Do you use multiple racquets in a match?

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

Yep, that's reason enough for me.

If you show up with three different rackets, it looks like you've just finished cleaning out the garage!

Or a TW poser demoing racquets again. Poster

[VaththalKuzhambu]

No way. Showing up with 4 different rackets and using every one of them, like I do, is way cooler. Opponents' faces get grim when they see racquets being changed between games.

Originally Posted by jmjmkim

But if anything, it just looks cooler showing up at a match with identical rackets, rather than three or more of different ones.

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

Yep, that's reason enough for me.

If you show up with three different rackets, it looks like you've just finished cleaning out the garage!

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by VaththalKuzhambu

No way. Showing up with 4 different rackets and using every one of them, like I do, is way cooler. Opponents' faces get grim when they see racquets being changed between games.

Usually means duck before the ball hits the fence.

[g4driver]

Originally Posted by duketennisgal

I have three of the same racket and used to switch between those three all the time just for fresh grip and things like that. I really try to avoid that now though because I played a match and broke all three sets of strings within 2 games because I had played with them all equally and the strings all went at the same time.

Now the only time I switch out during a match is if my grip is really wet.

When me and my two closest friends starting breaking strings every few weeks, I bought a stringer. It's the best money I've every spent considering how often I was breaking strings with X-One Bi-Phase 16g.

So when my crosses begin to notch badly, I simply restring. X-One 16g doesn't last much longer than about 12 to 15 hours, and it's the closest thing to gut that I've found. Since I hit about 12-15 hours per week, I'm normally restringing one frame a week, sometimes two. The strings cost me $10 per frame (via reel using only 16' for crosses and 18' for mains) and 30 minutes of my time per frame.

I tell string breakers to rotate through two frames with a third unused one in their bag to avoid the problem like you had. I don't look for stringing business and tell most string breakers to go to the local pro shop, since they string while you wait by appointment. The local store charges $15 labor and guarantees 24 hour turn around if you don't have an appointment. That is outstanding service!

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by VaththalKuzhambu

No way. Showing up with 4 different rackets and using every one of them, like I do, is way cooler. Opponents' faces get grim when they see racquets being changed between games.

When I see people changing among different rackets, I know one thing for sure: They are not happy with how they are playing.

When my partner starts changing rackets willy nilly, I know one thing for sure: We are about to lose.

why does everyone think that players with more than one racket in their bag must have some sort of problem with their game or they are not happy with how they are playing?
could it be that they haven't quite found the right racket for them yet? they might not be happy with the racket instead of not being happy with their game.

to g4driver:
what on earth are you doing with a racket which means you have to re string it once a week?

I play for three hours a night three nights a week, I have been using the same racket for over a month and everything still feels like new.

[Fuji]

I'm actually a big fan of having a back up racket in my bag, that is different from my main.

I use my K Prostaff 88's as my main rackets, but sometimes my opponent is just not letting me play my game, (AKA opponent forcing uber long rallies), and I need a bit more forgiveness in long long baseline exchanges. This is why I carry a Pure Storm Limited, which is amazing at baseline rallies, but pales in comparison to everything else that the KPS88 does.

All in all, if I am getting forced to hit long rallies, (10+ shots), the out comes the PSL. If I'm playing how I want to, (S&V, aggressive push the pace) then the KPS88 does exactly what I need it to.

No racket does everything perfect, but most do everything well to an extent.

Now if they made my 88's in a 95......

-Fuji

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by Paul B 40-15

why does everyone think that players with more than one racket in their bag must have some sort of problem with their game or they are not happy with how they are playing?
could it be that they haven't quite found the right racket for them yet? they might not be happy with the racket instead of not being happy with their game.

to g4driver:
what on earth are you doing with a racket which means you have to re string it once a week?

I play for three hours a night three nights a week, I have been using the same racket for over a month and everything still feels like new.

During hard court season I have to restring weekly almost. Just a fact of life since I don't play with Polyester strings! I play around 2 hours a day, not including matches, which are on average 2.5-3.0 hours each. I usually clock in around 30 hours a week which honestly is great for a set of synthetic to last me that long. (Also, I use Multi or Gut in "match sticks", and the multi I restring weekly, while gut can last me a solid 3+ weeks)

Plus the more spin people start to hit with, the more wear their strings get, which causes much more breakage.

-Fuji

[bcart1991]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

When I see people changing among different rackets, I know one thing for sure: They are not happy with how they are playing.

When my partner starts changing rackets willy nilly, I know one thing for sure: We are about to lose.

Point #1: Maybe.

Point #2: Nonsense.

I keep a couple different frames in my bag, and they play a little differently than each other. If my opponents are not playing with much pace, I may change to a more stable, more head-heavy (or less head-light) racquet to slow my strokes down a bit.

Conversely, if I need to be quicker with my hands, I'll switch to a whippier, more head-light frame.

[alb1]

I used to buy two of the same model but I always found myself liking one much better than the other cause they were never perfectly matched anyway. Now after 35 years of tennis I'm carrying 4 different rackets in my bag. Three are very close in their specs, and the other is an old time favorite from younger days. I like them all and if things are going well I'll start and finish the match with the same racket. If not I have no problem going to the bag and trying something different. It works for me.

[FriarTuck]

It may be that I really haven't found my true racquet yet. I think I have found that in my BLX Blade 98, but there are times when I really like the feel and weight of the BLX 6.1 95.

