Are We Really At The Level ,to Play With Professional Rackets Completely ?

[magnut]

If we can't handle the same racquets as the pros, why play with the same balls?
Forget Wilson USO or propenn/ATP, let's all play with the can of pennchamps we opened last week.
Seriously, you don't need to play with what the pros use but if you have remotely decent form there is no reason you can't.
Let's stop making excuses about gear and hit the courts
I'll bring a fresh can of Wilson USOs

honestly most low level players are far better off with dead balls. They dont jump so much and fly off the racquet as fast. the rallys last longer.

 

[HRB]

"Almost all professional rackets , like aeropro, blades, pure drives , etc requires really a long and fast swings always to play well with them"

Ok, so tons of responses have pointed out these are just "bases" for Pro-Stocks...but here is my point...your quote above..why is requiring that a bad thing????? Don't you want to get better at tennis?

When I switched from beginner Granny Sticks in my early days 2 things happened...first is my nasty tennis elbow went away almost overnight.....

Second thing, my game improved 10-fold in weeks..the very requirement you describe is what made me better..the beginner sticks rewarded lazy habits, short choppy swings, terrible racquet prep, and sh#tty footwork...once I adjusted to the needs of the superior spec, my game elevated, bad habits disappeared, and satisfaction was through the roof.

 

[Fintft]

honestly most low level players are far better off with dead balls. They dont jump so much and fly off the racquet as fast. the rallys last longer.

I'm biased to Wimbledon Dunlop Slanzeger myself, on the heavy side.

 

[Fintft]

"Almost all professional rackets , like aeropro, blades, pure drives , etc requires really a long and fast swings always to play well with them"

Ok, so tons of responses have pointed out these are just "bases" for Pro-Stocks...but here is my point...your quote above..why is requiring that a bad thing????? Don't you want to get better at tennis?

When I switched from beginner Granny Sticks in my early days 2 things happened...first is my nasty tennis elbow went away almost overnight.....

Second thing, my game improved 10-fold in weeks..the very requirement you describe is what made me better..the beginner sticks rewarded lazy habits, short choppy swings, terrible racquet prep, and sh#tty footwork...once I adjusted to the needs of the superior spec, my game elevated, bad habits disappeared, and satisfaction was through the roof.

Totally agree with you.

 

[magnut]

I'm biased to Wimbledon Dunlop Slanzeger myself, on the heavy side.

metal can right. those are really nice. i like the cans as much as the balls. they are good for all sorts of things. nails, screws, ammo, change, piggy banks etc etc. good balls though. They last a long time. you pay for them though.

 

[movdqa]

metal can right. those are really nice. i like the cans as much as the balls. they are good for all sorts of things. nails, screws, ammo, change, piggy banks etc etc. good balls though. They last a long time. you pay for them though.

Ever use one as a water bottle?

 

[Fintft]

metal can right. those are really nice. i like the cans as much as the balls. they are good for all sorts of things. nails, screws, ammo, change, piggy banks etc etc. good balls though. They last a long time. you pay for them though.

Well, if I pick (by box) them up in US (TW), then they cost about $4-5 per can of 4, same I would have to pay for Penns or Wilsons in can of 3, here in Canada.

Not only they last longer on hard courts then any other available balls, but I got used to their weight, timming wise. I love them on clay as well, where the lighter balls would just fly.

 

[magnut]

Ever use one as a water bottle?

no but why not. i used to have this thing with filling a fresh ball can with water and drinking it every time i opened a new can. it tastes like fresh tennis balls. i love that smell. its like fresh coffee in the morning. i still take a deep inhale every time i open a fresh can. nothing like it.

I wonder how those cans would hold up in the dish washer. might be worth it to get a case to use instead glasses in the cupboard.

 

[Captain Ron]

Well, if I pick (by box) them up in US (TW), then they cost about $4-5 per can of 4, same I would have to pay for Penns or Wilsons in can of 3, here in Canada.



Not only they last longer on hard courts then any other available balls, but I got used to their weight, timming wise. I love them on clay as well, where the lighter balls would just fly.

I'll have to give them a try.

 

[movdqa]

no but why not. i used to have this thing with filling a fresh ball can with water and drinking it every time i opened a new can. it tastes like fresh tennis balls. i love that smell. its like fresh coffee in the morning. i still take a deep inhale every time i open a fresh can. nothing like it.

I wonder how those cans would hold up in the dish washer. might be worth it to get a case to use instead glasses in the cupboard.

Drinking from tennis ball cans was pretty common back in the 1970s.

