Please advice: Which racquet to choose in 2012?

[bala]

Dear Tennis enthusiasts,

I am a 3.5 transitioning to a 4.0 level player. Recently I hurt my wrist (not sure whether it's tennis or something else). Never had any elbow/arm issues. I have the following racquets;

1. Prince EXO3 Ignite Team -- 11.0oz -- 95 - 16/18
2. Donnay X-RED 94 -- 11.5 oz - 16/19
3. Dunlop biomimetic 300 tour - 11.3 oz - 18/20

I have played with 300 tour almost all year last year and really liked it ONLY when I am hitting the sweet spot. After I hurt my wrist I switched back to Prince EXO3 Ignite Team and suddenly started liking it way better. I guess it is the weight and have been playing with it pretty well since 2 months ofcourse with a slight pain in the wrist after long sessions.

Since 2012 is the YEAR of the RACQUETS, I am trying to switch to a new one just to have the feeling of NEW for this uear Here are the ones I have in mind.

1. Bab Pure Drive 2012
2. Prince Rebel 98 (2012)
3. BB DC London (not a new one but the specs seem interesting)

Could you please let me know which would fit me?
My cut off weight is 11.3 oz. I hit my forehands with good topspin.

 

[Funbun]

Relearn technique. Wrist pain mostly comes from poor technique.

But if you want to take the easy way out and buy a racquet that will alleviate that, that's fine too, I guess.

Sometimes, light racquets and low swingweights may be the reason why you have wrist pain, too. If you're not afraid to go beyond 11.3 oz, which I'm sure you're not, then by all means try slapping on some lead tape here and there.

I'd grab a really nice, solid base racquet, like the Pure Drive or a Volkl PB 9; something you think has good feel and material. After that, just lead it up.

My advice is that I'd just start with the Donnay X-Red 94 and increase the SW a bit. That is already a pretty sick racquet, and the string pattern will definitely already complement your topspin forehands. I'm sure you'll think the feel for the X-Red is pretty solid already, just needs some specs tuning.

 

[bala]

@ FunBun: Thank You Very Much for the advices. I will start working on them.

Relearn technique. Wrist pain mostly comes from poor technique.

But if you want to take the easy way out and buy a racquet that will alleviate that, that's fine too, I guess.

Sometimes, light racquets and low swingweights may be the reason why you have wrist pain, too. If you're not afraid to go beyond 11.3 oz, which I'm sure you're not, then by all means try slapping on some lead tape here and there.

I'd grab a really nice, solid base racquet, like the Pure Drive or a Volkl PB 9; something you think has good feel and material. After that, just lead it up.

My advice is that I'd just start with the Donnay X-Red 94 and increase the SW a bit. That is already a pretty sick racquet, and the string pattern will definitely already complement your topspin forehands. I'm sure you'll think the feel for the X-Red is pretty solid already, just needs some specs tuning.

Any tips on how to increase the SW on the Donnay XRED 94 or the PD Please?

 

[Funbun]

Any tips on how to increase the SW on the Donnay XRED 94 or the PD Please?

You use lead tape. You can buy it at your local tennis shop.

You can use either of these tools that TW has generously provided:
http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/customizationReverse.php
http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/customization.php

You can use the first link, the reverse customization tool, to see what you get when you play around with the lead tape placement. However, if you already know what you want in a racquet (balance, SW, static weight), then the second tool will save the hassle.

Swingweight tends to be the major critical factor and can change your swing timing quite a bit. (Andy Murray, himself, lowered his swingweight and you can very easily the difference in how he played in 2008 compared to now.)

Because you're probably new to customizing racquets, just place a small bit, like 4 grams, at 12 o'clock and counterbalance, if you wish, at the handle/buttcap. The farther the distance of lead tape from the buttcap, the greater the increase in SW.

 

[bala]

Thanks again!

Relearn technique. Wrist pain mostly comes from poor technique.

But if you want to take the easy way out and buy a racquet that will alleviate that, that's fine too, I guess.

Sometimes, light racquets and low swingweights may be the reason why you have wrist pain, too. If you're not afraid to go beyond 11.3 oz, which I'm sure you're not, then by all means try slapping on some lead tape here and there.

I'd grab a really nice, solid base racquet, like the Pure Drive or a Volkl PB 9; something you think has good feel and material. After that, just lead it up.

My advice is that I'd just start with the Donnay X-Red 94 and increase the SW a bit. That is already a pretty sick racquet, and the string pattern will definitely already complement your topspin forehands. I'm sure you'll think the feel for the X-Red is pretty solid already, just needs some specs tuning.

You use lead tape. You can buy it at your local tennis shop.

You can use either of these tools that TW has generously provided:
http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/customizationReverse.php
http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/customization.php

You can use the first link, the reverse customization tool, to see what you get when you play around with the lead tape placement. However, if you already know what you want in a racquet (balance, SW, static weight), then the second tool will save the hassle.

Swingweight tends to be the major critical factor and can change your swing timing quite a bit. (Andy Murray, himself, lowered his swingweight and you can very easily the difference in how he played in 2008 compared to now.)

Because you're probably new to customizing racquets, just place a small bit, like 4 grams, at 12 o'clock and counterbalance, if you wish, at the handle/buttcap. The farther the distance of lead tape from the buttcap, the greater the increase in SW.

Thanks FunBun.. I will try these tips out and let you know.

 

[ArliHawk]

Try the pure drive, but string it with a soft multi.

Currently use the AeroPro Drive, but I make sure to use a soft multi in it.

 

[Seth]

o3 Blue and call it a day.

 

[bharat]

did u try a softer string on the 300 tour??

 

[bala]

Thank You

Try the pure drive, but string it with a soft multi.

Currently use the AeroPro Drive, but I make sure to use a soft multi in it.

Any strings that you would recommend? I was using KBM Proline 2 (16) on both Donnay and Dunlop

 

[bala]

Thanks

did u try a softer string on the 300 tour??

I am currently using KBM Proline 2 @ 56 lbs on both Dunlop and Donnay