Today I played against a better player than me and won the first set in a tiebreak with the Blade 98. My friend (a larger guy) didn't have enough juice to play a 2nd or 3rd set (we played middle of the day and it was 105 degrees today) so he suggested we play 10 point tiebreaks instead of 2nd or 3rd sets. I didn't mind due to the heat and the fact that it was a friendly match. I had forgotten my towel and my grip was so wet I switched to the 6.1 95 for the 10 point tiebreak and ended up winning 12-10 with a forehand winner down the line. That last forehand felt good enough to make me consider switching to the 6.1 95 as my main racquet because I served pretty well with it as well.

I don't know... I'm OCD when it comes to making purchases so this whole racquet search and decision is driving me crazy.

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by FriarTuck

It may be that I really haven't found my true racquet yet. I think I have found that in my BLX Blade 98, but there are times when I really like the feel and weight of the BLX 6.1 95.

Today I played against a better player than me and won the first set in a tiebreak with the Blade 98. My friend (a larger guy) didn't have enough juice to play a 2nd or 3rd set (we played middle of the day and it was 105 degrees today) so he suggested we play 10 point tiebreaks instead of 2nd or 3rd sets. I didn't mind due to the heat and the fact that it was a friendly match. I had forgotten my towel and my grip was so wet I switched to the 6.1 95 for the 10 point tiebreak and ended up winning 12-10 with a forehand winner down the line. That last forehand felt good enough to make me consider switching to the 6.1 95 as my main racquet because I served pretty well with it as well.

I don't know... I'm OCD when it comes to making purchases so this whole racquet search and decision is driving me crazy.

Hey!

I just had an idea for you! If you like the weight of the 6.1, have you tried to lead up your Blade closer to the specs of the 6.1? Maybe you can find a happy middle ground between the two.

-Fuji

[PBODY99]

Same frame in sets with different string set ups, usually 2.5 kg tighter for one pair vs the other.
Yes, weekly restrings for league and tournaments matches, as I find fresh is best.

[FriarTuck]

Originally Posted by Fuji

Hey!

I just had an idea for you! If you like the weight of the 6.1, have you tried to lead up your Blade closer to the specs of the 6.1? Maybe you can find a happy middle ground between the two.

-Fuji

I was actually just thinking about that. I may try adding some additional weight to the handle of the Blade to give it some additional static weight and make it a little more head light.

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by FriarTuck

I was actually just thinking about that. I may try adding some additional weight to the handle of the Blade to give it some additional static weight and make it a little more head light.

I think that will make it a bit more comfortable for you! Even if you add a bit a 3 & 9 as well to help with plow through, a few grams makes a huge difference!

Something I use is Pete Sampras Power strips. They Work like a charm! One on each side and a bit of lead to counter balance in the handle and it's amazing how much it can increase a rackets potential.

-Fuji

[OrangePower]

Originally Posted by FriarTuck

Do any of you use multiple/different racquets during a match based on style of play?

Sure! In fact I use two at the same time - Wilson in my left hand and Head in my right. That way I can adjust from point to point, just by changing which hand I make the shot with!

Seriously though, I think you're much better off sticking with one kind of frame, and learning to adjust your game as needed.

[FriarTuck]

Thanks! My goal is to move up to the true 4.0 USTA level of play and while it has more to do with my strokes than the racquet, having the right racquet for my playing style sure helps.

[yonexpurestorm]

i break 2 string sets a week using poly. i played a match once where i broke all three of my identical frame racquets and had to borrow a racquet from the stands. i lost. you should never need two different racquets during matches. any variation in weight and balance will make your swing different thus making u hit the ball differently. find the racquet that does what you want and stick with it. but remember ull never get the perfect racquet. i wanted something will serve power, but controll on groundstrokes. i had to compromise a little on both to find a nice balance.

[larry10s]

its the indian not the arrow
you need to make one stick do what you want
when you change racquets that have different characteristics it take a few swings to groove the feel of that racquet
that can cost you some points
i use 3 identical racquets (vantage so i know they are identical) and rotate them as i play
since i sweat alot and this way always have a dry handle
as the strings wear i string them at the same time
im lucky im not a string breaker

[g4driver]

Originally Posted by Paul B 40-15

to g4driver:
what on earth are you doing with a racket which means you have to re string it once a week?

Two weeks ago in a USTA match, I hit a forehand so hard off of a second serve the ball went through the metal chain link fence behind the baseline. My shot went in first, about a two feet from the baseline, bounced off the hard court, then exited the court through the fence. The fence was undamaged in the exchange.

The guy at the net asked "Did he just hit a forehand through the fence?" My partner answered "Yes". I didn't realize what had happened until the opponents started looking for the ball.

Last week I hit doubles against two 4.0s and a 4.5 on Monday night, a 4.0 Singles Match on on Tuesday night, 7.5 Combo on Wed night, a three hour USTA Single's match on Thursday night, doubles Friday am with Old Retired Guys (ORGs) because they need a 4th, then another Single's Ladder match on Saturday am. So what is that, maybe 13 hours that week minimum. I've been playing angry tennis lately. That is about the least I play in any given week. If I am on the road a few days out of the week, I will hit 5 to 6 hours per day by going out in the am and again at night.

WC Black5Edge Mains strung at 54lbs and X-One Bi-Phase 16g 57 lbs last about 12 to 15 hours max. That is why I restring one frame each week. I just strung one tonight while watching the Lincoln Lawyer. 35 minutes on my Alpha Apex 2 stringer.