Are midsize rackets extinct (except for on this board)?

[Keifers]

^^^

drakulie, there are a couple of nice 1hbhs from Dimitrov in this (short) clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alk5fXSOdMM&feature=related

Nice form!

 

[backhand]

Kid has a nice 1HBH. I haven't waded through all 550 posts, but IMO, you're all hopelessly hung up on definitions. One generation ago the debate was whether 85" was too much real estate to really control. Purists stayed with what they had been raised on: 65" woodies. Guess that got resolved.

So if you're trying to decide whether there's an upper limit for what top players can use to win, that might be an interesting question; racquet physics, biomechanics and aerodynamics come into play. But otherwise this whole thread is like arguing whether $3.00 is too much to pay for gas. Used to be, huh?

 

[drakulie]

^^^

drakulie, there are a couple of nice 1hbhs from Dimitrov in this (short) clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alk5fXSOdMM&feature=related

Nice form!

keifers, thanks for posting. definitely nice BH.

On another note, I bet if this video didn't have a title on it, and you posted it in the tennis tips section of the boards, people would be saying he is a 3.5. LOL

 

[mawashi]

Well, after USO.

It has shown that MID's are as effective against Mid + and OS racquets out there. And it does not only exist in this forum - it LIVES!!!!

Three of the last 4 men's finalist were playing MID SIZED>
- Fed
- Murray
- Djoker

I'm quite sure only Fed is using a Mid. Djoker is using a custom Wilson mold of his old LM Radical (pj) while Murray is using a MG Prestige Pro (pj).

mawashi
________
Iolite Portable Vaporizer

 

[servelikesampras]

midsize, oversize, light, heavy.. it doesn't even matter. The best tennis players are probably the ones who just pick up and play and go and have FUN. I know people can get quite involved in their hobby's but I worry about some of the people on this bored. How obsessed can you become about tennis rackets? Being obsessed about tennis is one thing but.. a racket is a racket. I bet most of the top juniors out there never gave that much thought to what they're using. They just go out and do it.

 

[CyberInferno]

midsize, oversize, light, heavy.. it doesn't even matter. The best tennis players are probably the ones who just pick up and play and go and have FUN. I know people can get quite involved in their hobby's but I worry about some of the people on this bored. How obsessed can you become about tennis rackets? Being obsessed about tennis is one thing but.. a racket is a racket. I bet most of the top juniors out there never gave that much thought to what they're using. They just go out and do it.

I don't think you give the top juniors enough credit. And we know that the pros definitely care about what they're swinging.

While I agree with you that some people take this stuff a little too seriously, the people who get that into talking about tennis rackets are still enjoying themselves in the process. If people enjoy discussing and debating racket weights, head sizes, modifications, grip sizes, etc. as much as they enjoy playing tennis, why not let them have their fun? I know that I've definitely come across stuff on this board that's improved either my game or my overall appreciation of the sport.

 

[topspin92]

[/QUOTE]I think most people use lighter more powerful rackets these days because the game is hard enough already. With such a gap between professional players and the rest of the tennis population why use a midsize racket to make things even harder?

Also extreme grips and 2 handed backhands play a big part. As im sure you know they dont work *as well* for most players with a midsize stick.

However I can understand players with less extreme grips enjoying and playing their best tennis with midsize rackets. But I think even those players are moving towards MP rackets.[/QUOTE]

I agree. I use an extreme eastern grip and one handed backhand and I find that I play much better with the midsized racquets. Western gripped friends, almost all of them nowadays, are using 100 sq. inch racquets.

 

[slicekick95]

Its a paintjob...do a seach.

yeah its a paintjob, but its not a paintjob of a 98 racquet

 

[teppeiahn1]

IMO, the reason people are not using mid racquets are because most of the new racquets that big companies are realeasing are in the 95-100. Very few are mid sized racquets and also, there are more players that hit 2 handed backhand now. They prefer a bigger frame. Half of my highschool team uses the PDR.

 

[anirut]

IMO, the reason people are not using mid racquets are because most of the new racquets that big companies are realeasing are in the 95-100. Very few are mid sized racquets and also, there are more players that hit 2 handed backhand now. They prefer a bigger frame. Half of my highschool team uses the PDR.

