*Poll: Favorite rackets in your collection and reasons?

[ferrari_827]

I thought I'd list my favorite rackets, and the reasons why I think they are so great:

1) MPTour1 Yonex. This racket is #1 in sheer solidity and delivers consistently heavy, powerful balls. It does everything well, the only minus being a high swingweight.

2) Head IPrestige Mid. This racket is very accurate, excellent directional control, and excels with flatter groundstrokes, serves, and volleys. It is really suited for a highly aggressive game, hitting winners, and *not* for a counterpuncher or topspinning baseliner.

3) Yonex RDTi70 long. This racket is 98" with and 18x20 pattern. This racket is sort of a combination of the Yonex Mp1 Tour and IPrestige, very precise yet able to impart good spin and power on groundstrokes. For volleying, it is slightly better even than MP1 and IPrestige. Serving reminds me of IPrestige with more spin capability. The hoop, however, requires some lead tape for a bit more power and stability. The cosmetics is drop dead gorgeous.

4) LM Prestige mid. Like the IPrestige, the LM version is very precise, but feels softer and imparts spin more easily. I don't think it's quite as deadly as the IPrestige, but you can play a beautiful all-rounded game with it. The LM prestige definitely has the edge in comfort, and the cosmetics are beautiful.

If Pete Sampras and Federer had to choose between the IPrestige and LM Prestige, Pete would pick the IPrestige and Federer would pick the LM Prestige. That's how I would describe the difference (!)

5) Yonex Ti50. This Yonex has a higher power level, but slightly less precision (for me anyway), than the MP1 and RDTi70 long. This Yonex also does everything well, and you can play a *very intimidating* power game with it. People have said it lacks a bit of stability, but this is not the case, and a with a bit of lead tape is as solid as any.

I'm still getting used to my Prestiges, but wouldn't be surprised if I went back to Yonex considering the feel and performance of this brand (!)

 

[Ryoma Kun]

1. i.prestige mid+ - just an amazing racuet.
2. slazenger probraided henman - nice balance of control and power on off days
3. wilson PS 6.0 original 85 - does it need an explanation?
4. yonex rdx 500 mid+
5. yamaha secret 04 - its a MONSTER of power

sorry my explanations are so brief i gotta head out!!!

 

[joe sch]

slazenger demon special fishtail
horsman bulbous flat top
wright & ditson reshaw champion
bussey wavy wedge
feltham tilt head

 

[Ronaldo]

Wilson Ultra FPK 95
Head Prestige Tour mid&mp
Yonex R-22
Dunlop Max 200G
Prince Graduate 90

 

[pspcpog]

1. PS 6.0 85/95 - all round, best balance of power and finesse
2. Head Prestige Tour/Classic 600 - best serving stick (full stop)
3. Yonex R-22 - 2nd softest players graphite racquet. Control King!
4. Dunlop Max 200G - softest players graphite racquet ever! best feel and finesse.
5. POG Mid - best blend of power and spin. baseline specialist.

 

[alfa164164]

1. Yonex Super RD Tour 95 - apart from being manueverability challenged, one of the best rackets ever made
2. Wilson Jack Kramer Autograph wood - one must never forget how they got here

 

[mrwise]

In no particular order...I have quite a few of my favorites...
Authur Ashe Comp 1, 2, and 3
T-2000, T-3000, T-4000, and T-5000
About 10 different Jack Kramer Models
Donnay Borg Pro
Dunlop Max 200G
PS 6.0 85
and last a Dayton in near mint condition (wood handle and metal head) and steel strings.

 

[gmlasam]

I only have one favorite. POG mid. For me it is a great all around racquet. Its certainly a spin doctor and great on the net. My POG is practically 14oz with all the lead tape, and help with killer serves.

 

[LordRaceR]

Dunlop Max 200G
Head I.Prestige Mid+

 

[!<-_->!]

1. Head Pro Tour 280 - Good all around racquet. Nice platform for customizing. Does everything quite well and good flex.
2. Wilson Hyper Pro Staff 6.1 Std. - Good all around racquet, but just a bit too stiff. Therefore spurring the switch to PT 280. (2nd reason: broke both in frustration)

 

[Revman]

1. Head Pro Tour 280
2. Dunlop Tour Pro Revelation (old Maroon version)

 

[benz]

Babolat Pure Drive?

 

[Ronaldo]

Wilson Ultra FPK 95 an open string pattern w/ soft flex of the Head Prestige series
Head Prestige Tour mid&amp;mp sweetest sweetspot and flex IMO
Yonex R-22 soft, accurate, the best serving racquet I ever used
Dunlop Max 200G Most accurate racquet that's free of vibration
Prince Graduate 90 flex with awesome spin potential

 

[joe sch]

slazenger demon special fishtail
horsman bulbous flat top
wright &amp; ditson reshaw champion
bussey wavy wedge
feltham tilt head

my favorite woodies to play are :
wilson jk prostaff
borg personal &amp; pros
prince woodie

my favorite graphites to play are :
dunlop max 200g
rossi f200
lendl gtx &amp; white star pro
POG

 

[Redflea]

There's more than play specs, right? What about those "special" racquets in your collection...

