft strings in the mains - gut, or multi, or syn gut with a poly cross if you like poly spin. Also string moderately low - mains 48-56 lbs with poly cross tensioned at main tension minus 4 lbs. I would put at least 4 grams on the head - maybe 3 at 3/9 o'clock and 1 at noon.

Volkl are good quality rackets - very precise control and the lower tension with soft mains will give you plenty of power. Also, Volkl are excellent for comfort.

Advice from an old guy: if you are having elbow pain, take a few days off and work on some wrist, forearm, biceps and triceps exercises to strengthen the area below and above the elbow. Also, ice the elbow after you play.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by TennisCJC

Volkl o10 295 or Volkl PB10 295 - put a little lead a 3&9 o'c and counter with lead on handle to your desired balance and you are good to go. Use soft strings in the mains - gut, or multi, or syn gut with a poly cross if you like poly spin. Also string moderately low - mains 48-56 lbs with poly cross tensioned at main tension minus 4 lbs. I would put at least 4 grams on the head - maybe 3 at 3/9 o'clock and 1 at noon.

Volkl are good quality rackets - very precise control and the lower tension with soft mains will give you plenty of power. Also, Volkl are excellent for comfort.

Advice from an old guy: if you are having elbow pain, take a few days off and work on some wrist, forearm, biceps and triceps exercises to strengthen the area below and above the elbow. Also, ice the elbow after you play.

I think the PB10 L is a better idea than the Organix model. The PB is 5 pts headlite and the Organix only 3. But a mjor negative is the Volkl gripshape. I would have to either mod it myself or replace it with an Attiva grip.

About the elbow...yes I will be careful. I JUST switched and am using my right arm in a new way, so I have to be careful of not doing too much too soon with it.

[Chotobaka]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I think the PB10 L is a better idea than the Organix model. The PB is 5 pts headlite and the Organix only 3. But a mjor negative is the Volkl gripshape. I would have to either mod it myself or replace it with an Attiva grip.

About the elbow...yes I will be careful. I JUST switched and am using my right arm in a new way, so I have to be careful of not doing too much too soon with it.

FWIW, I own the PB10 295 and have demoed the X10 295 multiple times (meaning I have used it for several weeks). The differences in the patterns has a significant effect on feel, and comfort. I much preferred the feel of the X10. Grip shape aside, the Bio Sensor dampening in the X10 grip is one of the few racquet technologies that actually works -- and the effect is not subtle -- it is very effective. I also think the X10 is slightly more stable than the PB10 in stock form. While there are a couple of points difference in the balance of the two racquets on paper, it wasn't a factor on the court. I play Fischer and Pacific but will be buying a couple of X10 295's if and when they go on sale. Of course, both Volkl 295's are great platforms for customization.

[MikeHitsHard93]

Jack-

I find it super funny that you're looking at totally different sticks now. In all honesty, your 1hbh should do just fine with a tweener. You shouldn't change everything just because you're worried. If you're starting to get arm/elbow pain, your technique is off. There are many pros that use tweeners and hit 1hbh. I use both one hand and two hand with my pro open. No pain.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by MikeHitsHard93

Jack-

I find it super funny that you're looking at totally different sticks now. In all honesty, your 1hbh should do just fine with a tweener. You shouldn't change everything just because you're worried. If you're starting to get arm/elbow pain, your technique is off. There are many pros that use tweeners and hit 1hbh. I use both one hand and two hand with my pro open. No pain.

Yes but I am far from a PRO. Of course my technique will be off some times and I want some protection while I work on it. I am very encouraged how well the one hander is working so far and need something that will enhance it and protect my arm.

[DownTheLineWith90]

Why not try the Federer frame?
If you can handle the mass, the footwork to find the narrow sweet spot, and if you love hitting pinpoint shots with sharp angles, you definitely should nudge it into your choices of demo.
Although, through the years, the 90 has varied in feel..

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by DownTheLineWith90

Why not try the Federer frame?
If you can handle the mass, the footwork to find the narrow sweet spot, and if you love hitting pinpoint shots with sharp angles, you definitely should nudge it into your choices of demo.
Although, through the years, the 90 has varied in feel..

No way! I'm scared to even look at that racquet

[davedomart]

Which blx are you talking about? The 16x18 or 18x20? I have the old k-factor (18x20). I have leaded it up to more of a baseliner spec(see sig.), but I could probably just add a leather grip to make it more headlight, or just wrap more lead tape around the bare handle. Either way, make sure you add some lead tape to 2 & 10 o-clock positions, really makes the sweetspot larger. Also, make sure you match the frames from TW, I bought one BLX and then sold it because it was head-heavy and already had a high SW before lead.

