this is probably for very general audience who has no idea where to start. He did mention player strength/build at some point.His guidelines do not make sense to me because he does not take the height, physical size and strength of the player into account.
Reality is if most of us here focused more on just our playing and technique rather than micro adjustments in grip feel/sizes, string hybrids, adding lead, etc. we'd be better players for it. Most of what people focus on here only serves to achieve some temporary placebo effect in their game until it goes off the rails and then the quest renews for some perfect adjustment or even a new racquet because it couldn't possibly be a human related element to blame
This seems to be in opposition to most commonly given advice which says heavier racquets absorb shock better, lowering the risk of tennis elbow.
A bit of a catch-22 I think because it's impossible to get these broad recommendations either entirely right or entirely wrong. Different players have their own individual natural swings. Certain racquets fit those individual swings better than others.
Recommendations for racquet weights:
Beginner 250-270g
Intermediate 270-300g
High level 300-320g
This seems to be in opposition to most commonly given advice which says heavier racquets absorb shock better, lowering the risk of tennis elbow.
I agree - if a racquet is the wrong weight for your natural swing tempo, that's trouble whether it's too heavy or too light. If a heavy racquet forces swings to be late, that's going to bring about more arm tension at contact and that can be much more irritating even if that player is mostly catching the ball in their sweet spot.You can arm swing with a heavy racquet and have very bad technique. Sure it’s easier with a lighter racquet but a heavy one doesn’t fix anything, it can help sometimes but there are definitely limits. Good technique is your best chance to avoid TE followed by softer equipment but there are no guarantees.
My TE actually gets worse if I use something too heavy. Getting older sucks and trying to swing with the same rhs as my younger self means I’ve had to go down in weight. Too heavy and TE flairs because it’s too much stress (stretch).
There is a lot of merit in his recommendations. You should use a racquet weight that you can comfortably handle, but heavy isn’t always better and can cause issues just as easily as too light.
My TE actually gets worse if I use something too heavy. Getting older sucks and trying to swing with the same rhs as my younger self means I’ve had to go down in weight. Too heavy and TE flairs because it’s too much stress (stretch).
at 19 minutes....no one should use the RF. This us the foremost racket expert in the world.
Well, he specifically addressed rec players at the 19 mark, not professionals, mentioning even the 5.0 players he knows shouldn't be using it. As he says, sure, you can play 20 minutes of great tennis, but after that are you sure you can be in the perfect position every time to benefit from 330 grams or more? Maybe you are. I can't, and since I often play 6 hours of singles on a tournament Saturday in very hot temps, no way I can be in the perfect position. In general though, like he said, even the best rec players he knows who used to be division 1 players, shouldn't be using anything near the heft of 330 grams.To be fair his POV is from the professional level. He mentioned inability to get the racquet up to speed. RF is a what 360 grams strung. It is a beast for a modern swing. Still lighter than my first racquet I used as a child. Game was flatter back then and swings were totally different. Gravity Pro ,which I play with now, is 335 grams strung. so nearly 30 grams different He does walk the statement back a bit at 20:45 minutes. If you read the ball well and are in the right placed etc...Having said that I don't enjoy playing with the RF97. Just too much work.
In the Inuries happen from bad techinque and playing with the wrong racquet/strings for you. Not always heavy or light(for you) equals injury. Heavy racquets lead to tension because the player tries to force it. Lgith racquets can also lead to tension because players often try to muscle it to make up for the weight.
Oh God, here we go again!at 19 minutes....no one should use the RF. This us the foremost racket expert in the world.
Yassssssss! Let the games begin, now we have 2 videos saying no no no RF! The videos saying get the RF and use it....are mostly produced by Wilson.Oh God, here we go again!
Well, he specifically addressed rec players at the 19 mark, not professionals, mentioning even the 5.0 players he knows shouldn't be using it. As he says, sure, you can play 20 minutes of great tennis, but after that are you sure you can be in the perfect position every time to benefit from 330 grams or more? Maybe you are. I can't, and since I often play 6 hours of singles on a tournament Saturday in very hot temps, no way I can be in the perfect position. In general though, like he said, even the best rec players he knows who used to be division 1 players, shouldn't be using anything near the heft of 330 grams.
The video is focused on retail rackets for recreational players, the man owns a tennis shop that strings rackets for rec players. I think the most interesting part is the change in tennis balls he mentions, that's why despite people playing with heavy sticks long ago, it's not favorable for rec players now, even the best, strongest, most athletic ones he services (ex college). It's pretty simply put, adult rec players should stay below 330 at least and most would play best with the regular Pro Staff or something similar in weight, 310, regular Vcore Pro 310 that he mentions and the Ezone 98.His POV is still from the professional POV. That only high racquet head speed and crushing the cover off balls with insane topspin matters. Only competition matters. Rec players play for fun. Depends on how you swing and who you are playing. You don't have to chase every ball. You can learn to read when to let it go. Children played with heavier racquets for over six hours non stop, in Florida summer sun. Play-style might have to changed and they might not be able to compete with it, but who am I to tell anyone not to play however they like. I agree with some of the concepts. Older players hang on to their childhood for too long and don't adapt to a reasonable type of play. His POV is totally from the comp POV.
Women tennis pros played with heavier racquets.
Less than 330 grams will work better for everyone against every opponent, that's basically what he is saying.
