Commentary: player vs. tweener

[ferrari_827]

I know this subject has been beaten to the ground, but after playing with a "tweener" (leaded up Yonex RDX300), I have some interesting observations.

Note that I recently made this change and had been using player rackets for my entire tennis playing life.

1. While tweeners are more powerful ounce for ounce, due to the lighter weight, it seems you actually have to swing faster than a player racket to get the same power.

2. Maneuverability a plus for tweener. Stability on hard returns a minus.

3. One area where I noticed a decrease in performance is control on short balls from the service line to the net. With the tweener, I didn't have as good placement as a player racket, and was more likely to hit balls out.

4. Serve. Edge to tweener.

5. Groundstrokes/volleys. Same.

6. Forgiveness. Edge to tweener.

Overall, I prefer a tweener, but the only area which really bothers me is #3. With a player racket, you can put away short balls with precision, but it's harder to put the ball away with accuracy with a tweener.

I realize these observations are just generalizations since there are a range of tweeners and player rackets.

 

[cabernetjunkie]

Oh no, here we go again!!!! lol

 

[monologuist]

I've tried the RDX-300...

The only area that I would say it beats out the Ti-70 Long , which I remember you saying you used to play (and I currently use), is maneuverability on service return and volleys, and forgivenes of sweetspot. The Ti-70 I feel like has better control, more power on serves and groundies (assuming you can swing it at a decent speed and have good mechanics and footwork). I actually think the TI-70 makes up for its lower maneuverability on service returns by having such incredible control that you can really attack second serves or slower firt serves...on really fast first serves, it is a little harder to react with it to block back, as with reflex volleys. Why don't you use the TI-70 anymore?

 

[ferrari_827]

I stupidly sold my Ti-70, along with some other rackets for $$. I don't like having so many rackets but this is one I shouldn't have sold.

Anyway, I had to add 0.5oz of lead to the RDX300 to make it play as I wanted. With a total weight of 12.1oz is it really a tweener any more ? With that much lead, it's far different from the stock version.

 

[Kevo]

I actually used the RDX 300 for a while, and my problem was just too much oomph. I think a lot of people like that though. I ended up selling it to my brother who's favorite thing to do is attempt new and undiscovered ways to spin the ball, and he liked it quite a bit.

 

[Django]

Appreciate your obserations. Of course, the NEED to swing faster w/ a tweener to get the same power is coupled with the ABILITY to swing faster. Isn't that the whole point of going to a lighter racquet?

My dilemma is that I'm working on shortening my strokes -- making them more compact, and consistent. I'm concerned that by dropping from 12-ounces to the 11.0-to-11.5 range, I'll be swinging longer (rather than just faster) to compensate.

What differences have you noticed in this regard?

 

[monologuist]

I stupidly sold my Ti-70, along with some other rackets for $$. I don't like having so many rackets but this is one I shouldn't have sold.

Anyway, I had to add 0.5oz of lead to the RDX300 to make it play as I wanted. With a total weight of 12.1oz is it really a tweener any more ? With that much lead, it's far different from the stock version.

OMG..can't believe you sold your Ti-70...didn't you say you thought it was one of Yonex's best offerings? I saw a couple of size 4 1/2 ones recently for sale (I myself need 4 3/8) if you wanna recover one...I got interested in Yonex through their MP series, and went and tried just about all of them....the Ti-70 was hands down the best one for me with the Ti-80 a close second. None of the other Yonex's had the pinpoint control of the Ti-70...the only shortcoming I found was slightly less spin potential, but I solved that with a thin gauge (122mm.) natural gut hybrid job...now I can get as much topspin as any other Yonex.

Anyway, are you playing better tennis with the RDX-300, that is the question really?

Oh yeah, what happened to the MP Tour-5? I think you were high on that one too.

 

[EclipseRydr97]

What's tweener?

 

[FuZz_Da_AcE]

What's tweener?

a racquet between a player's racquet (generally the ones the pro's use) and a game improvement racquet (which is usually head heavy). tweener racquets include yonex rdx300, prince O3 red/blue, and generally racquets found in the middle of the lineup

 

[ferrari_827]

It takes a while to get used to a tweener since you are swinging faster than with a player racket. Sometimes you swing *too fast* and lose control, and other times swing too slow and drop the ball short.

PS To monoliguist, I think the ti-70 was probably the best racket I played with. However, in my case, it's the operator, not the racket (!) Nothing can replace getting off the couch and putting in the court time.

 

[monologuist]

It takes a while to get used to a tweener since you are swinging faster than with a player racket. Sometimes you swing *too fast* and lose control, and other times swing too slow and drop the ball short.

PS To monoliguist, I think the ti-70 was probably the best racket I played with. However, in my case, it's the operator, not the racket (!) Nothing can replace getting off the couch and putting in the court time.

yes...I find it harder to control the swing speed of a tweener since they swing so light....the only shots that I find easier with them are overheads, reflex volleys, lobs, and return of very fast serves....on all other shots, a heavier racquet I find much easier to control the speed of the swing, the placement, the spin, etc..

so are you saying that you find yourself playing more often now that you are using a lighter racquet? are you winning more points/matches with the tweener would you say?

 

[Zverev]

They are cool observations.
I found I can kick serve better with tweener -
I think that's about all advantages.
Recieving hard serves is probably the biggest disadvantage for me - tweener is not stable enough.
Also You do need to swing faster - means less accuracy - but spin is good.
Overall - there is no substitute for weight for me.