Do you have specific racquet needs or can you adapt to whatever is prevalent ?

[Crocodile]

As the question states, just wanted to get peoples thoughts on the topic. Are you a player for example who still must have that rare 330g ( unstrung) racquet with a thin beam and 93 head so you can play your brand of S & V or can you play with most racquets you pick up with and just get used to it? Are there racquets that you just couldn’t get used to or your arm won’t tolerate. Have you gradually got lighter and more manuverable as time has gone by or have you gone heavier and higher SW. If you have gone lighter are you worried that it might be worse for your arm or has it been the best thing for you? Do you go for a racquet you like the feel of and then customise or do you prefer to stay stock?
If you look at what’s available these days on TW, there aren’t that many grip 5 offerings as people are using smaller grips. and most frames are in that 300 to 315g weight range. Are you loyal to a brand or model or do you re-asses who is making a good product each year and switch to it!
Interested in hearing what your experiences are.

 

[NickJ]

I used to use nothing else but my Pro Staff 6.0 95, and wouldn't even think of looking at anything else. Then they got more & more difficult to get hold of, bumper strips were costing almost as much as a new racquet, so I made the decision to change and used the Pro Staff 95S. Did this until I had an arm injury and it was suggested as I was getting older, the stiffness of the PS and my string choice was not helping. After much searching I finally settled on the Ezone DR98 and I love it. Still my go to match frame. But it was that time of searching, testing and demoing, I tried all kinds of frames, to the point now where I would feel comfortable in picking up any one of 20 or so of my 65+ total racquets, and still be able to play well enough to win matches.
I have no preference over manufacturer or model, head size or string type, just whatever feels good when I play with it. Current favourites after my DR are Youtek IG Prestige Pro, VCore SV 95, POG Midplus, Gravity Pro and the latest Ezone. All these ar ein the bag waiting for the day our courts reopen after the virus has buggered off.

 

[One Handed Dynasty]

I can pick up almost any racquet and adapt pretty quickly, but if it’s not close to the spec I’ve used for almost the last 15 years then my execution is going to be off on more difficult shots. There’s also the feel: most people are used to a specific layup/headsize/thickness/beam profile/RA profile combo. I’ve only changed racquets and specs once. I switched from the PS90 and lowered my SW by 10 pts and by using a larger racquet raised my TW while keeping the same static weight and balance point.

More recently I’ve tested switching from the RF97 to the Blade Pro 16x19, keeping my SW and balance point the same while lowering my static weight. So far I’m mixed about it, it just feels to light. I’ve go an Ultra Pro coming in as well that will weigh closer to my spec after customization, and I think I’ll like that better. No matter what though, I always add some lead under the bumper guard, a leather grip, and some silicone in the handle. That seems to immediately make any racquet play better for me.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

-i can play with any stick
-if i borrow one while on court, ill hit it a bit, but not extensively
-but i am good to my arm!!, soo i'll modify all the racquets (i plan to test/demo/hit for a long hit session) to what i like/prefer
-but as soon as i get my hands on it, i'll tail weight it to 10-12pts HL
-i'll increase the buttcap (ala R.Gasquet)
-throw on 1or2 O.G. to get to my grip size
-and i'm off to the races!! ; with further lead tweaking where it needs it

 

[tennis347]

Over the last 10 years or so after injuring my shoulder, I had to go down in weight. These days I am pretty stuck on a certain weight and balance. I tend to like frames that already have a decent SW around 325 and I usually just do some minor tweaks on the customization and will not exceed a 330 SW with a static weight around 11.5 ounces or so. I also grew up playing with thin beam frames that are flexible. So for me, I don't like the feel of stiffer and wider beam modern frame with an RA strung above 64. Tennis is all about feel so I would have trouble adapting to a lighter SW and a higher RA. It just makes things alot easier to keep everything uniform and work on your game. If you look at the Pros, they hardly ever change frames due to wanting that consistent weight, balance and feel. Don't get me wrong, I have changed racquets alot over the years but nowadays I know what I like and don't like based upon specs alone before hitting with the racquet.

