Racquet For a 15yr Old 3.0-3.5

[ConorM3737]

Hey, I'm upgrading from an awful, head heavy, 9.9oz wilson n6 Hybrid that i've been using for years. I have a powerful flat forehand, a decent flat backhand, and a good backhand slice. I have a powerful flat/slice serve as well. Also I like coming to net after a slice approach.

I need more plow through, and could use a little spin. Backhand slice is important though. Not sure what racquet to buy, but after looking at a few, a reading some reviews, i've narrowed it down to three: wilson Juice 100, Steam 100, and Blade 98. I love the cosmetic on the blade 98, and i've read its the best for BH slice. I live in ireland and can't demo, so i could use your help.

What would you guys recommend for me

 

[ConorM3737]

Well i play with a little spin, but not too much Also i tend to use Syn. Gut, but that would probably change if i got a new racquet

 

[Larrysümmers]

any tweener will do. Id say the APDGT or the Juice or Steam.

 

[Jazo]

What about Head Youtek IG Radical MP? Or buy the previous model. I would recommend the new one, it gives you more stability, which is needed when you're at the net

 

[Jazo]

ps: the previous model is less money, if that is an issue, forgot to mention that

 

[realplayer]

The only way to find out is to demo and nothing else. If i listened to all these advices from here I certainly would end up with the wrong racket.

 

[lstewart]

At 15 I assume you are getting stronger, hitting harder, and will contune to do so. I've got a 16 year old son that is a tournament player and that is the case for him. From what you describe about your flat strokes and slice, your game sounds more like a classic style that the modern topspin game. That being the case, you probably could be happy with some of the player type frames in the 98 to 100 head size frames. I would look for something in the 11ounce to 12 ounce weight range... probably lower 11 range. There are lots of good choices, and you could go with something on sell. Most of the companies have frames at sales prices that would fall within this range for you. I've been playing the past couple of years with the Boris Becker London 98 frame. It is being discontinued, but has been on sale for $99 in the US. Something like that might work.

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

I would recommend the pure storm gt. on sale for $99 and will do everything you want. Excellent racket at 11 ounces.

 

[ConorM3737]

So that's a no to the Blade 98? It's on sale where I live, and apparently is great for powerful flat shots, serve, and BH slice, but it has a high swing weight I'd love to demo but can't, can anyone tell me more about it I think Id eventually get used to any racquet I bought anyway And exactly how much power would I lose by stringing with a poly vs Synthetic Gut

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

So that's a no to the Blade 98? It's on sale where I live, and apparently is great for powerful flat shots, serve, and BH slice, but it has a high swing weight I'd love to demo but can't, can anyone tell me more about it I think Id eventually get used to any racquet I bought anyway And exactly how much power would I lose by stringing with a poly vs Synthetic Gut

To be honest and nice as possible, you really shouldn't be using poly unless you're breaking strings all the time. Not at your level. I am not much better than you and I use multis and occasionally hybrids.

As for the blade, it is a very heavy swinging racket and may be uncontrollable for you. It's a wonderful racket, but best used by players with slightly more developed strokes. That's why I reccomend the pure storm or the head radical. Both are much easier to use and offer tons of performance for almost every level.

If you really want the blade, then get it. But you are probably gonna be frustrated for a while when not all of your usual shots go in.

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

I have to disagree with Mike on one thing, there is no real rule about 'should' or 'should not' use poly..

I use poly because I like it, not because I 'need' it, I am not convinced anyone truly 'needs' it if they are changing it out after 10 hours anyway...
(or do people really hit so hard they break anything else in that time?)

for the record, I don't have a set amount of hours, if I pick up a frame and its dead, I change 'em, but I don't really know how long that takes because I just grab the first frame to hand from my bag and they are all strung the same but at random intervals..(ie, if one feels bad, I cut it out, ok, break 'em on the net post, right then and there!)

If you like it, use it. I use it for the spin, and even at your level that will help your slice.
(actually, I bought a back up frame a little while ago than came strung with a well known multi, thought I would try it. Yuck!!! Ball just slides off the strings, won't bite. Even on fairly relaxed second serves the difference was huge)

I agree about the Blade, though, need some skills to use that thing! The Radicals are great. (I don't much like Wilsons, but only because no two are ever the same, the designs are great)

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

Yeah I guess I am speculating too much. There are a few polys that should not be used by many people and there are some polys that can be used by all. Timbo makes a point.

