Everyone wants Consistency... which type of racquet delivers?

[BC1]

I have found that "new tennis balls" is easier to trigger my "game on" mode. I play much better with fresh tennis balls...Also, i have found that when my game is on, i can almost play with any decent racket....I have also seen, that some rackets make it easier to find that ideal state than others would.

I agree 100%. It's all about focus and not getting lazy. I have personally found that a more Player type racquet forces me to focus more and therefore I am more consistent, even though the racquet may be more demanding. I seem to make less unforced errors as well.

tom4ny - I too agree with your comments above. My racketholism has without a doubt hurt my consistency. And finding a heavier, less powerful, more control type frame has helped.

 

[Tmano]

If there is one common piece of the racquet puzzle that everyone seems to be searching for, it's more consistency.

At most of our levels 3.5-4.5 - consistency is key to winning.

Is there one common type or spec of racquet that helps the most in the consistency department? If I were to guess, I would think it would be a racquet that is in the middle of the road, but not necessarily a typical "tweener". Typical tweeners are usually high powered and require topspin to keep in play and many people complain of lots of unforced errors with these. Heavier player racquets have similar results for the 3.4-4.0 players, too heavy to make consistent proper swings.

Maybe something like the Radical - midplus size, comfortable, not to heavy, not to light, mid flex, lots of control, and adequate power?

Any other suggestions for potential racquets that deliver high consistency and help lower unforced errors?

Head microgel prestige MP or PRO. I pesrsonally use the MP 18/20 string patter and I really like it even thought you have to supply the power and I don't think it has a big sweet spot. It's not that heavy infact I believe it weights around 12 oz, manuvreble and good at everything........but at the same time as I said it's not really forgiving if you don'thave a good foot work and decent tecnique. On the other hand because kind old you can buy them for not much. I think the MP is a good option...the PRO has a little more power

 

[andress]

Volkl pb 10 mid & Volkl X 10 325

 

[Funbun]

the tennis racket is always consistent. it is the player who is not!

the best frame is the heaviest frame that you can swing fast for an entire match that does not hurt your arm.

once you find that stay with the same frame and any little inconsistencies will be worked out over time. more over, your game will improve by staying with the same frame over an extended period of time and not switching and tinkering constantly.

if you are curious about a new frame then hit with it for a few minutes before going back to your regular frame and play with your regular frame.

if one is constantly changing their gear and trying to improve that way the effort will be futile as the gear itself after a certain point fails to achieve game improvement.

my $0.02

I agree with this completely.

I suggest you have a desired specification in mind, then customize a frame to that. Your technique is the primary factor in consistency, not the racquet.

Consistency is hitting with heavy topspin, placing the ball, getting your technique/footwork down, hitting the angles, understanding optimal shot trajectories in any situation. Get a decent racquet, customize it if you want, and go learn how to play.

In fact, if you have truly correct technique, you will be able to hit with any racquet, albeit small timing adjustments. Heavier, higher swingweight racquets only amplify your technique to extremes. Pros hit extremely hard and heavy not because they are physically fit, but mostly because they have impeccable technique, with a racquet that only amplifies the effects of their own hitting form.

 

[Peter Szucs]

I find yonex racquets to be more consistent, more predictable than others.

 

[mxmx]

I agree with this completely.

I suggest you have a desired specification in mind, then customize a frame to that. Your technique is the primary factor in consistency, not the racquet.

Consistency is hitting with heavy topspin, placing the ball, getting your technique/footwork down, hitting the angles, understanding optimal shot trajectories in any situation. Get a decent racquet, customize it if you want, and go learn how to play.

In fact, if you have truly correct technique, you will be able to hit with any racquet, albeit small timing adjustments. Heavier, higher swingweight racquets only amplify your technique to extremes. Pros hit extremely hard and heavy not because they are physically fit, but mostly because they have impeccable technique, with a racquet that only amplifies the effects of their own hitting form.

