Pros using xl racquets?

Bogie

Bogie

Hall of Fame
off the top of my head: gasquet, ljubicic, roddick, canas, ferrero, nalbandian, davydenko, gonzalez, ferrer, fish, lopez, malisse, ginepri, guccione, sanguinetti, arthurs, and i believe korolev.
 
M

master935

Rookie
Bogie said:
off the top of my head: gasquet, ljubicic, roddick, canas, ferrero, nalbandian, davydenko, gonzalez, ferrer, fish, lopez, malisse, ginepri, guccione, sanguinetti, arthurs, and i believe korolev.
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there are three on that list that use a one handed BH, and three that are known big servers. Do you think the extended length helps this at all?
 
U

uc3

New User
Are most of these players who are using XL using 28 inch sticks? If so, where can I get one? Or are they only custom made for them specifically?
 
Bogie

Bogie

Hall of Fame
uc3 said:
Are most of these players who are using XL using 28 inch sticks? If so, where can I get one? Or are they only custom made for them specifically?
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most are using 27.5 in. sticks. some like ferrero, ferrer, fish, sanguinetti, and davydenko are using 28 in. sticks.
 
B

bluetrain4

G.O.A.T.
It's funny how XL rackets have come into popularity. I still think of them as odd, but that's just stupid. There's no reason that 27 inches should be standard, other than tradition. There's no scientific reason why 27 inches would be better.

Obviously, too short or too long won't work, but that varies depending on the person.

I've used a few XL sticks and they felt weird, but I have no doubt I could adjust if I had to.
 
B

bdog

Rookie
How heavy was that prestige classic XL? Jura claims 50%, how many of these racquets that are extended are over 12 ounces? Assuming most are customized with lead, what would you guess? Are most like a PD+ with lead which is very close but under 12 ounces or are most like a prestige classic XL players racquet and over 12 ounces. Just curious.....
 
T

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
bdog said:
How heavy was that prestige classic XL? Jura claims 50%, how many of these racquets that are extended are over 12 ounces? Assuming most are customized with lead, what would you guess? Are most like a PD+ with lead which is very close but under 12 ounces or are most like a prestige classic XL players racquet and over 12 ounces. Just curious.....
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Extended frames become difficult to control on the serve unless they are stiff.
 
H

Hessam

Rookie
For most people If they use proper footwork and get out of the way of the incoming ball, there's no need to use extended lenght frames. if you get out of the way of the ball, that will provide the proper distance you need between you and the ball, as well as the necessary leverage you need.
 
M

master935

Rookie
Hessam said:
For most people If they use proper footwork and get out of the way of the incoming ball, there's no need to use extended length frames. if you get out of the way of the ball, that will provide the proper distance you need between you and the ball, as well as the necessary leverage you need.
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I understand your debate, but I think that you left out a few variables. If the racquet is longer(even by just a half inch) it will take longer to get up to the same speed as a normal racquet, there by slowing down and smoothing out the stroke. A longer racquet will as well give you greater power, purely by length(I hope you know and understand why this is so I don't have to elaborate). The reason one might use an XL racquet can be many,-feel, reach at net, smoothness and power as mentioned above, and maybe even because they have some flaws as you said. But in most cases it is not lack of footwork.
 
H

Hessam

Rookie
master935 said:
I understand your debate, but I think that you left out a few variables. If the racquet is longer(even by just a half inch) it will take longer to get up to the same speed as a normal racquet, there by slowing down and smoothing out the stroke. A longer racquet will as well give you greater power, purely by length(I hope you know and understand why this is so I don't have to elaborate). The reason one might use an XL racquet can be many,-feel, reach at net, smoothness and power as mentioned above, and maybe even because they have some flaws as you said. But in most cases it is not lack of footwork.
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I understand and agree with your point. My arguement also doesn't address the issue of added power with the serve using an XL racket. I was just making a general statement, and I do believe that in general if you make it a point to give yourself proper distance between your core and incoming ball, your arm will naturally extend out longer, which will semi-duplicate the feeling of playing with an extended stick.

But all of your points are taken in regards to smoother stroke, more power etc..... I have played with both extended and regular length prestiges and I can attest to those differences.

However the one thing I would disagree with you on is reach at the net. No doubt that you do get extra reach at the net with a extended stick (not arguing that part).... but I would argue that the lack of manuverability you give up with an extended stick balances out the extra reach you get with xtended frame.
 
R

robsanz

New User
uc3 said:
Are most of these players who are using XL using 28 inch sticks? If so, where can I get one? Or are they only custom made for them specifically?
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I asked that question to my local tennis shop. He said almost all pros have extended rackets but they are not sold to consumers. I find it very annoying that we can't buy what the pros are using.
 
M

master935

Rookie
Hessam said:
I understand and agree with your point. My arguement also doesn't address the issue of added power with the serve using an XL racket. I was just making a general statement, and I do believe that in general if you make it a point to give yourself proper distance between your core and incoming ball, your arm will naturally extend out longer, which will semi-duplicate the feeling of playing with an extended stick.

But all of your points are taken in regards to smoother stroke, more power etc..... I have played with both extended and regular length prestiges and I can attest to those differences.

However the one thing I would disagree with you on is reach at the net. No doubt that you do get extra reach at the net with a extended stick (not arguing that part).... but I would argue that the lack of maneuverability you give up with an extended stick balances out the extra reach you get with extended frame.
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You point is still wrong. You are implying that if one had such a stroke as to swing at full reach and stretch that the difference(between the XL and normal racquet's) would be indiscernible. But given the XL racquet, wouldn't this person be able to play at an even higher level with more pace, stability and fluidity?
 
N

NamRanger

G.O.A.T.
Most professional players use XL racquets because they have the ability to do so, and like the extra length. Take for example Gasquet. Even though he's relatively small, the guy has an extremely strong shoulder (as seen in his backhand). They can whip a XL racquet around like nothing, while most normal people would have issues because of the extra swing weight.
 
R

robsanz

New User
NamRanger said:
Most professional players use XL racquets because they have the ability to do so, and like the extra length.
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OK, so why don't manufacturers let us decide if we have the ability or not? It seems to me if it's good for the pros it's good for club players.
 
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