racquet recommendation

A.Chase

New User
I just started taking up tennis again, after last playing from about 1998-2000. I am a petite female / 3.0 player/ not muscular. I am currently using my Prince Thunderlite from 15 years ago--which is fine for now, but I would like to update with a new racquet. Although the conventional wisdom seems to be to choose the heaviest racquet you can manage, I prefer a lighter racquet. Any recommendations would be appreciated!
 

392Hemi

Professional
My wife who is also petite just demoed the Volkl Super G v1 Midplus. 10.5oz strung 102" head, does a lot of the work for you and very manuverable. She is strongly considering it to replace her Babolat Pure Drive 107"
 

n8dawg6

Legend
Head Speed S, last year's graphene Rev, Instinct MP, or Extreme Lite. I would stay around a 100 sq in head and weight of 300 g or less. my sister is getting started this year and she likes the Graphene Rev.
 

A.Chase

New User
Thanks for giving me some ideas -- it'll help get me started im the demo process. The OS3 blue LS was actually already on my radar, and the others look promising as well.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
I just started taking up tennis again, after last playing from about 1998-2000. I am a petite female / 3.0 player/ not muscular. I am currently using my Prince Thunderlite from 15 years ago--which is fine for now, but I would like to update with a new racquet. Although the conventional wisdom seems to be to choose the heaviest racquet you can manage, I prefer a lighter racquet. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

I think that saying applies more to advanced levels of play. It all depends on what speed/power balls will you be getting from your opponents. A better way to say it would be..."play with the lightest racquet you can use that doesn't often flutter in your hands or feel unstable". At 3.0 level tennis, a too heavy racquet will penalize you far more than a light one would. An even better saying would be "use the racquet where the swingweight feels just right...not too heavy, not too light".

I would suggest the Prince O3 BLue LS if you like extended length or the Prince O3 Pink LS if you want standard size.
 

tmc5005

Rookie
I just started taking up tennis again, after last playing from about 1998-2000. I am a petite female / 3.0 player/ not muscular. I am currently using my Prince Thunderlite from 15 years ago--which is fine for now, but I would like to update with a new racquet. Although the conventional wisdom seems to be to choose the heaviest racquet you can manage, I prefer a lighter racquet. Any recommendations would be appreciated!
I agree that you should try to find a heavier racquet since it will help prevent tennis elbow It is easier to get a heavier racquet that is comfortable if it has more of a head light balance and a lower swingweight.
 

n8dawg6

Legend
interesting how polarized the opinions can be on this topic. I think it's worth noting that even the "tour" or "pro" models of most new racquets never weigh more than 315-320 g unstrung, which is not heavy in historic terms. like it or not, the industry has moved to lighter racquets. although im sure there are plenty of folks on here who will tell the industry that it's wrong.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
I agree that you should try to find a heavier racquet since it will help prevent tennis elbow It is easier to get a heavier racquet that is comfortable if it has more of a head light balance and a lower swingweight.

That is true, but I'm not sure the op had any tennis elbow issues? A heavy racquet can also cause shoulder issues and can cause your timing to be late, which can also cause problems.
 

JohnBPittsburgh

Hall of Fame
If you want to spend a little more, the Prince Textreme Tour 100L is light, and the Textreme models all seem to play extremely well. The O3 line is also hard to beat, and is a little bit cheaper. I wouldn't get too worried though, just pick one that looks cool and is under 315 grams unstrung. As long as you aren't playing against anyone on the WTA tour, you will do fine ;) Good luck!
 

GatorTennis

Rookie
I think the prevailing wisdom about tennis elbow may not be exactly right concerning racquet mass. I'm dealing with some arm issues and I'm using a very flexible 12.4 oz racquet. My prior racquet was a stiff lightweight racquet that customized to be head heavy. I think the idea probably has more to do with swingweight that static weight.

For the OP, if tennis elbow friendly racquet is a priority, I'd look at the Volkl's and Pro Kennex frames. The V1 mentioned above is pretty light, very arm friendly, and has room for you to grow as you improve.
 
J

joohan

Guest
interesting how polarized the opinions can be on this topic. I think it's worth noting that even the "tour" or "pro" models of most new racquets never weigh more than 315-320 g unstrung, which is not heavy in historic terms. like it or not, the industry has moved to lighter racquets. although im sure there are plenty of folks on here who will tell the industry that it's wrong.

Tour and pro models move where it sells. Nothing more, nothing less.
 

TennisCJC

Legend
interesting how polarized the opinions can be on this topic. I think it's worth noting that even the "tour" or "pro" models of most new racquets never weigh more than 315-320 g unstrung, which is not heavy in historic terms. like it or not, the industry has moved to lighter racquets. although im sure there are plenty of folks on here who will tell the industry that it's wrong.