1. Spalding Speedshaft...purchased in 1970's - the first racquet that I bought on my own and with my own earnings - no parental involvement at all. "Today, I am a man!"

Not a great racquet for me, and I only used it for a short while, but dang it, it was MY choice, MY money...I'm sure you know the feeling.

2. Yonex RDX Mid...every time I hit with it I appreciate it more...just a beautiful racquet that is so balanced and smooth. This is the best racquet I've ever used. (Right now.)

3. Dunlop MaxPly...my favorite woodie from my youth. Beautiful looking and a great racquet. My daddy gave it to me...

4. Dunlop Super Revelation 90 - got me through the years when I was dealing w/a bad shoulder injury and needed something that would give me some oomph w/out a big swing and wouldn't hurt me.

5. Yonex R7 - racquet I used for a while in college...loved the strange shaped head, and hit pretty darn well with it. Pulled it out to hit with again recently and hated it. But some great memories attached to that racquet. Like the time I called a friend to go hit and got the wrong dorm room accidentally. A girl answered and when I mentioned I had been calling to ask my friend to hit with me, she said she played and we started talking...a half hour later she agreed to meet me to hit, and we ended up going out as well. I owe that Yonex a lot.

 

[bcaz]

1. The Estusa Power Beam Braided -- it just feels so good to hit the ball, combining great spin with excellent control. Low-powered, but allows you to take a full cut at the ball. A dream on volleys.

2. Wilson Pro Staff original 6.0 95. Classic Pro Staff solid feel, box-beam like the PBB and the PS 85, but much easier to hit with than the 85. Great on volleys, very good on serves, real good spin, a solid second to the PBB.

3. Volkl C-10 Pro. Very different feel from the first two, but still superb, flexible yet muted, lots of power for a player's stick (many disagree), good on volleys, serves, off the ground, slice, and totally filthy topspin with a wicked cut. The most comfortable ride around for your arm, like a Lincoln or a Cadillac with the handling of a Mercedes.

4. Head Prestige Classic 600. I don't favor racquets with 18 mains, but this one does everything very well, feels beautiful, and has fantastic directional control. Better than the i.P mid or 98, in my view -- I haven't tried any of the LMs.

 

[galain]

1. Rossignol F200 - my old faithful. Probably more of a psychological attachment - but you know that favourite pair of sneakers that fit so well you'll never throw them out? This is my favourite pair of sneakers.

2. Yonex R32 - if Yonex can make a racquet this good in a conventional head shape, why did they ever go back to their isometric mould? Simply the finest Yonex I've ever swung - just beautiful.

3. Kneissl White Star Pro - a club. It goes "THWOCK" like no other. Great fun to hit with and the shock value alone is worth a few free points.

4. Prince Magnesium Pro 90 - I don't own one but have played with one on occasion and I just do no wrong with this frame. Everything I want to happen, happens with this frame. It's amazing and feels like it's part of me. Would love to get my hands on a few.

5. Equal. Head Pro Tour 280 - the best racquet of the 90's I think. Pro Kennex Core 1 #6 - the most impressive new racquet I've hit with in recent times.

 

[drakulie]

Uhh,lets see..

1. PS 85 (because it is the best.)
2. PS 85 (Sampras used it)
3. PS 85 (Courier used it.)
4. PS 85 (Edberg used it.)
5. PS 85 (Federer Still uses it.)

 

[007]

Fischer VT98 Pro...330g. IMO the benchmark for how a players' racquet should 'feel'. Damp yet crisp, has hidden power due to thoat flex combined with tapered beam from hoop down to throat. Very good spin, stable at net, classic balance.....plus quality construction.

Dunlop MW200G 95....great feel combined with 18x20 and very headlight balance = control. Demanding to use but forces you to use solid technique. Looks hella cool too.

Slazenger X1...great all-court stick: swings lighter but plays heavier than its specs. Fantastic @ net, great spin, great vibration damping, hidden power. Really suited to someone who has a wide variety of shots &amp; plays an all-court game.

 

[netman]

1. Head Vilas. Great control and can still hang in today's style of play. Composite inlays control excessive flex -the one weakness of wood when facing power - without destroying feel.
2. Pro Kennex 5g - One of the most versatile, all-court racquets on the market. As an added bonus, the best shock control available.
3. Wilson Ceramic 85. Plays like a slightly softer version of a PS 85. This is not a bad thing.
4. Dunlop Maxply. Gorgeous woodwork, incredible touch. Volleys are sublime.
5. Dunlop Revelation Select Pro. A copy of the Prince Graphite with more flex in the throat. Both the OS and MP are great control frames with hidden power.
6. Gamma DF 9.5. Just a great S&amp;V racquet with wonderful touch and control.

