100 Square Inch Racquets

[Conquistador]

Does this seem to be the future of tennis. I see players moving up and up in headsize..You have seen a fluctuation of talent move into the 100 sq inch category. These racquets seem to have the medium of everything. Do you see most pros in 5 years using 100s?

[Tsonga#1fan]

IMO it will be around the 95-98 range, with a few more using 100 than 90-93, but overall it's just a preference and I don't think the 100 gives any additional advantage.

[Sailor Tennis]

Yes, mostly because tennis is becoming a power and spin game. 100 sq. in heads usually produce more power and have and open string pattern therefore generating more spin.

[Tsonga#1fan]

Most pros generally don't have a problem generating their own unassisted power or spin. I use HEAD MG Prestige mid, and honestly can't notice any difference in power or spin potential (as opposed to the mid plus) but feel an added amount of control, especially on my one handed backhand.

[Conquistador]

Originally Posted by Tsonga#1fan

Most pros generally don't have a problem generating their own unassisted power or spin. I use HEAD MG Prestige mid, and honestly can't notice any difference in power or spin potential (as opposed to the mid plus) but feel an added amount of control, especially on my one handed backhand.

Then why do most of them lead up their 100 sq inch frames past 12 ounces. Coincidence?

[Tsonga#1fan]

Originally Posted by Conquistador

Then why do most of them lead up their 100 sq inch frames past 12 ounces. Coincidence?

I put a little lead on mine too.......coincidence, no. You don't have to have a larger head size just to generate power or create spin. If that were the case, more people would be using "oversize" frames like the trend seemed to be going toward in the '80's.

[Tsonga#1fan]

I have a Babolat APDC, and honestly I don't see the point in it. I find it impossible to play with WITHOUT slapping a ton of lead tape around it so that doesn't surprise me at all that pros would want to heavy up theirs quite a bit.

[Ripper014]

I am used to having a 85 sq/in head... PS 6.0 or the 200g, but since going to the Tour 90 and the Maxply McEnroe I have noticed a lot more spin on my balls. In addition I am not nearly as tight with my accuracy...

[edman9898]

Originally Posted by Conquistador

Then why do most of them lead up their 100 sq inch frames past 12 ounces. Coincidence?

I don't think their leading up their frames for more power but instead doing so for more stability. I switched from a 95 to 100 head and noticed the stability was not there. That is the only reason I added lead.

[tennispro19]

its seems that way. to many people use and think that the smaller the headsize you use means ur a better player, load of rubbish. you like what you like, tsonga used a 95 ps and tried a aero pro and realised he prefered and maybe benefitted from it, some players just dont like the feel and use a 93 prestige. all personal choice, roddick and nadal use 100in rackets and play well with them, and beat players using whatever. i do feel you might as well use every advantage available to you, i find with a roddick gt, i dont hit harder than what i do with my prestige pro, but i dont have to swing through as hard to gain to power, i dont have to really commit to every ball to get a deep and strong return

[Kick Serve 14]

honestly it is merely personal preference... i use a 100 sq. inch because it gives me a larger margin for error, especially on my backhand and serve.... but i think i could probably play just as well with a 93-95 head size as my 100...

[quest01]

A lot of pros, club tennis players, and recreational players use 100 square inch racquet's. I use a 100 square inch racquet because I like it more. I've used mid size racquet's but I'm not at the right level to use a mid, according to the description of the K90 for example you have to be at least a 5.0 to use this racquet and I'm not a 5.0. So its good to choose a racquet thats dependent on your skill level.

