Help for finding a great racquet for doubles play

[williamthurman]

Hi all, I am struggling to figure out good racquet options for competitive doubles play. I am mostly a 5.0 singles baseliner lefty player, using for singles a yonex vcore 2018 95. I really enjoy that frame for singles for its control even though demanding. However, I did find it uncomfortable for doubles mainly for volleys (shanking a lot of them) and lack of easy power. Coming from this set-up what would be a natural option for doubles play? Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[socallefty]

Players don’t switch racquets between singles/doubles and racquets don’t fix technique issues. If you don’t volley well, changing racquets is not going to fix it. Go do some drills or take some lessons.

Also, power Is not needed more in doubles - usually doubles rewards precision and accurate shot/serve targeting. If you need more power, maybe string at a lower tension or use a thinner gauge for doubles. It is an easier transition than changing racquets.

Just look up the racquets used by doubles pros - you will find every racquet under the sun with as much variety as you would find with singles players.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I have rackets that I play better with in doubles and rackets that are better singles rackets. Players don't usually change but that doesn't mean one racket won't perform better, especially if your singles game is largely predicated on loopy moon balls and your doubles game requires more touch and net prowess.

What I find is that I preform better in doubles with a more forgiving frame because I have so much less time on shots in general. I also like a frame with more touch and control for doubles over a power frame. But my serve isn't "big" so I'm sure a big server would best off getting a frame that accentuates your serve and is good at volleys would be a good choice. But easy power isn't something doubles people typically talk about.

But as a 5.0 you are probably dialled into a specific frame type so I'd not veer far from that. Just try to add some maneuverability and forgiveness.

 

[Addxyz]

I find I prefer a more headlight racquet for doubles. It's true that I don't need as much free power as in singles, but it is nice to have a little pop. Lastly, I probably prefer an 18x20 for flatter hitting and accuracy. In singles I prefer the easier depth of a 16x19.

 

[DustinW]

Just like you, a lot of racket that I love in singles just don't do it for me in doubles, and it usually comes down to volleys.

I actually like a bit more pop for doubles vs singles, since serves and returns are so important. So I'd suggest going just a bit firmer and just a bit wider beam. I also like 100 sq in and a big sweetspot for doubles, while I prefer 95-98 sq in for singles and don't care quite as much about the sweetspot size. You also want it light enough that it is quick to move around the net.

I've been hunting for a great doubles racket that still plays well in singles, and my favorite so far is the Prince Textreme Tour 310.

Babolat Pure Strike 100 is another that I like for doubles. It plays well stock, but you can add some weight if its too light.

Vcore 100 might be worth trying since you are using the VCore 95, but that beam width might be a bit too thick for you.

 

[Harry_Wild]

If you are a 5.0 player, you should not shank your volleys unless it hit right at you at excessive speed like a Rublev ground stroke intended to go right at you! Maybe get some practice with your volley technique!

 

[eah123]

For me, the ProKennex Black Ace 315 is the perfect doubles racquet. So much control and feel for volleys, half volleys, and short angle low cross court shots. My strings are hybrid T1 Ghostwire and Volkl V-Square 16g. Also great for dipping topspin forehands and spin serves.

 

[stapletonj]

doubles punishes topspin loopy groundstrokes. singles rewards them.
try a racket by hitting a lot of slice backhands. If that racket feels like you can really carve your slice backhand, it is a good bet that you will volley well with it too.

vcore 100 might be a good choice.....

 

[nvr2old]

Bigger, quicker, lighter if you need it. Kind of like what my body needs but isn’t going to get. Also younger. Seriously do pros change racquets fur doubles (rhetorical question)? While a 95 seems smallish by today’s standards it still might be best since you’re used to it.

 

[Lorenn]

Hi all, I am struggling to figure out good racquet options for competitive doubles play. I am mostly a 5.0 singles baseliner lefty player, using for singles a yonex vcore 2018 95. I really enjoy that frame for singles for its control even though demanding. However, I did find it uncomfortable for doubles mainly for volleys (shanking a lot of them) and lack of easy power. Coming from this set-up what would be a natural option for doubles play? Thanks for your suggestions.

How long have you been playing doubles? You may just need time to adapt. Sounds like you are just accustom to the timing of a singles game versus doubles.

Singles is easy to predict compared to doubles. You only need to read one person versus two. You also tend to have more time so you can take massive full swings. So you could work on shorter swings and volleys or test new racquets. I would first look at the Vcore 98/100 2021. They might be less disruptive then other racquets. Maybe the 2021 95 while you are at it. If you want other insanely well rounded racquets I would consider the Prince Textreme Tour, Radical 360+ Pro/MP, Speed Pro/MP, Techfibre.

