4.5 intermediate all around racquet

[coyfish]

Hey guys im sorry if this has been asked a million times.

Im around a 4.5 player. Im very versatile but I prefer to stick to the baseline. I try and play like fed changing pace and disrupting rythm with slices / flat / topspin shots. Ive been using the same raquet ever since I started playing. That was the head liquidmetal radical 98 sq in frame. Anyway I only have one and my other raquet is an oversize head titanium radical. I hate the oversize. I dont know if its just in my head but I just cant stand it. The liquidmetal raquet however seems to be (with my limited experience) a good raquet and has recieved good reviews.

Anyway im debating just buying another head liquidmetal or buying a couple new racquets. Could you guys give me a few recommendations on good all around raquets.

So far ive been looking at some yonex and babolat aerodrive (nadal's).

Thanks for your help.

 

[Satch]

at that level you should know what to buy... and what's best for you.

 

[Liv3 For It]

buy the nCode nTour, nice reviews, and same price as LM, im in your position, except not a 4.5 but I bought the nCode to see if it could help my game.

 

[JSE]

If you like your LM and play well with it, why change? Plus the price is ridiculous now.

A know a lot of guys at my club that still play with this frame and have stocked up on them for the future.

 

[samster]

Hey guys im sorry if this has been asked a million times.

Im around a 4.5 player. Im very versatile but I prefer to stick to the baseline. I try and play like fed changing pace and disrupting rythm with slices / flat / topspin shots. Ive been using the same raquet ever since I started playing. That was the head liquidmetal radical 98 sq in frame. Anyway I only have one and my other raquet is an oversize head titanium radical. I hate the oversize. I dont know if its just in my head but I just cant stand it. The liquidmetal raquet however seems to be (with my limited experience) a good raquet and has recieved good reviews.

Anyway im debating just buying another head liquidmetal or buying a couple new racquets. Could you guys give me a few recommendations on good all around raquets.

So far ive been looking at some yonex and babolat aerodrive (nadal's).

Thanks for your help.

May I recommend the Wilson K6.1 Tour 90.

 

[canadave]

Hi coyfish, just a couple of observations here:

1) If you're a versatile 4.5, then you probably need something more than an "intermediate" racquet (assuming by "intermediate" we really mean "tweener")--you need an "advanced" player's racquet.

2) Reading your post carefully, it seems to me that the question you're really asking (correct me if I'm wrong) is: Is there a racquet out there today that's better (meaning, "would play better for you") than the LM Radical you've always used?

I think the only realistic answer to that question is: demo, demo, demo. If you're comfortable with the LM Radical, but you want to try something new, look through the racquets listed on TW (or use the handy Racquet Finder link) and find something with similar specs; then demo those.

good luck!

 

[furyoku_tennis]

demo demo demo. try the microgel prestige mp or pro.

 

[lpicken]

I know a few 4.5s and it takes a while to get to that level and by then you should know. We can't really help you if don't pony up and say I'm a 3.0 and I want to move on from my Volkl Powerbridge 125.

 

[coyfish]

I haven't been involved in tennis very long. I played 2 years in high school and now im starting to play again in my 3rd year of college. Im top 5 out of about 300 kids in my college intramurals and im starting to play in tournaments for the club team. I guess im just lucky, but I am pretty good for how little ive played. I guess you could say my level is that of a D3 or lower level D2 college player. I was looking at college recruiting videos on youtube.

Anyway I was planning on demo'ing but I just wanted to get some opinions on a few solid all around racquets for an intermediate / advanced player. There are just so many racquets to choose from I wanted some opinions from experienced players. Just wanted to save time reading every racquet review because its not like you can demo EVERY racquet.

I love my LM but as I said ive never tried anything else. Just wanted to see what else was out there before I buy another.

Thanks for your input!

 

[mawashi]

I haven't been involved in tennis very long. I played 2 years in high school and now im starting to play again in my 3rd year of college. Im top 5 out of about 300 kids in my college intramurals and im starting to play in tournaments for the club team. I guess im just lucky, but I am pretty good for how little ive played. I guess you could say my level is that of a D3 or lower level D2 college player. I was looking at college recruiting videos on youtube.

Anyway I was planning on demo'ing but I just wanted to get some opinions on a few solid all around racquets for an intermediate / advanced player. There are just so many racquets to choose from I wanted some opinions from experienced players. Just wanted to save time reading every racquet review because its not like you can demo EVERY racquet.

I love my LM but as I said ive never tried anything else. Just wanted to see what else was out there before I buy another.

Thanks for your input!

As you seem to be comfortable with the Head Handle shape why consider the current radical n prestige series. The Radical Pro, Prestige MP, Pro n Mid all are worth a look.

mawashi

 

[Wannabe]

Try the C10 pro

I'm quite a bit below your level but I've recently switched from a Head Fxp rad tour to a Volkl C10 Pro and I found it helped my game a lot.

