Pros who use 'Lite' rackets

[Power Player]

I cant use stiff racquets..so it limits me a little. I am happy with the Blade 98 and if it bothers my arm down the road, I will try the Head Radical MP even though I hate the grip.

I liked the 500 a lot..love dunlops..But I like the dunlops that flex at 62. The 500 is too high for me.

[robbo1970]

I was using a heavy racket (350g) for a while, but when I decided to randomly try a lighter racket (305g) I couldnt believe how much easier it was to play with so much more consistancy. I was annoyed I hadn't switched sooner.

[augustobt]

Originally Posted by Power Player

I will try the Head Radical MP even though I hate the grip.

Never knew anyone who does hate that grip

[Wilander Fan]

I have heard and read that its basically impossible to return a big serve with a light racket. The pace will rip the lighter racket out of your hands if you only have time to block.

[dominikk1985]

Originally Posted by You Can't Be Serious

Very heavy frame which helps with her abbreviated strokes.

Originally Posted by Power Player

It matters how you hit though. If you punch the ball and prefer placement without a more modern swing and come to the net often, heavy can be better.

If you hit with a lot of top....

I am finding success with a 305 stick as long as the SW is healthy.

The way to test this for me is really focusing on serve. a little lighter stick helps my timing, especially in later sets.

I cannot believe reading such stuff. a heavier racket only helps of you have faster and longer strokes. If you prefer punching balls back a light "trampoline" racket is the best choice.

higher racket mass only helps if you swing it fast because that is the way you create momentum with with. (f=m*a)

[Wilander]

Originally Posted by dominikk1985

I cannot believe reading such stuff. a heavier racket only helps of you have faster and longer strokes. If you prefer punching balls back a light "trampoline" racket is the best choice.

higher racket mass only helps if you swing it fast because that is the way you create momentum with with. (f=m*a)

i cannot believe im reading your post, as it is not very helpful.
1. what is a trampoline racquet?
2. do you think "f" stands for momentum?
3. if your racquet is heavy, you will not be able to swing it as fast as a light racquet - and you dont have to do so!

[davo81]

Originally Posted by Gasolina

If pros are using sub 12 ounce racquets.... are we really just kidding / convincing ourselves that we need heavy racquets?

Of course we are. Most amateur players' racquet considerations are ridiculous. We don't have anywhere near the same power, we don't have anywhere near the same consistency. Yet we all attempt to mimic pro players' equipment. I do the same, even though I know it's ridiculous. It's almost as if I'm hoping for some kind of magic that will transfer the pros' abilities to me as soon as I start using their equipment

[Gasolina]

Originally Posted by davo81

Of course we are. Most amateur players' racquet considerations are ridiculous. We don't have anywhere near the same power, we don't have anywhere near the same consistency. Yet we all attempt to mimic pro players' equipment. I do the same, even though I know it's ridiculous. It's almost as if I'm hoping for some kind of magic that will transfer the pros' abilities to me as soon as I start using their equipment

Of course, its not like we use heavy racquets "just because". I do feel I hit heavier shots with my current stick.

[LeeD]

I don't.
Using 11.4 oz LMRAds for 2 years, then Dunlop200's around mid 12's strung, now using 10.2 oz 500's that might weigh 10.7 strung.
Most of my peers at 4.0 don't hit hard. I can crush balls with either light or heavy rackets.
Against the occasional hard ball, what sense is fighting fire with fire? Why not add some spin, some placement, some off pace, to fight against hard hitters? After all, the hard hitters aren't 5.5's, are they? And if they are, what do I care? I"m a 4.0.
But against weak mishits, for me, a lightweight racket is much easier to put away the ball with a clean winner.

[Gasolina]

Originally Posted by LeeD

I don't.
Using 11.4 oz LMRAds for 2 years, then Dunlop200's around mid 12's strung, now using 10.2 oz 500's that might weigh 10.7 strung.
Most of my peers at 4.0 don't hit hard. I can crush balls with either light or heavy rackets.
Against the occasional hard ball, what sense is fighting fire with fire? Why not add some spin, some placement, some off pace, to fight against hard hitters? After all, the hard hitters aren't 5.5's, are they? And if they are, what do I care? I"m a 4.0.
But against weak mishits, for me, a lightweight racket is much easier to put away the ball with a clean winner.

Agree with almost everything but for me, the reason why I have an almost 12 oz racquet is to deal with heavy hitters.

My first racquet was also 10.7 ounces (Kfactor 95 team). It served me fine until I tried returning heavy topspin shots from a left handed 1hbh. The racquet was so torsionaly unstable that you really feel the stick getting pushed around.

Don't get me wrong, I actually envy you for riding with a lighter stick. It seems you struck gold with the 500's and they fit your game well. If I ever find a sub 11 oz stick, flexy, with SW of around 325, I'll give it a try.

