How do you know if a new racket is right for you?
I recently obtained a Ncode 6-1 95 dirt cheap ($20) from an old teammate. I figured that for that price I would take the racket w/o demoing it. I had it strung up and played 4 sets.
I had been looking for a new racket and what I wanted was excellent feel at the net as I am most comfortable there. I also wanted a racket slightly heavier than the one I had been using (head something or another 95, extended length - I've had it since high school '97) as a couple of the people I play have tremendous kick on their serves that had been twisting my racket.
The ncode delivered in bother departments, it was heavy, and head light thus very maneuverable at the net. I played 6 sets with it before the strings broke and I was very happy.
I then played 4 sets with my old racket while my new one was getting restrung and experienced the most consistent day of my life.
I got the ncode back with new strings and I still like the volleying, but the loss of length and extra weight makes my serve a bit slower. I can't seem to hit a backhand to save my life, but worst of all, I started having pains in my elbow which I have never had; even when I played 5 days a week in high school.
I am sure that the backhand is poor mechanics on my part, and if I get in better shape, I can handle the weight, but the tennis elbow has convinced me to give up the stiff frame and look for a different racket. What worries me is that even if I had demoed the racket, I would still have bought it because the first few sets were great and I didn't feel any pain until a week later. So I repeat...
How do you know if a new racket is right for you?
I recently obtained a Ncode 6-1 95 dirt cheap ($20) from an old teammate. I figured that for that price I would take the racket w/o demoing it. I had it strung up and played 4 sets.
I had been looking for a new racket and what I wanted was excellent feel at the net as I am most comfortable there. I also wanted a racket slightly heavier than the one I had been using (head something or another 95, extended length - I've had it since high school '97) as a couple of the people I play have tremendous kick on their serves that had been twisting my racket.
The ncode delivered in bother departments, it was heavy, and head light thus very maneuverable at the net. I played 6 sets with it before the strings broke and I was very happy.
I then played 4 sets with my old racket while my new one was getting restrung and experienced the most consistent day of my life.
I got the ncode back with new strings and I still like the volleying, but the loss of length and extra weight makes my serve a bit slower. I can't seem to hit a backhand to save my life, but worst of all, I started having pains in my elbow which I have never had; even when I played 5 days a week in high school.
I am sure that the backhand is poor mechanics on my part, and if I get in better shape, I can handle the weight, but the tennis elbow has convinced me to give up the stiff frame and look for a different racket. What worries me is that even if I had demoed the racket, I would still have bought it because the first few sets were great and I didn't feel any pain until a week later. So I repeat...
How do you know if a new racket is right for you?