 

[flyguy]

1. Volkl C7 Pro - hard to find, and is the most underrated of all Volkl's lineup. Similar specs to the C10 Pro, but has a crisper feel (due to a stiffer upper hoop), and is a bit more maneouvrable. Has a nice dense stringbed (18x20), and has slick graphics (better than the C10 bumblebee IMO). A sublime all-rounder.
2. Volkl C10 Pro Tour - really need to be 'in the zone' with this one - heavy static + heavy swingweight (less headlight) means a it's bit more demanding than the regular C10 Pro. It's a mite stiffer than C10 reg too. A good weapon for bashing from the baseline.
3. Volkl C10 Pro - a Classic. So damn comfortable and flexible. Sacrifices in 'crispness' though, for that classic muted feel. Very forgiving and has decent control.
4. Volkl C9 Pro X-tended - I like this one better than the C10 Pro X-tended. Excellent for serve &amp; volley, and very maneouvrable. Decent spin, especially on the serve.

 

[Hawaii 5.0]

Well basically I have to go by age.I'll say that I really like toying around with my old Head PT630 as well as my old Yonex RD Ti70 mid.Most recent fav racquet is my current one because I've played some really big tennis with it.

 

[intense2b]

1. Snauwert Ergonom....I can't believe Gerulatis actaully used this puppy. Weirdest racquet in the world. The head is angled at 45 degrees (x-45 is based on this design).

2. Wilson T-2000... the worlds greatest aluminum

3. PS 85 St Vincent...nuff said!!!

4. Wilson ultra PWS.....it is one of the first PWS racquets ever made.

5. Blackburne...a two sided double strung racquet!

6.yonex r-7... a Navratilova original

 

[Steve Huff]

The t 2000 isn't aluminum. Actually, it was steel. The aluminum rackets of that day had a much duller finish, ie the Head Pro, PDP Open, Prince Original, etc.

Favorite rackets:
Snauwaert LaGrande--looks great, open throat wood with graphite overlays.

ProKennex 5g--plays well, plus PK paid attention to those who worried about their arm safety.

Rossignol Strato--the white one. Plays great for a woodie. Wish I had found one in the 70's to play then.

ProKennex Black Ace--in my mind, this is the original, modern players' racket.

PDP Open--best playing aluminum racket I've played with

 

[intense2b]

steve Huff said:

The t 2000 isn't aluminum. Actually, it was steel. The aluminum rackets of that day had a much duller finish, ie the Head Pro, PDP Open, Prince Original, etc.

Wow!!! I did not know that. Why was it so light?

 

[alberto007]

When i was a kid I star with:
1. Bancroft (i don;t even remeber the model)
2. Head Graphite Vector (excellent racquet)
after abandon tennis and play racket ball and squash for 8 years, I return to tennis.
3. Price Thunder ???? (big mistake, it last 3 weeks, I though because I was old I caoul not play with heavy and small head size racquets)
4. Wilson Prostaff 6.1 95 Classic R. (great racquet but to heavy)
5. Yonex RQ-1700 98 (great racquet) (broke 1 and Yonex discontiued, also a little light)
6. Yonex MP-1 MP (broke 1, and decide to compare it with the RDX 500 )
7. Yonex RDX-500 MP (sold the MP-1, great felling, excellent racquet, bought 3)

 

[hummer23]

best frames

Pro staff tour 90, non ncode, is great.

Babolat pure drive plus, a lot of fun

some weed racqeut with a 135 inch head, thats just too much fun to hit with. :lol:

 

[16]

6.0 95 :great all around racquet(good platform stick also)
hps 6.1 :balance and swing weight combo just feels perfect
c10 pro :unique feel
pure control: awesome baseline racquet

 

[PrestigeClassic]

Some of my favorites that stand out...

Yonex Super RD-Tour 90: my playing rackets; great all-court rackets with loads of stability and spin.

Lendl GTX Pro-T: great mix of old skool specs and modern technology.

Wilson Pro Staff from River Grove, Illinois: also feels very old skool at 13.0 ounces strung (without bumper or overgrip); great-feeling Fairway grip. Love the feel of this racket, but then the points starts and I realize I'm not Sampras.

Head XRC: crazy.

 

[Redflea]

Can't believe I forgot my T2000...a trampoline disguised as a tennis racquet. Every third or fourth try it would work and then look out! Loved trying to use it (look at me, I'm Connors!) but gave up in the end and returned to my trusty Head aluminum.

T2000 - absolutely steel - twin hollow tubes of power.