How do you know when to stop looking?

PhrygianDominant

PhrygianDominant

Hall of Fame
How do you know when to stop looking for your next racquet?

Right now I am playing my 2 Völkl C10 pros. I love them. I have this problem however where I have tried lots of different frames over the last few years. Switching has become a habit for me. For the first time I am hesitant to switch. My results have been better. I can't name a shot that doesn't work with my current stick, and I can probably continue to improve with it.

My question is, how do YOU know that you shouldn't even bother testing new racquets?
 
arche3

arche3

Banned
I think for me after you can play reasonably well with a setup you stop. Then really decide to just focus on your game.
 
bertrevert

bertrevert

Legend
I'm not sure stopping looking actually happens unless you also stop looking at this forum!

Nah, there's lots of other tips here that pay dividends.

I would say your game will reach various plateaus - best to separate out what needs working on at each of those - but the better players I play stick with something that works. Simply look at your results: is there a better litmus test?
 
movdqa

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
Most people with decent frames can always improve their games without changing racquets. And you can make mods with lead tape to turn your racquet into something completely different if you want to.
 
R

realplayer

Semi-Pro
I stopped when I finally found my perfect racket. Unfortunately it took me at least 15 rackets to get there plus a lot of time and money.
 
X

Xonemains

Semi-Pro
What are you guys on about?? lol

I found the perfect stick, i dont change often but i'm always still looking,

just incase something better comes along that suits my game.
 
F

fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
PhrygianDominant said:
How do you know when to stop looking for your next racquet?

Right now I am playing my 2 Völkl C10 pros. I love them. I have this problem however where I have tried lots of different frames over the last few years. Switching has become a habit for me. For the first time I am hesitant to switch. My results have been better. I can't name a shot that doesn't work with my current stick, and I can probably continue to improve with it.

My question is, how do YOU know that you shouldn't even bother testing new racquets?
Click to expand...

Sounds like you've arrived... congratulations!

If you can say that every shot works with your C10s, then you can probably play with more confidence more often. Instead of playing with the nagging suspicion that your gear is somehow working against you, you're more free to just concentrate on your game, at least as I see it. That's a good thing, indeed.

This was actually what happened for me when I got into the C10 a few years ago. The racquet was just "right" - no insane power or spin production, but plenty of control, supremely comfortable for my arm, and no glaring weakness. I didn't worry about tracking down anything "better" once I settled in with those racquets (one of mine was cracked, but I just kept on using it!), but I did keep an eye on what was around. It's fun to keep track of who uses what, just because I do some teaching and stringing. Keeping track of what's available or popular can help with recommendations, etc.

I only switched away from the C10 because I inherited (free = no-brainer) a new Orgainix 10 325g and wanted to check out what Volkl thought up in terms of a newer "10 series" frame. I initially hated it, but then tuned it with some lead, and suddenly LOVED it. Tried it some more and the honeymoon continues. I only switched because of this happy accident and haven't had a different model in my bag for over six months.

I see no problem with staying "gear curious", but that's different from being stuck in that perpetual "the grass is greener" syndrome and chasing something that's theoretically better.
 
A

ArliHawk

Hall of Fame
I knew to stop looking when I had to repurchase a racquet I had sold earlier. Guess I am sticking with it this time.
 
McLovin

McLovin

Legend
ArliHawk said:
I knew to stop looking when I had to repurchase a racquet I had sold earlier. Guess I am sticking with it this time.
Click to expand...

Ha! I ran into this scenario this past spring. Switched to the VCORE Tour 97 after two years w/ the X Force Pro.

After 3 months of messing w/ lead & string tension, decided I liked my X Force Pros and went back to them. Unfortunately, I had already traded my X Force Pros in to TW, so I had to buy new ones.

Of course, this won't stop me from ordering a few demos just to play, but I don't see myself switching again any time soon (famous last words).
 
R

ReopeningWed

Professional
I just picked a racket that I thought looked pretty and learned to love it. Finding the Pure Storm Limited in 2008 was like meeting my soul mate for the first time.
 