 

[kingcheetah]

With the "long swing" theory, one has to consider that the pros take full swings, but the backswings have become much smaller than they used to be-- look at videos of current guys vs ones 15-20 years ago... the backswing is shorter and more compact now (the newer ATP forehand.)

The pro racquets have more mass on them, so if you can handle it and still accelerate efficiently, you'll get more zip on the ball. Get one of the "players" racquets like a six one or a pro staff 90... really anything with some heft and a good bit of control and you can hit the crap out of the ball... if poly is your thing, that can help a lot... that's what makes the RF97 enticing... an open patterned 97" frame with some serious heft...

The pros even modify the "heavy" racquets for us mortals like the six one. Look at Del Po or Pospisil's frames and I figure they must be 13-14 oz strung. It's pointless to try to use their layup, find what works for you and stick to it.

 

[TennisJunkie35]

I'm a solid 4.0 and have been playing for 4 years and all I have ever used is a "granny stick" since I started.

I went and bought two Blade 104's to replace my two 9 ounce, 118 inch granny sticks and although I feel I hit the ball better with my Blades I win more and by a greater margin with the granny stick.

Im going on two months with both sets of rackets in my bag and i'm starting to think that maybe the Granny stick was just made for me. Only saving grace to the Blade is my serve gets a few extra MPH and I seem to be able to put away sitters better with the blade.

I have no problems hitting winners with the Blade on balls I have time to setup on like a normal crosscourt forehand but when I am making a reaction volley or any quick shot where I don't have time for all that as much swing such as a serve return I just don't get all the power and depth I usually get.

I am still holding out hope that I see the results that the earlier poster HRB saw when they made the switch…. So far it’s just not working. I can play someone and beat them 6-1, 6-1 with my granny and then I play them with the Blade the next day and it is 6-4, 7-6..

I am only trying this because so many people see my racket after we play and said "How do you play with that thing"

 

[HRB]

Totally agree with you.

Thank You..now more importantly...who is the "hotness" in your Avatar? Cristea, Ana, my old eyes can't make it out?:twisted:

 

[HRB]

I'm a solid 4.0 and have been playing for 4 years and all I have ever used is a "granny stick" since I started.

I went and bought two Blade 104's to replace my two 9 ounce, 118 inch granny sticks and although I feel I hit the ball better with my Blades I win more and by a greater margin with the granny stick.

Im going on two months with both sets of rackets in my bag and i'm starting to think that maybe the Granny stick was just made for me. Only saving grace to the Blade is my serve gets a few extra MPH and I seem to be able to put away sitters better with the blade.

I have no problems hitting winners with the Blade on balls I have time to setup on like a normal crosscourt forehand but when I am making a reaction volley or any quick shot where I don't have time for all that as much swing such as a serve return I just don't get all the power and depth I usually get.

I am still holding out hope that I see the results that the earlier poster HRB saw when they made the switch…. So far it’s just not working. I can play someone and beat them 6-1, 6-1 with my granny and then I play them with the Blade the next day and it is 6-4, 7-6..

I am only trying this because so many people see my racket after we play and said "How do you play with that thing"

If people ask "how you play with that thing", and you play with it fine, then god bless..that's the spec for YOU! Ultimately that's the hunt..the quest for the proverbial "extension of your arm" ..I searched for years...and the sticks in my signature fit like gloves.

 

[Spin Doctor]

Older women are the funniest. You can see it on there faces when they realize those short skirts just dont cut it on the court like they do in the department store. If you do show them just make sure you tell them they look sexy or graceful out there. Then take them out for a beer. Do not tell them they look like a drunk, three legged, elephant on crytal meth. Thats Not good.

God, you're mean....but it's funny so I forgive you. I do wonder whether you hate women, though.

Not Serena Williams.

Whenever JMac commentates on a SW match, he always mentions how super lightweight her racquet is. Like geez, he doesn't realize that she isn't playing stock? I really wonder about him sometimes, he seems like the biggest dope.

Unless she is playing stock, in which case I take that back. Is it confirmed that she leads up her racquet?

 

[Fuji]

God, you're mean....but it's funny so I forgive you. I do wonder whether you hate women, though.



Whenever JMac commentates on a SW match, he always mentions how super lightweight her racquet is. Like geez, he doesn't realize that she isn't playing stock? I really wonder about him sometimes, he seems like the biggest dope.

Unless she is playing stock, in which case I take that back. Is it confirmed that she leads up her racquet?

Yeah it is. Her swingweight is like 390-400 to boot. She has a monstrous spec.

-Fuji

 

[thedunster]

I'm not a good player and being 45 years old with leg and hip problems cetainly isn't helping me either.