In a way yes, in a way no.

IMO (yes, my opinion only), the biggest reason ever that the younger generation is playing bigger head sticks is because ...

They have been taught by their early-stage tennis teachers (not coaches) that they'd better learn with big heads because they won't miss the ball.

This, IMO, is totally wrong.

If we were to make learning that easy and expecting to produce very good players ...

Go tell that to the Shaolin Masters.

I taught my son based on the Shaolin philosophy (not methods). He's not a good player, BTW, because he plays only like twice or thrice a year. But, inspite of him not playing, at least he was able to beat his friend who learnt from teaching pros.

Go figure.

** Disclaimer: I'm not saying teaching pros are bad. There are some very, very good people out there. And I do respect them whole-heartedly. **

 

[phoenicks]

In a way yes, in a way no.

IMO (yes, my opinion only), the biggest reason ever that the younger generation is playing bigger head sticks is because ...

They have been taught by their early-stage tennis teachers (not coaches) that they'd better learn with big heads because they won't miss the ball.

This, IMO, is totally wrong.

If we were to make learning that easy and expecting to produce very good players ...

Go tell that to the Shaolin Masters.

I taught my son based on the Shaolin philosophy (not methods). He's not a good player, BTW, because he plays only like twice or thrice a year. But, inspite of him not playing, at least he was able to beat his friend who learnt from teaching pros.

Go figure.

** Disclaimer: I'm not saying teaching pros are bad. There are some very, very good people out there. And I do respect them whole-heartedly. **

yeah I wholeheartedly agree with that, beginner and intermediate player are given powers that are beyond their ability to control, it just make supersonic shot too easy to produce. and playing with midsize really teach me to be very discipline with my stroke. the process is sometimes frustrating, but I just like the reward that comes with hitting a good shot.

 

[phoenicks]

In a way yes, in a way no.

IMO (yes, my opinion only), the biggest reason ever that the younger generation is playing bigger head sticks is because ...

They have been taught by their early-stage tennis teachers (not coaches) that they'd better learn with big heads because they won't miss the ball.

This, IMO, is totally wrong.

If we were to make learning that easy and expecting to produce very good players ...

Go tell that to the Shaolin Masters.

I taught my son based on the Shaolin philosophy (not methods). He's not a good player, BTW, because he plays only like twice or thrice a year. But, inspite of him not playing, at least he was able to beat his friend who learnt from teaching pros.

Go figure.

** Disclaimer: I'm not saying teaching pros are bad. There are some very, very good people out there. And I do respect them whole-heartedly. **

are you serious????

 

[LanEvo]

I can’t remember the last time I saw a decent player using a midsize racket. I play all over the place in the UK, go to futures tournaments, play high level junior events and coach at a very big tennis club yet still no mids are to be seen.

I have seen beginners using K90's yes but that doesn’t count. They don’t know anything about rackets. They bought it because Federer uses it.

Here is a typical days stringing for me. 4 of the rackets owners play at 5.5 level using sub 320 gram rackets. 1 of the rackets belongs to a 4.5/5.0 player and the rest 3.5 and below players. I cant remember the last time I
strung a midsize racket...I think I strung 2 a year ago. That’s it.



I really like midsize rackets and dont want to see them go. But personally I don’t find them suitable for my game (well..todays game).

However it seems nearly half the posters that visit this board use midsize rackets! I don’t understand :-?

So I ask this question:

Are midsize rackets extinct (except for on this board)?

Discuss.


Nick

whats that bab racquet with the silver aero beam throat?

 

[mawashi]

In a way yes, in a way no.

IMO (yes, my opinion only), the biggest reason ever that the younger generation is playing bigger head sticks is because ...

They have been taught by their early-stage tennis teachers (not coaches) that they'd better learn with big heads because they won't miss the ball.

This, IMO, is totally wrong.

If we were to make learning that easy and expecting to produce very good players ...

Go tell that to the Shaolin Masters.

I taught my son based on the Shaolin philosophy (not methods). He's not a good player, BTW, because he plays only like twice or thrice a year. But, inspite of him not playing, at least he was able to beat his friend who learnt from teaching pros.