 

[t_pac]

Just like you, a lot of racket that I love in singles just don't do it for me in doubles, and it usually comes down to volleys.

I actually like a bit more pop for doubles vs singles, since serves and returns are so important. So I'd suggest going just a bit firmer and just a bit wider beam. I also like 100 sq in and a big sweetspot for doubles, while I prefer 95-98 sq in for singles and don't care quite as much about the sweetspot size. You also want it light enough that it is quick to move around the net.

I've been hunting for a great doubles racket that still plays well in singles, and my favorite so far is the Prince Textreme Tour 310.

I play a lot of doubles as well as singles and the TT310 is the one for me. Does everything well - heavy spin, flattens out pretty well, really stable on volleys and returns, serves big and surprisingly good slices given the fairly open string pattern.

 

[blablavla]

Players don’t switch racquets between singles/doubles and racquets don’t fix technique issues. If you don’t volley well, changing racquets is not going to fix it. Go do some drills or take some lessons.

Also, power Is not needed more in doubles - usually doubles rewards precision and accurate shot/serve targeting. If you need more power, maybe string at a lower tension or use a thinner gauge for doubles. It is an easier transition than changing racquets.

Just look up the racquets used by doubles pros - you will find every racquet under the sun with as much variety as you would find with singles players.

if the player doesn't go to the net, cause in singles it is not needed, and has equipment optimized for bashing the ball all day long from base line with tons of spin, this racket won't be volley-friendly

add here probably insufficient volley training and practice, and you probably have a perfect recipe for a disaster against opponents that are actually good in playing doubles

so, trying a maneuverable racket that is more volley-friendly isn't a bad idea, but the OP needs to remember that it might result in less consistency when trying to hit the top spin as hard as possible all day long from baseline

 

[williamthurman]

if the player doesn't go to the net, cause in singles it is not needed, and has equipment optimized for bashing the ball all day long from base line with tons of spin, this racket won't be volley-friendly

add here probably insufficient volley training and practice, and you probably have a perfect recipe for a disaster against opponents that are actually good in playing doubles

so, trying a maneuverable racket that is more volley-friendly isn't a bad idea, but the OP needs to remember that it might result in less consistency when trying to hit the top spin as hard as possible all day long from baseline

Thank all for the comments and recommendations, I agree that practice and drill is the way to go. I have been only doubles match playing for the last 5 months and feel like a fish out of water (placement and volley timing) against 1rst and 2nd team club players (that I normally beat in singles). I just want to feel more confortable which would would come from playing more and more.
I am sure some specific volley drills especially first volley would benefit greatly, I was just wondering if it would be a good idea to go for a frame that would be a bit more forgiving (a 100 does sound like a good idea) or just keep pushing with my actual set up (which I have been able to stay on for the last 2 years)

 

[mark b.]

As a former "almost exclusively singles" player to the doubles world, I think there are some distinct advantages to certain "more forgiving" frames.
Given your current racquet of choice, might I recommend a Yonex Ezone 100? Volleys with this frame seem almost easy.
In my humble opinion there are three shots needed in doubles. A Serve. A Return. A Volley. All three are different in doubles than they are in singles.
Serve.....3/4 speed. Spin. Higher percentage of 1st serves in.
Return. Hit to half (vs. anywhere)in the court. More precise placement versus raw power.
Volley. Mid-court controlled.

 

[stapletonj]

Mark, I pretty much agree with you, but feel singles only players might get the idea that doubles is monotonous.

While I agree those are "The big 3", lobbing skills are extremely important. And, when the lobs go up, your overhead comes into play every single time.

Returning is much more difficult in doubles because of that pesky opponent camping on the net, you need to have all the tools, chip and flat/topspin off both sides. As you correctly observed, good doubles players hit 3/4 pace with spin. They also have good placement, which makes returning even harder. now, let's talk about the lob return; the driving first volley from just behind the service line, the split step needed to accomplish that shot, etc. etc. etc. Did I mention that around the netpost (or close to it) shots arent uncommon at all?

That's why I like doubles...... IMHO 1000% more strategy/tactics/variety necessary....

Not to say singles doesnt have that too..... like chess, you have to play the point about 2 or 3 shots ahead to effectively open up the court for a winner.

 

[mark b.]