 

[Lorenn]

As the question states, just wanted to get peoples thoughts on the topic. Are you a player for example who still must have that rare 330g ( unstrung) racquet with a thin beam and 93 head so you can play your brand of S & V or can you play with most racquets you pick up with and just get used to it? Are there racquets that you just couldn’t get used to or your arm won’t tolerate. Have you gradually got lighter and more manuverable as time has gone by or have you gone heavier and higher SW. If you have gone lighter are you worried that it might be worse for your arm or has it been the best thing for you? Do you go for a racquet you like the feel of and then customise or do you prefer to stay stock?
If you look at what’s available these days on TW, there aren’t that many grip 5 offerings as people are using smaller grips. and most frames are in that 300 to 315g weight range. Are you loyal to a brand or model or do you re-asses who is making a good product each year and switch to it!
Interested in hearing what your experiences are.

I find playing with various racquets enjoyable. I don't switch my main racquet often. Before my current racquet I was playing with head LM Radicals. Normally I like arm friendly racquets. Players tend to want to try various strings(are are normally inflexible with using arm friend strings), so a little kindness in the racquet helps prevent issues. Not overly brand loyal, but since I like well rounded arm friendly racquets I do well with Prince and Head. Racquets are likely slightly lighter, but mainly due to lack of options. I currently prefer to find a racquet with the right weight if I can.

Early on I switched a little more. Improvements in racquets seemed huge in the old days. Started my Graphite journey with Prince Graphite after a few Princes switched to Head Radicals. Stopping at the LM as I disliked Microgel.

 

[njhmusicman]

For me the biggest thing is increasing the butt cap. If I don't have that then the racquet will slide off my hand cause I hold it so low and I won't have the confidence to swing out. If I have time, I will tail weight it to somewhere between 13-16 oz. to give it heft. And lastly, I would put a thick sharp poly in it.

 

[Yamin]

Before the day of knowing racket specs I bought them purely on demo and without customization. Looked up the specs on my 3 last rackets, and all had almost the same balance and swing weight. I don't play great with head heavier balances on the backhand and for serve so while I tried to adapt to a head heavy racket, I wasn't achieving the results I was looking for. You'll find people will say "you can play with anything if you're good enough" but...

Most average people can play with rackets sub 330 swing weight and improve their game IMO. Not sure if you're insinuating that you need to move down in swing weight due to what is being put out now.

A lot of brands are increasing their grip sizes. Wilson/Prince/Head have gotten larger and Babolat/Yonex were always larger.

I just came back to the game after many years and a bad injury. I spent over 100 on demos and tried everything that sounded interesting. Last gen, Wilson was amazing and I'd consider the clash revolutionary even though I don't love it. I have no brand loyalty. Babolats are the same as they were. You either like them or don't. Head has a very good spread recently so you' could definitely find something in their range if you were brand locked. Yonex has very nice rackets and QC and most are very good but I found none to be the best. Prince is impossible to get a hold of and they do make good rackets, but it is such a pain to demo and often string (ports) that it isn't worth the effort unless you LOVE it.

I'd say demo a racket from each manufacturer that falls within your usual specs.

 

[Crocodile]

I used to use nothing else but my Pro Staff 6.0 95, and wouldn't even think of looking at anything else. Then they got more & more difficult to get hold of, bumper strips were costing almost as much as a new racquet, so I made the decision to change and used the Pro Staff 95S. Did this until I had an arm injury and it was suggested as I was getting older, the stiffness of the PS and my string choice was not helping. After much searching I finally settled on the Ezone DR98 and I love it. Still my go to match frame. But it was that time of searching, testing and demoing, I tried all kinds of frames, to the point now where I would feel comfortable in picking up any one of 20 or so of my 65+ total racquets, and still be able to play well enough to win matches.
I have no preference over manufacturer or model, head size or string type, just whatever feels good when I play with it. Current favourites after my DR are Youtek IG Prestige Pro, VCore SV 95, POG Midplus, Gravity Pro and the latest Ezone. All these ar ein the bag waiting for the day our courts reopen after the virus has buggered off.

