Need some help with a new racquet

[Jerry]

Hi all. Im looking to purchase a new racquet to replace my old, poorly chosen one. Ive been playing tennis off and on for quite some time now, since I was about 16 (im 38 now) have had some lessons here and there and have a reasonable game - nothing fancy but Im quite competitive at about the 3.0-3.5 level. A very good net player, quite fine groundstrokes( for my level) with a range of spin and flat shots. My serve is okay but not so strong. I had quite some time away from the game and on coming back to play I have found that I dont have a kick serve any longer but still have a very strong and reliable slice serve that wins quite a few points (again, at this level). Im not a power hitter although do get a bit of weight into my forehand and backhand when I go to a semi-western grip. Being completely honest I think it is my lack of power in all shots, apart from at the net, that is holding me back. My consistancy is quite good despite the lay-off but find I can get hit off the court when playing against better players.

After deciding to get back into the game a few years ago I purchased a Prince Graphite Classic Oversize although I feel now that it was a mistake. It is a very nice racquet and does all of the things I need to do, however, it just doesnt give me enough power in my shots. Ive tried stringing it at a lower tension and that works to a point but against better players the lack of punch is noticeable. So, I have decided that Id like to make a change to my racquet and go for something that has a bit more power.

Firstly, I am not fully committed to only using an oversize. I do get good spin out of the Prince and it is easier to block back a hard hit serve and just wind up on a forehand or backhand but I sometimes feel it is a bit cumbersome and sluggish so when I have to change from forehand to backhand for example I get caught out if I dont have time to prepare. Not sure if that is just the Prince Graphite Classic or a problem with the oversize in general.

I am limited in what racquets I can try and most of the ones available to me seem to be the more control oriented, less powerful type (have tried LM Radical mp, Dunlop 300G, Volkl T10mp Vengine) which really dont solve my problem. I am a little bit cautious about trying the Babolat Pure Drive as have read so many horror stories about people getting extreme arm pain with it.

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Jerry

 

[Kaptain Karl]

Jerry -

1 - Lead tape is cheaper than a new frame. Have you tried -- or considered -- "leading up" your Prince before you go spend $200 on another racquet?

(If I had known about leading up, I would have tried that first ... three years ago)

2 - Have you used the Racquet Search feature here on TW's site? It can help....

- KK

 

[thatballwas_IN]

POG = 30 years of success

you already admitted that this problem arises against BETTER players....
because their shots are coming at you with more pace and placement, they are controlling the points and not giving you the setup time you prefer. and you are probably used to hitting from a controlled position and not having to hit on the run.

that being said... the problem is NOT YOUR RACQUET!!!
If you don't have the time to take a full swing that the POG requires, you could learn to just use a power racquet and take shorter chops at the ball.
However, you could also take a few steps off the baseline to give yourself a bit more time, improve your fitness and conditioning level and practice your lateral movement.

Changing yourself is a lot harder and requires more committment than just purchasing a new racquet, but the results will be far more satisfying.
If you really want to compete against better players, it will require more than equipment can buy. Even taking that $200 and spending it on lessons will be much more valuable.

The POG is a great frame that will allow you to get the most from YOURSELF!

But, if you want to buy a Babolat Pure Drive... go for it. A new shiny racquet is a guilty pleasure that can turn a bad week into a good one!

 

[Jerry]

Kaptain Karl I have given lead tape a good try at various positions on the head of the racquet. It certainly ups the power but seems to add to the sluggishness. I did look through TW's racquet search feature, it was the first place I went to look but I find it hard to tell just from their comments on a racquet exactly how it might play. Thought some feedback from posters might be more useful as there is always a big discrepancy between what one review says and the feedback a number of players can give you.

thatballwas_IN, thanks very much and useful suggestions. I dont think I ever suggested that the racquet was a problem but that I feel it doesnt suit me and requires a bit more than Im able to give. Also mentioned that I wasnt keen on the Pure Drive but I wouldnt consider it a guilty pleasure if I was.

