Pick the 3 Best Racquets out of this Bunch?

[TripleB]

After getting the opportunity to play with a couple lighter tweener racquets, I've realized that I'm more comfortable playing with a 'heavier' racquet that gets its power from its weight and not from technology or stiffness.

Three things that using the lighter tweeners did make me realize are: 1) using a racquet that is larger than my POG mid (93 sq in) makes all shots, especially at net, a lot more forgiving; 2) having a racquet that I feel comfortable with at net adds a whole new dimension to my game; and 3) having a little extra pop out of the racquet is a great thing to have as you get older.

So now I'm looking to demo some racquets (as someone mentioned in my last post, "When am I not looking for a racquet?) that:

1) offer excellent pop on serves
2) allow for easy access to spin
3) give good power (for a "players" racquet) on groundstrokes
4) quick/comfortable/solid at net

Which 3 {please vote for 3} racquets you do think would best fit those characteristics?

Thanks for any helpful votes/opinions/advice/comments.

TripleB

 

[oldguysrule]

I probably would have voted for the n6.1 all 3 times(but I didn't) The others are either too stiff, too light, are too muted. just my opinion.

 

[TripleB]

For those of you who have played with either of the Babolat racquets for an extended period of time, have you had any elbow problems?

Thanks for all the votes so far.

TripleB

 

[ollinger]

Yes, of course they've had arm problems, so go to your closet and pull out the old POG mid behind your Sunday suit and let the magical mystery tour end exactly where it began. Amen.
________
Colorado marijuana dispensary

 

[Jonnyf]

For those of you who have played with either of the Babolat racquets for an extended period of time, have you had any elbow problems?

Thanks for all the votes so far.

TripleB

Never and if it was me id take the o3 tour out i had to add over 30g of weight to it before i could get a decent serve

 

[TripleB]

...so go to your closet and pull out the old POG mid behind your Sunday suit and let the magical mystery tour end exactly where it began. Amen.

From my original post: 1) using a racquet that is larger than my POG mid (93 sq in) makes all shots, especially at net, a lot more forgiving; 2) having a racquet that I feel comfortable with at net adds a whole new dimension to my game.

The POG mid is neither bigger than itself nor does it give me any confidence at net.

TripleB

 

[TripleB]

...i had to add over 30g of weight to it before i could get a decent serve

That's one of the things I was curious about. I see that it's only 11.6 ounces, 7 points HL, 61 flex rating, and 18/20 mm wide. I'm wondering how you get good pop on your serves using a racquet with these specs but it scored a 79 in the TW review on Serves and Overheads (maybe that was due to placement though). It also received a 76 in the power category....did you find it to be that powerful before adding the lead tape?

Thanks for your input.

TripleB

 

[Jonnyf]

That's one of the things I was curious about. I see that it's only 11.6 ounces, 7 points HL, 61 flex rating, and 18/20 mm wide. I'm wondering how you get good pop on your serves using a racquet with these specs but it scored a 79 in the TW review on Serves and Overheads (maybe that was due to placement though). It also received a 76 in the power category....did you find it to be that powerful before adding the lead tape?

Thanks for your input.

TripleB

Hmm comci-comsa, it seemed ok for power but nothing huge, seriously needed the lead + a leather grip






FYI ( i have one for sale on E*bay if you check E-bay.co.uk Tennis and tour)

 

[monologuist]

well, if inspiring confidence at the net is a priority, I'm not sure I'd look to Babolats in general. They are not known to be exemplary in this regard. Although it is a question of control/placement vs. pop...which do you have problems with? Or is it getting the racquet in position, which is a manueverability issue? If it is placement/control, then Babolats should get nixed. But if you have good technique but want some pop, you shold be able to volley well with most of the Babolats....but the lack of feel and the "woofer" effect make them less than ideal from a precision standpoint for those of us who are volley-challenged.

