help, racquet required for 62yr old mum

[chippy17]

dear all,

my mother is getting back into tennis having not really played for 20+ years

to give you some background she was a national player in her youth and played at junior Wimbledon

life took over but she is keen to get playing again, she has been playing with original black Prince graphite racquets (I mean when they first came out, yes that old) but these are too heavy for her now I think and she tried a middle range Wilson and it just gave her tennis elbow

having hit with her a couple of times recently I think she needs something with a bit of power as she was finding it hard to create pace but also arm friendly

slightly at a loss at to where to start, any help gratefully received, thanks

eta does not have to be new as could buy something second hand with a view to selling on if not right for her...

[makinao]

If she played with a POG before (and I'm assuming it was an OS), and got tennis elbow with a tweener, then try the recent Radicals.

The Microgel Radical OS is at least an ounce lighter than a POG, but still arm friendly. Its an OS, so lots of margin for error. And its on sale for $89.95.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head...AD-MGRADO.html

The Youtek Radical OS may have the same specs, but I tried it and it seems lighter and flexier in the head. More expensive than the Microgel at $127.95, but still a bargain.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head...AD-HYTROS.html

[Ronaldo]

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wils...SON-W6085.html Nuff said

[chippy17]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wils...SON-W6085.html Nuff said

bearing in mind she played with wooden racquets for most of her peak years you are not far off but this is too much for her now

[chippy17]

Originally Posted by makinao

If she played with a POG before (and I'm assuming it was an OS), and got tennis elbow with a tweener, then try the recent Radicals.

The Microgel Radical OS is at least an ounce lighter than a POG, but still arm friendly. Its an OS, so lots of margin for error. And its on sale for $89.95.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head...AD-MGRADO.html

The Youtek Radical OS may have the same specs, but I tried it and it seems lighter and flexier in the head. More expensive than the Microgel at $127.95, but still a bargain.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head...AD-HYTROS.html

no was not a OS think the head is a 90 but an oversize might suit her now, it was/is black with a white stripe around it, did not have a bridge thingy

just googled it and pretty sure it is a prince series 90 graphite pro, are they collectable?

thanks

[makinao]

Originally Posted by chippy17

just googled it and pretty sure it is a prince series 90 graphite pro, are they collectable?

The Graphite Pro is a flexier version of the POG. Its got an old-skool solid feel. It is a classic, don't let go of it. While you're at it, you should try it. You might like it. There's a thread about it:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=274830

Another cheap, comfortable, and light racquet is the Aerogel 4D 300. Its only 10.9oz, and a midplus.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunl...LOP-D4D3T.html

Finally, the Aerogel 4d 500 is entering tweener territory, weighting in at just 10.2, stiffness at 66, and beam width at 25 at the bridge. But I've tried it and its still comfortable. And right now its super cheap.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunl...NLOP-D4D5.html

[Steve Huff]

I'm a big Pro Kennex fan because they are comfortable. The ki5 is a great all-around racket. It's 100 sq in. If she wants to go OS, I agree with the Head Radical (all except the LM version).

[chippy17]

Originally Posted by makinao

The Graphite Pro is a flexier version of the POG. Its got an old-skool solid feel. It is a classic, don't let go of it. While you're at it, you should try it. You might like it. There's a thread about it:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=274830

Another cheap, comfortable, and light racquet is the Aerogel 4D 300. Its only 10.9oz, and a midplus.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunl...LOP-D4D3T.html

Finally, the Aerogel 4d 500 is entering tweener territory, weighting in at just 10.2, stiffness at 66, and beam width at 25 at the bridge. But I've tried it and its still comfortable. And right now its super cheap.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunl...NLOP-D4D5.html

thanks for these, liking the look of these

I have hit with them before but not for a long time, I ultimately preferred the PS 6.0 95 but will have another hit at some point

[chippy17]

Originally Posted by Steve Huff

I'm a big Pro Kennex fan because they are comfortable. The ki5 is a great all-around racket. It's 100 sq in. If she wants to go OS, I agree with the Head Radical (all except the LM version).

funny you say that as so am I, currently have 3 redondo mp in my bag, love them a lot to the point where I talk to them occasionally like nurturing a plant

was thinking the Ki5 wqas a bit on the heavy side?

[TennisCJC]

Get your Mum a Volkl V1 Classic. Volkl makes an excellent product and they are very comfortable.