Go figure.

** Disclaimer: I'm not saying teaching pros are bad. There are some very, very good people out there. And I do respect them whole-heartedly. **

Me too I totally agree as I had the good luck to play with a AN90 and it totally changed my view of racquets.

If I ever have kids I would train them on mid size frames like the AN90 as it really made you work for each shot and when I started using Vantages and APDC it really made me appreciate the techniques I learned when using the AN90.

Mid size till you become better then anything goes LOL!

mawashi

 

[mawashi]

whats that bab racquet with the silver aero beam throat?

Looks like an Aero strike to me.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageRCBAB-BASTR.html

mawashi

 

[anirut]

are you serious????

Well, he came home and boasted the whole day ... they're of the same level I would bet. HAHA.

OK, I taught him how to "drive" the ball (more or less flat) and keep it in play, not "brushing" the ball and keeping it in play. This can cause havoc on players who learnt on brushing the ball, as a driven ball won't bounce high enough to brush it back up (for learners).

Isn't brushing the ball the modern accepted way of learning tennis?

 

[phoenicks]

Well, he came home and boasted the whole day ... they're of the same level I would bet. HAHA.

OK, I taught him how to "drive" the ball (more or less flat) and keep it in play, not "brushing" the ball and keeping it in play. This can cause havoc on players who learnt on brushing the ball, as a driven ball won't bounce high enough to brush it back up (for learners).

Isn't brushing the ball the modern accepted way of learning tennis?

Haha, I can totally relate with you on this, as I have recently made a 180 degree change to my forehand. I used to be very obsessed with getting more topspin, and thus leading me to getting very wrong brushing up motion and lots of other bad habits that really screw up forehand ( a lot of sitter !!!). Now my forward swing is more of a drive through the ball, thus getting driving spin, instead of a sitter with my previous forehand.

But with more practice, I can get closer and closer to a true spin on my forehand. I am anticipating that day, I am.

 

[phoenicks]

Me too I totally agree as I had the good luck to play with a AN90 and it totally changed my view of racquets.

If I ever have kids I would train them on mid size frames like the AN90 as it really made you work for each shot and when I started using Vantages and APDC it really made me appreciate the techniques I learned when using the AN90.

Mid size till you become better then anything goes LOL!

mawashi

same here, I can really say that midsized racquet change my game singnificantly for the better.

 

[mawashi]

Me too I love watching the guys who really love putting spin on balls react when I bash a flattie straight at them.

Flaying arms and legs everywhere as they try to brush the ball up LOL! Usually what happens is a misshit and I just have to walk to the net and smash another one straight at them LOL!

It's crazy that kids are trying all these top spin shots thinking that that's the only way to play.

mawashi

 

[nickarnold2000]

Kid has a nice 1HBH. I haven't waded through all 550 posts, but IMO, you're all hopelessly hung up on definitions. One generation ago the debate was whether 85" was too much real estate to really control. Purists stayed with what they had been raised on: 65" woodies. Guess that got resolved.

So if you're trying to decide whether there's an upper limit for what top players can use to win, that might be an interesting question; racquet physics, biomechanics and aerodynamics come into play. But otherwise this whole thread is like arguing whether $3.00 is too much to pay for gas. Used to be, huh?

A great post!

 

[pmerk34]

Me too I love watching the guys who really love putting spin on balls react when I bash a flattie straight at them.

Flaying arms and legs everywhere as they try to brush the ball up LOL! Usually what happens is a misshit and I just have to walk to the net and smash another one straight at them LOL!

It's crazy that kids are trying all these top spin shots thinking that that's the only way to play.

mawashi

The kids want to be pro's and the pro's use a ton of topspin intodays game. The fact you hit flat is irrelevant to the trends in the pro game.

 

[Safin777]

Nick

NIck all these racquets are normal specs or someone has some lead on it?

 

[Toxicmilk]

The kids want to be pro's and the pro's use a ton of topspin intodays game. The fact you hit flat is irrelevant to the trends in the pro game.

So even if you lose your matches, as long as you try to hit like nadal...it's all cool i bet. Besides, plenty of pros flatten how balls at times. And nowhere in Mawashi's quote did he say he hits flats exclusively.

