Any good HEAD racquets out there?

[FudgeControl]

I am using the Graphene Speed MP. I am planning to move on to another HEAD racquet. For a while, I always wanted the Radical Pro, but now I am not so sure. I got the MP because I was new to tennis and couldn't handle heavy racquets. I am looking for a heavy racquet like the Speed Pro, maybe the Radical Pro.

So maybe my question is this: As a 3.5-4.0 player, would it be good to switch to something like the Graphene XT Speed Pro? Or even the XT Radical Pro? Which is better?

Also, any word on the new Speed line? I might just wait for the Pro version of that racquet.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Get a Prestige if you want heavy.

 

[TennisHound]

Have you thought about looking at other brands?

The Rad Pro and Speed Pro are similar, just one is 18x20 and the other is 16x19. Neither is better than the other.

 

[Frans Bleker]

What do you like/dislike on your current racket?

 

[n8dawg6]

ive used the speed mp, pro, rad mp, and rad pro. the current rad mp is a little difficult to tell apart from the speed mp, just has a different grip shape and slightly tighter pattern. the rad pro is a good one, just a little heavier, little more plow than the mp. a little more demanding too, in that respect.

speed pro is noticeably more demanding. its also super stiff/crisp with the tight string pattern. if you want your racquet to feel like a board and your arm can absorb the impact, this is the frame for you.

 

[FudgeControl]

What do you like/dislike on your current racket?

Nothing really, other than the weight (which I dislike). I do like the cosmetics and it is good for my 2HBH. I am not too comfortable hitting FH's with all the natural force I want. It forces me to not hit as hard. The Speed MP is my very first ever racquet, and when I was a beginner I didn't know anything about how to select a racquet. So I chose the lighter option. Even if I use lead tape, it doesn't feel very ideal. I know where to put it and how to apply it and all, but I really want to get a racquet that is already heavy. I plan to sell my Speed MP to a friend of mine who is just starting out. My grip size is a 4 1/2 (my Speed MP is also a 4/12, but it feels too big in my hand sometimes), but I am planning on getting a 4 3/8 for my new racquet so that I can put an overgrip like Tournagrip XL on it.

Have you thought about looking at other brands?

The Rad Pro and Speed Pro are similar, just one is 18x20 and the other is 16x19. Neither is better than the other.

I have, but they are usually too expensive, specifically Yonex and Wilson. I swear by Head and do not want to use Babolat because they don't really feel good, specifically the AeroPro racquets. I might look into the Pure Control Tour and the Pure Strike Tour. I like the Pure Drive, but it is still kind of light for me. I am really debating on the Radical Pro or Speed Pro. Are there any racquets you all can recommend to me that are similar to both Graphene XT Speed and Radical Pro? I might look into the Prestige Pro but I've heard the XT version is a bit better than the previous version.

I guess I would be willing to look into other brands, but I am also kind of on a budget. I might try to demo it here and buy it from my local shop.

Please do continue to recommend me some good racquets similar to the Rad and Speed Pro XT, everyone! But between the two, which one is better? I know the Speed Pro XT is much more popular than the Rad Pro XT.

 

[FudgeControl]

ive used the speed mp, pro, rad mp, and rad pro. the current rad mp is a little difficult to tell apart from the speed mp, just has a different grip shape and slightly tighter pattern. the rad pro is a good one, just a little heavier, little more plow than the mp. a little more demanding too, in that respect.

speed pro is noticeably more demanding. its also super stiff/crisp with the tight string pattern. if you want your racquet to feel like a board and your arm can absorb the impact, this is the frame for you.

So the Speed Pro is the most demanding racquet? I think I can deal with that, as a 3.5-4.0 player. I want a racquet that lets me hit hard with topspin; I hate hesitating on groundies. Also, I am looking for a racquet that is good on serves. I am not really a volleyer, so I am not too concerned about volleying. So in short, I am looking for a good, stable racquet good for groundstrokes (I have a 2HBH) and serves. If it has good/decent spin, that's good too. I might try Wilson Revolve 17 on either the Speed Pro XT or Rad Pro XT, depending on which is the better option.