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

well, that's a good point too, the poly I use is one of the most playable out there (ask Chris from TW!), there are some hyper stiff polys that I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole...

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

well, that's a good point too, the poly I use is one of the most playable out there (ask Chris from TW!), there are some hyper stiff polys that I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole...

Haha I was actually recommended the cyclone by a play tester, but I don't know which one. I love the spin of textured poly just like you.

 

[ConorM3737]

Okay, so a lot of the racquets you mentioned aren't for sale here, so I think I'll go for the Wilson Juice with a textured Synthetic Gut. Thanks for the advice

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

Okay, so a lot of the racquets you mentioned aren't for sale here, so I think I'll go for the Wilson Juice with a textured Synthetic Gut. Thanks for the advice

Haven't played with it, but spec-wise that's a great choice and the synthetic will probably be alright too. Some are actually pretty good.

 

[Chotobaka]

Here's an alternative to the "tweener" route... consider some lighter weight versions of lower powered "players-type" racquets (for lack of a better description since all racquets are technically players racquets). Some examples: Tecnifibre F-Fight 295, Volkl Organix 10 295, Pacific X-Force, etc. These racquets are all excellent platforms for adding weight and customizing as needed in the future, as well. Local stores will not allow demos?

 

[ConorM3737]

How about the Six One 100 BLX?

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

Sounds like his local shop has mostly Wilson.

Don't rule out the Steam 100, good friend of mine who plays Open uses them stock, loves them..

 

[10ismom]

Hey, I'm upgrading from an awful, head heavy, 9.9oz wilson n6 Hybrid that i've been using for years. I have a powerful flat forehand, a decent flat backhand, and a good backhand slice. I have a powerful flat/slice serve as well. Also I like coming to net after a slice approach.

I need more plow through, and could use a little spin. Backhand slice is important though. Not sure what racquet to buy, but after looking at a few, a reading some reviews, i've narrowed it down to three: wilson Juice 100, Steam 100, and Blade 98. I love the cosmetic on the blade 98, and i've read its the best for BH slice. I live in ireland and can't demo, so i could use your help.

What would you guys recommend for me

My 13 yo daughter demoed Juice 100 and Steam 100 several months ago. She used Blade lite before that. She chose the Steam 100 and have been loving it. Steam has flatter beam than Juice and fit her small hand well. The Juice has more open string pattern than the Steam. They both are on the stiff side and will give you power. Juice gave her too much power and less control than the Steam. She prefers the Steam.
With more open string in Juice, it is spin friendly and maybe something you would like. My daughter is a ranked junior, probably 4.0+ and hit big balls with great racquet head speed and spin. She preferred Steam. If you are looking to hit with more spin, you probably will enjoy the Juice 100 more.

 

[leroy_sunset]

Juice 100. Good choice. Try a textured string (but stay away from Prince TopSpin, that stuff is garbage).

 

[ConorM3737]

Prince topspin was actually what I was considering I'm using cheap babolat synthetic gut all the time and it works fine, I've never really tried anything else so I don't know what I'd like I'll have to look at some other options when I get the new racquet.

 

[leroy_sunset]

Stay away from Prince TopSpin. It's garbage. Go with Gamma DuraSpin 16 without Wearguard. NO Wearguard, that's important. Cheap and it works great, my go-to string. PM me if you have trouble finding it.

But honestly, I just tried Tourna Big Hitter Silver Rough 17 this Tuesday and loved it. A reel is $80 on TW, and that works out to $5 a set. I enjoyed it a lot (I did a hybrid with smooth syn gut). http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Tou...tring_17_Reel/descpageACUNIQUE-UBHIT17RR.html

Have fun Juicing! A lot of players at my club really like the stick. Once you get too strong for it, maybe switch to a Steam or whatever equivalent is out there.

 

[ConorM3737]

Thanks alot I'll keep my eye out for that string Can't wait to get the Juice now