However, I play with racquests that many would say are suited to players better than myself.

My three main racquets I use are Max 200g, Prestige Pro Graphene, and Pro Staff [Kevlar / Graphite].

I really don't care if I win or lose as long as I get to hit the occasional wow factor shot I'll keep coming back for more.

I'd sooner stop playing than use a light oversize racquet that brings me no joy.

Use what makes you feel good. Whether that means hitting the occasional great shot or winning playing bad tennis is up to the individual.

just my 2c worth.

 

[Spin Doctor]

Yeah it is. Her swingweight is like 390-400 to boot. She has a monstrous spec.

-Fuji

So JMac is a bonehead. Don't get me wrong, I respect him as a player but he doesn't do any research and talks out of his *** most of the time. Not sure how he could think a top WTA pro could play with a 10.7 oz racket and 60 RA stiffness.

 

[BreakPoint]

Here's a video of a rec player using a pro racquet. The racquet is 386 SW. The static weight is around 13.25.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMJ65FQ79hs

Ha ha ha.....that's obviously you since those specs match your specs in your sig. You're the taller guy without the hat, right?

 

[BreakPoint]

I'm a solid 4.0 and have been playing for 4 years and all I have ever used is a "granny stick" since I started.

I went and bought two Blade 104's to replace my two 9 ounce, 118 inch granny sticks and although I feel I hit the ball better with my Blades I win more and by a greater margin with the granny stick.

Im going on two months with both sets of rackets in my bag and i'm starting to think that maybe the Granny stick was just made for me. Only saving grace to the Blade is my serve gets a few extra MPH and I seem to be able to put away sitters better with the blade.

I have no problems hitting winners with the Blade on balls I have time to setup on like a normal crosscourt forehand but when I am making a reaction volley or any quick shot where I don't have time for all that as much swing such as a serve return I just don't get all the power and depth I usually get.

I am still holding out hope that I see the results that the earlier poster HRB saw when they made the switch…. So far it’s just not working. I can play someone and beat them 6-1, 6-1 with my granny and then I play them with the Blade the next day and it is 6-4, 7-6..

I am only trying this because so many people see my racket after we play and said "How do you play with that thing"

You might win with your 9 oz. 118 sq. in. granny stick, but I'd bet it's not pretty. And isn't the goal of playing tennis to look as much like Roger Federer as you can?

 

[BreakPoint]

I really don't care if I win or lose as long as I get to hit the occasional wow factor shot I'll keep coming back for more.

I'd sooner stop playing than use a light oversize racquet that brings me no joy.

Use what makes you feel good. Whether that means hitting the occasional great shot or winning playing bad tennis is up to the individual.

Agreed!

 

[Mick]

C'mon! You can't handle an 11 ounce frame with a swingweight of 310? Hit the gym, dude!

haha. Look at how much leads she put on the frame :shock: It's a lot heavier than those retail Federer racquets.

 

[movdqa]

haha. Look at how much leads she put on the frame :shock: It's a lot heavier than those retail Federer racquets.

Oh, you got one of her old Prince models. I have no clue on the numbers on her old stuff. I haven't seen any lead on her Head frames so I'm assuming that it's under the bumper. Did you ever get the racquet measured on an RDC? I don't recall seeing her specs on the web.

 

[magnut]

wow mick thats a beast. lead all around. i wonder how much she has on the hand to balance that out.

my frames are in a lot heavier but its mostly handle weight. i dont think I could play well with that much added on the head. snapping kickers would be rough.

 

[Mick]

Oh, you got one of her old Prince models. I have no clue on the numbers on her old stuff. I haven't seen any lead on her Head frames so I'm assuming that it's under the bumper. Did you ever get the racquet measured on an RDC? I don't recall seeing her specs on the web.

nope. sorry.
when I bought it, the string was broken so I replaced it. Originally it had multi colored hybrid string, the kind that she normally would use.

One of the coaches i know tried it for a while and he told me it was too heavy for him as well :shock:

 

[movdqa]

Her Head frame is 317 grams unstrung, 316 mm BP. Her frame is not capped and there's no lead visible at all on her frame so any lead is at 12:00. This information is from the lady that sold me one of Berdych's frames so I consider her accurate. It's also confirmed from an interview that I read with Roman Prokes - he said that her frame was 320 grams unstrung and this was back in 2006 before she moved to Head.

 

[Mick]

You might win with your 9 oz. 118 sq. in. granny stick, but I'd bet it's not pretty. And isn't the goal of playing tennis to look as much like Roger Federer as you can?

you cannot be serious!

