NTRP vs. racquet choices

[donquijote]

In my personal opinion even half of the people reviewing rackets for TW are not good enough to be able to provide a relevant review of most rackets they are reviewing.

I think they are doing a great job compared to other retailers' tests/reviews and TW University database is one of the best sources to get information.

I am not sure how long the tests are done but it looks like some testers actually work on the racquets as I see comments like 'it was very stiff first but I tried a multi and it became very comfortable'.

As for their skill level, I think most of them are at a higher level than the average forum member so nothing wrong there. Pro-level players wouldn't spend their time testing these racquets and they would not like most equipment that don't suit a higher level of tennis.

 

[mistapooh]

I know OP asked racket choices for 3.5 players, but anybody here (or know someone) who is a solid 4.5-5.0+ player using sub 11.7 oz rackets strung? I'm currently out of shape and getting back into the sport. My old frames are a bit too much to handle during match play and the allure of a lighter racket to help my once potent service game is tempting. Power or stability isn't even the issue, just the fatigue and stress on my shoulder.

 

[robbo1970]

I know OP asked racket choices for 3.5 players, but anybody here (or know someone) who is a solid 4.5-5.0+ player using sub 11.7 oz rackets strung? I'm currently out of shape and getting back into the sport. My old frames are a bit too much to handle during match play and the allure of a lighter racket to help my once potent service game is tempting. Power or stability isn't even the issue, just the fatigue and stress on my shoulder.

Yes, I know a few, one in particular, who uses an 11oz racquet.

Using a heavy racquet can feel very plush and comfortable and have the obvious benefits of the extra mass, but a sub 11.5oz racquet can equally be a bit of a weapon.

Racquet weight is irrelevant. It's about the player using it and what feels right to them. I play with some players who are perhaps lower than 4.5's but use heavier racquets to good effect and vice versa, plenty of 4.5's and above who can be quite challenging with their APD's and PD's.

It's all about personal choice and what feels right. Same with headsize. If you feel confident using a certain type of racquet, you will play your best tennis.

 

[joohan]

I want to keep things polite and would not like to name names but in my short time as a member of this forum, I have seen some people obsess over racquets at a level that seems disproportionate to their self professed level of play.

I've been accused several times already that I am trolling and harshing all the fun of some members here just by asking simple, albeit a touch philosophical, questions about their gear choices. I mean, I respect people and I respect even their obsessions - some may even interest me - but I find it hilarious when a couple of innocent questions significantly shake the confidence they have on the matter. Very interesting, very amusing.

 

[Christian Olsson]

I've been accused several times already that I am trolling and harshing all the fun of some members here just by asking simple, albeit a touch philosophical, questions about their gear choices. I mean, I respect people and I respect even their obsessions - some may even interest me - but I find it hilarious when a couple of innocent questions significantly shake the confidence they have on the matter. Very interesting, very amusing.

Its kind of mentioning alternative cures instead of the normal chemical cocktails to people. Ive never seen people so angry and upset about something that's a personal choice. But on the other hand it's good to have someone questioning what we do.

Ps gonna have one main and one spare racquet. Wouldn't know what to do with more racquets honestly. Rather buy one very expensive than many cheap ones. But that's just me. Lol!

 

[joohan]

Its kind of mentioning alternative cures instead of the normal chemical cocktails to people. Ive never seen people so angry and upset about something that's a personal choice. But on the other hand it's good to have someone questioning what we do.

Ps gonna have one main and one spare racquet. Wouldn't know what to do with more racquets honestly. Rather buy one very expensive than many cheap ones. But that's just me. Lol!

I'm going that direction as well. I'm putting my Fischers on sale and downsizing my modest collection, keeping only my Donnay Pro One. I'll probably buy some Angells along the way to support the ideal(not mentioning their quality) and maybe a PS85 for old times sake...this has been a very good thread so far and I applaud the author (ehm, ehm...)

 

[torpantennis]

...It's all about personal choice and what feels right. Same with headsize. If you feel confident using a certain type of racquet, you will play your best tennis.

Yes, at any level (against peers at same level) the match winner is determined 95% by confidence and feel. Whatever racquet allows the individual have more natural feel for the swing and more confidence is THE RACQUET for that player. With me it just happens to be heavy/headlight racquet strung with soft mains and stiff poly crosses. For you, it might be something totally different.

 

[Christian Olsson]

I'm going that direction as well. I'm putting my Fischers on sale and downsizing my modest collection, keeping only my Donnay Pro One. I'll probably buy some Angells along the way to support the ideal(not mentioning their quality) and maybe a PS85 for old times sake...this has been a very good thread so far and I applaud the author (ehm, ehm...)

Yeah, I'm all for a minimum of clutter in my life. I'd rather have a minimum of the really good Q stuff than littered with mediocre trash. Feng shui. Or else the things start to own you. Purely my personal view that one can take or leave.

 

[joohan]

Purely my personal view that one can take or leave.

I fear we have started a trend of...kind of... apologizing for ones personal views and preferences. Not sure that was my plan, not sure at all...