I think I can handle the Speed Pro. I heard with the new Rad Pro, you MUST hit it on the sweetspot at all times; otherwise you might frame or mishit and it affects the ball's travel path.
----------------
I would demo these racquets, but I have no time to play on a regular basis, even with summer break. But I will try to make time to do so

 

[FudgeControl]

Get a Prestige if you want heavy.

I'll definitely look into the Prestige line. Is it any good for 3.5-4.0 players?

 

[Hankenstein]

I'll definitely look into the Prestige line. Is it any good for 3.5-4.0 players?

Try the Prestige S! It´s very good in stock, but it´s also easy to customize if you want more weight. Just add a leather grip or some silicone inside the handle to make it a bit heavier.

 

[dcheung]

Try older Head racquets like Twintubes, Liquidmetal Prestige or Radical, solid, cheap and still many available.

 

[Frans Bleker]

Nothing really, other than the weight (which I dislike). I do like the cosmetics and it is good for my 2HBH. I am not too comfortable hitting FH's with all the natural force I want. It forces me to not hit as hard. The Speed MP is my very first ever racquet, and when I was a beginner I didn't know anything about how to select a racquet. So I chose the lighter option. Even if I use lead tape, it doesn't feel very ideal. I know where to put it and how to apply it and all, but I really want to get a racquet that is already heavy. I plan to sell my Speed MP to a friend of mine who is just starting out. My grip size is a 4 1/2 (my Speed MP is also a 4/12, but it feels too big in my hand sometimes), but I am planning on getting a 4 3/8 for my new racquet so that I can put an overgrip like Tournagrip XL on it.

http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/Head_Graphene_XT_Prestige_PRO_Racket/descpageRCHEAD-GXTPP.html
http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/Head_Graphene_XT_Speed_Pro_Racket/descpageRCHEAD-GXSP.html

I think one of these would be your best options. Also a Graphene Radical Pro would be good if you can get your hands on it. Don't buy the new Radical or the Extreme unless you want a very stable sluggish racket which inhibits you to generate spin.

 

[movdqa]

I'll definitely look into the Prestige line. Is it any good for 3.5-4.0 players?

The Prestige Line is traditionally a control racquet so you can really hit out with it and it has been traditionally associated with a flat, classic game because it is so low-powered in stock form. If you add enough lead, though, it turns into a very powerful racquet. Andy Murray's game demonstrates that an old-school control frame can be used to hit heavy topspin shots.

I think that you need to customize regardless of what frame you get (maybe the RF97, PK Ki5 PSE and a few others are heavy enough so that you don't need lead).

You state that you have to hold back on some of your shots with the Speed - I'm assuming that there's too much power. In general, you use more spin to tame that power or you shorten your stroke. The Pros play with more powerful racquets than what is available at retail and they hit with topspin to keep the ball in the court. My racquet of choice is the IG Prestige MP - perhaps one of the best Prestiges in the past six years. Tons of power and very stable. But that's achieved with a lot of lead tape.

 

[n8dawg6]

So the Speed Pro is the most demanding racquet? I think I can deal with that, as a 3.5-4.0 player. I want a racquet that lets me hit hard with topspin; I hate hesitating on groundies. Also, I am looking for a racquet that is good on serves. I am not really a volleyer, so I am not too concerned about volleying. So in short, I am looking for a good, stable racquet good for groundstrokes (I have a 2HBH) and serves. If it has good/decent spin, that's good too. I might try Wilson Revolve 17 on either the Speed Pro XT or Rad Pro XT, depending on which is the better option.

I think I can handle the Speed Pro. I heard with the new Rad Pro, you MUST hit it on the sweetspot at all times; otherwise you might frame or mishit and it affects the ball's travel path.
----------------
I would demo these racquets, but I have no time to play on a regular basis, even with summer break. But I will try to make time to do so

take my opinion for what it's worth. i am also a ... ahem ... 3.75 player. so this is the blind leading the blind. the xt rad pro is more forgiving than the xt speed pro. it has a more open string pattern, and it is just a smidge (5g) lighter. any of these racquets will work at this level of play, but the MPs or the prestige S will make it a little "easier."

