help with ideas, Racquet for mom

[hampshire6]

Currently my mom (in her 40's) is looking for a new racquet. She has been using a prince thunderlite for years, and suprise! has had tennis elbow also. Though it is most likely due to technique and the frame. The prince is like 8 oz or so and 28" head heavy with OS most likely 115" or so.

I have been telling her to get a heavier more flexable and slightly headlight racquet, so my question to all of you is what do you recomend? I would say 10.5 oz max and headsize should be around 110 and 27.5 or so inches long, not difficult to swing with a good combo of power/control.

I was looking at the fischer GDS rally but the headsize/power might be lower than what she wants. Also I know about the prokennex kenetic line 15g light may be good but I am looking for more ideas. Thanks for your help.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

to protect her arm
something about 300 grams at least
stiffness under 65
head light (say 5points)
preferably 16x19

 

[dmastous]

I don't know if a more flexible racquet is the answer. Definatly a head light racquet. May be the nTour Surge or one of the Head Intelligence racquets. Definatly oversized (does the Surge come in a 100?).
Also, think about string tension and type. What she is looking for in a racquet. Power or control. Does she like to play doubles or singles? Baseline or net? These also go into the equation.

 

[Keifers]

I like you idea of the PK 15g. Depending on what level she plays at, the Dunlop 300g could be a very good racquet to try. Note: it requires fairly long strokes.

 

[hampshire6]

more flex-helps reduce shock.

Shes a 3.0 -3.5 level player, plays doubles more than singles and 2 handed backhand so OS is needed. 300g would be too underpowered for her.


I'd have get get a 15g light new but hard to demo without going through TW, and used ones are hard to come by.

 

[Keifers]

Agree -- the 300g would be too underpowered.

TW's demo program is pretty good, in my experience. Have you not found it so?

 

[Skppr05]

head protector series for the tennis elbow

 

[timmyboy]

babolat soft drive would be cool. kinda stiff though.

 

[samster]

if money is not an issue, try the yonex nanospeed rq7 oversize...pretty raving reviews so far. if i have can afford it, i would like to try the rq7 midplus at some point.

 

[hyperwarrior]

I would recommend her the "W Line" http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/WilsonWLineRacquets.html

What do you think? Your mom will look great!! hehe!!

 

[Marius_Hancu]

head protector series for the tennis elbow

that would be a very BAD idea.

those rackets are too light at 275g, also
Balance: 6 pts Head Heavy
the worst combination
doesn't matter the "technology" involved.

 

[tarkowski]

that would be a very BAD idea.

those rackets are too light at 275g, also
Balance: 6 pts Head Heavy
the worst combination
doesn't matter the "technology" involved.

Maybe I should start another thread on this, because I think the answer could get pretty involved.

But I have to ask: Is this really the worst combination for tennis elbow? I've studied "The Physics and Technology of Tennis" intensively the last 6 months, and the conclusion that book seems to come to for 'worst combination' is this:

- light weight
- skinny head
- head light

Ex: 8oz racquet, 90si, 10pts HL

As most of the light weight racquets have bigger heads and more weight in the head as well, wouldn't that help offset some of the jarring effects of a mishit?

Now, most seem to agree that HL is a good thing, but I guess that is only on racquets with sufficient weight. And indeed, it seems that a racquet with a high static weight HAS to have a HL balance just to make it practical enough for play. It seems that if anything, most pros take their already HL racquets and add weight to the head.

Thoughts?

 

[legolas]

wilson w line

 

[hampshire6]

Maybe I should start another thread on this, because I think the answer could get pretty involved.

But I have to ask: Is this really the worst combination for tennis elbow? I've studied "The Physics and Technology of Tennis" intensively the last 6 months, and the conclusion that book seems to come to for 'worst combination' is this:

- light weight
- skinny head
- head light

Ex: 8oz racquet, 90si, 10pts HL

As most of the light weight racquets have bigger heads and more weight in the head as well, wouldn't that help offset some of the jarring effects of a mishit?

Now, most seem to agree that HL is a good thing, but I guess that is only on racquets with sufficient weight. And indeed, it seems that a racquet with a high static weight HAS to have a HL balance just to make it practical enough for play. It seems that if anything, most pros take their already HL racquets and add weight to the head.

Thoughts?

They don't produce racquet with the specs listed above. I don't think headsize has anything to do with it. The reason light racquets are head heavy is to add power through raising swingweight, but if you think about it like a lever, say an axe. holding one straight out infront of you it puts great pressure on your arm as the weight is furthest away. Flip it around and the pressure is greatly reduced. The majority of the mass is in your hand. Light racquets seem to not be the answer no matter how you look at it until you can at least get an even or hl balance. Not sure if this makes any point, but whatever lol.

I think I will have her demo some PK kenetic and newer ionic frames. I haven't heard much about the W line.... I am starting to think that for players who can't swing a >11.5oz stick the PK line is about as good as it gets for TE. That and I tell her to hit the ball in front of her, using body rotation for racquet head speed vs "arming" the ball

 

[matchpoint54]

i'd suggest that she try out the Wilson W Line.

 

[racingdad23]

I think the GDS Rally FT from Fischer is a very good idea. After a run of several years TW has finally stopped selling them. I have a 3 of these and as far as the elbow goes (Over 40 male) I would use anything but this. I can play all day with this with no problem then can pick up my junior's Shark and my arm is hurting in 10 minutes. The Rally is a med powered racquet with a lot of pop and a generous sweetspot. The 16 x 19 string pattern generates spin with minimal effort. This is a really great 102" racquet if you like a muted soft feel. And very capable from net or baseline. There is a new GDS Magnetic Speed. TW doesnt carry them but I have seen the photos and know a Fischer Dealer that carries them. Also the old GDS (2002-2003) GDS Spice (very nice blue graphics) also be a good racquet (You can usually find the GDS Rally FT or the GDS Spice on the auction site for $50-$75 used $150 new.

 

[mctennis]

I would get her a Volkl V1 Classic. It grows with your skill levels and it is very arm friendly. You only have to buy one racquet rather than a new one every time her skill level improves or she thinks sheneeds the newest HYPE racquet out there. One racquet and she's set. IMHO.