Help with the raquet needed

[Crusader]

Dear Folks:

This is my first post here. I like Tennis Warehouse website a lot and from the number of posts on the board I assume this is a great place to ask for a raquet advice here.

I've been playing tennis for more than 20 years as recreational player. I'm quite heavy (175 cm tall, 90 kg weight). I usually play from the baseline and I like to hit hard from the forehand, I play slice from the backhand. I started to play more recently. I play twice a week during winter now. 2-3 times a week other times of the year. I only play on clay courts. I play with slow to moderate swing and often hit the ball too late too close to the body. I've been training with weight for many years so I have a lot of power on my own.

I've been playing Prince Precision and Graduate headlight midsize raquets with a weight of around 320 grams for over 10 years. I had biceps pain from playing them and tried other raquets occasionally but didn't decided to change them.

Last year I decided to find a new raquet. I bought Wilson Triad 5.0 midplus first. Though my biceps pain went away with it I felt it didn't have enough power and after positive review from Tennis Warehouse I decided to buy Wilson nCode n3 oversize.

I'm quite happy with that raquet, especially with power of that raquet and sweet spot.

Unfortunately I have two problems with it.
1. Not enough control. I have it strung with Wilson NXT Sensation string at 28kg.
2. I started to have pain in my palm and my wrist everytime I play it. It is probably to light (around 250 grams) and maybe too head heavy.

I would like to ask for advice. Should I do something to make it heavier like adding lead tape to grip and maybe head or should I buy another raquet? If another one which one then?

Any advice will be much appreciated.

 

[Tomek_Pl]

If you look for a new racquet I suggest you try Yonex RDX 300 MP. It has good maneuvrability and control. It's not heavy (295g) but very stable. And it has some power too...

 

[hungry]

Maybe a Volkl Catapult 4, or Catapult 3.

These babies play soft.

And they are not as head-heavy as other brands in this catagory.

 

[Crusader]

Thanks for advice, I just hoped there will be more opinions.

 

[BLiND]

Another vote for the RDX300 MP... good racquet, better than the 500 IMHO.

Sounds like you've gone from one extreme to another... I'd think something in the 98-102" size, around 290-310g, head light.

 

[Steve H.]

If you like the power and sweetspot size of the n3 but want something with less shock, find another oversize frame that is even balanced or a little head-light. Some candidates: Dunlop 700g, Prince Scream or Outlaw OS, ProKennex Core1 20, Yonex V-Con 20, Volkl V-1 oversize or else the Cat 4 as hungry suggested. You could also try adding some weight to the handle of your n3.

If you want less power / more control, you can get an RDX300 or other frame with smaller headsize.

 

[AndrewD]

Steve H, I would second that suggestion of the Pro Kennex and perhaps, Crusader, you could look into the entire Kennex range. They are reported to be excellent for arm pain so you might find something there.

Others are better qualified to help you in this regard but perhaps technique has something to do with the discomfit. You know you hit too late so that might be in some way linked to it.

 

[tennissavy]

crusader:
You do not have to get a new racquet. Add some lead tape to the head a few grams at 12 o'clock and a lot of weight in the handle. This is normally easy with wilson racquets since the butt caps usually pop open and you can bend the staples out the way with a screwdriver. This will make the racquet very headlight, easy to maneuver and with some more weight in the head, it will the crush through the ball better with less effort on your part. That should eliminate your pain and improve your game. Just experiment with different amounts of weight in the head and handle until you like the results. That's what I do.