Unfortunately I dont have the time to devote to tennis as I did in the past. Getting out to play once a week is pretty much the limit for me with work and family committments. The lack of punch in my serve doesnt change from good to average players and, as I said, overall lack of power has always been a weakness in my game. When I was playing more often I could cover it athletically but I did still feel it was a weakness. Im more than happy to admit to being just an average player who needs all the extra help he can get and I do think being honest about your shortcomings is the first step to improving. Just wanted some suggestions regarding racquets that might help my situation.

 

[Steve H.]

Jerry, I'd agree with tbwI that you will do better with the POG as your game improves. Learning to stay in balance and not swing late does a lot for improving power. I _wouldn't_ think that adding lead would help -- it adds power but also makes the racquet heavier and therefore slower.

But contrary to some opinions around here there's no shame in going with a lighter frame with lower swingweight. There are quite a few being made these days that are slightly lighter and offer a little more mobility than the POG without going crazy or killing your arm. Besides the Pure Drive, you could try a 100 like the Wilson Surge, or ProKennex Ki10; or in a slightly bigger head, the Yonex RDX300 Super Mid, Dunlop 400g or 700g, Head i.Radical oversize, Fischer GDS Rally or Pro Impact, or one of the Volkl V-1 models might suit your game.

Hope this helps!

 

[AndrewD]

Jerry,
having just bought a POG OS I can appreciate what you're saying. Lovely racquet but not something that is going to give you a lot of extra zip in your shots, if thats what you're after or need. It sounds like you've given the frame a long enough go to realise it doesnt suit and if you've tried lower tensions and adding weight and cant commit to playing more than once a week then a change might be in order.

Should ask first, do you want to stick with an oversize? They will give you more power but can be a bit too powerful. Most arent as controllable as the POG OS so it might be beneficial to look at something in the 100sq range. Secondly, are you after a stiffer frame? That will add some power but it can affect comfort. If you dont mind stiffer and the Pure Drive isnt for you then you might want to look at the Wilson ProStaff Surge 5.1. Similar power to the PD but seems far more playable and comfortable.

 

[Jerry]

Thanks Steve H, I see you and AndrewD have both suggested the Wilson Surge so will look into that one. Definately it would benefit me if I could stick with the Prince but it does seem to become a chore to swing it after a couple of sets. Wouldnt have a problem going lighter, so long as its not so light that injury results.
Thanks again, I'll have a look through that list of racquets and see which ones I might be able to demo.

 

[Kaptain Karl]

(I recall reading the stats on the SurgeX and thinking "That's the racket for me!" Crazy thing was, it was probably the racket I nixxed faster than any other.)

Jerry - Given your playing *time* limitations (and knowing you've already tried modifying your current racket) I would probably suggest you look at some of the "Tweener" frames out there. Frames like....

... Dunlop 600G I.C.E.
... Head Intelligence i.S6
... Head Intelligence i.X5
... ProKennex Kinetic Pro 11G
... ProKennex Kinetic Pro 15G Light
... Wilson H Tour Oversize
... Yonex V-Con 15
... Yonex V-Con 17
... Yonex Ultimum RQ Ti-200m

(When making choices, *I* don't like to have too many. So if this is overkill ... sorry.)

- KK

 

[Racketdesign]

600g gets my vote... obviously such a nice frame.....

 

[Steve H.]

Also good possibilities -- the frames KK mentions will be zippier still. Maybe you should consider swingweight first -- lower swingweight means more maneuverability but also less stability. How far do you need to go?

 

[counterpuncher]

Sounds similar to what I have being going through in the past 2 years. Some of the better racquets (in terms of comfort, power and control) that I believe are worth a demo after spending quite some time hitting with are :

Prince Shark
Head LM Instinct (XL is better)
Wilson Surge (a little too much vibration - new nPro Surge is probably better comfort wise)
Volkl V1 (original or Quantum) (a little light for me)
Yonex Vcon-17 (a little light for me)