jchangster69
New User
I'm a 4.0 player looking for a good serve and volley racket. I used to be a baseliner, but I'm switching to serve and volley. So any recommendations for good rackets?
Good serve and volley racket?
- Thread starter jchangster69
- Start date
cadfael_tex
Professional
Use search, lots of threads, etc, etc - ok that out of the way - general consensus:
Recent but not new:
Slazenger X1
PS 6.0 (either)
The Volkl 10's of any given model run are highly rated and heard good things about the PK Redondo.
Recent but not new:
Slazenger X1
PS 6.0 (either)
The Volkl 10's of any given model run are highly rated and heard good things about the PK Redondo.
bruce nissenbaum
Rookie
FWIW, I'll chime in with the ProStaff Classic 6.1 95 and the Volkl C-10 98
F
Federer4life
Guest
I play with a MicroGel Radical Pro and that stick is great for net play.
fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
Avid serve and volleyer here - grew up playing on grass. I used that Wilson for about a decade and that Volkl has recently found its way back into my bag. The C-10 just smokes for me in all court play.
A couple of other current frames that I'd say are strong options are the Prince Hybrid Tour and Yonex RDS 002 Tour.
matchmaker
Hall of Fame
Volkl V-Engine Tour 10
michael-uk
New User
Wow, I didn't realise you could just "switch". Please do post back with news on how the switch goes, as this could be a breakthrough for me too.
louis netman
Hall of Fame
Hey fuzz nation! Seems we go back to similar frames (although I'm jealous that you grew up on grass....me on bleeding concrete). Still have remains of Wilson PS frames around here, C10's, a couple of 002 Tours, and modded T10 MPs, which , BTW are just as good as any 10 series Volkl for S/V style...may actually like the modded T10 better now that my concrete- pounded joints are significantly worn...
![[d]ragon](/data/avatars/m/26/26312.jpg?1574364787){kind=avatar}
Tennis_Player12345
New User
Wilson K Factor KBlade Team is stable at the net. Try to demo this racquet.
bowchikawow
Rookie
an easier option would be the Wilson [K] Pro Tour 96 is a lovley racket to serve and volley with but is really powerful. kinda likr an aero prodirve from the baseline but even easier to use.
Federer's cat
Banned
Any Wilson racquet is good for serves and volleys. The six.one's are the best IMO.
![in[k]](/data/avatars/m/56/56427.jpg?1435131083){kind=avatar}
arunstennis
Rookie
wilson kblade tour for sure
ahuimanu
Rookie
Am switching to S/V from All Court, thinking about pulling out my YT Prestige mids or midplus' and see if this works.
Any other suggestions? Thanks!
Larrysümmers
Hall of Fame
ill tell you, the racket that gives you the best serves and the best volleys, use that one
Basically anything smaller than 100 headsize, any weight you can swing, and not too stiff, although a 68 rating seems OK enough.
Weight doesn't matter, as long as you can serve hard, so over 10oz. Heavier than 12 oz does help with some volleys, but a lighter racket can make up for it's less mass by YOU putting your weight into the shot..and reflex volleys are easier with lighter weight rackets.
I used DunlopMil and Aero 200's, still adjusting to my 500's.
Weight doesn't matter, as long as you can serve hard, so over 10oz. Heavier than 12 oz does help with some volleys, but a lighter racket can make up for it's less mass by YOU putting your weight into the shot..and reflex volleys are easier with lighter weight rackets.
I used DunlopMil and Aero 200's, still adjusting to my 500's.
ahuimanu
Rookie
Appreciate the feedback.
Similarly, I've also used the Dunlop 200 series (HM, Mfil and Aeros) and am really liking the Dunlop 500 AG tour at the moment.
Also like the Head MG Extreme Tour (strung with Babolat RPM at 55#), great on the serve (hard flat/slice and nice jump on the kickers), nice stability/direction on the volley (jammers, angles etc), and easy to control on approach shots (chips, slice and sliders). The challenge is it gets somewhat heavy when the match gets past two hours
Just got the Youtek version so will string it up and give it a go...
Larrysümmers
Hall of Fame
Why does the head size have to be under 100? I play the style and I use a 107 head sized racket w/ a poly synth hybrid.
ahuimanu
Rookie
Have also thought about the Prince Warrior (Mid plus 97") but am open to the oversize as well. I've mostly had frames at 100" or below (am an oldschooler that started with wood frames) but at this stage am considering the oversize as well if it helps with more "W" s
Larrysümmers
Hall of Fame
I read your post, I liked the migrogel prestige mid. My current racket reminds me a lot of it, except I dont shank as many volleys
Not sure if it applies to you, but for me, a head smaller than 100 allows faster swings on serves and groundies (passing shots), is cleaner on half volleys and low volleys, just as good on regular and putaway volleys, a little less consistent on returns of serve (a good thing?), but generally the same as bigger heads if you use a fast long swing.