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Try the Prestige S! It´s very good in stock, but it´s also easy to customize if you want more weight. Just add a leather grip or some silicone inside the handle to make it a bit heavier.

No I said a real Prestige. Unfortunately the only one left is the Prestige MP.

 

[g4driver]

I am using the Graphene Speed MP. I am planning to move on to another HEAD racquet. For a while, I always wanted the Radical Pro, but now I am not so sure. I got the MP because I was new to tennis and couldn't handle heavy racquets. I am looking for a heavy racquet like the Speed Pro, maybe the Radical Pro.

So maybe my question is this: As a 3.5-4.0 player, would it be good to switch to something like the Graphene XT Speed Pro? Or even the XT Radical Pro? Which is better?

Also, any word on the new Speed line? I might just wait for the Pro version of that racquet.

just my .02

I've been playing with Wilson Steam 99S frames since fall of 2013. All my frames are 12.2 oz (342 grams), 7.5 to 8 points Head Light. I purchased two frames in Jan 13, but didn't make the switch until the Fall of 2013. I now have five of them.

FWIW, I'm 49 year old 4.0 USTA player who plays single and doubles. I won over 75% of my 50+ USTA league matches last year and have won more than 85% of league matches this year. Last year, I won 7 out of 9 matches in State Championships at 18 and 40+. This year so far, I'm an O-fer. Meaning 0 for "X". This should give you some idea of my skill level. I can play well and I can choke. Hey I'm a rec player and I stink on days but am stubborn enough to try again.

I think this might help. Look at the comparison link below.

http://www.racquetfinder.com/compare.php?pcode=SMPLTD;GXSP;GXSMP;GXTRMA;GXTRPR

Notice all are roughly the same in RDC. The patterns vary, but Head's ASP is brilliant IMO. I choose the Speed MPA despite any review from TW playtester, or any 3.5, 4.0 or 4.5 guys opinion. The knock from the playtesters on the Speed MPA was stability. That is easily fixed with a little weight.

Rarely do I find players who use the frames I like. To me, all 300 gram frames lack plowthru, and all are less stable compared to a 320 gram unstrung frame. A Pro endorsement of a frame is worthless to me as a rec player.

Weight is easy to add to a 300 gram frame, and I like to add leather grips, then add Blu-Tac in the Buttcaps, and lead/Tungten Tape as needed.

What I look for when demoing or buying frames:
66-68 Flex (Sorry but north of that hurts my elbow)
98-100 Head Size (prefer 100 over 98)
Open Patterns (16x16, 16x18, 16x19)
Low to medium power

Wow, has it really been three years with the Wilson Steam 99S frames ? There's a Buffett tune running through my head. It's over. No more 99S frames in my bag. Played the last two USTA matches with the 342 gram Head MPA 16x16 and the net game was the reason for the switch. No looking back. Selling my 99S frames or giving them away.

"Lovely Cruise"

Drink it up
This ones for you
It's been a lovely cruise
I'm sorry it's ended
It's sad but it's true
Honey it's been a lovely cruise

These moments were left with
May you always remember
These moments are shared by few
There's wind in our hair
And there's water in our shoes
Honey, it's been a lovely cruise

These moments we're left with
May you always remember
These moments are shared by few
And those harbor lights
Aw they're coming into view
We bid our farewell much too soon
So drink it up
This one's for you
Honey, it's been a lovely cruise
Yea baby, it's been a lovely cruise
Oh darlin' it's been a lovely cruise

 

[movdqa]

FWIW, I'm 49 year old 4.0 USTA player who plays single and doubles. I won over 75% of my 50+ USTA league matches last year and have won more than 85% of league matches this year. Last year, I won 7 out of 9 matches in State Championships at 18 and 40+. This year so far, I'm an O-fer. Meaning 0 for "X". This should give you some idea of my skill level. I can play well and I can choke. Hey I'm a rec player and I stink on days but am stubborn enough to try again.