True, and like he said, all the 5.0 and higher level players, ex college and such should benefit from lighter sticks. The more advanced you are, the more you should shy away from the 330 gram, like he mentioned.Bell curve. Some people know exactly what works for them and, obviously, they're not the target audience for this video at all. I play 330 unstrung frames but/and prefer slightly below 320 or very low 320's SW at the same time, not many racquets like this out there stock TBH. Anyway, that's my niche discovered after 10 years of trial'n'error and literally coming full circle with some legendary detours. So I do believe someone who's just getting serious with the game is actually quite well off with this sort of general advice.
I think the pro-standard specs is going to become what Tiafoe/Tsitsipas/Karatsev are using, roughly 335g strung, 32-32.5 balance, 330-340 swing-weight strung.True, and like he said, all the 5.0 and higher level players, ex college and such should benefit from lighter sticks. The more advanced you are, the more you should shy away from the 330 gram, like he mentioned.
This has to be a parody of TT-posters no? Kev and 4G at 86, static weight 422g?I am a posterboy for heavy racquets protecting you from arm trouble. I never get wrist issues but with a stock bab I was getting wrist issues. I added weight and problem solved.
On my blade 98 I went to kev/4g at 86/86. That was starting to get to the elbow. I added weight to bring the static weight to 422g. No elbow issues ever again.
Plenty of anecdotal feedback to support this.Strange. I have heard that a head-heavy racquet can give you a TE, and too heavy racquets in general can be bad for your shoulder, not elbow.
As I have gotten older, I have gravitated towards lighter frames because my shoulder is unable to handle a 12 ounce frame or anything in excess of a 330 SW. My sweet spot is in the 330 gram area strung with a SW in the low to high 320's without risk of any injuries at 54. I have also always leaned towards frames with a RA of 63 or below strung. The Prince Phantom 100P and the Dunlop CX 200 OS with some customization are my frames of choice.The video is focused on retail rackets for recreational players, the man owns a tennis shop that strings rackets for rec players. I think the most interesting part is the change in tennis balls he mentions, that's why despite people playing with heavy sticks long ago, it's not favorable for rec players now, even the best, strongest, most athletic ones he services (ex college). It's pretty simply put, adult rec players should stay below 330 at least and most would play best with the regular Pro Staff or something similar in weight, 310, regular Vcore Pro 310 that he mentions and the Ezone 98.
Don't rec players who play for fun still like to win or play their best? Less than 330 grams will work better for everyone against every opponent, that's basically what he is saying.
If anything its a self parody. But its entirely true.This has to be a parody of TT-posters no? Kev and 4G at 86, static weight 422g?
Based on the racket he referenced it's unstrung weight. Seems very reasonable....
Play a full match against a counter puncher above your level on clay if you need a racket weight reality check lol. Happened to me a few weeks ago.
But I would never do that so why play with a lighter racket for the rare time you end up in a 3 hour pushing match when 99% of your play would benefit from a bit more weight.
I mostly play doubles and a 12 oz frame with HL balance suits me very well as it's heavy enough to block back ripping FH's but maneuverable enough to reflex back overheads. Would I find the weight a bit cumbersome in a long single match? Maybe, but that's just not going to happen often enough to worry me.
The only thing that matters is that you can swing it fast. Get the heaviest frame you can swing fast is my mantra. If it's too sluggish, then it's too heavy and you are going to be late and that's going to hurt your arm.
I respect that you know your game and post often, but I used to think that as well, however the Vcore HD at only 320 and the Vcore 95 with super stability are equal to the task of a 12 oz stick, easily, if you have good technique, and they are headlight and super maneuverable. I promise anyone's net game would improve with lighter sticks, especially against good 4 5 players who can dip and crowd net players. You can also increase serve placement accuracy, good stuff for doubles.But I would never do that so why play with a lighter racket for the rare time you end up in a 3 hour pushing match when 99% of your play would benefit from a bit more weight.
I mostly play doubles and a 12 oz frame with HL balance suits me very well as it's heavy enough to block back ripping FH's but maneuverable enough to reflex back overheads. Would I find the weight a bit cumbersome in a long single match? Maybe, but that's just not going to happen often enough to worry me.
The only thing that matters is that you can swing it fast. Get the heaviest frame you can swing fast is my mantra. If it's too sluggish, then it's too heavy and you are going to be late and that's going to hurt your arm.
There is some truth to that...though I find a high swingweight to really help on the volley. The trick is to get a high swingweight with a lower static weight. I think these days I have a good compromise where i can still string tight and keep the arm safe with keeping things maneuverable.I respect that you know your game and post often, but I used to think that as well, however the Vcore HD at only 320 and the Vcore 95 with super stability are equal to the task of a 12 oz stick, easily, if you have good technique, and they are headlight and super maneuverable. I promise anyone's net game would improve with lighter sticks, especially against good 4 5 players who can dip and crowd net players. You can also increase serve placement accuracy, good stuff for doubles.
That’s my experience.Strange. I have heard that a head-heavy racquet can give you a TE, and too heavy racquets in general can be bad for your shoulder, not elbow.
True, and like he said, all the 5.0 and higher level players, ex college and such should benefit from lighter sticks. The more advanced you are, the more you should shy away from the 330 gram, like he mentioned.