Intermediates using player's racquets: share your experiences

[Arzon]

This thread is for intermediates (3.5-4.0) who use player's racquets that are 11.8oz+ (strung), 85-95 sq in head, thin beam, etc...

For those that fit in that category, I have a few questions:
1) How long have you been using it?
2) How old are you?
3) What has been your overall experience with using a player's frame at 3.5-4.0 level?

Just curious to see.

Racquets I'm wondering about in particular are the BLX 90, Volkl PB 10 mid, Head (any) Prestige, Dunlop 4d aerogel 200 tour, and Youtek Speed pro.

Thanks!

 

[(o)COBRA(o)]

i have been using babolat aeropro drive cortex (nadal's) for 3 years....am 18 years old...I'd say i'm a 3.8-4.0 level.

This is my second racquet, as i previously had a wilson n-code. Satisfied and the paint-job is holding up (only 2 chips due to scratching)...Will keep this racquet for a long time; that is, until something exceptionally better comes around.

 

[bharat]

used a babolat apdc for a couple of years
switched to 4D 300T recently and saw considerable improvement

i think the key is to find the right balance, for a intermediate, you can go with a not too light and more of an even balance racquet, so u have good control and some easy power when u need it

 

[aangstman01]

Okay, I am 20 years old, I am an entry level 3.5 player and have switched from the MG Prestige MP to the N-Code 95 (16x18). The prestige wasn't a bad racket, it actually hit fairly well, but it felt cheap and flimsy to me. After I switched to the N-Code I found it had much more pop and feel and I also learned how to use my swing properly rather than just try and hammer the ball. I think this is because the N-code is about half of an ounce heavier (11.7 vs. 12.3 strung weight) and the string pattern also I think gives you more of a feel on the ball. By "feel" I mean you can really notice the dwell time more on the open pattern and it gives you more of a comfortable feeling. That's my take on the rackets, and I am not saying that 18x20 patterns don't have feel because there are many people including myself who like certain aspects of an 18x20 feel better, but in the Prestige I didn't like it as much.

 

[Xenakis]

i have been using babolat aeropro drive cortex (nadal's) for 3 years....am 18 years old...I'd say i'm a 3.8-4.0 level.

This is my second racquet, as i previously had a wilson n-code. Satisfied and the paint-job is holding up (only 2 chips due to scratching)...Will keep this racquet for a long time; that is, until something exceptionally better comes around.

Minor slightly off topic point.. Nadal uses the original APD without cortex (that's painted on).

 

[Larrysümmers]

I am 17 and i having been using my RDS 001 mid for almost a year. I have found since switching from a Rebel team, i have more power on all my shots, and every shot seems to get more pace on t without me trying as hard. now i cant get lazy on shots, but when hit right, i have hreat power control and spin

i have leaded up my rds and i have found i am getting even more power and spin. i am even thinking about addin some more weigh to it for increased plowthrogh

btw i am a varsity highschool player. so i think i am around the 3.5?

 

[jnd28]

I picked the first option. My experience may be a bit different as I grew up playing with player type rackets - because that is what was available. Wood rackets were basically all players frames. They did come in L M and H and most chose M. So for me the lighter frames always seemed unstable and unfriendly for the arm.

 

[spdskr]

I've "player's" racquets throughout adulthood. I'm in my 40's now. Lighter weight racquets and those that are not head light do not work for my swing speed and stroke type. 4.0 level topspin hitter, nCode 6.1.

 

[Jaewonnie]

Oh boy. When was 13, I switched to a MG Prestige mid that was weighted to about 12.5oz coming from a LM4 .

Took pretty much 3/4 of a year to fully master it and enjoy it. And the switch from a giant 102sqin 16x19 to a 90sqin 18x20 took me off guard. I was annoyed how my shots were so loopy so I switched to the Prestige. Lol...totally different feeling. Could not hit hard for at least a couple months. I was dying to get that bite and spin back but the Prestige offered me a bomb serve (with the LM4 I could not serve properly but thats cuz I was just learning how to hit one) so I stuck with the prestige and adapted to the groundstrokes and sort of relearned them.

Right now I'm 14, and gonna be 15 in like a month and currently using a weighted up YT prestige mid. Not too much problems with it but there are some benefits over it from the MG. I prefer the YT.

 

[WitheringDemise]

I don't quite own a player's stick, but I'm thinking of switching. I played with my stringer's microgel Prestige Mid leaded up to 12.8 Headlight(unknown). I really enjoyed the spin I got from it. I could hit the ball without fear of overhitting. I'm currently using a Babolat Pure Drive GT...and I don't quite like how much power it has.