Interested in your thoughts about the current EZone compared to the DR and whether you have also tried the DR plus and E Zone tours.
Also are your DR’s weighted up or are you playing with them stock and has your game style evolved?

 

[Crocodile]

I can pick up almost any racquet and adapt pretty quickly, but if it’s not close to the spec I’ve used for almost the last 15 years then my execution is going to be off on more difficult shots. There’s also the feel: most people are used to a specific layup/headsize/thickness/beam profile/RA profile combo. I’ve only changed racquets and specs once. I switched from the PS90 and lowered my SW by 10 pts and by using a larger racquet raised my TW while keeping the same static weight and balance point.

More recently I’ve tested switching from the RF97 to the Blade Pro 16x19, keeping my SW and balance point the same while lowering my static weight. So far I’m mixed about it, it just feels to light. I’ve go an Ultra Pro coming in as well that will weigh closer to my spec after customization, and I think I’ll like that better. No matter what though, I always add some lead under the bumper guard, a leather grip, and some silicone in the handle. That seems to immediately make any racquet play better for me.

I have an ultra pro version 3 in my collection for research with a leather grip added and over grip strung in Solinco hyper G soft at 48 lbs and what I can say is that the best feature of this racquet is its ball feel. It’s a very loud racquet as far as acoustics are concerned and most effective with ground strokes. It’s a nice racquet to use and one that would work with natural gut as well. I almost feel that a polyester ( as good as hyper G soft is) sought of doesn’t go with this racquet. A premium VS Touch would make it a beautiful frame,
The Ultra Pro is comfortable while having a raw feel but not comfortable like a Volkl C10 Pro for example.

 

[Crocodile]

-i can play with any stick
-if i borrow one while on court, ill hit it a bit, but not extensively
-but i am good to my arm!!, soo i'll modify all the racquets (i plan to test/demo/hit for a long hit session) to what i like/prefer
-but as soon as i get my hands on it, i'll tail weight it to 10-12pts HL
-i'll increase the buttcap (ala R.Gasquet)
-throw on 1or2 O.G. to get to my grip size
-and i'm off to the races!! ; with further lead tweaking where it needs it

Definitely being good to your arm should be right up there. For me the PK Q Tour 325 is one of the best frames I have used to achieve this:

 

[Crocodile]

Over the last 10 years or so after injuring my shoulder, I had to go down in weight. These days I am pretty stuck on a certain weight and balance. I tend to like frames that already have a decent SW around 325 and I usually just do some minor tweaks on the customization and will not exceed a 330 SW with a static weight around 11.5 ounces or so. I also grew up playing with thin beam frames that are flexible. So for me, I don't like the feel of stiffer and wider beam modern frame with an RA strung above 64. Tennis is all about feel so I would have trouble adapting to a lighter SW and a higher RA. It just makes things alot easier to keep everything uniform and work on your game. If you look at the Pros, they hardly ever change frames due to wanting that consistent weight, balance and feel. Don't get me wrong, I have changed racquets alot over the years but nowadays I know what I like and don't like based upon specs alone before hitting with the racquet.

Yes sage advice, definitely for the shoulder. As mentioned I have found the PK Q Tour 325 strung in multi or gut to be fantastic for the shoulder along with the Angell K 7 Lime and Volkl V Engine 10 mp

 

[Crocodile]

I find playing with various racquets enjoyable. I don't switch my main racquet often. Before my current racquet I was playing with head LM Radicals. Normally I like arm friendly racquets. Players tend to want to try various strings(are are normally inflexible with using arm friend strings), so a little kindness in the racquet helps prevent issues. Not overly brand loyal, but since I like well rounded arm friendly racquets I do well with Prince and Head. Racquets are likely slightly lighter, but mainly due to lack of options. I currently prefer to find a racquet with the right weight if I can.

