27 inch vs. 27.5 inches

Maestro Nalbandian

Professional
A longer racquet provides more reach on groundstrokes, added leverage on serves and slightly more power overall than standard length racquets, all other things being equal. Standard length (27 inch) racquets are considered more control oriented.
 

J-lob

Rookie
A longer racquet provides more reach on groundstrokes, added leverage on serves and slightly more power overall than standard length racquets, all other things being equal. Standard length (27 inch) racquets are considered more control oriented.

so people pass the 6 feet mark should be using 27 inches???instead of a 27.5 inches
 

PROTENNIS63

Hall of Fame
A longer racquet will give more reach and more pop. This is because a longer racquet generaly weighs a little more so the acceleration is greater. However, there is not much control at the net. Spin is the same. Longer racquets are well suited for two hander. I have a one hander so it is not good for me.
 

YULitle

Hall of Fame
All things being equal. Longer racket equals more power and spin, both due to increased racket head speed.
 

Maestro Nalbandian

Professional
so people pass the 6 feet mark should be using 27 inches???instead of a 27.5 inches

Well people over 6 feet generally don't need the extra reach on serves and groundstrokes since they should also have longer arms than people of lesser height. I remember reading an article about the optimal height of a tennis player (for serving) which was something like over 6 foot 1 (or 185cm). I couldn't recall the details but it was determined in relation to the net height and distance to the service line. In other words if you are over 6 feet (6"1 to be exact) then scientifically speaking you don't need the extra reach from a longer racquet.

The best way to look at it, is if you can play good tennis with an 27inch racquet then stick to it. It will give you the best control and maneuverability. Lleyton Hewitt being 5 foot 11 (could be less) uses an 27inch Yonex. However there are also a handfull of players- Ferrero, Nalbandian, Coria and Ferrer all using extended length racquets, and they all happen to be under 6 feet tall.
 
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origmarm

Hall of Fame
I play with a 27.25 and to be honest I don't notice a huge difference, perhaps a slight one on the serves. I have played with 27.5 before and there I did notice a difference but I'm not sure if it was the racquet or the length.

In theory as Yulitle says its greater head speed and there are some (minimal) reach advantages
 

Alafter

Hall of Fame
Not much for the average person.

The mental stigma could be hell tho. It can drive you insecure crazy about your gear.
 

J-lob

Rookie
i'm just thinking of getting an aeropro drive with cortex plus because its cheap at my tennis store..thats all i normally play with a 27inch(Prince O3 white Mp) plus i use two hand on my bakhand i always try to reack for the ball
 

Nellie

Hall of Fame
i'm just thinking of getting an aeropro drive with cortex plus because its cheap at my tennis store..thats all i normally play with a 27inch(Prince O3 white Mp) plus i use two hand on my bakhand i always try to reack for the ball

Where's that racquet cheap?

Anyhow, I find the length to be a mixed bag:

good for serves (especially the kick on second serves) and overheads

very good for two handed backhands

bad for spraying forehands

very bad for my volleys - lots of loss of touch.
 

YULitle

Hall of Fame
i'm just thinking of getting an aeropro drive with cortex plus because its cheap at my tennis store..thats all i normally play with a 27inch(Prince O3 white Mp) plus i use two hand on my bakhand i always try to reack for the ball

It won't be cheap at your tennis store much longer. And, if your shop isn't careful they could lose their right to carry Babolat for carrying it at a discounted price. They are very stingy about their prices.
 

J-lob

Rookie
Where's that racquet cheap?

Anyhow, I find the length to be a mixed bag:

good for serves (especially the kick on second serves) and overheads

very good for two handed backhands

bad for spraying forehands

very bad for my volleys - lots of loss of touch.

what do you mean by spraying forehands????? is it good for flat forehands???
 
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