Mid Sized Racket Users

[awhalan]

Hi guys,

For most of my tennis playing life I have played with mid sized rackets (88 to 95 head size). They suite my game (Aggressive baselineliner with flat strokes) and I get so much satisfaction beating people playing with bigger, more powerful rackets who play the modern game of more spin. Lately I have been curious though to see how my game would go playing with a bigger head size/more power. Like am I making things more difficult for myself playing with a smaller racket or would my game fall apart with a bigger frame? I am just wondering if any mid sized users have ever made the switch (temporarily and hated it or permanently). I will probably demo a few just to get this out of my system but I'm just curious to see how people went.

My current stick is the Wilson Blade 93.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Hi guys,

For most of my tennis playing life I have played with mid sized rackets (88 to 95 head size). They suite my game (Aggressive baselineliner with flat strokes) and I get so much satisfaction beating people playing with bigger, more powerful rackets who play the modern game of more spin. Lately I have been curious though to see how my game would go playing with a bigger head size/more power. Like am I making things more difficult for myself playing with a smaller racket or would my game fall apart with a bigger frame? I am just wondering if any mid sized users have ever made the switch (temporarily and hated it or permanently). I will probably demo a few just to get this out of my system but I'm just curious to see how people went.

My current stick is the Wilson Blade 93.

I don't think you're holding yourself back simply because, like you said, you've played with mid sized frames throughout your life. You're so used to it. It's the norm for you.

Don't give in to this "modern game" crap. You can hit any shot, yes, that includes "modern strokes" with any frames.

 

[awhalan]

I don't think you're holding yourself back simply because, like you said, you've played with mid sized frames throughout your life. You're so used to it. It's the norm for you.

Don't give in to this "modern game" crap. You can hit any shot, yes, that includes "modern strokes" with any frames.

Thanks for that. Its good to hear you say that because quite a few people at my club have been telling me that I should upgrade along with what I have been reading on forums like this one have started to put doubt in my mind. At the end of the day though I really enjoy playing with mids and I do feel they suite my game. I guess I have a bit of that "is the grass greener" thinking.

 

[kingcheetah]

I used the Pro Staff 90 for a while and switched to the Blade 104 because of how easy it is to use, yet it also retains a lot of touch and feel. There is an adjustment that you have to make, like with any racquet change, to something more powerful. With extra weight for stability, this racquet is still pretty easy to control, yet is solid enough to not get pushed around, and can blast the ball.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Thanks for that. Its good to hear you say that because quite a few people at my club have been telling me that I should upgrade along with what I have been reading on forums like this one have started to put doubt in my mind. At the end of the day though I really enjoy playing with mids and I do feel they suite my game. I guess I have a bit of that "is the grass greener" thinking.

I think with any racquets, there are always benefits and deficits. You win some and you lose some. To me, what matters is how it feels when I make contact with the ball. And there's no better feeling than striking the ball with a mid.

Are you overpowered by these people at your club? Because honestly, hit the sweetspot in any racquet and there'll be ample power. Lastly, to those people who are so proud of their "modern game" and preaching everyone around them to switch. I just tell them: "I don't tell you to switch into my frames, so don't tell me to switch into yours."

 

[awhalan]

I think with any racquets, there are always benefits and deficits. You win some and you lose some. To me, what matters is how it feels when I make contact with the ball. And there's no better feeling than striking the ball with a mid.

Are you overpowered by these people at your club? Because honestly, hit the sweetspot in any racquet and there'll be ample power. Lastly, to those people who are so proud of their "modern game" and preaching everyone around them to switch. I just tell them: "I don't tell you to switch into my frames, so don't tell me to switch into yours."

I'm not overpowered at all. I have a pretty solid frame and put a lot of body weight into my shots. I probably have to put in slightly more effort but I do like to take a big swipe at the ball. I do hit very flat as well and have an eastern grip on my FH so I question whether I would be able to do well without making adjustments if I changed my racket.

 

[roundiesee]

I think it boils down to personal preference. Some players I know did benefit from the switch to bigger and lighter rackets. As for myself, I stuck with Mids because at my level, I wasn't losing more or winning less with it compared to using a bigger stick, plus I had no elbow pain at all even when strung with a soft poly. Comfort and feel were the main reasons why I still play with Mids.

 

[Overdrive]

GOATs are made as soon as they put their hands on these GOAT frames..

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I'm not overpowered at all. I have a pretty solid frame and put a lot of body weight into my shots. I probably have to put in slightly more effort but I do like to take a big swipe at the ball. I do hit very flat as well and have an eastern grip on my FH so I question whether I would be able to do well without making adjustments if I changed my racket.

Yeah there's no need to switch, just let them keep talking.

 

[Fed for Pope]

Over my limited years I stumbled blindly using babolats, heads, dunlops and others, before curiosity struck and I bought an N90. Nothing felt the same. I have since used various iterations of the 90, prestige mids and a couple of PS85s. Every now and then I try out newer models, but the loss of feel is just insurmountable. When I find myself overcome with a new opponent's power and spin, I'll opt for the prestige mids, but nothing bigger (or lighter) than that. Once you go mid, you never go back.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Over my limited years I stumbled blindly using babolats, heads, dunlops and others, before curiosity struck and I bought an N90. Nothing felt the same. I have since used various iterations of the 90, prestige mids and a couple of PS85s. Every now and then I try out newer models, but the loss of feel is just insurmountable. When I find myself overcome with a new opponent's power and spin, I'll opt for the prestige mids, but nothing bigger (or lighter) than that. Once you go mid, you never go back.