66-68 Flex (Sorry but north of that hurts my elbow)
98-100 Head Size (prefer 100 over 98)
Open Patterns (16x16, 16x18, 16x19)
Low to medium power

My arm could tolerate about 67 Flex when I was your age but I had an injury from one of those frames (KPS88) and I can now only tolerate a max of around 62 so that's what I'm playing with today. I think that you can take any Head racquet that's withing your stiffness tolerance and make it usable with lead tape and silicone. That may be true of any frame, even the $49 special at Costco.

 

[LeeD]

Best answer is the Head Extreme PRO, which is around 68 flex and 328 SW, easily handled by most rec player's from 4.0 and up. Even I, at 67 year's, uses a similar flex and weight racket.

 

[g4driver]

My arm could tolerate about 67 Flex when I was your age but I had an injury from one of those frames (KPS88) and I can now only tolerate a max of around 62 so that's what I'm playing with today. I think that you can take any Head racquet that's withing your stiffness tolerance and make it usable with lead tape and silicone. That may be true of any frame, even the $49 special at Costco.

The two things that set all the frames apart in the list I compared is:

String pattern - (this is the important part )

98 X 100 head size - (this is very minor)

Having the ability to use a frame as 16x16 or 16x19 is brilliant. I have zero no use for an 18X20 pattern.

Sorry to hear about your injury - how stiff was that KPS 88 ?

 

[movdqa]

The two things that set all the frames apart in the list I compared is:

String pattern - (this is the important part )

98 X 100 head size - (this is very minor)

Having the ability to use a frame as 16x16 or 16x19 is brilliant. I have zero no use for an 18X20 pattern.

Sorry to hear about your injury - how stiff was that KPS 88 ?

It was about 67 or 68.

I have some old YT Radicals at 16x19 as well and I don't find that string pattern makes a difference for me, at least between the Radical and the Prestige.

 

[LeeD]

If the stiff feel of 68 flex bother's your arm, you can drop tension down to 35, 40, or whatever to lessen the impact and improve the pocketing and resiliency. I use 35, but you can go lower or higher depending on strings, and gauge.

 

[movdqa]

If the stiff feel of 68 flex bother's your arm, you can drop tension down to 35, 40, or whatever to lessen the impact and improve the pocketing and resiliency. I use 35, but you can go lower or higher depending on strings, and gauge.

No need to. 62 works fine for me. Plenty of power.

 

[LeeD]

I hear that all the time by all levels of player. "I don't need more power." But, given a chance to play above their level, and the reason they don't get better, often is that they don't have enough power.
Like me, barely 100 mph flat first serves, if I can improve that to 150 mph, with the same percentage IN, I'd be a better player, for sure.
And if I can improve my 75 mph forhands to 95, same consistency, I"d be a 5.0 level player, for sure. Of course, I'd need both, plus a 85 mph backhand, same consistency as my 60 mph slice backhand.....

 

[RollTrackTake]

I am using the Graphene Speed MP. I am planning to move on to another HEAD racquet. For a while, I always wanted the Radical Pro, but now I am not so sure. I got the MP because I was new to tennis and couldn't handle heavy racquets. I am looking for a heavy racquet like the Speed Pro, maybe the Radical Pro.

So maybe my question is this: As a 3.5-4.0 player, would it be good to switch to something like the Graphene XT Speed Pro? Or even the XT Radical Pro? Which is better?

Also, any word on the new Speed line? I might just wait for the Pro version of that racquet.

Take a look at the Prince Textreme Tour 100P. 310 grams unstrung gives you more mass than the Speed MP and slightly less than the Speed Pro. 18x20 string pattern should give you more control. It's lower powered than the Speed MP as well. Personally I liked the 100P better than the Graphene XT Speed Pro which felt stiffer. The Prestige and Prestige Pro are good low powered racquets that will let you swing out often with proper technique. Not sure if you want to continue with a racquet that has a higher flex RA like the Speeds. If you're willing to go with a racquet with a low flex RA, a few other low powered frames to look into based on what you've written are the Tecnifibre T Fight LTD 315 ATP in the 16x19 & 18x20 string patterns. These are stellar low flex frames on sale right now and somewhat hard to find now that they are being phased out. A few online retailers have them for cheap.
The Volkl C10 Pro is a classic low powered, low flex frame which is 16x19.