 

[Mick]

wow mick thats a beast. lead all around. i wonder how much she has on the hand to balance that out.

my frames are in a lot heavier but its mostly handle weight. i dont think I could play well with that much added on the head. snapping kickers would be rough.

I haven't tried to shriek as i hit the ball. Maybe that would help

 

[yangster007]

God, you're mean....but it's funny so I forgive you. I do wonder whether you hate women, though.



Whenever JMac commentates on a SW match, he always mentions how super lightweight her racquet is. Like geez, he doesn't realize that she isn't playing stock? I really wonder about him sometimes, he seems like the biggest dope.

Unless she is playing stock, in which case I take that back. Is it confirmed that she leads up her racquet?

I believe there was a pro stringer at Indian Wells that disclosed all pros' racquet specs. Serena Williams and Andy Murray racquet have the highest swingweight (385-400). Similar data also shown in other tournaments, you can Google "pro racquet specs" to find out more. Some pros swing with 300 swingweight racquets too.

 

[magnut]

Her Head frame is 317 grams unstrung, 316 mm BP. Her frame is not capped and there's no lead visible at all on her frame so any lead is at 12:00. This information is from the lady that sold me one of Berdych's frames so I consider her accurate. It's also confirmed from an interview that I read with Roman Prokes - he said that her frame was 320 grams unstrung and this was back in 2006 before she moved to Head.

i see it now. i thought those graphics at 12 and six were fancy lead tape. Those specs are not that bad. my current frames are 365 un strung...without grips. Figure the grips add around 20 and the string 18-20. Plus a little bit of lead tape and head guard tape and whatever else. i am up at around 410 right now. sounds heavy but its very headlight. weight is not a much of an issue to me as balance. when they get head heavy it just feels wrong to me.

 

[BreakPoint]

nope. sorry.
when I bought it, the string was broken so I replaced it. Originally it had multi colored hybrid string, the kind that she normally would use.

One of the coaches i know tried it for a while and he told me it was too heavy for him as well :shock:

No wonder Sharapova had bad shoulder problems that required surgery and then forced her to change her service motion. And she still double faults a lot because it's probably hard to control all that weight on her serves.

 

[magnut]

No wonder Sharapova had bad shoulder problems that required surgery and then forced her to change her service motion. And she still double faults a lot because it's probably hard to control all that weight on her serves.

you have to be able to put some heavy spin on the ball to pull it off. if you can though it really gives a lot to your serve. looking at maria i dont think her body could handle it. its a miracle she didnt have golfers elbow as well. stoser probably could handle it.

it probably also explains her backhand volley.

 

[movdqa]

I haven't tried to shriek as i hit the ball. Maybe that would help

I think that her shriek is why her Pro Stocks seem to take a long time to sell.

 

[kingcheetah]

I'm tempted to buy one of those big tennis warehouse rolls of lead tape and see what the Serena setup plays like... I recall the numbers someone posted being about 12.1 oz strung, but the sw in the 385-400 range, and being headlight but close to even balance...

 

[TennisCJC]

Yeah it is. Her swingweight is like 390-400 to boot. She has a monstrous spec.

-Fuji

I thought it was reported that Serena's SW was about 370. I have never seen 390+ but 370 was reported here on TT. It is still a low static weight - I think the static weight was under 11 oz, SW ~370, and balance was a little HH. Venus was similar too. Carlos Moya used to be similar too - high SW, HH balance with low static weight - I thin Moya was under 11 oz. Henin was similar too. But, these are exceptions in that most pros are high SW (350+ for ATP), moderate static weight (11.75-12.75 oz), and HL. I did an average from 43 ATP players from a spreadsheet posted on TT and the average unstrung balance was 12.3inches or 9+HL and strung balance would be 6+HL. I wouldn't advice going to a HH racket personally but it works for some obviously.

 

[Fintft]

Thank You..now more importantly...who is the "hotness" in your Avatar? Cristea, Ana, my old eyes can't make it out?:twisted:

Glad we have our priorities right

My lovely co-national Sorana Cirstea is in it:

http://www.google.ca/images?hl=en-C..._group&ei=IiscVLPpF4XCsASAjYKABg&ved=0CBMQsAQ
And I've just changed my sig to reflect that for future inquisitive minds

And although she's good friends with Ana Ivanovic, that one is still hotter.

 

[Fintft]

Yeah it is. Her swingweight is like 390-400 to boot. She has a monstrous spec.

-Fuji

Wow, that's Serana's Blade?
That's insane, but explains a bit her serve and some other shots...

