My girlfriend wants to go shopping...

[Fuji]

So as some of you may have read in previous posts, my girlfriend is a huge fan of playing tennis and she is actually pretty decent. We started playing at around the same time, but she has other hobbies that are much more time consuming, so she doesn't get to play as much as me, and she has very little knowledge so far of rackets. Today as we were talking of our upcoming mixed doubles season, she said she wanted a new racket! Needless to say I was ecstatic, I love tennis shopping. She plays right now with an old club, some 110 inch head that's actually pretty heavy. It's around 11.7 ounces! Weight doesn't bother her, she is actually really strong with solid technique.

Now for some back story!

Her play style is definitely aggressive baseliner. Sort of like a female Roddick with a one hand backhand. She's 5'6-5'7 and medium build, with her serve and forehand being her biggest weapons. (She is a very strong 3.5, she just doesn't have the time to fully progress to a full on 4.0). Her serve is even stronger then mine, and she has great kinetic chain motion. She is pretty fast as well.

I sort of "skipped" the whole tweener phase, and moved right into my all court/serve and volley game, so I am not sure what to get her!

She isn't a fan of really "girly" objects, so no pink super high powered rackets. She generates a lot of her own power, but she still likes a bit of boost on serving. She plays a pretty flat game, with a bit of top spin and slice.

The specs I was thinking of so far were around 100sq inch head, 27 inch length, and nothing TOO stiff, she doesn't want any sort of injury. The stiffest I can physically play with is around 72-73, so I don't think she would enjoy that range. I would guess around high 60's, if that. Also the weight needs to be under 12 ounces, she doesn't want some old player's stick like mine.

Sorry for the SUPER long post, I know, but I want to make sure she get's something enjoyable.

So far I've though of:
Babolat Pure Drive
Babolat Aeropro series, (Might be a bit to stiff)
Wilson Team Tour Series
Head Extreme Series

As I said, I don't really know TOO much about tweener sticks, but I figured you guys could help out a bit!

We still have a few months until season, (May 1st is opening day), but demoing is not available here in Canada. So I'm relying on you guys for some advice!

Thanks a ton in advance everyone! I know you can call help!

-Fuji

P.S. This isn't taking stringing into account, lets say for all intensive purposes, she is playing with basic synthetic string, maybe even some multis if anything.

 

[smucker007]

If she hits flat, she may want a denser pattern rather than an open pattern. Wilson Blades, Babolat Pure Storm are good racquets for a more dense pattern. If she likes open patterns, try Wilson BLX Pro Open, Babolat Aeropro Drive, or even the Head Extreme Radicals. Its easier to go lighter in a racquet and lead it up.

 

[TheBoom]

Extreme series is pretty good cept the pj. I would say try out the biomimetic 200 plus 4D 500 tour or the Babolat Pure Drive you meantioned

 

[bayoozen33]

Yonex rdis 300, great deal for $99

 

[Fuji]

That Yonex seems pretty amazing! She want's to avoid ordering online if possible, so we shall see, but we will for sure keep it in mind!

The extreme series does seem pretty good too, but I have never hit with one so I have no experience!

-Fuji

 

[TheBoom]

The extreme pro seemed way more solid than any pure drive/pure drive roddick i've hit imo

 

[TheBoom]

And more spin too but thats my technique i think

 

[Fuji]

The extreme pro does indeed look great, but with a 75 stiffness rating, isn't that pretty high?

-Fuji

 

[TheBoom]

The extreme pro does indeed look great, but with a 75 stiffness rating, isn't that pretty high?

-Fuji

I'm talking about the youtek not innegra. I think the innegra is extremely stiff pun intended

 

[WitheringDemise]

Liquidmetal/Microgel/Youtek Radical. All MP's or even Pros could work. I assume she can generate her own pace and these rackets could help her transition into a 4.0 game if she wants to.

kBlade MP would be a great choice as well.

Both of those rackets have nice space for customization.

 

[Lsmkenpo]

Most of the racquets in your list are not the best choices for someone who hits flat. The APD and Head Extreme shouldn't even be considered, without hitting with a lot of topspin control will suffer with those types of racquets.

She would be better off with something that offers power and more control for flatter strokes, and still has some maneuverability for doubles.

Wilson Blade series, or BLX tour
Babolat Pure Storm Team
Head Youtek Mojo
Prince Exo3 White or Red

 

[LeeD]

I have 2 HeadLMRadMids.
I have 3 DunlopMfil and Aero200's.
Your g/f will love the DunlopAero500. I have 3 of those.

 

[AeroFan]

A girlfriend who loves tennis shopping? Lucky Man! haha

 

[Steve Huff]

I think each manufacturer is going to offer something that she will be able to play with equally. Your idea of the Babolat line is good. I'd choose the APD/Cortex if it were for my wife. Head has the Instinct and the Extreme. I think the Instinct is used by a few professional women. Wilson has the blue/orange model that Henin used. You'd have to put up with those colors though. Prince has te SP Black with multiple inserts. If you like the idea of the APD, but want to save some money, you might look at the Pro Supex Dynamic Energy. It's a clone with a little more conventional stringing pattern. They'll save you $40-60 on a new one over the Babolat. But, if she wants the "name" frame, you'll have to shell out more money. I'm sure Yonex has a nice frame too, but haven't tried one in a while, so hesitant to recommend one in particular.