Rackets of pros palying one-handed backhand

[Anferny]

Hello everyone !

I am searching for a raquet actually used by a pro who is playing a one-handed backhand..

i have troubles with most of the new raquets, because of the light weight and adding lead-tape changes too much of the raquet's feel in my mind..

so i figured i'd go for a raquet actually used by a pro playing a one-handed backhand (not only paint-jobs ) -this way i know it's possible to play well with it and i can't blame my raquet anymore..

do you know are eg. Gonzales and Tommy Haas really using the raquets they display in games ?

Gonzales - Babolat Pure Storm Team Racquets
Tommy Haas - Dunlop M-Fil 300 Racquets

I have read that there is lot of uncertainty considering Blake's raquet and so i don't think there is a chance to buy that one..

or do you have any other suggestin of good raquets for an advanced playing style !?

greetins,

Anthony

[Duzza]

well most pro's racquets are customized anyways so theres no point just buying a pro's racquet because you like their style. Just demo some and see what one you like best

[Anferny]

the problem is..it's hard or very expensive to get raquets to demo here.. in most cases you have to pay a daily fee and the stringing is crap - so that needs to be done aswell..

demoing one raquet for 2days comes to sth. like 25 euros ~ 30 USD

quite a lot for a student..

[ShcMad]

Originally Posted by Anferny

Hello everyone !

I am searching for a raquet actually used by a pro who is playing a one-handed backhand..

i have troubles with most of the new raquets, because of the light weight and adding lead-tape changes too much of the raquet's feel in my mind..

so i figured i'd go for a raquet actually used by a pro playing a one-handed backhand (not only paint-jobs ) -this way i know it's possible to play well with it and i can't blame my raquet anymore..

do you know are eg. Gonzales and Tommy Haas really using the raquets they display in games ?

Gonzales - Babolat Pure Storm Team Racquets
Tommy Haas - Dunlop M-Fil 300 Racquets

I have read that there is lot of uncertainty considering Blake's raquet and so i don't think there is a chance to buy that one..

or do you have any other suggestin of good raquets for an advanced playing style !?

greetins,

Anthony

Fernando Gonzalez is most probably using the Babolat Pure Storm, but Tommy Haas is certainly not using the M-Fil 300 ( see this thread: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=94708 ).

Have in mind that even though Gonzalez uses the Pure Storm, it must be somewhat customized to his liking, as with 99% of pros' racquets.

Richard Gasquet (who has arguably the best-looking backhand) is rumored to be using a stock Head LM Instinct XL, but I still think it's slightly modified. I myself use this racquet, and it can hit very nice backhands due to the nice combination of swingweight and headlightedness, but I don't like how I hit forehands with it.

[Puffdaddy]

Honestly, I wouldn't be concerned about the one- vs. two-handed nature of a particular pro's backhand when it comes to finding a new racquet.

There are other important variables involved - weight and balance being far more important.

It comes down to what YOU are most comfortable with. What kind of game do you have?

[LowProfile]

Perhaps a shorter handle would help. Federer's nSix-One Tour has a customized shorter handle because he doesn't need much more than one hand's length.

[Anferny]

thank you for the numerous replies !

others have suggested Gasquet's raquet.. sounds promising.. even though i doubt that its availible in sport stores here.. i am afraid they only seel the basis lm instinct..not the tour version..

what's wrong with the forehands ?
i am a bit concerned bout the string pattern.. i am used to dense patterns (mostly played ti.radical and lm radival - then back to ti.radical again )

my style is very (in most cases too) aggressive, big hitting from the baseline in most cases.. i dont come to the net if i have a choice and try to overpower my opponent from the baseline..
works ok with the forehand.. but the backhand is too unstable, the ball sometimes just dies on the raquet because i feel its too light (especially when i have little time to execute the full swing) with the ti.radical - it was even worse with the lm.radical..

i am not sure if i manage to shorten the handle.. sounds a little "risky" to me

if i can get a hold of the lm instinct tour XL i will defintely try and demo it..

do you think is there a big difference to the ti./lm.radical ?

greetings

[ShcMad]

Originally Posted by Anferny

thank you for the numerous replies !

others have suggested Gasquet's raquet.. sounds promising.. even though i doubt that its availible in sport stores here.. i am afraid they only seel the basis lm instinct..not the tour version..

what's wrong with the forehands ?
i am a bit concerned bout the string pattern.. i am used to dense patterns (mostly played ti.radical and lm radival - then back to ti.radical again )

my style is very (in most cases too) aggressive, big hitting from the baseline in most cases.. i dont come to the net if i have a choice and try to overpower my opponent from the baseline..
works ok with the forehand.. but the backhand is too unstable, the ball sometimes just dies on the raquet because i feel its too light (especially when i have little time to execute the full swing) with the ti.radical - it was even worse with the lm.radical..

i am not sure if i manage to shorten the handle.. sounds a little "risky" to me

if i can get a hold of the lm instinct tour XL i will defintely try and demo it..

do you think is there a big difference to the ti./lm.radical ?

greetings

The only problem with me and my Instinct XL is that I used to play with a modified LM Prestige before switching to the Instinct. The Prestige gave me a nice "plow through" heaviness effect which I loved on my forehands. However, the Instinct has a lower swingweight, static weight, and it's more headlight, a combination that doesn't let me do that with my forehands. It feels too "whippy" and it seems like I don't go THROUGH the ball, but roll OVER the ball.

A comparison would be Safin and Roddick. Their forehands are quite different. Safin goes through the ball more whileas Roddick goes over the ball more. Safin's motion is smoother yet he's able to produce a heavy ball with good pace and just the necessary amount of topspin. Roddick's forehand is very abrupt and violent, so the ball has heavy topspin but no penetration or heaviness. Unfortunately, the Instinct XL lets me hit like Roddick but not like Safin.

Don't worry about the 16x19 string pattern because it is very dense in the middle and very open toward the sides only, so if you hit the sweetspot, you should be fine.

The Instinct XL is sort of an all-court racquet, but it should be OK for baseliners. The swingweight and static weight make this frame quite solid. But, you may find it a little too headlight since baseliners tend to prefer more head heavy racquets.

I have not tried the ti. and LM Radicals, so I wouldn't be able to compare, however, I hear they're both solid racquets. Especially, looking at their specs, it seems like they're better baseliner racquets than the Instinct.

I'm not sure how much the Instinct XL will help you with the backhand. Also, if you switch racquets, it may very well affect your whole game, including your big forehand. Your forehand might lose some power while giving your backhand some stability. Who knows? It's all a compromise in tennis, so good luck.