Listening to Becker and McEnroe, they both seem to match specific types of rackets to particular eras. Becker himself said yesterday that the former players, like himself, hit with heavy, flexible rackets. And McEnroe, a few days ago, was speaking of how the modern game almost demands the lighter, stiffer racket.
However, Becker and McEnroe (especially McEnroe) implied that they have not changed their playing styles or rackets to suit a more modern game. While many of us intermediate players make racket decisions based on the modern pro game, wouldn't we be better served to follow the lead of the former greats----with their heavy, flexible sticks and more relaxed strokes?
I'm 37 but often play with a really good former player and teaching pro in his mid-late 60's who almost left his arm detached on the court one day trying to emulate Nadal's forehand with a Pure Drive Cortex. I don't get it!