Need Help in Switching Racquets

gsharma

Professional
Hi,
I need some help picking a new racquet and I'm hoping I can get some advice here :)

I'm mostly a baseliner with a semi-western forehand and one-handed backhand. I will volley occasionally, however, I'm trying to become more of an all-court player. First serves are mostly flat and second serves are slice serves.

My current racquet is a Dunlop 200 Mfil, 18x20. I've customized the racquet so that the total strung weight is 12.6 oz and it's 8 points headlight. I like my setup for serves and I find that the leadtape that I put at 3 and 9 o'clock positions really helps with the stablity. In fact, I can even get a decent amount of spin out of the racquet. However, I think the problem is that after all the alterations, the racquet has become a little too heavy. I've an aggressive game, especially my forehand, and I go for winners to finish the points off. With the Dunlop, I notice that I'm not able to finish the points off by going for winners. It could be that my racquet headspeed is not good enough. I'm starting to play more and more like a couter-puncher where I try to keep the ball in play. And ofcourse, late into a second set, the fatigue becomes a slight factor too :) For instance, I hit against a ball machine for a couple of hours yesterday morning and played singles at night. By the time I was playing singles, the racquet felt like lead in my hand! I was sluggish in my groundstrokes and in returning serves.

So, this brings me to my question - which racquets should I consider? I'm looking for something that weighs around 12-12.2 oz strung, is atleast 8-9 points headlight, has a fairly tight string pattern and is flexible (low power rating). Even though my Dunlop feels heavy at times, I just love the heft and swingweight.

Now, I've only owned Wilson, Dunlop and Babolat racquets but here are a couple that I'm thinking about:
- Prince Tour Diablo Mid (the 93 sq inch version, 16x20 string pattern)
- K-factor 90

I've never really played with Yonex or Head racquets but I believe there are some Yonex that will fit the description.

I will appreciate any input.

GS
 

gsharma

Professional

quest01

Hall of Fame
Well I see your interested in a mid size racquet and your very picky about the specs you are looking for. From the 2 racquets you included, I would go with the K90.
 

gsharma

Professional
Well I see your interested in a mid size racquet and your very picky about the specs you are looking for. From the 2 racquets you included, I would go with the K90.

Yeah, I guess I come across as picky :) Actually, thinking about what I wrote earlier as my preferred specs:

"I'm looking for something that weighs around 12-12.2 oz strung, is atleast 8-9 points headlight, has a fairly tight string pattern and is flexible (low power rating)."

I wouldn't mind going down to 11.8 - 12.0 oz strung weight range. I think that opens up more possibilities for me. I'm really curious to hear from Yonex users as I believe they have some frames that I would like. It's too bad that I have never played with a Yonex frame.
 

tennisp13

Rookie
TFight 335 (18x20), 12.4 strung weight, 10 pt HL, SW 320, flex 63.
The Prince Tour Diablo Mid are good too.
Prince O3 Tour 95 Mid or Ozone Mid are in the spec that you want also.
 

gsharma

Professional
Your specs are right on the line for the Redondo Mid. I would give it a try!

Fedja

ProKennex...yes, I remember that brand :) Honestly though, I remember playing with them while growing up. The Redondo sounds like something I'd like to try.
 

gsharma

Professional
So, I've sort of come up with a shortlist and here it goes:
- Volkl DNX 10 Mid
- ProKennex C Redondo Mid or Midplus
- Prince Diablo Mid (93 sq in)

If there is something with similar specs, please let me know.
 

ambro

Professional
Technifibre TFight 320

You can take your pick between 18x20 and 16x20, I prefer the 18x20 version.

And honestly, you should try the KBlade and just add some lead to get it to the weight you want. If it's like the nBlade, which I've heard it is, you will not be disappointed.
 

baek57

Professional
slicing is a thing of beauty with the k90. but it will be too heavy for you given that your 12.6 dunlops are.

a racquet i liked that is low on peoples radar is the prince tour nxg midsize. it fits the specs you're looking for. 12.3oz, 9pt HL, 61 stiffness, 18x20. its also pretty cheap so give it a demo and if its something you like it wont hurt the bank to buy multiple.
 

gsharma

Professional
Just a quick update. I tried the Prince Diablo Midplus (couldn't find the 93 sq in version) this morning. Great racquet, good feel and extremely maneuverable, 10 pts HL, which is very helpful in returning serves.

The groundstrokes felt good though my one-handed topspin backhand was definitely not as consistent. The backhand slice was ok too. Serves were fine, both flat and slice. There was ample topspin in the frame and I had no trouble hitting flat forehands. The only downside is that my elbow and forearm hurt a little. It could also be that I was really whacking my first serves but I don't know.

I'm hoping to try Volkl (10 DNX), Wilson kblade and Yonex frames next but I'm really fixated on the Volkl as it seems to have the exact specs that I'm looking for. I will keep you updated as I demo more.
 

Return_Ace

Hall of Fame
Without sounding bad..

Why can't one just "un"lead the racket ?

You seem to like it atm except for the weight ? So just reduce it by a bit and see how that goes =/.
 

gsharma

Professional
Without sounding bad..

Why can't one just "un"lead the racket ?

You seem to like it atm except for the weight ? So just reduce it by a bit and see how that goes =/.

Well, the thing is that I added lead at 3 and 9 o'clock positions in the first place because the racquet didn't feel stable enough, especially for heavy topspin balls. Then I had to add more weight to the handle because I wanted to make it headlight :) Bottom line is that I ended up adding too much weight to get to the specs that I want.
 
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