Why do racquets with a small head size have such high prestige among some people?

[keithfival]

I don't use a small head frame but I certainly know what people like about them- there is just a certain feel when you drive the ball, and also on volleys/half volleys/slice approach shots that is so solid and sweet. Maybe that's why old people like them, because they tend to use those shots more and not just hit topspin groundstrokes.

[lawrencejin]

Let me first clarify an important distinction between folks who simply enjoy playing with a small head size, and folks who are obnoxious proponents of small head sizes who think they're superior. I can explain the former (you may ignore the latter as they are just.. jerks).

For a rational pro (i.e. who tries to maximize one's ranking), the only factor influencing her racket decision is her performance with the racket. On the other hand, for a rational hobbyist (i.e. who tries to maximize one's happiness), there are many factors other than performance that influence one's racket decision: feel, price, appearance, nostalgic elements, what the racket symbolizes, ability to help you improve, etc.

And a small head size racket tends to score more favorably in these external factors. Hence, it makes perfect sense that more recreational players have fun with smaller frames than the pros.

Of course, the above does not imply that smaller frames lack performance compared to larger frames. Federer is a great counter-example. My argument simply explains why there are more recreational players than pros who play with smaller frames, and why this rationally makes sense.

[floide]

Well, everyone I know who plays with 85~90's does it for sentimental/nostalgic reasons. They used to play with smaller heads in the 90's (when those kind of frames were much popular than today), so they still wield 'em nowadays without much thinking.

[roundiesee]

To me, the simple reason why these small-headed frames are well regarded and have such high prestige is because they are amongst the finest rackets ever made.
Just pick up any Wilson Prostaff 90 or 85, Head Prestige Mid, Prince Original Graphite 93, and the like, hit with it, and compare that to a more modern frame like the Babolat Pure Drive.
If you are able to consistently hit within the sweet spot, you will experience a very "sweet" hit with the former frames. Granted that one may not consistently play well with them, and admittedly the modern frames are easier to play with, that still doesn't take away the fact these frames exude quality and are appreciated by people who follow the game ardently.

[zapvor]

yea theres 2 groups

the ones who really use it, and the ones who think its cool because it makes them feel like they are good. which just makes them look worse.

[MikeHitsHard93]

Originally Posted by zapvor

yea theres 2 groups

the ones who really use it, and the ones who think its cool because it makes them feel like they are good. which just makes them look worse.

Played against a guy in doubles in highschool who used a k90...needless to say he rarely got the ball in play. The racket had so many blemishes from him throwing it at the ground!!! Poor racket lol.

However, when he DID get it in, it was pretty hard to return because he aimed for the lines.

[Power Player]

90s are awesome for control but they are harder to use once you start playing 4.5s who hit with heavy spin and push you deep. Add clay to that equation and it is just a more difficult thing unless you have played with mids all your life, and then there would be no reason to change.

I cant just place balls and win because the guys I play can get to anything that is not hit with authority on clay.

[zapvor]

Originally Posted by MikeHitsHard93

Played against a guy in doubles in highschool who used a k90...needless to say he rarely got the ball in play. The racket had so many blemishes from him throwing it at the ground!!! Poor racket lol.

However, when he DID get it in, it was pretty hard to return because he aimed for the lines.

yea its a joke. i have people come in and saying oh i want to buy the federer racket, etc etc. and when you ask them about tennis they know nothing lol. but they are like 'yea i am intermediate advanced player'

[drakulie]

Originally Posted by davo81

Out of the current ATP top 10, 6 use a 100 sq in racquet and only 1 uses a racquet with less than 95 sq in. Yet there are so many recreational players who swear by 85 and 90 sq in racquets and who won't touch anything with more than 95 sq in. So why is that the case? Is it mainly an old guys' thing? Is it an attempt to prove something

There are way more recreational players using babolat pure drives (highest selling racquet in the world), and last time I checked there are zero top 10 players using one.

[tlm]

Originally Posted by UCSF2012

Play the 90 without a vibration dampener and a 100 with a dampener. See how much more lively the 90 is....

The dampener has no effect whatsoever except for the sound you hear. Plus when is a 90 more lively than a 100?

[UCSF2012]

Originally Posted by tlm

The dampener has no effect whatsoever except for the sound you hear. Plus when is a 90 more lively than a 100?

Play without a dampener, play with a smiley face dampener, then play with a worm dampener. Then come back and tell me whether you noticed a difference in how it plays.

People who say vibration dampeners don't change the way a racket plays aren't perceptive to one of the most obvious changes in racket playability. The bigger the dampener, the more dead the lower half of the stringbed. Night and day difference.