[LeeD]

I've mentioned more than 10 times that I cannot rally as well with the lighter rackets. I just don't hit the same ball when the incoming ball is going at the 5.0 levels. A heavier racket is better, for sure.
But I don't worry too much about rallying. Set play, whether it's for fun or for records, the purpose is to win, and to win, we gotta hit what the other guy doesn't like, not set him up for his favorite shots.
Against a hard hitter in rallying, they want a hard hit ball.
Against a hard hitter in set play, they dread low skidded slices, short angles, and high loopers.
And against soft hitters who slice and dink, misdirect and angle, a light racket, for most players, is easier to hit the countering ball, which often is more of the same against the guy who started the style of play.
I hear ya when you say you would use a light stick if it works for you.
For me, I can't match power for power, being slight in build and out of shape. So I need to hit the weirdo shots, the short angles, slices, loopy forehands, and teasers to win as many points as possible, but more important, to take a big hitter slightly out of his game so my big shots can start to work against him.
In summation, using a heavy racket against a big hitter is basically grooving him to hit his best shots.

[Kalin]

I'm back on these boards after a several-year long hiatus and it immediately feels like home- I'm so glad this heavy vs. light argument hasn't been settled yet

I grew up playing with a very heavy + headlight racquet and I can't get used to the light ones. Light + headlight - too much work for me to put pace on the ball. Light + headheavy - even more swingweight than a heavy racquet... makes me even more tired with my type of strokes.

Against a player who is overpowering me I have found that switching to an Oversize with my normal specs (maybe a tiny bit lighter) works better that trying a much lighter racquet for more maneuverability. I'd rather be able to return some shots deep and hard rather than return most shots shallow and weak

[LeeD]

Sounds like poster 32 uses shorter, straighter strokes that go thru the ball.
I"m more the opposite. Heavy top on forehand, heavy slice on backhand, and the lighter racket is just plain easier to control direction.
No need whatsoever for "plough thru" because I only hit flat against slower moving balls.
Against fast incoming balls, the goal is to add more spin to it, returning it with looper with heavy top or oval sliced underspin balls.
But if you can handle the weight of racket you're using, stick with it, it's perfect for you.

[LeeD]

Wilander Fan...
Just WHO is serving so fast against you that you can't return his serve with your "light" racket?
Is Roddick your regular practice partner?
I"m 4.0, and nobody serves past 125, even the 5.5's who occasionally drop by.

[Kalin]

LeeD,

Good call, this is how I learned to play. The fact that you prefer a different racquet is exactly why this light vs. heavy question will never be answered unequivocally. There is a good reason why they make racquets with pretty much every combination of weight vs. balance

[treblings]

Originally Posted by Kalin

There is a good reason why they make racquets with pretty much every combination of weight vs. balance

sure there is. the racquet industry caters to the customer. players vary in sizes, playing style, abilities, age,...
of course the racquets vary as well

i think the thread is actually more about pros who use lite racquets

[MauRod]

Originally Posted by realplayer

John Isner uses a racket of 320 grams.

Unstrung? Does he use lead tape on the racquet?

[TennisCJC]

I cut the data below from another thread here in TW but mine is not as readable - here is other thread http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showt...COLAS+LAPENTTI


UNSTRUNG specs in table. I added STRUNG adjustments and STRUNG SPECS at the bottom. Average pro strung rate is 358.8 grams/12.6 oz with balance at .985 inch HL or 7.878 points HL. So, in general male pros use pretty heavy rackets that are about 8 points HL. Some of the lighter rackets tend to migrate toward less HL or even HH - see unstrung specs for Moya and Nadal for examples. This table does not include swing weight but it will be high too - my guess SW will be 340-380 grams.

Melzer is lite at 11.68 oz strung with 9.76 HL strung - this racket would like have a low SW too sense it is well under 12 oz and very HL. F Lopez is lite too at 11.61 oz/5.19 HL strung, but SW likely higher than Melzer since it is significantly less HL.

Not saying rec players should play pro specs but I do think 3.5 level and above should play as heavy as they can comfortably handle and even a very slight player can easily play swing weight of 320 grams. Pros are big strong athletes and rec players should not play same specs - geez, many of the pros are near or over 13 oz frames.