 

[Fintft]

no but why not. i used to have this thing with filling a fresh ball can with water and drinking it every time i opened a new can. it tastes like fresh tennis balls. i love that smell. its like fresh coffee in the morning. i still take a deep inhale every time i open a fresh can. nothing like it.

I wonder how those cans would hold up in the dish washer. might be worth it to get a case to use instead glasses in the cupboard.

I can picture you trying to use them as champagne glasses for your significant one's bday....

I'd give you that: the color of the can is sensual/secsi and they make a great gift to any tennis playing chick

 

[JackB1]

I thought it was reported that Serena's SW was about 370. I have never seen 390+ but 370 was reported here on TT. It is still a low static weight - I think the static weight was under 11 oz, SW ~370, and balance was a little HH.

how is that even possible? to have an 11 oz racquet with a sw of 370 and it was only a "little hh"? If you took a stock Blade 104 which is already 10.7 oz strung and added the remaing .3 oz all right at the tip, you still wouldn't be anywhere close to 370 sw.

 

[Fuji]

I thought it was reported that Serena's SW was about 370. I have never seen 390+ but 370 was reported here on TT. It is still a low static weight - I think the static weight was under 11 oz, SW ~370, and balance was a little HH. Venus was similar too. Carlos Moya used to be similar too - high SW, HH balance with low static weight - I thin Moya was under 11 oz. Henin was similar too. But, these are exceptions in that most pros are high SW (350+ for ATP), moderate static weight (11.75-12.75 oz), and HL. I did an average from 43 ATP players from a spreadsheet posted on TT and the average unstrung balance was 12.3inches or 9+HL and strung balance would be 6+HL. I wouldn't advice going to a HH racket personally but it works for some obviously.

Hey, I was going on shoddy memory from Greg Raven's site. I actually got the sisters mixed up, Venus is quite high while serena is a fair amount lower.

Williams, S. Wilson 300 36.5 354
Williams, V. Wilson 299 37.4 380

-Fuji

 

[Rabbit]

Good point about how important timing is to this. Timing can't be taught, but it can be improved.

Yes, for me, playing more means better timing. I typically play 3 - 6 times a week now that I've joined a tennis-only club here in town. While on vacation, I played every day for at least 2.5 hours. When I got back to town, my strokes were 'on'. But, I am prone to straying from good habits to bad, so I work with a pro to strive for improvement in all areas.

 

[Spin Doctor]

how is that even possible? to have an 11 oz racquet with a sw of 370 and it was only a "little hh"? If you took a stock Blade 104 which is already 10.7 oz strung and added the remaing .3 oz all right at the tip, you still wouldn't be anywhere close to 370 sw.

Yeah, I don't get it either. I don't do much modding but this doesn't sound right.

 

[yangster007]

Yeah, I don't get it either. I don't do much modding but this doesn't sound right.

Well pro racquets aren't simply consumer racquets leaded up. They are made custom by the company. For instance, Serena's racquet doesn't start with a consumer level Blade 104. Her racquet is custom made with lots of weight in the tip, and painted over as Blade 104. And custom companies like Priority One can do anything to a racquet. So don't try it at home.

 

[Spin Doctor]

Well pro racquets aren't simply consumer racquets leaded up. They are made custom by the company. For instance, Serena's racquet doesn't start with a consumer level Blade 104. Her racquet is custom made with lots of weight in the tip, and painted over as Blade 104. And custom companies like Priority One can do anything to a racquet. So don't try it at home.

LOL. Dude, I'm dumb but I'm not that dumb. I know pros use modded rackets.

I was referring to post #85 and jackb1's response to it. I can't see how its possible to get to 370 SW with an 11oz static weight with a slight HH balance. Perhaps you can shed light on this?

 

[Fuji]

LOL. Dude, I'm dumb but I'm not that dumb. I know pros use modded rackets.

I was referring to post #85 and jackb1's response to it. I can't see how its possible to get to 370 SW with an 11oz static weight with a slight HH balance. Perhaps you can shed light on this?

I've had prostocks were the starting weight was 250g on the hairpin. Getting to 300ish grams isn't hard with such a high swingweight when you are starting that low.

-Fuji

 

[Fintft]

Sat courtside at New Haven Open a month ago, and Sorana is simply STUNNING in person. So lean and lovely, in gorgeous black tennis dress with glitter!!!:twisted: Sadly it seemed her back was bothering her that day, so she was out in qualies.

Good for you! I have yet to see her in person, but she is a good looking girl.

Also, like Anna I. (have you seen the match yesterday against Wozniaky?), she plays really aggressive (although she can't keep it up all the time - the mental aspect)! She did well at USO though.