Agree 100%.
Doubles is anything but monotonous. However, the average point lasts for a mere 4 shots. Doubles also requires a deft understanding of your location on the court.
Sure, I agree lobs are an important and vital shot to have. Subsequently, having an overhead is just as important.
When I played singles, my internal thought process was much simpler point to point. In doubles, there's significantly more thinking going on.
If you don't have a dependable serve or dependable return of serve, your point will end very quickly.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Not to say singles doesnt have that too..... like chess, you have to play the point about 2 or 3 shots ahead to effectively open up the court for a winner.

Nah, singles can be won by giving the opponent annoying shots until he does something foolish. It's always satisfying when you play the long game in singles and it actually works but most points are still won on errors long before the winner comes into play.

Way more mind games in doubles as it's really cat and mouse between the server, returner and net player.

 

[stapletonj]

dartagnan64 (are you a fencer?) - I found your last comment most intriguing, but you are right. Never really though about it before, but even in most doubles drills, as well as points, receiver's partner often "sits the point out".... hmmmm. Perhaps that should be the subject for an entire lesson series or something.

"How to get receiver's partner into the point" Unless you are flexing back a poach and get lucky, how do you get involved in the point and help your team as receiver's partner?

What I always tell my partner (if they ask and/or are true beginners) is to play defense against the net man at the service tee until they see the return get past him. Then I get all Shakespearean on them.....

"Hie thee to the net on thine side, thou knave varlet, lest thine opponent guide my return down the line and leave thee hanging in the wind like a felon in a gibbet!"

"Be not afeared of the poach, young squire, valiantly sally along the net with thine arm outstretched in a most manly fashion, where even the most fairy-like touch of the orb will result in an agonizing defeat for the heathen enemy"

 

[Yamin]

Lol @ people saying "you're a 5.0 you should be doing X and be able to Y". 5.0 means you're receiving some 100 mph forehands over a very small distance. Not being used to the rhythm and pace of doubles is pretty hard regardless of the level.

As others have mentioned you may want to try something head light and 18x20 with a 98 head size.

 

[CosmosMpower]

Going to be hard to find something that’s as maneuverable as the vc95 in a larger and easier to use head size. The swing weight is pretty low and balance is 7HL strung which is close to 10 unstrung.

You can try Graphene 360 + Prestige MP with a leather grip. It’s a thin beam control oriented 98, 18x20 and about 8.5 HL strung with a head leather grip. It will have similar control but more heft, forgiveness and power, the main downside is less maneuverable.

 

[toby55555]

Maybe just add some weight to the handle of your current racket when playing doubles for more manoeuvrability.

 

[kimguroo]

For volley, I like prince textreme graphite 100 (Japanese version).
It’s extended version (27.25) but actual length is 27 1/8.

 

[Dartagnan64]

"How to get receiver's partner into the point" Unless you are flexing back a poach and get lucky, how do you get involved in the point and help your team as receiver's partner?

Receiver's partner on most points is a defender against the times the net man wins. If you are playing the net too passively as the servers partner, then you allow the receiver's partner to get in on the action as soon as the receiver gets a deep return back. You've flipped the equation of offence-defence at that point.

My feeling is that I don't ever want the receiver's partner to have an offensive shot when we are serving. So I'll try to be active poaching as a net player and be setting my net partner up as a server. When I'm receiving I want to get the ball either very deep or very short but always past the net player so the server has to make the next shot from a non-wheelhouse position.

 

[Wheelz]

As a former "almost exclusively singles" player to the doubles world, I think there are some distinct advantages to certain "more forgiving" frames.
Given your current racquet of choice, might I recommend a Yonex Ezone 100? Volleys with this frame seem almost easy.
In my humble opinion there are three shots needed in doubles. A Serve. A Return. A Volley. All three are different in doubles than they are in singles.
Serve.....3/4 speed. Spin. Higher percentage of 1st serves in.
Return. Hit to half (vs. anywhere)in the court. More precise placement versus raw power.
Volley. Mid-court controlled.

I was going to also suggest that, the Ezone 100. I have been playing with the 98 for a year. Added a 100 to test. So far I don’t like it better overal then the 98 but it’s so easy to volley with the 100. Good on returns because it’s so solid. Not sure I prefer it at serve then the 98 but maybe that’s just getting used to it.

 

[ed70]

Only play doubles competitions/matches now (age & body related!)
Prefer lower SW in doubles, & like my frame to be stable but whippy & narrow beam. I’m at 10SW lower now than when I played singles, currently matched to 325SW. Also my frame although a 16x19 has lower launch than most 16x19. I guess it’s the quick exchanges you have in doubles & the improvised shots you need to make as an opponent moves across or comes into the net.