Early on I switched a little more. Improvements in racquets seemed huge in the old days. Started my Graphite journey with Prince Graphite after a few Princes switched to Head Radicals. Stopping at the LM as I disliked Microgel.

Have you tried any of the new Prince frames?

 

[MoxMonkey]

It's only been 5 months, but I have gotten use to a heavier racquet. The vcore 97 330 I use hits with authority and doesn't get pushed around by hard hitters. I really like the solid feeling that comes from the extra weight

 

[SinneGOAT]

I keep my requirements simple, as I can pick up and play with pretty much anything except a few racquets. I like:
1. At highest a flex of 67.
2. 16/19
3. Not extremely heavy, I prefer below 12.1 ounces.
I don’t care much for headsize as long as it’s not a mid or oversized. # of center mains doesn’t matter much, but I don’t like 18/20 as I can’t generate enough rhs to get its full potential. I think my requirements are pretty standard for the majority of tennis players, except maybe the flex as some require that noodle flex below 64.

 

[tennis347]

Yes sage advice, definitely for the shoulder. As mentioned I have found the PK Q Tour 325 strung in multi or gut to be fantastic for the shoulder along with the Angell K 7 Lime and Volkl V Engine 10 mp

I have played with the Angell K7 Red for a while and also used the PK 7G. I currently use the Prince Phantom 100p and the Blade v7 98 16 x 19. Both racquets are very arm friendly.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I can play with anything as far as technique goes. As far as how my arm feels, it does require some degree of softness.

I have preferences of rackets 12-12.5 oz strung with SW in the 330ish range.

 

[Deleted member 776614]

Day to day I can adapt anything I've tried so far. During a hitting session I have a tough time adapting to small changes, particularly on serves. I'm finding it's easier to adapt to heavier rackets than to go the other way.

I haven't yet reached "too heavy," and I know I would struggle with 'too light' but I have no need or business playing a 'light' frame.

 

[Crocodile]

I have played with the Angell K7 Red for a while and also used the PK 7G. I currently use the Prince Phantom 100p and the Blade v7 98 16 x 19. Both racquets are very arm friendly.

Out of the 4 you mentioned, which one is most arm friendly, which is best to serve with and which do you play your best tennis overall. I have enjoyed a customised K7 red a lot, it has great comfort.

 

[tennis347]

Out of the 4 you mentioned, which one is most arm friendly, which is best to serve with and which do you play your best tennis overall. I have enjoyed a customised K7 red a lot, it has great comfort.

For me the Prince Phantom 100p is probably the most arm friendly because of excellent stability, low RA and the addition of the twaron decreases shock to the arm. I would say that the PK 7G was the best serving racquet of the bunch due to added length and higher SW. Right now I think that I am playing my best tennis with the Blade v7 98 16 x 19 due to easier racquet head speed along with the weight being more on the tip gives me a bit more pop overall. The K7 Red is a really good racquet but lacked a bit of stability and the put away power. The newer Blade is kind in between a player and tweener racquet due to the lower static and higher stock SW. Overall, the Phantom 100p is a more forgiving racquet and a bit more user-friendly for longer matches. I have been looking around at some other sub 64 RA frames but nothing has been that appealing for me to try.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

Used to be 100" frames were such rubbish. But in the last few years, there has gotten to be a lot of good options.