Have you tried the Yonex Ti-80? I think it fis what you are looking for. It is on the heavier side, yet maneuverable (low swingweight and cuts through the air fast). It has amazing feel and feedback; has a foam-core, so it feels very solid. It is very spin friendly. It serves very well, much better than the RDX-500....in fact better than any of the standard length Yonexes. It is known to shine at the net, as it is very maneuverable and has great precision on volleys, and ample, albeit only average pop. Off the ground, I think it best suits players who have whippy forehands and like to generate a lot of racquet head speed....is not the best at the "plow-through" effect due to the low swingweight. Power-wise it is probably a little higher than the rdx-500 mp, as it is stiffer, and definitely more pop on serves. Very much an all-court racquet. It does tend to be quite string and tension sensitive, with some strings bringing out the worst of the racquet's tendency to be high in feedback. It plays best at tensions of about 50-56 lbs. Multis don't feel so great in it which is a shame as it will probably have a multi in it as a demo. Gut or gut hybrids play the best by far. I haven't tried Luxilon strings in it, but perhaps they might work if strung on the very low side (50-55 lbs. MAX). Some may feel it lacks a little mass in the head, which I've found easy and effectively addressed by the addition of minimal amounts of lead tape.

Other than that, I'd also take a look at maybe the Fischer Pro 1 Magnetic Speed 98", Fisher PRo Tour FT (if youdn't mind an extra .5"), the Slazenger Pro X1 or the new Slazenger that is supposed to come out soon, and the Volkl DNX 10 mid (which despite being 93" plays more like a 95").

I actually think you'd be the perfect candidate for a Vantage racquet, maybe either the 95" or 100", in the 320g unstrung,16x19, 63RA flex spec. They fit your requirements to a T. They are among the most powerful player's racquets I've ever tried, and can serve absolute bombs. They have incredible feel, (somewhat POG-like), and shine at the net. I have the 100" version and it is a spin monster....probably capable of the heaviest topspin of any racquet i've tried save for maybe the Aeropro Drive....I strayed from it only b/c it was a little too powerful for my game and b/c the swingweight was a little too high for me. Only problem is the lack of demos...I think a spec like this would do you right : 100"/27.25" long/16x19 pattern/63RA flex/320g./12 pts. headlight unstrung/315-320 swingweight (you have to discuss swingweight specs personally with them, but they can accomodate this).

 

[TripleB]

Although it is a question of control/placement vs. pop...which do you have problems with? Or is it getting the racquet in position, which is a manueverability issue?

I think it's more of an "I'm lazy at net because I've never really ventured there in the past" issue. I think it's a combination of 3 major things I need when up there: 1) a large sweetspot (this is where I get in trouble with my POG mid...I never seem to find the center of the racquet face when hitting a volley); 2) good maneuverability (I seem to be late getting the racquet into position); and 3) pretty good pop (because I tend to not keep my wrist firm enough on volleys).

Thanks for your input.

TripleB

 

[bertrevert]

Used the first Babolat Pure Drives for 1-2 years - they are not a volley stick really.

I agree with Monologuist - "but the lack of feel and the "woofer" effect make them less than ideal from a precision standpoint for those of us who are volley-challenged."

The Babs are also not as manouverable, and relatively thick-beamed, and volleys are doable but over time I found myself rooted to the baseline and it was the racquet which kept me there. Your game moulds around a racquet. So as you wwant to be at the net, and confident there, you'd probably be wanting the Wilson.

 

[monologuist]

I think it's more of an "I'm lazy at net because I've never really ventured there in the past" issue. I think it's a combination of 3 major things I need when up there: 1) a large sweetspot (this is where I get in trouble with my POG mid...I never seem to find the center of the racquet face when hitting a volley); 2) good maneuverability (I seem to be late getting the racquet into position); and 3) pretty good pop (because I tend to not keep my wrist firm enough on volleys).

Thanks for your input.