[tennispro19]

Originally Posted by quest01

A lot of pros, club tennis players, and recreational players use 100 square inch racquet's. I use a 100 square inch racquet because I like it more. I've used mid size racquet's but I'm not at the right level to use a mid, according to the description of the K90 for example you have to be at least a 5.0 to use this racquet and I'm not a 5.0. So its good to choose a racquet thats dependent on your skill level.

its a guide line dude. u get some people who use k90's who would benefit from something a big bigger. if you play well with what u have then stick with that kind of frame. i play very well with a k blade tour, indoors when im hitting well and playing a lot. when its wet and cold and im out of practice i get nothing from it. 100inc rackets are performance frames

[quest01]

Originally Posted by tennispro19

its a guide line dude. u get some people who use k90's who would benefit from something a big bigger. if you play well with what u have then stick with that kind of frame. i play very well with a k blade tour, indoors when im hitting well and playing a lot. when its wet and cold and im out of practice i get nothing from it. 100inc rackets are performance frames

For instance I use the Babolat PDGT because according to the description on TW, its designed for 4.0+ players which is the category I would fall into. On the other hand the KPS88 for example says on the TW description that its designed for 5.0+ players therefore I can't use this racquet until I reach a 5.0 NTRP rating or if I ever do. Anyways most mid size racquets are designed for 5.0+ players therefore players who are a 3.0 for example have no business using a midsize racquet until they greatly improve their game.

[Mr.Brightside]

Originally Posted by quest01

For instance I use the Babolat PDGT because according to the description on TW, its designed for 4.0+ players which is the category I would fall into. On the other hand the KPS88 for example says on the TW description that its designed for 5.0+ players therefore I can't use this racquet until I reach a 5.0 NTRP rating or if I ever do. Anyways most mid size racquets are designed for 5.0+ players therefore players who are a 3.0 for example have no business using a midsize racquet until they greatly improve their game.

those guidelines are total crap. if someone who's, say, a 3.5, picks up a KPS88 and hits great with it and it feels right, are you gonna tell them they "can't" use that racquet when they obviously can?

[LeeD]

Big hoops for baseliners with little emphasis on fast ball speeds or fast serves.
Little hoops for faster hitters going for more on each shot.
Are Safins and Feds the future? Not American tennis, as retrieving, running, fetching, and getting is the style we teach nowadaze..... big hoops, lotsa topspin, superior fitness, .... PUSHERS.
Maybe not 6'6" guys, but they use big hoops to return serve, hurting their serves somewhat.

[Tsonga#1fan]

Originally Posted by Mr.Brightside

those guidelines are total crap. if someone who's, say, a 3.5, picks up a KPS88 and hits great with it and it feels right, are you gonna tell them they "can't" use that racquet when they obviously can?

I agree. Some of us, me, learned to play with a standard size wood racquet and if anything, using a smaller head size helps to improve some aspects or at least develop the fundamentals of ones game. It is nothing more than a personal preference. I will say this though, IMO, if you cant consistently hit the sweetspot in a midsize racquet and you have been playing for at least a good while, you are probably only going to get limited benefit from a 100 sq. in. head because you just aren't going to get much better.

[quest01]

Originally Posted by Mr.Brightside

those guidelines are total crap. if someone who's, say, a 3.5, picks up a KPS88 and hits great with it and it feels right, are you gonna tell them they "can't" use that racquet when they obviously can?

People can use whatever racquet they want to use but according to the guidelines you have to be at least a 5.0 level player to use either the Wilson K90 or KPS88. I'm just stating what it says in the description, thats all. For starters I'm not a 5.0 so I can't use a midsize racquet until I reach that level. I'm a 4.0 to a 4.5 level player and the racquet I use is the Babolat PDGT which is designed for 4.0 level players or higher which is the category that falls in line with my NTRP rating.

[bdudaday]

Ya, I'd agree that more and more, as the game adds spin and power these larger heads help generate both. Of course with a few exceptions like Federer, who makes up for the small frame by stringing it very loose. In the 40's I hear.
One thing to note is that they are still adding significant weight to their frames. I personally just switched to the Head YouTek Speed MP which is one of these 100 sq in frames. The added power is great, but I also had to put on some lead tape. I posted my frame and specs here.

http://www.stuffbox.com/Stuff/?pid=661