NOT using a racquet because everyone else is...

Lilguy1456

Lilguy1456

Semi-Pro
Am I the only one who doesn't want to use a racquet that everyone else is using? When I go to the pub courts, I see the black and yellow of about 50 APDs, and I think to myslef, "There's no way I'm going to use what all these clowns are using." I desperately don't want to be lumped in with the masses! Am I the only one this crazy? Lol

-Chris
 
R

Ross K

Legend
Lilguy1456 said:
Am I the only one who doesn't want to use a racquet that everyone else is using? When I go to the pub courts, I see the black and yellow of about 50 APDs, and I think to myslef, "There's no way I'm going to use what all these clowns are using." I desperately don't want to be lumped in with the masses! Am I the only one this crazy? Lol

-Chris
Click to expand...

X 2 on that - kind of...

You see, I do actually use an APD. Mind you, it's the first APD - the black 'original' which is a much rarer sight where I live compared to the later version APDs and all the PDs.

Got to be honest though, these days I do shake my head a bit at the sight of a sea of Babs every time I go and play.:)
 
H

Hi I'm Ray

Professional
Lilguy1456 said:
Am I the only one who doesn't want to use a racquet that everyone else is using? When I go to the pub courts, I see the black and yellow of about 50 APDs, and I think to myslef, "There's no way I'm going to use what all these clowns are using." I desperately don't want to be lumped in with the masses! Am I the only one this crazy? Lol

-Chris
Click to expand...

Can you explain why ppl using the most popular rackets like Babs, Wilson, and Head are "clowns?"

I don't want to fall into any stereotypes, and I don't get why ppl fall into patterns like almost everyone who skates has to dress in similar ways and listen to similar music. I like what I like regardless of what other ppl think or do. There are many ways to express one's individuality but tennis rackets is one area I really don't care about in that regard. With rackets I only care about playing well with it and winning. Its hard enough to find one that really fits.

When the game starts I'm sure the only thing they'll be looking at is your game (and maybe a bit at your clothes) but the racket won't matter.
 
Last edited:
H

Hi I'm Ray

Professional
Ross K said:
X 2 on that - kind of...

You see, I do actually use an APD. Mind you, it's the first APD - the black 'original' which is a much rarer sight where I live compared to the later version APDs and all the PDs.

Got to be honest though, these days I do shake my head a bit at the sight of a sea of Babs every time I go and play.:)
Click to expand...

I'm surprised their market share is only 34% or so. On the courts it seems 50% are PD's, APD's and some knock offs :). lol.

The thing I shake my head at is all the ppl using long dead Lux and they don't even know why they've paid so much to use it over other strings.
 
Karstic

Karstic

Rookie
In a similar manner, I’ve resisted giving the Federer rackets a try over the years. It’s not that I’m not a fan, I am, but I don’t want to be seen as a “Fanboy.” I didn’t want people to look at me on court and think I was fantasizing about being someone else. I should have bought a couple of the K90s a few years ago and stuck them in the closet until they were no longer recognizable. You’d think I’d have outgrown this feeling long ago at my age.

There is no rationality to the way you or I feel, Ray, above, is right. We should play with what we play best with, or at least with what we enjoy most. As for me, I recently switched to the PS90. Maybe I’ll grow up someday.
 
Fuji

Fuji

Legend
Babs aren't such a big deal here as they are pretty expensive in shops, most people don't give two thoughts to using one, the big thing here is the Fed 90, I swear everyone and their cat uses one! (up to 4.5, at 5.0+ I've seen two people...)

Just some food for thought! :razz:

-Fuji
 
imonfire

imonfire

Rookie
I recently bought a PDGT, but mostly because it was much cheaper than some others like Head IG Instinct, Prince EXO3 White, Tecnifibre TFlash 300, Volkl Organix 8, Wilson BLX Pro Open,
Yonex V-Core 100s, etc. I'll definitely try the others when possible and get them if I find a good deal, though.
 
MAXXply

MAXXply

Hall of Fame
Players sometimes do a double-take when I pull out my red 135th Anniversary PD or black/red APD RG 2012. IMO, the black/red APD RG is a safe, cosmetically sedate alternative for mature players, especially when teamed with a no-nonsense black overgrip.
 
