Curious about your handle weighting. Since the 98s is only one point HL, is the reason for you adding 9g in the upper half of the handle to make it more HL? And why not put the bulk of the weight down near the butt of the handle, or even inside the cap? Just a few years younger than you and looking to get the Blade v7 16x19 but not crazy about the balance and would probably tail weight it up a bit to make it more HL.
One handed backhand players, favorite/best rackets?
- Thread starter FuzzyYellowBalls
- Start date
Curious about your handle weighting. Since the 98s is only one point HL, is the reason for you adding 9g in the upper half of the handle to make it more HL? And why not put the bulk of the weight down near the butt of the handle, or even inside the cap? Just a few years younger than you and looking to get the Blade v7 16x19 but not crazy about the balance and would probably tail weight it up a bit to make it more HL.
First off the new V7 98s was 2.5 pts HL with "heavy string" - 15L gut/1.30 Poly so its a bit lighter and more HL than the 2015 98s Blade. I prefer adding the weight above the buttcap (3.5-4 in) to the 7 inch mark and a bit in the throat as I don't want the racket too polarized (still makes it a good bit more HL), I am finding I don't like the weight right at the buttcap - simply personal preference. My OHBH is more effective with this set up - again a personal preference. Its a very nice frame with plenty of room for customizing.
anfield
Semi-Pro
I'd say the Tour G 97 310 (orange) with a bit of lead was the best for OHBH. I could swing out with huge confidence and the ball would dip in because it was so flexible. It was just not as good as everything else as the Duel G. Since my OHBH is my best shot, I sacrificed it for the rest of my game.
1HBHfanatic
Legend
@anfield im currently trying the y.vcore.98 305g, 16/19
I just leaded it up at the corners and 2.5' of lead in the handle, 10pts HL
I just had a hit with it and it felt good!! im gonna hit with it some more soon, but so far so good
the funny vibrations where not notisable with all the lead I just added
will soon see with more hitting
I just leaded it up at the corners and 2.5' of lead in the handle, 10pts HL
I just had a hit with it and it felt good!! im gonna hit with it some more soon, but so far so good
the funny vibrations where not notisable with all the lead I just added
will soon see with more hitting
Guess that pic says it all, too bad thats not my actual collection but i can happily say i have played some of my best matches with 9 of those racquets (mix of both the RF97A and PS90 series). Started out with Wilson, had a small switch is between to Babolat PD Plus n PS Tour, even hit with Pro Kennex. With the Babolats, my SHB was absolutely awful, no depth, no pace[emoji35]was on the defensive alot n had to keep slicing, so ultimately switched back to Wilson n currently playing with the RF97 autographs, fantastic racquet for SHB, as long as u can handle the weight of the racquet[emoji16]
Sent from my INE-LX2r using Tapatalk
Sent from my INE-LX2r using Tapatalk
Thanks. Might have to try that out.
keep in mind Wilson for some reason has not made the new 2019 v7 98s available in the U.S at this time., you have to get "creative" to get one
Was actually thinking about trying it out on the v716x19.
Caol-ila
Rookie
I think the question should be split into two distinct ones. Which racquet is good for a OHBH backspin and which one for topspin. My best racquet for backspin was the Head Speed Pro first version, the 335 grams 16x19. As for topspin, even if I am not good at that, I would never use that Speed Pro. My K7 is much much better.
"for me" the new 98s is the best racket I have ever played with for a OHBH nasty slice and easy topspin and I can flatten it out no problem, just seems to fit my strokes very well
I was looking for a thread like this. I play with the Extreme tour now, which is fine of my OHBH and very good for my modern forehand. But I switched for a couple of days to my Prestige Mid (Graphene touch) and immediately my backhand was way more consistent. My forehand is my weapon, so I’m constantly looking for a racquet that works on both wings. But maybe I need to go for a racquet that helps my weaker shot. I was thinking about the new Prestige MP or the Vcore 95. Because I think my OHBH needs more static weight with low balance. But I’m not sure if that would weaken my extreme western forehand.
Boubi
Professional
VC95 is good on backhand side, the best of all in my opinion is the volkl power bridge 10 mid
The new prestige mid 360+ is all right too
BallBasher247
Semi-Pro
Try the VCore 95 (any of them between the SV, 2018 VC, and 2021 VC are great; mostly differences in stiffness and feel), or if you don't mind customizing rackets, the Ultra Pro 16x19. I use the UP and let me tell you: when you weight it to your spec, it's a joy to use from nearly all areas of the court. I really like it on my 1HBH, and I think it's better on that shot than the 98 sq in and above rackets I've used, and almost as good as the CX200 Tour 16x19 I used to use, but it's got a little extra forgiveness on returns and defense from the 97 headsize.