[kaiser]

I've been quite intrigued by the Donnay X-Dual Gold 99 lately, and its specs appear to be right in your wheelhouse:
-11.5 oz static weight
- 6 pts headlite
-99 “ headsize

Not a lot of feedback for it on tt, but Chris Edwards scored it an 8.7 overall with an 8.4 for comfort...

Haven't been able to get my hands on a demo yet, so if you were include it on your demoing list, you could make me a very happy man indeed!

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by kaiser

I've been quite intrigued by the Donnay X-Dual Gold 99 lately, and its specs appear to be right in your wheelhouse:
-11.5 oz static weight
- 6 pts headlite
-99 “ headsize

Not a lot of feedback for it on tt, but Chris Edwards scored it an 8.7 overall with an 8.4 for comfort...

Haven't been able to get my hands on a demo yet, so if you were include it on your demoing list, you could make me a very happy man indeed!

I don't know. Those ultra thin beams scare me

[kaiser]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I don't know. Those ultra thin beams scare me

Why? The way I see it, the less frame better!

Look at it this way: narrower beam means a bigger spin window for an already generous stringbed, so fewer shanks. It also means less drag, cuts throughthe air better, and a more solid, less hollow feel (Chris gives it an 8.3 on feel...).

All the legendary graphite frames from the past had narrow beams, I think the only reason they started making rackets with wider beams was because that was the only way in which they could decrease weight while at the same time increasing stiffness. If they can achieve the same result with newer materials and narrower beams, so much the better!

And, doesn't that picque your interest...?

[mrc]

Originally Posted by kaiser

I've been quite intrigued by the Donnay X-Dual Gold 99 lately, and its specs appear to be right in your wheelhouse:
-11.5 oz static weight
- 6 pts headlite
-99 “ headsize

Not a lot of feedback for it on tt, but Chris Edwards scored it an 8.7 overall with an 8.4 for comfort...

Haven't been able to get my hands on a demo yet, so if you were include it on your demoing list, you could make me a very happy man indeed!

I love this stick..15MM beam and lots of feel but more power and plow than you would think. I have been using for about 3 months and love it!!

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by davedomart

Which blx are you talking about? The 16x18 or 18x20? I have the old k-factor (18x20). I have leaded it up to more of a baseliner spec(see sig.), but I could probably just add a leather grip to make it more headlight, or just wrap more lead tape around the bare handle. Either way, make sure you add some lead tape to 2 & 10 o-clock positions, really makes the sweetspot larger. Also, make sure you match the frames from TW, I bought one BLX and then sold it because it was head-heavy and already had a high SW before lead.

The 16x19 2012 Blx 6.1 95 Team

[Kal-El 34]

have you tried the pro one? could be lethal based on what you are looking for

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Kal-El 34

have you tried the pro one? could be lethal based on what you are looking for

tried it about a year back and liked it, but I was hitting a 2 hander back then.

but yes, the Pro One is currently at the top of my list. Only concern would be getting one over specs and too heavy. Would have to pay TW for matching service.

[esgee48]

Hit your one handed backhand in front of your right foot (assuming you are right handed.) If you hit the one hander late, you will arm the ball which can lead to TE.

I would try the above before looking for another racquet. Maybe switch to a softer string setup.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by esgee48

Hit your one handed backhand in front of your right foot (assuming you are right handed.) If you hit the one hander late, you will arm the ball which can lead to TE.

I would try the above before looking for another racquet. Maybe switch to a softer string setup.

Yes hitting in front is ideal, but sometimes you misjudged and hit later than you like.

Yes softer string is good, but in powerful tweeners like the Juice, balls will be flying

[srvnvly]

Jack - I know you have good string knowledge, but are there any multi's you like? You could try full bed, strung low. Also, the new Dunlop Biomimetic 200 16x19 specs look interesting (on Dunlop's non-US English part of the site), and I think they might be on TW on or around Feb 1.

I tried the Donnay and I liked it, but felt arm fatigue after a few hours of hitting; great stick otherwise.

I am going to test out my OHBh with the new Steams when the demos are out in 4 weeks and see how that goes. Good luck in your renewed search!

[NineMileSkid]

Specwise, Dunlop Biomimetic Max 200G seems to fit the bill.