 

[movdqa]

I hear that all the time by all levels of player. "I don't need more power." But, given a chance to play above their level, and the reason they don't get better, often is that they don't have enough power.
Like me, barely 100 mph flat first serves, if I can improve that to 150 mph, with the same percentage IN, I'd be a better player, for sure.
And if I can improve my 75 mph forhands to 95, same consistency, I"d be a 5.0 level player, for sure. Of course, I'd need both, plus a 85 mph backhand, same consistency as my 60 mph slice backhand.....

I'm hitting with a swingweight of 386. How much additional power do you think I need?

 

[LeeD]

Can you beat an OPEN level player with good forcing shots? That's how much power I'd need.
I"m a low 4.0, and low because I can't hit outright winners against my fellow 4.0's. If my serves improved 10mph, forehands 10, backhands 10, I'd be a low 4.5 level player, instead of one heading for 3.5.

 

[g4driver]

It was about 67 or 68.

I have some old YT Radicals at 16x19 as well and I don't find that string pattern makes a difference for me, at least between the Radical and the Prestige.

If my memory serves me well, you are either a 5.0 or 5.5 level guy.

I switched to a 16x15 frame just before I got bumped to 4.0 three years ago. Maybe that was a bad move, but I don't think so. I adapt pretty well.

Now I am heading back to 16x16 then plan to to go back 16x19 with the same frame. The volleys against 4.5 guys are much improved with a pattern.

 

[g4driver]

RollTrack,

Want your 4 3/8 Head Speed MPA back ? It is in mint condition

I bought three Speed MPA in 4 1/4 grips and weighted them up to 342 grams. They are sweet!

 

[RollTrackTake]

RollTrack,

Want your 4 3/8 Head Speed MPA back ? It is in mint condition

I bought three Speed MPA in 4 1/4 grips and weighted them up to 342 grams. They are sweet!

I'll trade for it!

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

The speed is a pretty middle of the road racquet. I'd experiment with some lower powered strings/ string tension to achieve your desired feel and performance before jumping to a new frame.

Sent from my SM-T310 using Tapatalk

 

[4-string]

Can you beat an OPEN level player with good forcing shots? That's how much power I'd need.
I"m a low 4.0, and low because I can't hit outright winners against my fellow 4.0's. If my serves improved 10mph, forehands 10, backhands 10, I'd be a low 4.5 level player, instead of one heading for 3.5.

Interesting, please share more of your self assessments, and the reasoning behind them.


I know what you mean though - I enjoy my pro staffs and 6.1s a lot against my peers, the feel is very nice. The moment I encounter someone significantly better than me
(more often than I like to admit) I need some free power. The APD gets out of the bag.

 

[FudgeControl]

http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/Head_Graphene_XT_Prestige_PRO_Racket/descpageRCHEAD-GXTPP.html
http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/Head_Graphene_XT_Speed_Pro_Racket/descpageRCHEAD-GXSP.html

I think one of these would be your best options. Also a Graphene Radical Pro would be good if you can get your hands on it. Don't buy the new Radical or the Extreme unless you want a very stable sluggish racket which inhibits you to generate spin.

I heard a lot of good things about the Radical Pro. Unfortunately, I think only online US retailers have them. I'm not too sure if my local shop has a few in stock as of now...

 

[Frans Bleker]

I heard a lot of good things about the Radical Pro. Unfortunately, I think only online US retailers have them. I'm not too sure if my local shop has a few in stock as of now...

Yea it's really good, I bought one from a small store in sale. But tbh the XT prestige pro is really similar, most noticable difference is the stiffness.

 

[Surion]

The Radical Pro will destroy your elbow, if you aren't 100 % healthy there.