But from what I've been hearing, the VC95 line has an almost unparalleled combination of power, precision, whippiness, stability, and forgiveness that make the racket easier to use but more rewarding than other 95 sq in rackets. You can probably get away with using a VCore 95 5-10g lighter and with lower SW than, say, a Prestige Pro or CX200 Tour because the isometric head makes the sweetspot bigger on the VC than other 95's and probably 97's like the Ultra Pro or PS97 v13.
Chezbeeno
Professional
Potentially unpopular opinion here, but I think tweeners are a little underrated when it comes to the OHBH. I could absolutely clobber some backhands with the '21 PD. I suspect the PA might be an even better option since it has better spin potential, but I haven't had the opportunity to hit with one.
Crashbaby
Semi-Pro
Alex, that former England no.4 swings the Aero in his one hander instructional video and rips with it. Justine Henin was head heavy balance on a 95, then there is that rf97 user that has won a few matches. So any racquet can work.
But...if the serve is half of the game, and the rest is made up of forehand’s, back hands, volley’s, drop shots, half volley’s, smashes, lobs, squash shots, tweeners, and so on... Then the backhand is only used on a small proportion of shots hit. So, why would a sane person who wants to win matches pick a racquet that is particularly suited to their single hand backhand when the serve is far more critical.
I’m guilty of this too, why do we do this?? Shouldn’t a tennis racquet be optimised for the serve and be a balanced compromise for all the other strokes?
But...if the serve is half of the game, and the rest is made up of forehand’s, back hands, volley’s, drop shots, half volley’s, smashes, lobs, squash shots, tweeners, and so on... Then the backhand is only used on a small proportion of shots hit. So, why would a sane person who wants to win matches pick a racquet that is particularly suited to their single hand backhand when the serve is far more critical.
I’m guilty of this too, why do we do this?? Shouldn’t a tennis racquet be optimised for the serve and be a balanced compromise for all the other strokes?
ZanderGoga
Semi-Pro
Not for most people. The serve is really only even a weapon at all at the open level, and even then, only for a fraction of the populace, relative to the returner levels that are scaling as well. You're pretty much looking at D1/high-open level tennis before servers, in general, have a significant tactical and statistical advantage over returners.
For most people looking at this kind of thread, optimizing for their groundies (since their serves lack, their returns don't need to be particularly strong, their volleys are atrocious, and don't even get me started on their overheads) is the way to go. And since most clubbers 3.5 and up can hit at least a respectable FH (relative to their peers) no matter what they're swinging, focusing on the BH isn't all that poor a strategy.
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
Players like the racquets that are similar to what they developed their game with because their swing is based on those specs - I think this correlates more than any playing style or technique preferring particular racquet types. If you look at the pro tour or college tennis or junior tournaments, you still see a wide variety of racquet specs and brands for those with 1HBHs. I don’t believe there is a particular racquet spec or model suited to baseliners, net players, 1HBHs, big servers etc. to the extent that some people believe on this board.
Many middle-aged guys like heavy racquets around 12 ozs because that’s what they learned the game with in their youth and many have linear swings that require a stable racquet. Younger guys grew up with tweeners between 10.5-11.5 ozs and prefer them especially with a bit more stiffness as they have whippy swings that need higher racquet head speed (RHS). They think a 12 oz racquet will fatigue them as it likely reduces their RHS. Super-seniors over 60 are the ones who start gravitating to lighter, stiffer, larger frames that are different than the racquet specs that they grew up with.
Look at the racquets you developed your game with primarily and there’s probably a good correlation with what specs you like today - if you are under sixty. Whether you have a 1HBH or 2HBH, you need a racquet that you can develop good racquet head speed (RHS) with to swing freely and so you need a swingweight that is in your sweet-hitting range. It could be a heavier racquet that is more headlight or a lighter racquet that is balanced more evenly. Posters here who have a 1HBH will just list racquets that they like and that doesn’t mean that you will like it. I have a 1HBH and love the Pure Strike Tour, but it’s because it is similar to all the 12 oz, SW330-335, thin beam, mid-sixties RA stiffness racquets I have always played with for decades. It is not because it is somehow magically suitable for 1HBHs - it plays great for my FH, volleys and serves also.