You do realize Prestige Mids are actually ~89.5 sq inches, right?

 

[sam_p]

I used to be in the same boat as the OP. Played with Yonex mids for years, switched to blade 93 and loved it. One time I decided to demo the Extreme Pro 2.0 (the reviews were so glowing) and realized how much easier it is to play with. The bit of free power and extra spin help in match situations when things are tight. They actually have great touch and comfort too, even with full poly. So now I've switched for good.

Fundamentally my game is the same, but it have some extra margin for error and some free power. Useful as a 4.5 doubles player approaching 50...

 

[awhalan]

Thanks to everyone that has replied. It has given me a lot to think about. I think I will probably stick to the mids for at least a little while longer as I'm under 30, a 5.5 level player and fit but I have appreciated all the feedback.

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

I dunno, I switch between totally different frames, but they are both Mid Plus.

For me, weight and balance are far more telling factors than head size.

 

[awhalan]

I dunno, I switch between totally different frames, but they are both Mid Plus.

For me, weight and balance are far more telling factors than head size.

How do you find playing with two different rackets? I dont think I would be able to cope. What determines the racket you will play with? Conditions, how you are feeling? your opponent?

 

[anirut]

I'd think the mates in your club want you to change because they can't cope with flat shots and want you to go bigger head size to play more tops. :lol:

You don't need to change. You are the one enjoying YOUR game, not them. It's about personal satisfaction and on-court orgasm.

I play mid size, too, not at high level, but for fun. I have them from different makes. I do have some mid+ too, like the Bio 300 Tour and Head Mojo (100) which I use for "social tennis" when I shouldn't put much pace to drive the ball or I'll be starred at for "bullying" them.

 

[Shroud]

I recently bought a prostaff 85. OK, I bought 4 of them.

Coming from the Prince Orginal graphite mid, the prostaff has a ton of control. The prince is more powerful and probably has more spin. I hit great with both, but am switching full time to the prostaff.

There is just something about that racket. It suits my game remarkably. Its so low powered, I can actually swing and keep the ball in.

Hit today with someone I hadnt hit with in a while and he remarked how much better I was hitting. Its the prostaff and my forehand is better because of an oscar wegner vid. Long story but I have tons of natural power and the Prostaff allows me to not pull up on my stroke.

I get the "free power" thing and can see for some players where that would be a benefit. For me the low powered mids are much better.

Also having tried the 100" frames, mids are more precise and that "mids are harder to hit with" mentality is pretty much crap at least for me. There is something easier about mids and having less real-estate to manage.

You have to do what works for you. For me, there is something magical about a prostaff 85.

 

[Overdrive]

Shroud, I forgot to ask you something. If you have have known about the $99 PS 85, how many frames would you have purchased? 6? 8?

 

[Shroud]

Shroud, I forgot to ask you something. If you have have known about the $99 PS 85, how many frames would you have purchased? 6? 8?

Dude why do you have to keep rubbing that in???

6 most likely.

I tried this last time and was told that its 119.

Oh well. Hell of a stick!

 

[Overdrive]

Dude why do you have to keep rubbing that in???

6 most likely.

I tried this last time and was told that its 119.

Oh well. Hell of a stick!

I really wasn't trying to..

Cool, have fun! : )

 

[Shroud]

I really wasn't trying to..

Cool, have fun! : )

Its ok. I am just messin with you.

At that point I would have just bought one anyhow

Maybe its the dense string pattern more than the head size. Who knows, but its better for my game and well thats what I am doing!!

so hard to explain, but I find the 85" easier to hit with than 100" frames. Its probably the power.

Oh and one guy said that service returns were harder with the prostaff 85. I hit some returns today and didnt notice any difference over my POG. Guess everyone is different.

FWIW my 1hbh is just better with the prostaff....

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

How do you find playing with two different rackets? I dont think I would be able to cope. What determines the racket you will play with? Conditions, how you are feeling? your opponent?

All three, but mostly conditions. Basically, the hotter it is the more I like the heavier(12oz) frame. I also prefer them for singles.

The lighter (11.3oz) frames I use for doubles and when it's cold and damp..

 

[suryanaga]

I actually did the opposite switch, I started out playing Juniors with 95-98 headsize racquets, before switching to my current Black Ace 86. To each their own really. Midsize racquets have unmatched control and precision, but require more effort.

 

[mhkeuns]

IDK... I win easier with the APD, but I have more fun playing with the IG Prestige Mid. I've always had heavy top spin game, so the APD just complimented my game and took it to another level. Even if the shots are not close to the line or the corner, my opponents have difficult times getting to the ball because the balls bounce so high and away from them. I, however, love to see my opponents trying to chase after the balls from corner to corner and have them guessing all the time. I can do that better the the Prestige. I guess there is always benefits and deficits. If I really want to win, I use the APD. If I want to have fun, I pull out the Prestige.

 

[robbo1970]

I play for fun and enjoy the game. I often switch between a couple of mid plus rackets and my Exo3 93. The 93 is great fun to play with, I tend to find the placement of shots is more precise, great fun when you want to get your opponent running about.

 

[yangster007]

Started playing tennis with oversized racquets (Wilson/Prince), then switched a Dunlop 300G, later to Volkl Tour 10 Mid (93), currently been playing with ncode 90 & BLX 90 for almost 6 years. They are better than anything else I've ever tried.