HEADfamilydynasty

HEADfamilydynasty

Rookie
Karstic said:
In a similar manner, I’ve resisted giving the Federer rackets a try over the years. It’s not that I’m not a fan, I am, but I don’t want to be seen as a “Fanboy.” I didn’t want people to look at me on court and think I was fantasizing about being someone else. I should have bought a couple of the K90s a few years ago and stuck them in the closet until they were no longer recognizable. You’d think I’d have outgrown this feeling long ago at my age.

There is no rationality to the way you or I feel, Ray, above, is right. We should play with what we play best with, or at least with what we enjoy most. As for me, I recently switched to the PS90. Maybe I’ll grow up someday.
Click to expand...

+1 to this.
But i actually benefit from this kind of racket so i get around it by getting rackets similar it. :lol: Difference is for me where i live you see a diverse amount of rackets. Since i'm in college now there is less "pressure" :roll:
on what to use.
 
namja

namja

New User
I go to two tennis clinics a week (3.5+ and 4.0+). I see about 80-90 different tennis players a week. I see a whole gamut of tennis racquets. Never noticed that many Babolats or any other brand.

I use the Federer racquet, but only because I'm old school. I only saw 2 other people using the same racquet so far, and 1 of them is a friend of mine ... and he only bought the racquets after trying mine and loving them. And I became a fan of Federer AFTER using the racquets, because I love my racquets so much.
 
PimpMyGame

PimpMyGame

Hall of Fame
I have to say I don't generally notice the more popular rackets. What impresses me is a new member at the club who turns up with is old PSC95s after a 10-year hiatus. I'll have a chat with him.
 
cluckcluck

cluckcluck

Hall of Fame
I'm not one to buy what the top players play with, most of know that they're not even using those sticks, just the paint.

I have a friend who, instead of calling the racquets by their names, he names the off like, "Rogers racquet," "rafa's racquet," "murray's stick," or my favorite "the roddick". He purely buys racquets based on who's playing with them. It's a shame he's throwing away money.
 
Lilguy1456

Lilguy1456

Semi-Pro
Deep down, you figure people know that they won't BECOME the player whose stick they're hitting with...BUT, I suppose I do see the intrigue with playing with a stick a pro does...

It would be more interesting to me to play with an EXACT stick Roger/Rafa hit with...like one from their match bag...i'd pay big money just to try one...
 
Fuji

Fuji

Legend
cluckcluck said:
I'm not one to buy what the top players play with, most of know that they're not even using those sticks, just the paint.

I have a friend who, instead of calling the racquets by their names, he names the off like, "Rogers racquet," "rafa's racquet," "murray's stick," or my favorite "the roddick". He purely buys racquets based on who's playing with them. It's a shame he's throwing away money.
Click to expand...

It's actually amazing, I spend a lot of time in my pro shop and most customers that come in either want the Fed stick or the Djokovic stick. It's amazing that people refer to the entire PS series as "The Fed Stick xx"

Ex: I like the Fed90, but the Fed95 fits my game a bit better. My son is using the Fed100 pretty well right now.

-Fuji
 
S

slowfox

Professional
Playing amateur psychologist, I'd say that most people still have some of that high school mentality of wanting to fit in and be like everyone else. And if everyone else is using a Babolat, they want to also.

I recall a few guys at my local courts who used to play with Yonex, Volkl, Dunlop last year (and good models, player sticks). They have all now switched to Babolats and are "loving it".
 
H

hitthefence38

New User
One of the guys I played with used to play with a wilson racketball racket. He is now part of the APD group. People gave him crap for kicking butt with a racketball racket, so now he deals with arm/shoulder pain of the APD.

slowfox said:
Playing amateur psychologist, I'd say that most people still have some of that high school mentality of wanting to fit in and be like everyone else. And if everyone else is using a Babolat, they want to also.

I recall a few guys at my local courts who used to play with Yonex, Volkl, Dunlop last year (and good models, player sticks). They have all now switched to Babolats and are "loving it".
Click to expand...
 
KenC

KenC

Hall of Fame
slowfox said:
Playing amateur psychologist, I'd say that most people still have some of that high school mentality of wanting to fit in and be like everyone else. And if everyone else is using a Babolat, they want to also.
Click to expand...

This is probably a large part of the decision.

I think people also see that a great number of people are using that racquet and think that it is a "safe" choice without having to go through the demo process.
 