[UCSF2012]

Originally Posted by tlm

Plus when is a 90 more lively than a 100?

When you string up the 90 with Wilson gut mains at 48, ALU Power crosses at 44 lb, leaded at 12 o'clock, and no dampener... compared to the 100 with full poly and a dampener.

[movdqa]

> Out of the current ATP top 10, 6 use a 100 sq in racquet and only
> 1 uses a racquet with less than 95 sq in.

Federer 90
Djokovic 95
Murray 95
Nadal 100
Ferrer 100
Berdych 95
Tsonga 100
Del Potro 95
Tipsarevic 95
Isner 100

[goosala]

I would say feel, control and serving with a midsize are unmatched.

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

players who use <90 sq frames are blinded to the stupidity of their choice by the sense of achievement they derive from getting the ball over the net at all..


RIP Douglas Adams

[MikeHitsHard93]

Originally Posted by movdqa

> Out of the current ATP top 10, 6 use a 100 sq in racquet and only
> 1 uses a racquet with less than 95 sq in.

Federer 90
Djokovic 95
Murray 95
Nadal 100
Ferrer 100
Berdych 95
Tsonga 100
Del Potro 95
Tipsarevic 95
Isner 100

Sorry, but this is wrong.

Federer 90
Djokovic 100
Murray 98
Nadal 100
Ferrer 100
Berdich 100
Tsonga 100
Del Potro 95
Tipsarevic 95
Isner 100.

Just had to

[filphil]

Originally Posted by Power Player

90s are awesome for control but they are harder to use once you start playing 4.5s who hit with heavy spin and push you deep. Add clay to that equation and it is just a more difficult thing unless you have played with mids all your life, and then there would be no reason to change.

I cant just place balls and win because the guys I play can get to anything that is not hit with authority on clay.

This is what I would have said, except I'd make less sense.

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

Originally Posted by MikeHitsHard93

Sorry, but this is wrong.

Federer 90
Djokovic 100
Murray 98
Nadal 100
Ferrer 100
Berdich 100
Tsonga 100
Del Potro 95
Tipsarevic 95
Isner 100.

Just had to

no, it isn't, but you apparently imagine every pro in the top 10 is playing with the raquet represented by the paintjob of teh day.

this isn't actually the case.

(or do you think Nole actually plays with a real Speed? Surely nobody is that naive??)

[vsbabolat]

Originally Posted by davo81

The title states my question: Why do racquets with a small head size have such high prestige among some people?

Out of the current ATP top 10, 6 use a 100 sq in racquet and only 1 uses a racquet with less than 95 sq in. Yet there are so many recreational players who swear by 85 and 90 sq in racquets and who won't touch anything with more than 95 sq in. So why is that the case? Is it mainly an old guys' thing? Is it an attempt to prove something ("Yes, with your Babolat you can win, but only when you can win with an ancient underpowered 85 sq in racquet are you a real tennis player")? Or can there be a genuine benefit of a small head size for recreational players that doesn't matter for tour pros?

I'd be curious to read your answers!

Let's go through the top 10 and see what the head size is REALLY and NOT advertised.
1 Roger Federer really uses 90sq.in
2 Novak Djokovic really uses 95sq.in
3 Andy Murray Really uses 95
4 Rafael Nadal does use 100
5 David Ferrer does use 100
6 Tomas Berdych really uses 95
7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga does use 100
8 Juan Martin Potro does use 95
9 Janko Tipsarevic does uses 95
10 John Isner does use 100

So you have 4 guys using 100, 5 guys using 95, and 1 using 90. People use what is comfortable and what gives you confidence. There are guys that post on here and say "yes the midsize racquet is still viable today". They talk about their personal experiences playing with the smaller racquets.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by floydcouncil

You are right... if the pros play better with a MP head size, then who are we weekend hackers think we are trying to play with a small/heavy midsize frames. There are LOTS of folks who are only fooling themselves. It can also be an ego thing too!!!!!!!!!!

I would rephrase that by saying - if the pros play better with a MP head size, what makes us weekend warriors think we can also play better with a MP head size? We are not pros and have absolutely nothing in common with them.

Originally Posted by floydcouncil

I love it when a 4.5 rated poser shows up on the court with a N/K/BLX90, PS85, AG100, Prestige Mid, etc... They can't fully play with these frames.

I guess you've never played against 4.5 players that use those Mids and play really well with them like I have. I've played against 4.5 players using those Mids who can absolutely crush the ball and pretty much hit winners at will with them. They can also generate a tremendous amount of spin with those Mids, just as much as anyone using 100 sq. in. racquets.