I can assure you that I have relatively good technique. Yes, I have noted good footwork helps overall and all that. I can hit with almost any racket. Some just work better for me than others. Some rackets take more work than others...the forgiving aspect.
I can assure you, that there is a heck of a difference to what the exo tour does, in comparison to some other rackets Ive played with. Between rackets, I have to adapt the "type" of strokes i play. For example, with open string patterns, i need to have a loopier shot. Flatter shots fly. With some rackets, hitting more through the ball (around body follow through) is better suited...whereas with other frames, having a follow through more around the neck works better. I have a good backhand slice...it works great with certain rackets, on others, it would float off the baseline > same technique. Not to mention touch strokes.

With the exact same technique, the ball has different trajectories and depths with different frames. Some of my strokes are very mechanical, yet the ball does different things with the same technique on different frames/strings.

I may be referring to very subtle elements here. Sometimes not so subtle. But in the end, these small differences are affecting my game a lot, even if sometimes it is only in my mind.

 

[JohnB]

String length seems to also have an impact.

Also, players frames in 95-98" head size have shorter main strings which make the ball easier to control for me. I find the dunlop 300 series with its elongated head shape and longer mains gives a livelier stringbed that has a touch less control than other 98" heads with a rounder shape.

I never thought of it this way. Thanks for the info. I was under the impression that it had something to do with the stringbridge being higher, but the higher stringbridge causes the mains to be shorter which probably is the real reason for that added control.

A poster mentioned that specs doesn't mean everything, but i think the shape of the rackethead could also be considered as a spec. If enough info is known/made public (for example also weight distribution instead of just the endspecs) chances are that rackets with the same thorough specs, play the same.

 

[JohnB]

I tried to quote the first two paragraphs above.

 

[JohnB]

I can assure you that I have relatively good technique. Yes, I have noted good footwork helps overall and all that. I can hit with almost any racket. Some just work better for me than others. Some rackets take more work than others...the forgiving aspect.
I can assure you, that there is a heck of a difference to what the exo tour does, in comparison to some other rackets Ive played with. Between rackets, I have to adapt the "type" of strokes i play. For example, with open string patterns, i need to have a loopier shot. Flatter shots fly. With some rackets, hitting more through the ball (around body follow through) is better suited...whereas with other frames, having a follow through more around the neck works better. I have a good backhand slice...it works great with certain rackets, on others, it would float off the baseline > same technique. Not to mention touch strokes.

With the exact same technique, the ball has different trajectories and depths with different frames. Some of my strokes are very mechanical, yet the ball does different things with the same technique on different frames/strings.

I may be referring to very subtle elements here. Sometimes not so subtle. But in the end, these small differences are affecting my game a lot, even if sometimes it is only in my mind.

Good post.

I feel the same.

 

[RackofSlamb]

Babolat Pure Drive GT has been a fantastic tweener for me and really shows what I do well and where I need improvement. It has a little bit of everything, and I would recommend it. Don't be some tennis hipster who doesn't use a racquet because everyone else has it...there's a REASON everyone has it and it is worth a try.

 

[5point5]

The most constent racquets I've played with are Kneissl Red Star 2007 (not the newer ones), Volkl Tour 10. Then, Vantage (any), Dunlop Tour Pro Revelation (red), Donnay Dual Pro, Head Ti.Radical. The last 4 are low in power, as I described above. So they will not necessarily improve your game, but you will be more-or-less on the right path.

Nobody is going to buy those old outdated rackets.

 

[Sreeram]

Players may have different strengths and weaknesses that are better or worse with different racquets - the player has to make the decision on what to compromise.

I prefer higher swingweights for groundstrokes but lower swingweights for serves so my racquet is a compromise.

If you want to develop consistency, I'd say go with something low-power like a Prestige if you're the determined type. You're going to be forced to develop good strokes, form and footwork because the frame gives you so little.

Excellent observation. I have found it hard way. For me higher swing weight will give me better control and plow through in Ground strokes but serving with them will tire me quickly. The problem is with my serve, I need to get more energy from my legs instead of arming the ball, if I do that I improve there then my game goes to a new level.