Strings last longer, tension can be lower, less frame breakage.
Strings last longer, tension can be lower, less frame breakage.
Larrysümmers
Hall of Fame
interesting thoughts. ive never looked at it this way. i do have to say that my frames are customized to be really maneuverable and head light and lower power.
markwillplay
Hall of Fame
the weight of the stick will dictate how you volley. I love to play with a stick that is really heavy and stable becaue it takes less effort to hit the volley deep and that sort of trains you to not try to do too much "swinging" o the volley. nOthing like blocking a volley deep with a very stable stick. Having said that, I am going to be coming back from hip surgery and will move to a slightly lighter stick (ain't as young as I used to be) that I can also swing easier from the baseline. A good comp is to find a stick that is a little lighter but also very stable. I thought that theyonex rdis 100 mp fit this bill. Seemed very stable at net and was lighter than the 002 tours I used to play with (to swing). I am actually thinking of getting the rdis 200 myself as it appears to have a bit more flex...and my bet is that it is pretty stable. little lead at 3 and 9 can go a long ways to help with that too. Hated all the polarized sticks for S&V. Depolarized always played way better for me at net. FWIW
CityTennis22
Rookie
I did some top notch s & v with the microgel prestige midplus. It has so much control and pretty good pop on the serve.
Not sure about the heavy weight thing on volleys.
Heavy has more mass, can block a ball and make it go fast, yes.
But light can get to block position quicker, so you have time to volley the ball with your body. Also, once you get USED to lighter rackets, you learn to volley naturally higher over the net, and the depth is retained.
In half volleys, you need to use more body, no biggee.
On low volleys, you can use the extra "touch" to keep the ball IN.
On putaway volleys, well, a putaway volley can be putaway with any racket.
On high backhand volleys, lighter is quicker to get into position and much easier to swing, but pace is less, so placement is more important, but since it's easier to swing, better placement comes naturally...
Still S/V, went from Mfil and Aero 200's at 12oz down to Aero 500 at 10.3.
Adjustment phase.... a little.
Better or worst...can't tell within 2 months of play.
Heavy has more mass, can block a ball and make it go fast, yes.
But light can get to block position quicker, so you have time to volley the ball with your body. Also, once you get USED to lighter rackets, you learn to volley naturally higher over the net, and the depth is retained.
In half volleys, you need to use more body, no biggee.
On low volleys, you can use the extra "touch" to keep the ball IN.
On putaway volleys, well, a putaway volley can be putaway with any racket.
On high backhand volleys, lighter is quicker to get into position and much easier to swing, but pace is less, so placement is more important, but since it's easier to swing, better placement comes naturally...
Still S/V, went from Mfil and Aero 200's at 12oz down to Aero 500 at 10.3.
Adjustment phase.... a little.
Better or worst...can't tell within 2 months of play.
markwillplay
Hall of Fame
you may be right...however, (and I will stand by this), if you play people who hit the ball hard...weight does make a difference. The skill level of the volleyer (meaning anticipation, etc...) makes a huge difference too. I used to serve and volley all the time....after doing it for years and years, you start to be able to anticipate better and set up your volleys better requiring less quick stabs if you will. If someone at a 4.5 level is hitting the ball witha lot of pace and heavy, that weight helps you psychologically inmy opinion. You feel that if you can get the stick on it...it won't fall short unless you are hitting a drop volley. I probably sound crazy but that was always my experience. Most people that I see trying to convert to serve and volley swing too much and try to put too much umph in their volleys because they are used to playing from the baseline with lighter sticks and swinging (especially now days). The best serve and volleyer I ever played was using an extremely heavy stick (but also I do think it was oversized) and the volleys comging off of his stick at me had weight behind them..were always pretty deep, and he was basically blocking my hare baseline shots (yes, I started out as a baseliner hitting the ball very hard). I never forgot that. He was the reason I switched in my late teens early 20's. I wond more matches serving and volleying witha max 200G than with anything so go figure. It was heavy as hell but had the sweetspot almost as big as the entire string bed. No one ever pushed me around with that stick and it was deadly accurate (meaning ball went where you put it). I served and volleyed with an oversize POG too and did not have the control but it was solid too...just could not serve as well with it.