SystemicAnomaly

SystemicAnomaly

Bionic Poster
Some clowns use Dunlop racquets:

stock-photo-16312936-happy-clown-playing-tennis.jpg

Any guesses on this clown's racquet of choice? Davis?

227476863_ad53806199.jpg

BONUS question -- Can you identify the racket wielded by this clown?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP-NR6yUBT0
 
Lilguy1456

Lilguy1456

Semi-Pro
rdis10093 said:
use what ever you play best with, don't worry about looks.
Click to expand...

I think people often insist that they play best with the same racquet as their favorite player...and since so many love rafa, they all have his stick.

The only reason everyone isn't out there with a PS90 as well is because most of the 3.0 hackers would be shanking balls over the back fence all day...
 
T

Top Jimmy

Semi-Pro
My buddy always comments, "why can't you use a normal racket like everyone else...dunlops, donnays, volkls, wtf is wrong with you?"
 
Rulo

Rulo

Rookie
Lilguy1456 said:
Am I the only one who doesn't want to use a racquet that everyone else is using? When I go to the pub courts, I see the black and yellow of about 50 APDs, and I think to myslef, "There's no way I'm going to use what all these clowns are using." I desperately don't want to be lumped in with the masses! Am I the only one this crazy? Lol

-Chris
Click to expand...

I think you actually use a racquet because it fits with your playing style, not because it combines with your outfit or no one else is using it :-?
 
OHBH

OHBH

Semi-Pro
There are plenty of great rackets out there that aren't even on the radar of the masses. I have no desire to go out there and look like another hacker with a new APD. Besides, most of the options are both cheaper and safer for the arm.
 
Sreeram

Sreeram

Professional
After Andy won the US open this year I went purchased an IG rad pro, I was so happy for my favourite player that I bought a racquet that will remind me of this achievement of his. Also I wanted everyone to realize that being an Andy supporter all these years and backing him up paid off.

Also I see this racquet as a fun stick due to its flex and balance. I might soon go back to my trusted Gold99, I miss her so much, especially the FH Swing speed that I can generate with her to punish 2nd serve from my opponent.
 
GarryClarke

GarryClarke

Semi-Pro
well it sounds like im the lucky one as im the only guy playing the 2012 PD on our public courts and i do go there alot,ive seen 1 APD and the rest are wilson/head/prince and the odd dunlop so i swing my pd,s with joy and i get alot of people asking what it is and how it plays but i tell them its crap and dont bother lol,l want the 2012 PD all to myself:)

cheers garry
 
ace0001a

ace0001a

Semi-Pro
I feel the same way when I see all the "clowns" around using Iphones, lol. That said, I don't think there's anything wrong with liking a product that the masses do. If you want to stand out, you could always find some way to customize whatever product you use. Cell phones have a variety of cases with different colors you can put on them...I suppose you could use a different color string or grip compared to what everybody else is using to make your Babolat racquet be "different" from everyone else. It's too bad you can't pimp a racquet out like you can your car. No offense, but I think it's just silly to not want to have/use a good product just because the masses do, but to each their own I guess...
 
hoodjem

hoodjem

G.O.A.T.
I'm old school: the feel of the racquet is EXTREMELY important to me.

If no one is using it--no problem.
If everyone is using it--no problem.

It's about my mind, my arm, and that racquet--not what anyone else has.
 
pug

pug

Semi-Pro
I totally agree. Everyone is using a racquet and I don't want to be fanboy or copycat clown so I use this gardening shovel.



Garden-Shovel-S518-1AFD-.jpg
 
Lavs

Lavs

Hall of Fame
Proud to be exclusive player with Kneissl Red Star among Babolat-Wilson ppl who play not bad btw (> 50% in our local club)
 
sansaephanh

sansaephanh

Professional
pug said:
I totally agree. Everyone is using a racquet and I don't want to be fanboy or copycat clown so I use this gardening shovel.



Garden-Shovel-S518-1AFD-.jpg
Click to expand...

Yeah, I agree. I really like this stick cause it really lets me DIG out shots under pressure.

It really is the Ace of SPADES in my bag. It's also DIRT cheap.

But let's keep it just between us because I don't wanna share this GROUND BREAKING technology with anyone else

memestache.com_195555_1337477404.jpg
 
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