 

[phoenicks]

Toxicmilk, I like your nick !!!

 

[Safin777]

I think that another explanation (maybe an economic one) is that mids have to be strung with gut or high-end multi but few people can afford these strings at a constant rate so it's more affordable using a MP stung with poly

 

[phoenicks]

I think that another explanation (maybe an economic one) is that mids have to be strung with gut or high-end multi but few people can afford these strings at a constant rate so it's more affordable using a MP stung with poly

hm... yeah, I used a multi, but i also see a lot of ppl putting poly or hybrid on their mids.

 

[mawashi]

I think that another explanation (maybe an economic one) is that mids have to be strung with gut or high-end multi but few people can afford these strings at a constant rate so it's more affordable using a MP stung with poly

Say what? Since, when do you NEED to string a mid with gut or multi?

Just where did you get the info from?

mawashi

 

[phoenicks]

yeah that's a very crude generalizations.

 

[oest10]

It's just for the simple fact that the game has changed. The 90 headsize 320+ gr rackets make it just too difficult for the average tennis player to put spin on the ball.

 

[pmerk34]

It's just for the simple fact that the game has changed. The 90 headsize 320+ gr rackets make it just too difficult for the average tennis player to put spin on the ball.

As well as the avg top 10 pro

 

[oest10]

As well as the avg top 10 pro

Nadal, Rafael (ESP) - Uses sick amounts of spin. Do you think he could really place that much spin on the ball with a heavier and smaller racket like federers?

Federer, Roger (SUI) - Ktour 90, small Headsize

Djokovic, Novak (SRB) - Nblade 93, small headsize

Murray, Andy (GBR) - Head MG Prestige 93, small headsize

Davydenko, Nikolay (RUS) - Prince O3 Tour, headsize 100 but a very control orientated racket

Ferrer, David (ESP) - Hits fairly great amounts of spin, same story as with Nadal

Nalbandian, David (ARG) - Yonez RDS MP001 or something, small headsize, 90 i believe

Roddick, Andy (USA) - Hits so hard that he hits off-center more than the average pro, needs the larger headsize

Del Potro, Juan Martin (ARG) - Ktour 95, small headsize

Wawrinka, Stanislas (SUI) - HEAD Flexpoint Prestige, small headsize




So i dont know where your average top 10 pro went with their big headsize rackets..

 

[oest10]

And I'd like to add that almost every proffesional around leads up his racket, far beyond the 320 gr mark.

 

[JediMindTrick]

Nadal, Rafael (ESP) - Uses sick amounts of spin. Do you think he could really place that much spin on the ball with a heavier and smaller racket like federers?

Federer, Roger (SUI) - Ktour 90, small Headsize

Djokovic, Novak (SRB) - Nblade 93, small headsize

Murray, Andy (GBR) - Head MG Prestige 93, small headsize

Davydenko, Nikolay (RUS) - Prince O3 Tour, headsize 100 but a very control orientated racket

Ferrer, David (ESP) - Hits fairly great amounts of spin, same story as with Nadal

Nalbandian, David (ARG) - Yonez RDS MP001 or something, small headsize, 90 i believe

Roddick, Andy (USA) - Hits so hard that he hits off-center more than the average pro, needs the larger headsize

Del Potro, Juan Martin (ARG) - Ktour 95, small headsize

Wawrinka, Stanislas (SUI) - HEAD Flexpoint Prestige, small headsize




So i dont know where your average top 10 pro went with their big headsize rackets..

A lot of wishfull thinking. Only Federer uses a midsize. All the others use midpluses.

 

[vsbabolat]

Rainer Schuettler uses a Mid.

 

[pmerk34]

A lot of wishfull thinking. Only Federer uses a midsize. All the others use midpluses.

He must have not bothered to research very far. Andy Murray uses a 98 sq Prestige Pro not a 93sq inch Prestige. The only one with a 90 inch is Federer. The rest except possibly Djokovic and Wawrinka use 95 sq or greater.

 

[pmerk34]

And I'd like to add that almost every proffesional around leads up his racket, far beyond the 320 gr mark.

That part about the weight is true.