extralong rkts

[TennisMD]

So to all play testers ,I see alot of you Troy, Chris, Mark, even Michelle played the 27.5 length rks question is all except Troy have gone back standard lenghth. So SPECIFICALLY why ? Please dont answer, I just play better tennis . Somme answerrs Im looking for could be I have naturally good serve and therefore that benefit is negated by lack of maneuverability, or forehand suffers to much or over long run not great for oyour arm, you guys gett the picture
thanks in advance

 

[TW Staff]

@TennisMD

We are reviewing some extended length racquets this week and I've been able to test them alongside a standard length racquet that lives in the family. I'm fairly consistent in my "why I don't ALWAYS use an extended racquet at the moment," but will do my best to share my experience. At first, one of the extended racquets was hands down my favorite of the 3 I'm testing...and then I started playing points with it and I started having a few issues.

When it comes to hitting (just strictly drilling and mashing balls) with extended racquets is pure awesomeness for me (this is where I've been known to say, it's a "guilty pleasure"). However, once in point play, that extended racquet can be a bit more demanding when pressure is on or points are longer or even when taking swipes at returns. Because of my longer, fast groundies, I can easily make mistakes and catch the ball late on a return or over hit with extended racquets. Or, get jammed and not be able to get around the ball effectively. I have less issues on serving with extended frames, and really think they help hit bigger first serves - so no complaints there! And at net, I am more than happy to use an extended racquet - they are usually stable and offer that extra reach. I just mainly get a bit stuck off the ground at times which is the one downside for me.

The swingweight on some of these extended racquets can get up there, but where I like it. So it is easy to gravitate to them and appreciate what they have to offer. And then also just makes me lust over potential racquets I would love to see extended. And you can guarantee there is always at least ONE extended racquet in my bag always and usually one of my "feel good friday frames" is an extra half inch long

So no, I don't use one as my racquet of choice, but I do appreciate them and love swinging them. Most recently I was really impressed with the Solinco Whiteout 305 XTD!

Hope that helps -- if you are on the fence between standard and extended length, I say just go for it and swing big!
Michelle, TW

 

[TennisMD]

thank you
I believe I have same experience off ball machine very nice when I take iinto match playlast weekend nnot sogreat. many more complements on the t flight ROS 305

 

[PBODY99]

@TennisMD
Another voice..........
I am just an old fading player who has used longer frames for over 20 years.
I Have hit high in the racket face since I started playing in the late 1960's.
Various 29 to 27.5 inch extended frames has been my choice for over 20 years.
I miss the extra leverage when I drop down to a mere 27.
As I have used light static weight frames the swing weights tend to be under 330.
It takes time to get used to the change.
I am still dealing with using a Prince Legacy 110, after over 10 years of the 27.5 Speedport Gold.
Good luck in your search

 

[TennisMD]

@TennisMD
Another voice..........
I am just an old fading player who has used longer frames for over 20 years.
I Have hit high in the racket face since I started playing in the late 1960's.
Various 29 to 27.5 inch extended frames has been my choice for over 20 years.
I miss the extra leverage when I drop down to a mere 27.
As I have used light static weight frames the swing weights tend to be under 330.
It takes time to get used to the change.
I am still dealing with using a Prince Legacy 110, after over 10 years of the 27.5 Speedport Gold.
Good luck in your search

@TennisMD

We are reviewing some extended length racquets this week and I've been able to test them alongside a standard length racquet that lives in the family. I'm fairly consistent in my "why I don't ALWAYS use an extended racquet at the moment," but will do my best to share my experience. At first, one of the extended racquets was hands down my favorite of the 3 I'm testing...and then I started playing points with it and I started having a few issues.

When it comes to hitting (just strictly drilling and mashing balls) with extended racquets is pure awesomeness for me (this is where I've been known to say, it's a "guilty pleasure"). However, once in point play, that extended racquet can be a bit more demanding when pressure is on or points are longer or even when taking swipes at returns. Because of my longer, fast groundies, I can easily make mistakes and catch the ball late on a return or over hit with extended racquets. Or, get jammed and not be able to get around the ball effectively. I have less issues on serving with extended frames, and really think they help hit bigger first serves - so no complaints there! And at net, I am more than happy to use an extended racquet - they are usually stable and offer that extra reach. I just mainly get a bit stuck off the ground at times which is the one downside for me.

The swingweight on some of these extended racquets can get up there, but where I like it. So it is easy to gravitate to them and appreciate what they have to offer. And then also just makes me lust over potential racquets I would love to see extended. And you can guarantee there is always at least ONE extended racquet in my bag always and usually one of my "feel good friday frames" is an extra half inch long

So no, I don't use one as my racquet of choice, but I do appreciate them and love swinging them. Most recently I was really impressed with the Solinco Whiteout 305 XTD!

Hope that helps -- if you are on the fence between standard and extended length, I say just go for it and swing big!
Michelle, TW

so thank you
other play testers Chris, Troy, Mark your thoughts

 

[TW Staff]

I loved my years with the Pure Drive Plus. I was hitting bigger serve, groundies and loved the leverage as it allowed my to hold the direction of my backhand slice and then drive through it at the last instant. The next extended racquet I switched to was the Yonex DR 98+. I loved it in stock form. After switching to it I added leather grips and it made it too head light as the tip of the racquet started to fell unresponsive. I then added lead to the tip, racquets felt good but the swingweight was up there and that spec was too much for my wrist. I could have returned them to stock and stuck with them, but then we playtested the Tecnifibre TFlash 300 Power Stab and I instantly clicked with that racquet.
I definitely hit a bigger ball with longer racquets. As you and Michelle have mentioned, it's easier to over hit during point play, but I found that came back around with time. I think if you stick with the longer racquet for a solid month of hitting you should be fully adjusted and it will be the new normal -- if that makes sense?

On the flip side, what draws me to standard length racquets is my ability to control the tip of the racquet. I like how I can whip the racquet around faster which helps me when I'm looking to be creative with spins and angles. I can't drive through the ball as well, but can get some of that back by adding weight but keeping the swingweight lower than a longer version.

Cheers,
Chris, TW

 

[TennisMD]

thanks for response
seems you are a crafty player spins angles etc
even though now senior have been a gym rat and therefore still strong
so hitting tthrough people my game to change now would be hard
also with age less leg speed perhaps extra half inch helpful
so I will giveextra long one yonexs a go for month as you said
seems like the ezone 98 + blue best marks from play testers

 

[TennisMD]

so thanks for pushing/suggesting extralongs played ezone 98. + Troy racquet
received huge amount complements on my game
i don't believe extralong adds that much pace but I had pace with consistency
Actually old article in Tennis Magazine having Marc Philapousis as tester( big server) showed not much difference in mph but consistency with slightly higher mph a key
thanks again for solid recommendation