I fight my golfer arm since summer 2015 thanks to 30 minutes with the Radical Pro.
No issues before.

 

[movdqa]

Can you beat an OPEN level player with good forcing shots? That's how much power I'd need.
I"m a low 4.0, and low because I can't hit outright winners against my fellow 4.0's. If my serves improved 10mph, forehands 10, backhands 10, I'd be a low 4.5 level player, instead of one heading for 3.5.

Well, pick up a pack of lead tape.

BTW, first time I tried to serve with racquets with this amount of swingweight - I wasn't able to accelerate the racquet into the ball. It took quite some time before I was able to do that. Then spend some time in the gym so that you can swing a monster of a stick like Shroud and Sureshs. Good exercise for everyone: add 10 grams of lead tape from 10 to 2 and then try to serve. It's amazing what a difference a little lead tape can make.

 

[LeeD]

Are you sure you know how I'm setting up my racket's?
Some have FORTY inches of 1/2" wide lead tape, split between butt and head. FORTY, like over 3 feet.
Heavy only works if you can swing it. I can't swing over 12.4 oz and 344 SW's. I know, I have TWO of those.
Like Power Player and lots of other guys, we settle for 12 oz overall weight and 325 SW's, on a 68 flex racket of 100 sq's.
Using a really heavy racket is no big deal. Kimiko Date uses 422 grms, maybe 15 ounces, and she's what.....No. 250 in WTA?
Question is, can you serve over 100, play at real 4.5 levels, and have winning shots against 5.5?

 

[movdqa]

Well you've seen my 17 oz racquets with the nails I'm sure.

You're certainly invited to come to New England and see for yourself or you can look at my videos. But your original premise was if I had enough power. The answer to that is a definite yes. Your theory that I don't is puzzling.

Serve over 100?

Do the math.

 

[LeeD]

The only vid you ever showed of yourself was one of serving and volleying, or possibly just moving to service line positioning and backhand half volley CC in doubles.
Nobody can tell how fast you serve from that.
From your competition, we can only surmise you are a 4.0 level player. I can accept correction and willing to believe your word.
As such, you don't have the power to play at 5.0 levels, or better. More power, with the same consistency, is what we all need.

 

[movdqa]

The only vid you ever showed of yourself was one of serving and volleying, or possibly just moving to service line positioning and backhand half volley CC in doubles.
Nobody can tell how fast you serve from that.
From your competition, we can only surmise you are a 4.0 level player. I can accept correction and willing to believe your word.
As such, you don't have the power to play at 5.0 levels, or better. More power, with the same consistency, is what we all need.

You have me confused with someone else.

I've never posted a video of me serving or serving and volleying.

Just volleys, overheads, returns of serves and groundstrokes. Also some videos of me doing 10 pullups, Roman Chair (holding an L position for 30 seconds) and maybe dips.

I ran 35 miles last week and have been mostly working out with barbells this week. Fitness, practice and strength are foundations for consistency so that you can move your feet to be in the proper position to hit the ball.

 

[LeeD]

Fit Asian dude, rightie, who plays doubles with really old and short Asians? Nice low backhand 1/2 or low volleys is all I ever saw. If you never posted serving videos, and you never claim any speeds, what good is doing MATH going to do for me concerning your serve speeds?
Just tell us, can you serve over 100mph? I have at least 10 guys on here who say I can, and that's without legs or rotator cuffs. Imagine how I'd serve if I could run and lift my elbows above my head!

 

[movdqa]

Fit Asian dude, rightie, who plays doubles with really old and short Asians? Nice low backhand 1/2 or low volleys is all I ever saw. If you never posted serving videos, and you never claim any speeds, what good is doing MATH going to do for me concerning your serve speeds?
Just tell us, can you serve over 100mph? I have at least 10 guys on here who say I can, and that's without legs or rotator cuffs. Imagine how I'd serve if I could run and lift my elbows above my head!

Old and short Asians? This is NH, where 94% of the population is white. 2% of the population is Asian. The only Asian guy I play is a 5.0 from out-of-state.

