Worthy update from a Hybrid Hornet Oversize?

I am considering a new racquet to replace the Prince Hybrid Hornet Oversize. The Hornet has been a fantastic racquet and it has dramatically improved my enjoyment of the game, but I really feel like I could benefit from a racquet with more weight. I would love some suggestions.

I am 41 years old and have long, fast swings and I hit with a lot of topspin (semi-western forehand and single handed backhand with an eastern grip). I play mainly from the baseline.

For most of my years of playing I have used cheap racquets with no particular thought to strings and tension, but since I've used the Hybrid Hornet I have taken a real interest in the technology and also the playing characteristics of the various stings. The big thing for me is control. I like to be able to really go for the ball with a full swing and still have the confidence that it will go in.

I was thinking about trying the Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine Midplus or the Fischer MSpeed Pro1 Lt.MP. They are both reasonably priced ($99 for the Volkl and $65 for the Fischer as a liquidation demo). They both seem to get good reviews and would both be a heavier racquet than the Hybrid Hornet. The other I was considering was the Prince Diablo. I would really appreciate some advice (demoing is not practical for me - I live in regional Queensland in Australia)

thanks

Damo

Not sure what you would like. I too have played with the Hybrid Hornet OS for the past two years and like it quite a bit. I string mine very tight at 72 lbs.- I found that at lower tensions the racquet felt "mushy". We also seem to play similar games. I'd stick with what's working if it were me.

Racquets you mention would be an almost two ounce increase from Hornet Oversize. Quite a leap, mate.

ollinger said:

Racquets you mention would be an almost two ounce increase from Hornet Oversize. Quite a leap, mate.

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Exactly I didnt think that an ounce or two made that big of a difference until I made the mistak of buying a heavy frame. I played witha O3 white 11.3oz and moved to a Kfactor 95 12.4 oz. I felt it all over my body - arm, back, shoulder, elbow. I played witht the kfactor for about 3 months before I had to get rid of it because of sore muscles and a growing tennis elbow problem. Moved back down to a Prince Speedport Black 11.4oz and all is fine now - no more tennis elbow or sore muscles. If you do move up in weight I would not go more than 1 oz at a time because it makes a much larger difference than you would expect.