 

[Wannabe]

N.B:

It's particularly good at helping me mix it up, although I have lost a bit of juice on my groundstrokes.

 

[rubberduckies]

What strings do you currently use?

 

[coyfish]

Right now im using gamma live wire 17 guage.

 

[coyfish]

thx for the replies guys. Ill definately look into the new head series. What about yonex?? Tennis demo shop near me has yonex, head, and wilson avialable for demo's.

 

[Tour90]

there's nothing better than the feel of the older racquets. try going back to the i radical since you've used that since the start. i started playing since the third grade and in the 9th i settled down on one.

 

[dParis]

I'm quite a bit below your level but I've recently switched from a Head Fxp rad tour to a Volkl C10 Pro and I found it helped my game a lot.

Can you explain a bit more? What does the C10 give you that you felt other rackets did not? I'm below a 4.5 also and I am considering demoing the C10. I'm playing the T10MP now and the more I play, the better I like it but they are hard to find.

 

[chris_ah1]

My top pics for demo atm:
Anything from head as you are used to them, Boris Becker 11, Wilson KproTour, Kblade Tour 93, k95 18x20 (although the n version is undoubtedly better).

As for yonex, never picked one up

 

[pshulam]

My top pics for demo atm:
k95 18x20 (although the n version is undoubtedly better).

What's the "n" version?

 

[ezylman]

Coyfish...

I have 4 of the Yonex RDS 003 frames that are now being phased out and like them a lot. I have read others saying they like the 002 Tour frames better. I would suggest to demo those two and see if they suit your game.

 

[furyoku_tennis]

Can you explain a bit more? What does the C10 give you that you felt other rackets did not? I'm below a 4.5 also and I am considering demoing the C10. I'm playing the T10MP now and the more I play, the better I like it but they are hard to find.

the T10 doesn't play much like the C10. the C10 flexes more in the upper hoop than the T10. which T10 are you using GenI or GenII?

 

[jsomrak]

all around frame

I have a very similar game to yours and have tried a multitude of frames over the past year. I can tell you this. Head makes great frames and babolat pdr is a good racquet, but if you can hit a heavier frame with great feel and spin try the new technifibre 323 vo2 or 335 tfight. bothe similar from baseline, vo2 slightly better on serve. both very good players frames. must try. i would suggest stringing at 60 or higher to start.

 

[dParis]

Apologies for snaking the thread.

the T10 doesn't play much like the C10. the C10 flexes more in the upper hoop than the T10. which T10 are you using GenI or GenII?

Gen I.

I read all the time about the "flexier" upper hoop of the C10. Not sure I'd enjoy the extra flex since the T10 has enough flex for my liking but much else that has been said about it reminds me of how I feel about the T10. Big sweet spot, Volkl feel and if I'm correct, it's a tad more maneuverable due to being slightly more headlight than the T10.

I'll start demoing next month and feel for myself how much more flex in the upper hoop is there. How do you think it affects the way it plays?

 

[Rycat0624]

Go with the Babolat Aeropro Drive Cortex. It has helped my game so much. I just like the way i can hit a heavy topspin, then the next shot, hit it flat as a line. Its perfect if you want to mix it up a little in rallies. Lead it up and put some luxilon rough in there and youre set to go. Cheers!!

 

[coyfish]

thx!

Im definately going to give the babolat aeorpro cortex a shot. On **** you can find some brand new racquets for grea prices. Thats why I started this thread. Paying just a little more will get me brand new raquets. Since I haven't tried other racquets I just have this funny feeling ill find the "perfect" racquet and start hitting like a pro . Doubt that will happen though. Im going to test out the new head line, yonex RDS series, and babolat aeropro cortex this weekend.

 

[furyoku_tennis]

How do you think it affects the way it plays?

Personally, I like the extra flex in the upper hoop. It's a great all court racquet. The flex really feels like the ball is on the racquet a bit longer than normal, which for me, means better control. Some people have said that the flexy upper hoop makes it difficult to get power on the serve. It definitely plays better strung at higher tensions cause it balances out the flex in the upper hoop and gives you more control. You'd have to demo for yourself to see if you like it. It seems that the flex is a bit too much for most people.

 

[mawashi]

thx!

Im definately going to give the babolat aeorpro cortex a shot. On **** you can find some brand new racquets for grea prices. Thats why I started this thread. Paying just a little more will get me brand new raquets. Since I haven't tried other racquets I just have this funny feeling ill find the "perfect" racquet and start hitting like a pro . Doubt that will happen though. Im going to test out the new head line, yonex RDS series, and babolat aeropro cortex this weekend.

I'll be very careful if I was u on the bay as there have been many reports bout fakes.

Save your efforts n just get the frames from reputable dealers.

The $20-30 bucks saved isn't worth it if you got a fake.

mawashi