I've never measured my service speed. I'd guess that I could get over 100 MPH but I have no proof.

I will say that it's very hard to accelerate near 400 Swingweight over your head if you don't do it regularly.

I work on my fitness to avoid the problems that most older people run into.

It's nice that it helps my tennis as well in preventing injury and helping to recover faster from injury.

Take care of your body. It's the only one you have.

At least until gene editing gets far more developed.

 

[LeeD]

That vid of you low backhand volleying, or 1/2 volleying was in doubles, where the other player's were short, old, out of shape, or a combo of the three. You were the Alpha looking dog, the only fit player, so we assume you can only be 4.0.
As such, we can assume (again) that you have played singles or doubles with a variety of other 4.0 level players. If your serve is 100, you'd have almost the fastest serve used in match or set play, of any 4.0's you might encounter.
I can say with sureness, of the 40 odd 4.0 level player's I've faced in the past 5 year's, I have the FASTEST first serve of any of them. Now for sure, if I look long and hard enough, I can find a 4.0 who exceeds my speeds by 30 mph, possibly more. But they don't play in the East Bay of San Francisco.
No, you know I play with Papa Mango once a month, and have played Shroud like 3 times in the past. I can IMAGINE they also have 100 mph serves, or close to it. Shroud said he was timed at 99. The difference is, I actually hit 100 mph serves during most set and match play, while they hit only spin serves until THIS year, 2016, when both are starting to actually hit fast flat first serves occasionally.
I would guess my fastest of maybe 103 mph is still faster than their fastest serves, borne out last week when Papa was going for flat first serves, and mine were much more effective because they are slightly faster than what a 4.0 can comfortably handle, and actually go IN at better than 40% rates.

 

[JohnBPittsburgh]

I think it would be an awesome experience to hang out and play tennis with someone named, "Papa Mango"

 

[LeeD]

"Awesome"?
I don't know. Indian (East), 5'10", losing a bit up top, rightie, heavy topspin forehand, flat 2hbh, awesome 1 hbh shots used seldom, 39-40 in age, doesn't play often enough to jump to 4.5, too much skills for 4.0, still has the quickness of youth, and constantly adapting to both singles to doubles, and from night play to mid day sun in the eyes.

 

[movdqa]

> That vid of you low backhand volleying, or 1/2 volleying was in doubles, where the other player's were short, old,
> out of shape, or a combo of the three. You were the Alpha looking dog, the only fit player, so we assume you can only be 4.0.

The person that hit the serve hit the volley about 8 feet from the net. I hit the return inside the baseline so he got pretty close to the net to hit the volley after hitting the serve. Could you do that kind of timing? That guy is a former open player and he's in his late 60s and he is really, really fast. He's also really strong. But he has a number of arm and shoulder injuries. The other guy on the other side of the net was 27, very fit (he's a runner), tall but has only been playing for about five years.

> As such, we can assume (again) that you have played singles or doubles with a variety of other 4.0 level players. If your serve
> is 100, you'd have almost the fastest serve used in match or set play, of any 4.0's you might encounter.

I used to focus on the serve when I was younger. As I said before, the vast majority of my serves are kickers. I will hit a flat or a slice serve from time to time for variety but I don't really work on winning points with my serve anymore as my ground game has gotten a lot better.

> I can say with sureness, of the 40 odd 4.0 level player's I've faced in the past 5 year's, I have the FASTEST first serve of any of them.
> Now for sure, if I look long and hard enough, I can find a 4.0 who exceeds my speeds by 30 mph, possibly more. But they don't play
> in the East Bay of San Francisco.

When I was in my 30s I used one of those widebody racquets that was stiffer than anything in retail today. I could hit five to six feet up on the back curtain with that thing. Until one day my arm started hurting. And then hurting more. Until I had to take a break. The same thing happened with the KPS88 a few decades afterwards. So stiff racquets are out for me if I want to keep playing. I don't care for the loss of control for really loose stringing, especially when there's the solution of playing with very heavy racquets. It makes the serve easy once you're strong enough to swing it and it protects your arm.