Many middle-aged guys like heavy racquets around 12 ozs because that’s what they learned the game with in their youth and many have linear swings that require a stable racquet. Younger guys grew up with tweeners between 10.5-11.5 ozs and prefer them especially with a bit more stiffness as they have whippy swings that need higher racquet head speed (RHS). They think a 12 oz racquet will fatigue them as it likely reduces their RHS. Super-seniors over 60 are the ones who start gravitating to lighter, stiffer, larger frames that are different than the racquet specs that they grew up with.
Look at the racquets you developed your game with primarily and there’s probably a good correlation with what specs you like today - if you are under sixty. Whether you have a 1HBH or 2HBH, you need a racquet that you can develop good racquet head speed (RHS) with to swing freely and so you need a swingweight that is in your sweet-hitting range. It could be a heavier racquet that is more headlight or a lighter racquet that is balanced more evenly. Posters here who have a 1HBH will just list racquets that they like and that doesn’t mean that you will like it. I have a 1HBH and love the Pure Strike Tour, but it’s because it is similar to all the 12 oz, SW330-335, thin beam, mid-sixties RA stiffness racquets I have always played with for decades. It is not because it is somehow magically suitable for 1HBHs - it plays great for my FH, volleys and serves also.
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movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
Some of us older players like heavier frames because our elbows aren't as resilient as they were when we were younger.
I've seen Tsonga hit one-handed backhands with his Babolat along with two-handers and I've seen many college players and some pros hitting them with large Babolats. My personal preference, though, is a heavy mid-plus; for arm health. I used to prefer Mids but made the transition to the mid-plus some time ago. It was a difficult transition for me but I got some advice on these boards which made it easier. I suspect that I could transition to 100 without too much trouble but I'm generally too lazy to demo new frames anymore.
My two favorite racquets in general are the Pro Staff 90 (my former racquet that I still keep strung up in my bag) and the RF97 (my current racquet).
I just wrapped up a several month period of using my PS90 full time (roughly 20 to 25 hours of court time). At the expense of being mocked for sounding dramatic, it's a poetic feeling striking the ball on the backhand wing with that stick for both topspin and slice shots. The thin beam of the racquet (17.5mm) cuts through the air with an urgency I haven't felt from any other racquet. As long as I'm not getting bullied on the backhand wing, I can hit shots and spots with the PS90 that I just can't find with other racquets I've used.
Now that the gut in the mains of my PS90 snapped, I decided to restring one of my RF97s and hit with that for a while. I can't believe I forgot just how hilariously stable the racquet is, especially on the backhand wing. I can't get the RHS with it that I can on the PS90, but the more open string spacing compensates enough for me to achieve good results with slower and more deliberate stroke. The place where this racquet really shines for me is the slapshots. I have so much more margin with this racquet because of the stability. When I'm playing with the RF97, I often find myself throwing any concept of point construction out the window when I get an attackable ball and just go for the jugular with a slapshot backhand. It's just way too much fun using it like a baseball bat. I think the crosscourt slapshot backhand might be my favorite shot to hit with that racquet.
I just wrapped up a several month period of using my PS90 full time (roughly 20 to 25 hours of court time). At the expense of being mocked for sounding dramatic, it's a poetic feeling striking the ball on the backhand wing with that stick for both topspin and slice shots. The thin beam of the racquet (17.5mm) cuts through the air with an urgency I haven't felt from any other racquet. As long as I'm not getting bullied on the backhand wing, I can hit shots and spots with the PS90 that I just can't find with other racquets I've used.
Now that the gut in the mains of my PS90 snapped, I decided to restring one of my RF97s and hit with that for a while. I can't believe I forgot just how hilariously stable the racquet is, especially on the backhand wing. I can't get the RHS with it that I can on the PS90, but the more open string spacing compensates enough for me to achieve good results with slower and more deliberate stroke. The place where this racquet really shines for me is the slapshots. I have so much more margin with this racquet because of the stability. When I'm playing with the RF97, I often find myself throwing any concept of point construction out the window when I get an attackable ball and just go for the jugular with a slapshot backhand. It's just way too much fun using it like a baseball bat. I think the crosscourt slapshot backhand might be my favorite shot to hit with that racquet.
FuzzyYellowBalls
Legend
Yes, I'm a big fan of the 95, 2018 and more the 2021 because there is a 5% boost on serve or maybe a little more, I felt the 2018 was ok but for flat serves you had to smack the heck out of it to produce the same results as other rackets, but I may have strung it too tightly, probably needs around 45 pounds. Anyway, having played a singles tournament with an HD this weekend I found myself wishing I had the lighter 95. Hard to remember when demoing rackets what playing a 5th or 6th set in close to 90 degree heat can do to the effectiveness of higher swing-weights.