The trend is to lighter sticks for sure and there is something to be said for being able to react quickly...I contend that if you are stabbing at a ton of volleys, you need to work on your serve and volley game...if your serves anbd approaches don't put you at a decided advantage and give you extra time, you are only half way there.
The trend is to lighter sticks for sure and there is something to be said for being able to react quickly...I contend that if you are stabbing at a ton of volleys, you need to work on your serve and volley game...if your serves anbd approaches don't put you at a decided advantage and give you extra time, you are only half way there.
Interesting..
I've been playing guys my level, the modern 4.0-4.5, and the lighter stick makes little difference.
The ONE guy who's a real 5.0 or better, my shots were weak and mostly short, but I was also out of sorts, having been on the phone for 2 hours at the courts. His partner hits even harder, but less consistent, and I still wasn't able to get set and ready with a 10.3 oz stick.
I wonder if it's really ME. If I suck, I suck. If I play well, then maybe I can place the ball with more precision, swing out fully on the ones I have time, and force the issue with the lighter racket.
I hated that 200G. Dead, no sweetspot, but could hit really heavy when I hit solid, and really scattered when I walkedabout.
I suspect, at my old age of 61, a racket that allows me to play more grays, and less blacks and whites would be the better racket. For me, I feel the 10.3 oz'er gives me a better "off" days, and almost equal "on" days.
But I could change my mind by spring.
I've been playing guys my level, the modern 4.0-4.5, and the lighter stick makes little difference.
The ONE guy who's a real 5.0 or better, my shots were weak and mostly short, but I was also out of sorts, having been on the phone for 2 hours at the courts. His partner hits even harder, but less consistent, and I still wasn't able to get set and ready with a 10.3 oz stick.
I wonder if it's really ME. If I suck, I suck. If I play well, then maybe I can place the ball with more precision, swing out fully on the ones I have time, and force the issue with the lighter racket.
I hated that 200G. Dead, no sweetspot, but could hit really heavy when I hit solid, and really scattered when I walkedabout.
I suspect, at my old age of 61, a racket that allows me to play more grays, and less blacks and whites would be the better racket. For me, I feel the 10.3 oz'er gives me a better "off" days, and almost equal "on" days.
But I could change my mind by spring.
markwillplay
Hall of Fame
That is how it goes, different experiences for sure. I strung my 200G's way down so that may have made a difference. Of course, I played with them forever too so that probably made more of a difference...I think youcan get used to anything if it is all you play with. I am sure that the weight is at least partly psychological for me because I think I just always felt like I could block anything back with authority. I have not much doubt that nowI play better with a lighter stick.
I have a buddy who had this wilson prototype stick made for someone. It was 98 (midplus) and weight over 13 oz without even an overgrip. I think it was about 6 pts headlight...a true beast... I decided to play with it one night couple years ago and I absolutely loved it. I mean it was a damn rock. I loved hitting serves and volleys with it..half volleys, you name it..but here is the kicker, after one set, I was exhausted (ha ha ha). It took it's toll on me from the baseline too...you had to shorten up your swing or die (for me anyway) and I was in great shape. I have a longer swing too so that makes a difference. I played with a head prestige (the old blue one) about a year ago and it was sort of that way. Heavy but every volley I hit seemed to be sharper and have more umph behind it. That is just the way it felt. Too heavy for me as well.
My favorite stick to serve and volley with that is fairly new was the becker mid. I sold them because I did not even think I would play tennis again. Have had my right hip replaced (and only 40) after running it in the ground and having no cartilidge left) and I figured I would just get another stick if and when I got out there and hit again. those were great sticks and seemed to be a good comprimize.
I have a buddy who had this wilson prototype stick made for someone. It was 98 (midplus) and weight over 13 oz without even an overgrip. I think it was about 6 pts headlight...a true beast... I decided to play with it one night couple years ago and I absolutely loved it. I mean it was a damn rock. I loved hitting serves and volleys with it..half volleys, you name it..but here is the kicker, after one set, I was exhausted (ha ha ha). It took it's toll on me from the baseline too...you had to shorten up your swing or die (for me anyway) and I was in great shape. I have a longer swing too so that makes a difference. I played with a head prestige (the old blue one) about a year ago and it was sort of that way. Heavy but every volley I hit seemed to be sharper and have more umph behind it. That is just the way it felt. Too heavy for me as well.
My favorite stick to serve and volley with that is fairly new was the becker mid. I sold them because I did not even think I would play tennis again. Have had my right hip replaced (and only 40) after running it in the ground and having no cartilidge left) and I figured I would just get another stick if and when I got out there and hit again. those were great sticks and seemed to be a good comprimize.