> No, you know I play with Papa Mango once a month, and have played Shroud like 3 times in the past. I can IMAGINE they also have 100 mph serves, or close to it.
> Shroud said he was timed at 99. The difference is, I actually hit 100 mph serves during most set and match play, while they hit only spin serves until THIS year,
> 2016, when both are starting to actually hit fast flat first serves occasionally.

Can you hit a 100 MPH groundstroke?

> I would guess my fastest of maybe 103 mph is still faster than their fastest serves, borne out last week when Papa was going for flat first serves, and mine were
> much more effective because they are slightly faster than what a 4.0 can comfortably handle, and actually go IN at better than 40% rates.

We played doubles recently with the guy on my side in the video, the server from the video and a USTA guy that said that his team went to the nationals in the last few years. His serve was about 70 MPH, very consistent and he could place it wherever he wanted to. He could hit very nice slice groundstrokes but he couldn't move well. I just chipped his serve back to him, he hit a hard slice to me at the net and I just hit drop volley after drop volley. He wasn't able to get to any of them. I couldn't believe that this was a 4.0 player. The guy in the video would have beaten him 0, 0 because he has a great drop shot and he knows how to move you around. The guy in the video has taken one game off of me in the last eight sets that we've played. I went back and looked up the 4.0 and the information at his club's website verified what he said. I also found out that he had won the local city championship when he was younger and that he was also the top player at the local high-school.

A few weeks prior we had a fourth that was a lot younger, maybe late 30s or early 40s. Very smooth, very smart player, former collegiate player. He mentioned playing with some national-level players in New England recently. He gave me far more problems at net but it was still worth coming in on serve and return. I do not know how well I'd do against this guy in singles. He did not have a blistering serve as he was about 5'7", but he looked to be a really good player to practice with. His fitness was top-notch too.

So I don't know what NTRP level I am and I'd have to devote more time to tennis if it mattered to me. We're just winding up a grueling three-year project and I've got to get up to speed on a new engineering project that's shorthanded while keeping up with the duties of the old project. Having too much work to do is better than a lack of work.

 

[FudgeControl]

I think it would be an awesome experience to hang out and play tennis with someone named, "Papa Mango"

My street name is Papa Mango

 

[JohnBPittsburgh]

That is an awesome street name!

(to stay on topic, I would look to the old Head classics or even pick up a Microgel Radical Mp)

 

[Dominic]

I am using the Graphene Speed MP. I am planning to move on to another HEAD racquet. For a while, I always wanted the Radical Pro, but now I am not so sure. I got the MP because I was new to tennis and couldn't handle heavy racquets. I am looking for a heavy racquet like the Speed Pro, maybe the Radical Pro.

So maybe my question is this: As a 3.5-4.0 player, would it be good to switch to something like the Graphene XT Speed Pro? Or even the XT Radical Pro? Which is better?

Also, any word on the new Speed line? I might just wait for the Pro version of that racquet.

I an d 5.0-5.5 Player and have used the Graphene Radical Pro, Graphene and XT Speed Pro. As a 3.5-4.0 Player, i would recommend the Radical Pro, mainly as it has a bit more/easy power (16x19 string Pattern). The Speed Pro, requires a bit more 'attention' and good mechanics, its a great racket, but is more control orientated and low powered then the Radical Pro, and one could find this 'uneasy' to play with.

 

[FudgeControl]

That is an awesome street name!

(to stay on topic, I would look to the old Head classics or even pick up a Microgel Radical Mp)

Real talk: That isn't my street name

But back to the real topic: I am looking into the Graphene Radical Pro, Graphene Speed Pro, and XT Speed Pro. But I heard a lot of great things about the Microgel Radical MP

 

[JohnBPittsburgh]

The Microgel required a bit of customization, but it's a nice frame, with a tight string pattern. So if you have your own power and can create a lot of spin, it gives you pinpoint control.

 

[wsk429]

Get a Prestige if you want heavy.

...or $3 worth of lead tape should square you away.