FuzzyYellowBalls
Legend
Every 95 works the same for my serve as other sticks, 6'4" lefty with a flat speed serve and a lefty slice, it's all the same to me except maybe the 2018 Vcore 95 with a 5-10% power deficit. I'm going to serve big with whatever I am using for sure. Backhand is my second biggest weapon, but serves and volleys probably happen the most for me. Anyway, the backhand has special needs, most sticks if they are headlight I can use effectively with all strokes, the backhand is the finicky one.
pico
Hall of Fame
You ever play the Aeropro Drive? I am curious to know how the VS compares to that.
FuzzyYellowBalls
Legend
I keep flopping between the HD and Vcore 95. The Vcore is almost as stable, the HD is amazing, better on serves, everything else is pretty close really, but wow I got really tired this weekend playing singles with the HD. But, probably wasn't the sticks fault, just out of match shape.
BallBasher247
Semi-Pro
Yeah, the '21 has a little more power from what I hear. The '18 probably needs weight more than the SV and '21 which are both a little stiffer and more powerful. I've always wanted to try a VC95; the UP 16x19s have been stopping me from demoing anything atm but I'm kinda curious to see if everything I've heard about em is true. Also wanna retry the HD, I demoed one but it felt like a board cuz it was strung with a 16 gauge @ 56lbs.
Dakota60
Rookie
For me, it's all about the way the throat feels in your non-dominant hand when preparing for the ohbh. A narrower, boxed-beam throat gives me the best handling and control before executing the shot. I love this characteristic in my Prestige Classic 600 and Dunlop Hotmelt 100G. The MIDs tend to be more satisfying to hit a ohbh but the 95's surely comes very close behind. PT630, Radical Tour 630, MW200G and the Hotmelt 200G all have very similar boxed-beam frames that feel great on the non-dominant hand. These are my favourites and literally all that I own anyway.
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movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
I found that I won more with the MP over the Mid despite the Mid feeling better just hitting and it was easier on the backhand. The advantage of the MP on the forehand outweighed the deficit on the backhand - but I eventually fixed the backhand.
FuzzyYellowBalls
Legend
Wow, yeah, that's bad for the HD, I have mine strung at 48 pounds for both the full poly and full gut setup.
Lavs
Hall of Fame
I have been playing APD for around good 7 years before switching finally to PAVS (2016 version).
Most of the time I used APD Original and then APD GT a little bit.
In comparison:
- PAVS is much more comfortable and have no harsh feeling or vibrations, whatsoever
- PAVS has much more directional control and easily can finish the point by flatting the shot out
- APD Original (or GT) have more stability comparing to not customized PAVS (but I have 6g @ 12 and leather grip, so in this setup PAVS is very stable and have rock solid feel)
- APD Original has most raw feel, which I like. It also vibrates at highest level (perhaps the main reason I eventually switched from it)
- Both APDs have more spin potential than PAVS, but PAVS has enough spin in right hands (look at Jack Sock)
- All three rackets have more or less the same sweetspot, which is quite big.
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anarosevoli
Semi-Pro
Pure Strike 18/20 3rd gen, only testing others for fun, this will stay.
Lavs
Hall of Fame
Thiem plays with this for a good reason
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
The Ezone DR98 worked very well for me too... as do many of the Yonex racquets.
I’m a Wilson user, so I haven’t really tried other brands, but to me, the best two rackets I have tried are the RF97 and the blade 98 18x20. I think my 1hbh benefits from a high SW. I play also with a PS97 which has a low SW and I don’t really like it on the backhand side. I’m pretty sure the pure strike 18x20 must be good as well, since it’s very close in specs to the blade.
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pico
Hall of Fame
Thanks for that info. How abt the PAVS 2016 version compared to the latest? Have you had a chance to try the latest PAVS?
joah310
Professional
The vcore duel g 310 overall works a low better for me compared to the ezone Dr 98.
Crashbaby
Semi-Pro
So apart from being a holic, I may be sane after all. I’ll continue with the BH focus
FIRETennis
Professional
RF97A
pico
Hall of Fame
Any lead tape?
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
So apart from being a holic, I may be sane after all. I’ll continue with the BH focus
You're definitely sane... Now, if you happen to find a racquet that is a monster to serve with... and it is also great on your BH side... that would cover the all-important serve portion of the game (since we can all agree a monster serve is very useful), and allow you to develop a strong BH side.
Win/ Win.
AceyMan
Professional
Test drive a Gravity — the grip/throat junction is like a fidget toy.
=>1HBH since Borg was ATP#1
/Acey
411: I've tested the MP, I own a Tour, and have fondled the Pro.