 

[ed70]

Lol @ people saying "you're a 5.0 you should be doing X and be able to Y". 5.0 means you're receiving some 100 mph forehands over a very small distance. Not being used to the rhythm and pace of doubles is pretty hard regardless of the level.

As others have mentioned you may want to try something head light and 18x20 with a 98 head size.

If your playing against a good standard of doubles players & you can’t volley your going to wear a few & your invariably going to be on the losing side.

 

[Dartagnan64]

5.0 means you're receiving some 100 mph forehands over a very small distance.

I'm not sure if that was hyperbole but very few players are drilling 100 mph FH's even at the professional level.

If you are at 5.0 the serves should be good enough that you should rarely if ever be set up to face a high powered FH from close range. Unless you are playing some 9.0 mixed.

 

[PMF]

Hi all, I am struggling to figure out good racquet options for competitive doubles play. I am mostly a 5.0 singles baseliner lefty player, using for singles a yonex vcore 2018 95. I really enjoy that frame for singles for its control even though demanding. However, I did find it uncomfortable for doubles mainly for volleys (shanking a lot of them) and lack of easy power. Coming from this set-up what would be a natural option for doubles play? Thanks for your suggestions.

If you are a Yonex guy, I would recommend trying the VCore Pro 97 HD. It‘s great for net play and short angled shots in doubles. The Blade 98 v7 18x20 is really good for this too. Super comfortable. Unique feel.

 

[ichaseballs]

Hi all, I am struggling to figure out good racquet options for competitive doubles play. I am mostly a 5.0 singles baseliner lefty player, using for singles a yonex vcore 2018 95. I really enjoy that frame for singles for its control even though demanding. However, I did find it uncomfortable for doubles mainly for volleys (shanking a lot of them) and lack of easy power. Coming from this set-up what would be a natural option for doubles play? Thanks for your suggestions.

vcore 98/10

 

[fuzz nation]

Hi all, I am struggling to figure out good racquet options for competitive doubles play. I am mostly a 5.0 singles baseliner lefty player, using for singles a yonex vcore 2018 95. I really enjoy that frame for singles for its control even though demanding. However, I did find it uncomfortable for doubles mainly for volleys (shanking a lot of them) and lack of easy power. Coming from this set-up what would be a natural option for doubles play? Thanks for your suggestions.

I was a serve and volley kid growing up with wood racquets and I've never completely evolved beyond that play style. I play more of an all-court game now, attack the net a lot, and love good doubles. I also keep two different models of Volkls in my bag - both are decent players for me with some extra heft and significant head-light balance, but I usually like the slightly heavier model for doubles. These are tuned with lead tape on both the hoop and handle to give me a layout that's around 12.7 oz. and 11 pts. head-light (HL).

Not asserting that this would be an ideal doubs rig for you, but an alternative to your singles racquet might be more potent for punching the ball around in a doubles setting if it's a little heavier and more stable through the ball. Heavier doesn't necessarily have to be slower as long as that frame has enough HL balance for easy maneuvering. I've loaned my doubs racquets to kids as young as 11 and they had fun with them for the better part of an hour and a half without any trouble.

An easy first step could be to tweak one of the racquets you have now (if you have more than one) with some lead tape. I'd say place just a few grams total on the hoop - I usually put it at 3/9 o'clock - and then if you want that to feel a little less sluggish, also try adding some weight to the handle. When I tune my own frames, I use 1/4" lead tape on the hoops and 1/2" tape on the handles - sometimes right on top of the replacement grip and then cover that with an overgrip. Home tuning can be an inexpensive method for trying different setups and if the lead tape doesn't give you any help, it's easy enough to peel it off and go back to your stock layout.

You might easily get some extra inherent liveliness from an alternative frame with a slightly larger hoop. Sticking with Yonex should give your hand a familiar grip shape and make it easier to switch off), but a 97"-98" model could offer a little free zip, since you would essentially have a bigger trampoline of a string bed. I still like to dust off my old 90"-92" mids for knocking around on the practice court, but I always notice that slightly diminished response that I get with the smaller head compared with my 98" regular players.

The classic heavy, head-light sort of frame that worked for serve and volley players and doubs fiends of yesteryear isn't a universal solution for everybody who wants a good option for doubles play these days, but it's what still works for me. A lighter alternative to your VCore 95 may be lightning quick - not a bad thing - but it might not stand up to a faster ball so well or volley with much authority. Try what you can and don't be afraid of sampling something that's heavier than your current player. With the right balance it ought to be pretty comfortable.