I'm kidding. I've assembled my Fischer racquets over last four years and while reading this forums lately I've figured out more than a couple of things I want in a tennis racquet or better, what should my ideal racquet play and feel like. VT98Pro is and always will be one of the best frames I've played with but I feel its time to move on to something more...permanent. I've always had a soft spot for custom made or at least personalized things - be it clothes, guitars and even sporting gear - bicycles, football shoes etc. Not mentioning I simply ADORE when someone is doing what he has always dreamt of doing...I get a real kick out of such stories. I'm sure such persons energy transcends into his products and on to his customers via those products, making their lives a bit more positive. Metaphysical, I know, but we are much more than skin and bones after all...

 

[Christian Olsson]

I fear we have started a trend of...kind of... apologizing for ones personal views and preferences. Not sure that was my plan, not sure at all...

I'm kidding. I've assembled my Fischer racquets over last four years and while reading this forums lately I've figured out more than a couple of things I want in a tennis racquet or better, what should my ideal racquet play and feel like. VT98Pro is and always will be one of the best frames I've played with but I feel its time to move on to something more...permanent. I've always had a soft spot for custom made or at least personalized things - be it clothes, guitars and even sporting gear - bicycles, football shoes etc. Not mentioning I simply ADORE when someone is doing what he has always dreamt of doing...I get a real kick out of such stories. I'm sure such persons energy transcends into his products and on to his customers via those products, making their lives a bit more positive. Metaphysical, I know, but we are much more than skin and bones after all...

Totally agree with you. Be sure to visit my workshop next time in Sweden! not to buy a bass, to have a nice espresso and chat about life!

 

[joohan]

Totally agree with you. Be sure to visit my workshop next time in Sweden! not to buy a bass, to have a nice espresso and chat about life!

I will, absolutely. Fika time it is

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

I fear we have started a trend of...kind of... apologizing for ones personal views and preferences. Not sure that was my plan, not sure at all...

I'm kidding. I've assembled my Fischer racquets over last four years and while reading this forums lately I've figured out more than a couple of things I want in a tennis racquet or better, what should my ideal racquet play and feel like. VT98Pro is and always will be one of the best frames I've played with but I feel its time to move on to something more...permanent. I've always had a soft spot for custom made or at least personalized things - be it clothes, guitars and even sporting gear - bicycles, football shoes etc. Not mentioning I simply ADORE when someone is doing what he has always dreamt of doing...I get a real kick out of such stories. I'm sure such persons energy transcends into his products and on to his customers via those products, making their lives a bit more positive. Metaphysical, I know, but we are much more than skin and bones after all...

I dont think we should apologize for our tastes... it is basically all we have. Ive got custom guitars and my suits are tailored to me... Ive played a Guarneri (believe the hype on those). I drink some of the best espresso on earth (some of it roasted by friends). Am I a great tennis player... nope! but I have personal tastes (and because of it my highlightreels look good... even if I lost thatday). I think we obsess about gear because it might be the only thing extistentially we have a lot of control over. I train so I can play the way I want but ultimately Im stuck with the body I inhabit. Tennis stick? Well that is a fun variable to mess with though I personally dread switching. I bring 6 rackets in my bag but I play with 2 nearly identical frames... and 1... my favorite when it really matters.

taste is all we have.

 

[bad_call]

Gosh, you bring up so much stuff. A 2.5-3.5 player can say whatever he wants about their racquet experience. You as a more advanced player need to take that into account and understand it is said from their perspective of a more limited playing ability. NTRP ratings could be self rated, coach/pro rated or computer rated from match records (most meaningful probably if pretty active in USTA matches).

Anyone who says they are 4.5 or higher and who have not started as kids (perhaps a bit of a hiatus even for a few years) probably is not that level no matter what they think of their game. It is rare for someone who learns the game in their 30s or 40s to ever get to a 4.5 level. Players who don't have a deep background tend to overrate themselves while good players who started early in tennis tend to have a more realistic sense of where their current game is.

3.5 NTRP most racquets are generally tweener category i.e. pure drive, aero pro although in all honesty many division one players use them too.

think the 4.5 NTRP opponents I play and beat would say BS to your post...since I started playing in college...lol.

 

[topspn]

think the 4.5 NTRP opponents I play and beat would say BS to your post...since I started playing in college...lol.

of course you can disagree, no problem

 

[AeroPro Staff]

Thanks. As I don't have any tennis background and I'm not familiar with the NTRP rating system and its implementation in real-life environment, its only logical I'm looking at it from strictly definitional point of view. You made it much clearer. Thanks.

I was also wondering about how accurate those descriptions are. Funny thing - there is NOT A WORD about stroke/overall technique as such. Of course you have much better chance of having "dependable strokes, including directional control, depth and the ability to alter distance of shots on both forehand and backhand sides during moderately paced play, plus the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots, and volleys with more success..." with good foundations/technique but its not impossible , as per definition, to achieve particular level without it. Fascinating.

There is a stroke by stroke NTRP breakdown on the USTA website i think. Its bothersome to find but I remember seeing it somewhere.