Longbody Suggestions....

[TripleB]

Last night I played about 4 hours of double, using a Yonex SRQ Ti 700 Longbody racquet for about two-thirds of the time. I'm supposed to be doing a TW playtest with some racquets lighter than what I'm used to so I was wanting to use the lightest racquet I had in my closet.

To be honest I really liked this racquet except for one thing...whenever I was taking a huge swing at the ball and missed the sweetspot, it sounded as though the racquet was going crack (reminded me of the feeling I got with the Triple Threat Warrior - before it did crack). The racquet was extremely maneuverable (especially for doubles), had very good control, spin friendly (especially slice), and good power was available with a smooth swing. I loved this racquet for doubles...that was by far some of the best doubles I've played this decade.

I don't think I could use it for singles because maneuverability isn't all that important to me (I spend 95% of my time on the baseline) and the solid feel and control from my RDX-500 MP at the baseline is just superior to anything else I've tried.

It does make me wonder if I should try using a different racquet for doubles and singles...you cannot understand how much better I played last night than what I normally do. I'm a singles specialist but last night I actually looked like I belonged on the doubles court. I'm usually a 4.5 singles player and a 3.5 doubles player...last night I actually looked like a 4.5 doubles player.

The way I played last night makes me rethink having to choose only one longbody to demo when my friend orders his demos. He's going to order three and he was going to let me order one with his (I was going with the Volkl Becker BB10). Now it makes me think that I might want to actually place a demo order of four longbodies.

Any suggestions of longbody racquets that offer an amazing combination of power/control/maneuverability?

Anything like my SRQ Ti-700 Long with a little more weight (I think it's only around 10.2 ounces or so) and a more solid feel?

Thanks for any input.

TripleB

 

[El Diablo]

And So It Begins............

 

[Richie Rich]

man, not the search for ANOTHER holy grail for Triple B. god help us all.

 

[cadfael_tex]

Oh, leave him alone. It's important to have equipment for every contingency. What do you use for windy day singles BBB?

 

[TripleB]

Oh, leave him alone. It's important to have equipment for every contingency. What do you use for windy day singles BBB?

Typically a Wilson Classic 6.1...the extra weight seems to help the racquet go through the wind more easily than my RDX-500 MP. I typically use 17mph as the cutoff...anything more than that I go to the Classic 6.1

TripleB

 

[timmyboy]

the rdx 300 supermp.

 

[TripleB]

man, not the search for ANOTHER holy grail for Triple B. god help us all.

Only looking for demo possibilities...once I have the racquets on the court I can tell if the racquet fits my game.

TripleB

 

[TripleTennisBumB]

Oh, leave him alone. It's important to have equipment for every contingency. What do you use for windy day singles BBB?

Yeah, leave us Bens alone. We are not looking for another Holy Grail, just trying to be helpful. It is our nature. Now, if you would just answer our myriad of questions regarding the current search for the Holy Grail.

TripleTennisBumB

 

[Z-Man]

I've been waiting a long time for this! Finally a new Demo-Quest from TripleB! I'm curious about the Boris Becker Volkl. I play a POG LB, but that might not be what you're looking for. It's more of a singles stick. Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[Richie Rich]

Only looking for demo possibilities...once I have the racquets on the court I can tell if the racquet fits my game.

TripleB

but why do you put yourself through such personal torture trying to find the perfect racquet?

 

[TripleTennisBumB]

Only looking for demo possibilities...once I have the racquets on the court I can tell if the racquet fits my game.

TripleB

Stop!!!! No one is going to believe in our imaginary demo friend anymore. C'mon man!

TripleTennisBumB

 

[TripleB]

Stop!!!! No one is going to believe in our imaginary demo friend anymore. C'mon man!

TripleTennisBumB

There is no imaginary demo friend. My buddy is going to demo the Babolat AeroPro Drive (which I've already tried and done a playtest review for), the Babolat Pure Storm Team (which I've already tried and done a playtest review for), and the Head Flexpoint Radical Tour { which I did talk him into }. He was/is going to allow me to order 1 demo I'd like to try...after playing with the Yonex last night I'm afraid that there may be more than just one I want to try.

Richie Rich...it's a part of tennis I enjoy!!! Now that I'm probably pretty close to hitting my playing peak (4.5 level; 38 years old; knees/shoulders/heels hurt the morning after; eyesight weakening), it's time to look to other ways of enjoying the game...and as much as I HATE to admit it, the game may be moving towards doubles.

Z-Man...I did a playtest review for the POG LB and it seemed just a little long for me. As you say, it is probably more of a singles players racquet. If I were just playing singles, the RDX500 MP cannot be beat.

Thanks for all input.

TripleB

 

[Z-Man]

TripleB:
I'm totally with you on the enjoyment of the racquet quest. My friends give me a hard time about my own issues with different frames, lengths, weights, balances, string tension, etc, but that's just part of the fun of playing tennis. It's the journey, not the destination...

 

[jayserinos99]

the time i pulled out the volkl dnx os and hit with it i really liked it. i also just bought a pog lb 27.5 and can't wait to hit with that.

 

[AndrewD]

TripleB,
I wouldn't be going with the BB10, at least not as a first-up demo. Save it for the time when you've run through all other possibilities. To me it played too stiff, too powerful and not enough mobility. Might be okay for slow court singles play but that's about it (A little like the Volkl Tour 8 v-engine). Nice price though.