Fed for Pope

Fed for Pope

Rookie
If you have a racket that you are happy with, stick with it. When an off day gives you a confidence knock, spend some time adjusting tensions, stings, balance, and weight. If that feels wrong go back to how it was, chances are you will wonder why you wanted to change.

If you are going to try others, can I recommend buying used off the bay or elsewhere.
 
E

El Diablo

Guest
Same way you know you've found the right woman: you need to have experienced a number of them to know what suits your needs. You've already done this with racquets so should be able to tell by now.
 
tennisinoc

tennisinoc

Semi-Pro
I look at it this way. We all have our primary car that we drive around that fits our personal needs. So that is what I drive/play with primarily. Now imagine you can test drive/rent/demo for a week any new car out there for free or $10 bucks without buying a new car. Thats a lot of fun. But when you start buying every test drive you like, then that becomes trouble. Some also take the leasing approach and swap out new cars/rackets every other month. Its a lifestyle choice, time commitment and how your pocketbook depth is.
(Bitter Truth: If you are seeking a game improving tool: lessons, fitness, proper technique and footwork does more wonders than any new carbon stick)
 
MikeHitsHard93

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
cocarrot said:
Just stop reading TalkTennis forums and visiting TW on a daily basis ..simple as that!
Click to expand...

Yup, this is probably the solution. I still haven't found the racket for me either. I really love my PDR with poly, but it hurts and that's not a smart thing to do. Still lookin...
 
T

TennisMD

Professional
PhrygianDominant said:
How do you know when to stop looking for your next racquet?

Right now I am playing my 2 Völkl C10 pros. I love them. I have this problem however where I have tried lots of different frames over the last few years. Switching has become a habit for me. For the first time I am hesitant to switch. My results have been better. I can't name a shot that doesn't work with my current stick, and I can probably continue to improve with it.

My question is, how do YOU know that you shouldn't even bother testing new racquets?
Click to expand...

Well this forum maybe the wrong place to seek advice as we are all obsessed. For me what's working so far is I keep a log for work outs started when I was an avid runner now I include match results and simple formula is the racquet I win the most with only reason to deviate is that rkt causes arm problems.
 
MauricioDias

MauricioDias

Rookie
If you find the best racquet for your game you can stop. The exchange only works when your game is not the same with certain racquet. If its good and you are winning, do nothing. Stay with the frames.
 
roundiesee

roundiesee

Hall of Fame
MikeHitsHard93 said:
Yup, this is probably the solution. I still haven't found the racket for me either. I really love my PDR with poly, but it hurts and that's not a smart thing to do. Still lookin...
Click to expand...

Mike, have you tried using a softer string? Like Gut or X1? I was told by a friend that the PDR is a great stick; and he uses a PS85 as his primary racket! :)
 
v-verb

v-verb

Hall of Fame
Knife said:
The search goes on for ever... :neutral:
Click to expand...

Nope, I went through 60 racquets since Nov 2012. Here are some



My search is over. I got the Snauwaert Hi-Ten series, but for playing I'm using the Snauwaert ATP and Wilson HyperProStaff Woodfirde drill pattern frames



now to edit my sig, although the old Pro Staffs will stay
 
Knife

Knife

Professional
v-verb said:
Nope, I went through 60 racquets since Nov 2012. Here are some



My search is over. I got the Snauwaert Hi-Ten series, but for playing I'm using the Snauwaert ATP and Wilson HyperProStaff Woodfirde drill pattern frames



now to edit my sig, although the old Pro Staffs will stay
Click to expand...

You have some real nice racquets there!
Congrats to the end of search... However I believe the search will resume fairly soon... " A Picture Says A Thousand Words"... ;-)
 
T

TimothyO

Hall of Fame
PhrygianDominant said:
My question is, how do YOU know that you shouldn't even bother testing new racquets?
Click to expand...

A frame should be comfortable, you should be able to swing it smoothly, naturally, and with confidence while controlling the ball, and you should find success under match conditions without the frame being a distraction by being too heavy, too stiff, too light, too powerful, not powerful enough, etc. If it's the third set and your shoulder is aching or the pace of incoming shot is smacking your frame around then you have the wrong setup.

When a frame fades into the background, becomes an invisible extension of will, and you achieve match success at your current level with it then you should stop looking.
 
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