 

[Shroud]

As the question states, just wanted to get peoples thoughts on the topic. Are you a player for example who still must have that rare 330g ( unstrung) racquet with a thin beam and 93 head so you can play your brand of S & V or can you play with most racquets you pick up with and just get used to it? Are there racquets that you just couldn’t get used to or your arm won’t tolerate. Have you gradually got lighter and more manuverable as time has gone by or have you gone heavier and higher SW. If you have gone lighter are you worried that it might be worse for your arm or has it been the best thing for you? Do you go for a racquet you like the feel of and then customise or do you prefer to stay stock?
If you look at what’s available these days on TW, there aren’t that many grip 5 offerings as people are using smaller grips. and most frames are in that 300 to 315g weight range. Are you loyal to a brand or model or do you re-asses who is making a good product each year and switch to it!
Interested in hearing what your experiences are.

I have been all over. ALL OVER in terms of racquets. But these days the following are musts.

1. RA 70 or higher. The higher the better. Even 70 is on the low side of what I like.
2. I add around 60-80g depending on the stick so the strung weight should be around or below 300g and preferably HH.
3. I buy 3/8 and build them up to 5 1/2 or more
4. No stupid grommets or o ports that make the string bed soft or springy...

 

[Crocodile]

I have been all over. ALL OVER in terms of racquets. But these days the following are musts.

1. RA 70 or higher. The higher the better. Even 70 is on the low side of what I like.
2. I add around 60-80g depending on the stick so the strung weight should be around or below 300g and preferably HH.
3. I buy 3/8 and build them up to 5 1/2 or more
4. No stupid grommets or o ports that make the string bed soft or springy...

So, which racquet fulfills this need? I know the original Wilson ( Kuubler) Profile was up there but it’s way more than 300g.

 

[Shroud]

So, which racquet fulfills this need? I know the original Wilson ( Kuubler) Profile was up there but it’s way more than 300g.

yeah man its the ideal stick but after mods it ended up around 422g. I still miss it in some regards. Was using a blade that ended up over 400g.

Most on this list could work but I am using the 1st one... perfect but wish it was stiffer...

Racquet Finder

www.racquetfinder.com

 

[NickJ]

Interested in your thoughts about the current EZone compared to the DR and whether you have also tried the DR plus and E Zone tours.
Also are your DR’s weighted up or are you playing with them stock and has your game style evolved?

Only recently acquired the new Ezone from the auction site, and need to get it restrung so not hit with it yet. I'm interested to see myself the difference it & the DR. Watch this space. Not tried the DR Plus (I'd like to) or EZ Tour (could just add weight to my current Ezone to make into a Tour version).
The only mod I've done to my DR is a leather grip with overgrip. For me, it's good enough in stock form. I'm nervous about messing with it too much as it's been an absolute joy for me to play with, not causing me any further arm problems, so I'm wary to customise. If it ain't broke, don't fix it !
My game style has evolved, from when I was in my 20s & 30s using the Pro Staff, 100mph+ serves, big forehands OHBH singles & doubles. To now being in my late 40s with a struggling arm & knackered knees, I now just play for fun & socialising with my friends. I don't try & put any excessive power into anything more. My fitness (or lack of) has retired me from playing any kind of competitive singles. The irony is, now at the age I am and have more disposable income which means increasing my collection to over 60 frames, I play less now than I ever have but have more racquets than I know what to do with!
For my game now and the level I play at, the DR just does everything I want it to, and does it well.

 

[Lorenn]

Have you tried any of the new Prince frames?

Define new? I have tried Prince Textreme Series(Beast and Tour), Phantom, Warrior. I have not tried the modern Ripstick or Synergy.

I like the Beast and Tour series. Respect the Phantom series...Warrior is ok.

 

[6august]

Good question. Due to age and injuries, I just can handle a light stock and the Radical MP lite is my favorite. However the 1st edition lacks the lively feel while the 2nd edition was a little too stiff. I've expected a lot in the Graphene +, however they decided to discontinue it. F!

I hate OS sticks so the S and Lite are useless for me.

Hope they fix this in their next Radical line.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

I can play with any stick, but a head heavy or even balanced racket is really annoying for me and my strokes. Long, old school, Sampras era is when I learned. Of course less than 10.8 0r so ounces wouldn't be great against 4.5 players either, but I could get some exercise.