Extended length racquets Ive enjoyed in doubles (not oversize) have been
Prince Diablo MP -27.25
Prince Diablo XP - 25.5
Head LM 4 - 27.25

 

[monologuist]

Pro Kennex Laver Type SX - Like a PD with more feel and control, especially on volleys...very maneuverable

Prince TT Warrior OS - Great doubles stick...awesome volleys, serves pretty big, very maneuverable for 107"

Yonex MP Tour-5 - with a little lead in the head, will do wonders, plus its a Yonex!

Fischer Pro Tour FT - definitely worth a demo...will be similar to the Yonex after lead

 

[TripleB]

Pro Kennex Laver Type SX - Like a PD with more feel and control, especially on volleys...very maneuverable

Prince TT Warrior OS - Great doubles stick...awesome volleys, serves pretty big, very maneuverable for 107"

Yonex MP Tour-5 - with a little lead in the head, will do wonders, plus its a Yonex!

Fischer Pro Tour FT - definitely worth a demo...will be similar to the Yonex after lead

monologuist...thanks for the recommendations. Is the TT Warrior still available? I used to use the midplus version of this racquet until I was playing one day and it cracked in the throat area. It was replace with the DB800 and I could never learn to like that racquet. Does the MP Tour-5 play as flexible as the stated 59?

AndrewD...the only one of the three I haven't tried is the Diablo XP. Do you know if it adds more pop than the Diable MP? I demoed the MP and it was a little underpowered.

Thanks.

TripleB

 

[TripleB]

Thanks to all who have responded!!!

It looks as though I have 7 finalist with only 3 spots available:

Babolat AeroPro Plus
Pro Kennex Type SX
Volkl Becker BB10
Volkl Tour 8 V-Engine
Volkl Catapult 8 V-Engine
Yonex RDX-300 Midplus
Yonex RDX-300 Super Midplus.

TripleB

 

[SC in MA]

Yonex Nano Speed RQ 7 MidPlus. A 5.0 friend is demoing it and let me hit a bit with it. Amazingly solid for its weight. Nice combo of power, control and manueverability.

Here's the specs:

Midplus Specs
Head Size:100 sq. in. / 645 sq. cm.
Length: 27.5 inches / 70 cm
Strung Weight: 10.8oz / 306g
Balance: 6pts Head Light
Swingweight: 318
Stiffness: 63
Beam Width: 21-22mm
Composition: Graphite / High Modulus Graphite / Nano Carbon
Power Level: Low-Medium
Swing Speed: Fast
Grip Type: Yonex Cushion Grip
String Pattern:16 Mains / 18 Crosses
Mains skip: 8T,8H
One Piece
No shared holes
String Tension: 55-65 pounds

 

[AndrewD]

TripleB,

Yes, the XP does offer more power than the standard Diablo MP. I believe that was pretty much the reason for it - people liked the Diablo MP but wanted a bit more power.

A lot don't like it, I did and found it a lot more playable than many other extended length racquets. I may be biased towards Prince as Ive always been most comfortable with their frames but I thought it was a good, underappreciated racquet.

 

[TripleB]

Yonex Nano Speed RQ 7 MidPlus. A 5.0 friend is demoing it and let me hit a bit with it. Amazingly solid for its weight. Nice combo of power, control and manueverability.

Here's the specs:

Midplus Specs
Head Size:100 sq. in. / 645 sq. cm.
Length: 27.5 inches / 70 cm
Strung Weight: 10.8oz / 306g
Balance: 6pts Head Light
Swingweight: 318
Stiffness: 63
Beam Width: 21-22mm
Composition: Graphite / High Modulus Graphite / Nano Carbon
Power Level: Low-Medium
Swing Speed: Fast
Grip Type: Yonex Cushion Grip
String Pattern:16 Mains / 18 Crosses
Mains skip: 8T,8H
One Piece
No shared holes
String Tension: 55-65 pounds

Thanks. Sound similar to my Super RQ Ti-700 Long with more weight, thinner beam, and more headlight { see, almost exactly the same }. I'll take a closer look at this one.

How does the power/control/maneuverability of it compare to any of the seven racquets I listed as finalist?

TripleB

 

[monologuist]

monologuist...thanks for the recommendations. Is the TT Warrior still available? I used to use the midplus version of this racquet until I was playing one day and it cracked in the throat area. It was replace with the DB800 and I could never learn to like that racquet. Does the MP Tour-5 play as flexible as the stated 59?

AndrewD...the only one of the three I haven't tried is the Diablo XP. Do you know if it adds more pop than the Diable MP? I demoed the MP and it was a little underpowered.

Thanks.

TripleB

The TT Warrior OS is still widely available and is dirt cheap! Haven't heard of these cracking...maybe only the MP model had this problem?

The MP Tour-5 does not play like a 59 RA...I'd say it plays a little stiffer...it has more pop than the RDX-500.

 

[monologuist]

Thanks to all who have responded!!!

It looks as though I have 7 finalist with only 3 spots available:

Babolat AeroPro Plus
Pro Kennex Type SX
Volkl Becker BB10
Volkl Tour 8 V-Engine
Volkl Catapult 8 V-Engine
Yonex RDX-300 Midplus
Yonex RDX-300 Super Midplus.

TripleB

Lose the RDX 300's...there gonna feel like junk after the rdx-500...THe Volkl BB10 feels toy-like..I tried it locally last weekend...looked and felt like it was made of plastic...you're gonna like the Tour 8 and Cat 8 much better.