TripleB

well...if you're lazy at the net, it doesn't matter what racquet you use as I'm sure you've figured out....but sounds like you need something maneuverable and with a bigger sweespot than the POG....if you don't keep the wrist firm, it doesn't matter if the racquet has good pop at the net...it will just "pop" it into the net or "pop" it out!

Remember to keep the racquet high and in front of you when you are in "ready-position"! Keeping my racquet in front and high (like almost in front of my face) was the one thing that made the biggest differene for me on volleys...it is much easier to move your racquet high to low to get a volley than the other way around...so if you hold it high, you cover the high volleys, then drop down to get the low ones. Most recreational players I see hold the racquet way too low when waiting to vooley and hend up having to move from low to high to get to a volley and mishit....plus most of the shots people will fire at you will be high rather than low. Also people tend to keep the racquet to close to the body thinking that it will give them a little more time since it is farther from the ball...but it makes it much more difficult in reality to position your racquet since you have to move it not only laterally or high to low, but you have to move it out in front of you...remember, the less movement with your racquet, the better, when it comes to volleys...something that is hard for those o us who like to rip heavy spin from the backcourt!

BTW, I forgot to mention that the Fischer PRo Tour FT I remember being a dream at the net despite being extended length....awesome from the backcourt and on serve as well...only issue is the fischer grip shape.

 

[TripleB]

Thanks for all the votes so far....it looks as though the nSix-One 95 is in and the 03 Hybrid Tour is out. Close race for spots 2 and 3.

I asked for 3 because I was leaving a spot open for a "lighter" racquet. I thought it might be interesting to compare a lighter racquet to three "heavier" racquets side by side.

The way it looks now (after 71 people voting), I'm going to order the Wilson nSix-One 95, 03 Tour Midplus, Pure Control, and the Pure Storm or the 03 White.

At one time or another I've tried all of these racquets (except the 03 Tour) and liked a lot about each one of them. There are many areas where each one of them performed amazingly well but there was always one area that left me with some concern. I think it boils down to which area I'm willing to have a slight "hole" in my game. It will be interesting to finally get them side by side.

The only other two racquets that might venture into the picture are the Pure Drive Roddick and the Pure Drive Standard.

Thanks for all the votes and advice.

TripleB

 

[TripleB]

I just wanted to send a quick post of thanks for all your help over the past few weeks with possible racquet/demo choices. Being active on the board again has really helped keep my mind busy (which is a great thing) since the passing of my father (July 29th).

After playing with a couple playtest racquets, using a couple racquets out of my closet, realizing my elbow is more sensitive now than it used to be, deciding that I'm better off with a racquet under 11.8 ounces, and reading all your comments, I've decided to order the following four demos:

1) Yonex RDS 001 Midplus: I pulled out my RDX500 Midplus yesterday and played very well with it…anxious to see how the slightly lighter and slightly more powerful (so I've read) RDS001 will play.

2) Prince 03 White: Currently playtesting this racquet and it has added a whole new dimension to my game (volleying) and the comfort level is fantastic. Currently my favorite racquet so I'm looking forward to see how it compares to the other demos.

3) Prince 03 Tour Midplus: Hopefully a similar racquet to the Prince 03 White with a little more weight added. I know it gets a lot of mixed feeling on the board but in looking at the specs I thinks it's worth a shot.

4) Babolat Pure Storm Team: Playtested this racquet a while back and it had some flaws but I'm looking forward to trying it again now that I've started looking for a lighter and plusher feel from my racquets.

Thanks again for all your help...look for a comparison of the four in September or October.

TripleB

 

[Return_Ace]

what the hell BBB, i'm geting confused by all your polls... which one is the latest... /too lazy to look at dates for all of them

 

[TripleB]

what the hell BBB, i'm geting confused by all your polls... which one is the latest... /too lazy to look at dates for all of them

I just put the same update on my last several posts in order thank everyone and let them know what I had decided to go with. Sorry to confuse you.

TripleB