I just demo-ed the new dunlops f 3.0 and m 3.0, wilson ps 6.1 95, and tecnifibre v02 320 against my current racket Volkl O10 295 customized. My racket is far better than all of them.
Volkl is an EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE racket.
Volkl is an excellent choice and the V1 Classic is perfect for a good player that is getting older or an intermediate to advanced player looking for a light racket with power and control.

[chippy17]

Originally Posted by TennisCJC

Get your Mum a Volkl V1 Classic. Volkl makes an excellent product and they are very comfortable.

I just demo-ed the new dunlops f 3.0 and m 3.0, wilson ps 6.1 95, and tecnifibre v02 320 against my current racket Volkl O10 295 customized. My racket is far better than all of them.
Volkl is an EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE racket.
Volkl is an excellent choice and the V1 Classic is perfect for a good player that is getting older or an intermediate to advanced player looking for a light racket with power and control.

good advice, I have been offered a couple of PB10 mid light 295, was tempted?

[Tim]

I'd second the Volkl V-1 Classic they really play amazingly well for good players that either want something lighter or have an injury etc. They are easy on the arm and you can control the power quite well based on strings and tension, try it with a full bed of VS gut at 58 or 60 and it plays very nice.

[max]

Originally Posted by TennisCJC

Get your Mum a Volkl V1 Classic. Volkl makes an excellent product and they are very comfortable.

I just demo-ed the new dunlops f 3.0 and m 3.0, wilson ps 6.1 95, and tecnifibre v02 320 against my current racket Volkl O10 295 customized. My racket is far better than all of them.
Volkl is an EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE racket.
Volkl is an excellent choice and the V1 Classic is perfect for a good player that is getting older or an intermediate to advanced player looking for a light racket with power and control.

Yeah, the Volkl V1 was the first to come to mind.

[TroutSc]

the volkl PB7s just went way on sale too

[chippy17]

thanks it seems the concensus is for Volkl, any comments on the PB10 mp light 295 I mentioned, any good or just a gimmicky lighter version of a great racket?

[esgee48]

The PB10 MP 295, by the time it is strung up, will weigh in about 25-30 grams heavier. That's about 11.2 oz and there are many racquets (at TW) with that mass.

[Tim]

I haven't played with the PB's but I played DNX mps, and currently have a Becker Melbourne in my bag,and while they are nice sticks they are relatively flexible and low powered. The problem your mum will run into is going to be endurance, so if she can hit well with a low powered players racquet how long will she be able to play with it? and how will it effect shots when shes out of position etc. I've found from personal experience that as you age giving yourself a little edge with more power and lighter racquets really can improve your game the fun you have playing. Just one example would be reaction volleys, after a set or so you will be too slow with the heavier racquet but a lighter one you'll have a much better chance with.

[Chotobaka]

Originally Posted by chippy17

thanks it seems the concensus is for Volkl, any comments on the PB10 mp light 295 I mentioned, any good or just a gimmicky lighter version of a great racket?

Nothing gimmicky about this racquet -- it's an easy swinging players racquet -- but for me the Organix 10 295 has better feel and more comfort. I own a PB10 Light and will be buying more than one X10 295 whenever they go on close-out.

[Ronaldo]

Wary of the V1. Bit too light and stiff IMHO. Usually see 62 yo with Granny sticks but those are guys.

[chippy17]

Originally Posted by Tim

I haven't played with the PB's but I played DNX mps, and currently have a Becker Melbourne in my bag,and while they are nice sticks they are relatively flexible and low powered. The problem your mum will run into is going to be endurance, so if she can hit well with a low powered players racquet how long will she be able to play with it? and how will it effect shots when shes out of position etc. I've found from personal experience that as you age giving yourself a little edge with more power and lighter racquets really can improve your game the fun you have playing. Just one example would be reaction volleys, after a set or so you will be too slow with the heavier racquet but a lighter one you'll have a much better chance with.

mmm interesting thoughts thanks, i take your point perhaps even these middle weight rackets might be a but much for her?

as I am sure you can imagine she has well developed full strokes but very old school and her movement is not great, perhaps she does need a good tweener!?

can't resist a bit of name dropping and small claim to fame; she used to date Nastase for a while said he was completely mad but that was the attraction apparently I was quite close to being Nastase's son

any recommendations?