my new found thoughts on selecting a racquet

[rosenstar]

so I was thinking about it the other day, and I've come to the conclusion that when choosing a racquet one should use the most powerful frame that they can control. What do you guys think?

my thought process is that if you can successfully control a gamma big bubba, why not use it? On the opposite end of the spectrum, If a PS85 is the most powerful frame that you can control, then thats what you should be using.

what do you think?

 

[HyperHorse]

I think you need to hit the gym.

 

[lilxjohnyy]

it think thats what a lot of people believe thats why they say u should use the heaviest and highest swing weight u can handle.... and lowest tension u can handle

 

[tbini87]

i think a lot more should go into it. but i don't see a problem with what you said... but "power" is only one variable of many that should be looked at when picking a racquet.

 

[J011yroger]

Have you read my guide to racquet selection? I have been shamelessly promoting it all over the boards. There is a little more to it than what you say.

Here is the link.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=160692

J

 

[rosenstar]

i think a lot more should go into it. but i don't see a problem with what you said... but "power" is only one variable of many that should be looked at when picking a racquet.

that's very true and I totally agree that there are many other things that go into picking a frame, but this was meant to be more/less just a very general guideline.

 

[rosenstar]

Have you read my guide to racquet selection? I have been shamelessly promoting it all over the boards. There is a little more to it than what you say.

Here is the link.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=160692

J

I have read it before, and I totally agree with your thoughts that your goals as a player should effect your racquet choice.

again, I think of this (what I said) very much as a guideline, and simply an answer to questions like "how powerful a racquet is ok to buy?" or "how much power is too much?" or "how much control do I need?" etc, etc.

again, this is by no means the only thing that someone should consider when buying a new frame, but I guess simply a different way to approach the process of buying a new racquet.

 

[Commando Tennis Shorts]

so I was thinking about it the other day, and I've come to the conclusion that when choosing a racquet one should use the most powerful frame that they can control. What do you guys think?

my thought process is that if you can successfully control a gamma big bubba, why not use it? On the opposite end of the spectrum, If a PS85 is the most powerful frame that you can control, then thats what you should be using.

what do you think?

I agree. Many times, I've been the butt of jokes at my club because of my babolats. People will say things like, "What, you can't supply your own power?" I usually respond with "What, you can't supply your own control?"

I think, if you can control a power-oriented racquet, there's nothing wrong with that---on the contrary, it can be a huge advantage.

 

[paulfreda]

Powerful frames

People will say things like, "What, you can't supply your own power?" I usually respond with "What, you can't supply your own control?"

I love it !!! Great reposte.

Yes, I agree that if you can control the frame/setup/tension combination, then go for it. No one criticizes the world number 3 Roddick for his Babs.

In general, spin is the key to control. Now with Poly/Kevlar/Copoly strings, a beast is controllable if you do not mind hitting that way. But as my old boss, who was a highly ranked senior in Nor CA, used to say "hitting flat saves energy and an old guy needs every advantage he can find". So for him, hitting with poly and a powerful frame is not an option given his big swings.

And power comes in mightly handy when on defense or lacking time to setup.

 

[Sliceboy2]

In my opinion and experience, I find it easier to tune a low powered frame by tuning my strings and or the weight and balance of my racquet. The biggest factor is how much topspin you could put in the ball so it stays in no matter how hard you swing.

 

[jasoncho92]

I love it !!! Great reposte.

Yes, I agree that if you can control the frame/setup/tension combination, then go for it. No one criticizes the world number 3 Roddick for his Babs.

In general, spin is the key to control. Now with Poly/Kevlar/Copoly strings, a beast is controllable if you do not mind hitting that way. But as my old boss, who was a highly ranked senior in Nor CA, used to say "hitting flat saves energy and an old guy needs every advantage he can find". So for him, hitting with poly and a powerful frame is not an option given his big swings.

And power comes in mightly handy when on defense or lacking time to setup.

He hasnt been #3 in quite a while

 

[grass_hopper]

I agree with most power that you can control. sometimes comfort and TE does effect this since most power is found in very stiff racquets.

 

[VGP]

No man, you buy the one that looks the kewlest!

 

[tbini87]

No man, you buy the one that looks the kewlest!

yeah thaTS how i buy mine... same with strings. only buy strings that come in cool colors!

 

[sureshs]

Old think: use the heaviest, flexiest, most head-light, smallest head, standard length stick you can comfortably swing for a couple of hours. That means in practice (strung): 12 oz, 58-63 flex, 8-12 pts HL, 95 si, SW less than 325, 27".

New think: 11-11.5 oz, 65-70 flex, 5-8 pts HL, 98-100 si head, 27.5" ain't bad either.

 

[KOtennis]

suresh, i used to go by the "old think".
now i am playing with 11.7oz, 95-98 si racquets.
12oz feel too heavy for me now.

 

[sureshs]

suresh, i used to go by the "old think".
now i am playing with 11.7oz, 95-98 si racquets.
12oz feel too heavy for me now.

I am doing the new think but with 12 oz

 

[NoBadMojo]

I agree. Many times, I've been the butt of jokes at my club because of my babolats. People will say things like, "What, you can't supply your own power?" I usually respond with "What, you can't supply your own control?"

.

a most excellent come back! and appropriate and accurate. tennis players say the funniest things...once, we wiped this team in a doubles tourney in the finals...i had a great serving day and my partner poached at will.....guy comes up to me and sez "you know this wasnt real doubles..in real doubles you are only suppose to serve at 80%'

my comment was.....'I was serving at 80%..you need to work on your service return'..............

 

[sureshs]

I agree. Many times, I've been the butt of jokes at my club because of my babolats. People will say things like, "What, you can't supply your own power?" I usually respond with "What, you can't supply your own control?"

What about: No, I can't and neither can Roddick - that is why he serves slower than you.

 

[Commando Tennis Shorts]

What about: No, I can't and neither can Roddick - that is why he serves slower than you.

Good one. Good one. . .

 

[ChipNCharge]

...one should use the most powerful frame that they can control.

That seems to be the trend on the pro tour.