Name Weight(g) Weight(oz) Balance(cm) Balance(inch) Lenghth Length(inch) headlight(in.) points HL
DANIEL NESTOR 374 13.19 29.1 11.46 69.5 27.36 2.22 17.8
JUAN MONACO 367 12.95 31.4 12.36 70 27.56 1.42 11.34
MARIO ANCIC 366 12.91 29.3 11.54 69 27.17 2.05 16.38
JAMES BLAKE 365 12.88 30.5 12.01 68.5 26.97 1.48 11.81
KEVIN ULLYETT 360 12.7 29.5 11.61 70 27.56 2.17 17.32
STANISLAS WAWRINKA 359 12.66 31 12.2 68.5 26.97 1.28 10.24
MAX MIRNYI 359 12.66 30.4 11.97 68.5 26.97 1.52 12.13
ANDREAS SEPPI 356 12.56 30.8 12.13 70 27.56 1.65 13.23
NICOLAS KIEFER 350 12.35 32.2 12.68 69 27.17 0.91 7.24
JONAS BJORKMAN 349 12.31 30.2 11.89 70 27.56 1.89 15.12
JUAN-IGNACIO CHELA 349 12.31 32.8 12.91 70 27.56 0.87 6.93
RICHARD GASQUET 349 12.31 31.5 12.4 68.5 26.97 1.08 8.66
JARKKO NIEMINEM 348 12.28 30.5 12.01 71 27.95 1.97 15.75
ARNAUD CLEMENT 348 12.28 30.8 12.13 70.5 27.76 1.75 14.02
SIMON ASPELIN 348 12.28 31 12.2 68.5 26.97 1.28 10.24
NICOLAS LAPENTTI 348 12.28 31.5 12.4 68.5 26.97 1.08 8.66
PAVEL VIZNER 347 12.24 31 12.2 69.5 27.36 1.48 11.81
IVO KARLOVIC 347 12.24 31.5 12.4 69 27.17 1.18 9.45
VINCENT SPADEA 347 12.24 30.5 12.01 68.5 26.97 1.48 11.81
FILIPPO VOLANDRI 347 12.24 30.8 12.13 68.5 26.97 1.36 10.87
SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN 345 12.17 31.7 12.48 71 27.95 1.5 11.97
NENAD ZIMONJIC 344 12.13 30.7 12.09 69.5 27.36 1.59 12.76
PAUL HANLEY 340 11.99 30.4 11.97 70 27.56 1.81 14.49
TOMMY ROBREDO 340 11.99 31.5 12.4 69.5 27.36 1.28 10.24
MARC GICQUEL 340 11.99 31.2 12.28 68.5 26.97 1.2 9.61
PAUL-HENRI MATHIEU 338 11.92 31.3 12.32 68.5 26.97 1.16 9.29
NICOLAS ALMAGRO 337 11.89 31.2 12.28 68.5 26.97 1.2 9.61
POTITO STARACE 336 11.85 31 12.2 68.5 26.97 1.28 10.24
G.GARCIA LOPEZ 336 11.85 31.5 12.4 68.5 26.97 1.08 8.66
J.W TSONGA 335 11.82 31 12.2 69.5 27.36 1.48 11.81
FERNANDO VERDASCO 335 11.82 30.4 11.97 68.5 26.97 1.52 12.13
MICHAEL LLODRA 333 11.75 30.8 12.13 68.5 26.97 1.36 10.87
OLIVIER ROCHUS 331 11.68 31.1 12.24 71.5 28.15 1.83 14.65
THOMAS JOHANSSON 331 11.68 31.2 12.28 68.5 26.97 1.2 9.61
JC FERRERO 330 11.64 32.5 12.8 71.5 28.15 1.28 10.24
DAVID FERRER 330 11.64 32 12.6 71 27.95 1.38 11.02
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO 330 11.64 32 12.6 70 27.56 1.18 9.45
FABRICE SANTORO 328 11.57 31 12.2 71 27.95 1.77 14.17
GILLES SIMON 327 11.53 31 12.2 68.5 26.97 1.28 10.24
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY 320 11.29 31 12.2 68.5 26.97 1.28 10.24
RAFAEL NADAL 319 11.25 32.5 12.8 68.5 26.97 0.69 5.51
ALBERT MONTANES 316 11.15 33 12.99 70 27.56 0.79 6.3
JURGEN MELZER 314 11.08 31.2 12.28 70.5 27.76 1.59 12.76
FELICIANO LOPEZ 312 11.01 32.4 12.76 70 27.56 1.02 8.19
CARLOS MOYA 306 10.79 36.2 14.25 69 27.17 -0.67 -5.35
AVG UNSTRUNG SPECS 340.8 12.022 31.24666667 12.30133333 69.4 27.32377778 1.36 10.87822222
Strung ADJ 18 0.6 1 0.375 0 0 -0.375 -3
AVG STRUNG SPECS 358.8 12.622 32.24666667 12.67633333 69.4 27.32377778 0.985 7.878222222

[eman resu]

Originally Posted by Jmon99

I'm interested to know if any pro players (apart from Agnieszka Radwanska) use 'lite' model rackets. I play with a Yonex Vcore Lite and I find that despite it weighing only 270g, it can still pack a pretty good punch. I personally would've thought that some of the smaller female players like Kimiko Date Krumm and Sara Errani would use lighter frames but obviously most don't. Anyway, does anybody know of any players who do use them?

Can you give me more details on the Ynoex VCore Lite? In particular, what is the bare handle made of? That usual yellowish molded foam? Do you know the stiffness?

[jankustra]

You will come to a point, where you find out there is no way to use less than 330 gram racket... if someone hit 200km/h serve you have to face it with a lot of mass... swingweight is not everything... hh frames are not easy to return serve...