Yes, industry must be right because the consumer goes into local sporting goods store and goes this is Djokovic's or Nadal's racket and it is really light and I can swing it really fast. While Djokovic and Nadal play a different model (either years old or not even a model available to consumers) that is loaded with extra weight and isn't anything like what the consumer bought. There really are a lot crap rackets sold to consumers especially to consumers that either get the really light one because it is so easy to swing or get the RF97 or APD so they can be like Federer or Nadal.
 

n8dawg6

Legend
Yes, industry must be right because the consumer goes into local sporting goods store and goes this is Djokovic's or Nadal's racket and it is really light and I can swing it really fast. While Djokovic and Nadal play a different model (either years old or not even a model available to consumers) that is loaded with extra weight and isn't anything like what the consumer bought. There really are a lot crap rackets sold to consumers especially to consumers that either get the really light one because it is so easy to swing or get the RF97 or APD so they can be like Federer or Nadal.

I don't disagree with you, I'm just saying that modern racquets are lighter and have more open patterns because that type of racquet typically makes league players more competitive. there's a lot of love for heavy flexy mids here on the boards, but I don't see them being used on the courts in league games. I see everyone using 'tweeners, pure drives, or arm-friendly 100-107 headsize rax like princes.

also see a number of ppl buying the RF97 and not being able to use it. our local pro shop says that is their #1 seller, and ppl always get it strung with luxilon and then complain about arm pain and quit using it.
 

HRB

Hall of Fame
Always found the 300/3.0 500/5.0 series from Dunlop to satisfy a wide variety of my decent playing friends who don't like the plus 12oz sticks I use. I keep a M-Fil 300 in my bag for folks to use if they want to try out tennis, and they all seem to be able to swing well with it. Head Instinct another option.

Of course these are DEMO suggestions, and for you they may suck! No short cuts..DEMO DEMO DEMO.
 
J

joohan

Guest
I don't disagree with you, I'm just saying that modern racquets are lighter and have more open patterns because that type of racquet typically makes league players more competitive. there's a lot of love for heavy flexy mids here on the boards, but I don't see them being used on the courts in league games. I see everyone using 'tweeners, pure drives, or arm-friendly 100-107 headsize rax like princes.

also see a number of ppl buying the RF97 and not being able to use it. our local pro shop says that is their #1 seller, and ppl always get it strung with luxilon and then complain about arm pain and quit using it.

Yes, true. Thing is...the market is what drives the change, albeit after a subtle premeditated/random push by some bold pioneer.
 
J

joohan

Guest
Always found the 300/3.0 500/5.0 series from Dunlop to satisfy a wide variety of my decent playing friends who don't like the plus 12oz sticks I use. I keep a M-Fil 300 in my bag for folks to use if they want to try out tennis, and they all seem to be able to swing well with it. Head Instinct another option.

Of course these are DEMO suggestions, and for you they may suck! No short cuts..DEMO DEMO DEMO.

Aerogel 300 Tour, Bio 300 Tour - wonderful "neutral" racquets that truly let you play tennis. You get what you give...Fischers and Fischer based Pacifics as well for instance.
 

SublimeTennis

Professional
I just started taking up tennis again, after last playing from about 1998-2000. I am a petite female / 3.0 player/ not muscular. I am currently using my Prince Thunderlite from 15 years ago--which is fine for now, but I would like to update with a new racquet. Although the conventional wisdom seems to be to choose the heaviest racquet you can manage, I prefer a lighter racquet. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

9 out of 10 people will tell you Babolat Pure Drive, the basic one, it's perfect for beginners or advanced players. It's the most sold racquet in history, and most used by woman. I'm a 6.0 player and I love it. It gives controlled power, string it with Luxilon Rough and you'll have everything you want, don't experiment with some recommendation because someone else likes it, the Bab PD is THE best all around racquet, no question.
 

HRB

Hall of Fame
9 out of 10 people will tell you Babolat Pure Drive, the basic one, it's perfect for beginners or advanced players. It's the most sold racquet in history, and most used by woman. I'm a 6.0 player and I love it. It gives controlled power, string it with Luxilon Rough and you'll have everything you want, don't experiment with some recommendation because someone else likes it, the Bab PD is THE best all around racquet, no question.

Ummn, this statement " don't experiment with some recommendation because someone else likes it" applies to you as well, along with my recommendations and everyone else's. The point is we are merrily going to suggest what we've owned, experienced, witnessed, or all three...but unless the OP is willing to experiment and try different sticks (Like I did for 5 years) they are never going to know for sure what works....we are all just giving suggestions...no guarantees at all.
 

SublimeTennis

Professional
Ummn, this statement " don't experiment with some recommendation because someone else likes it" applies to you as well, along with my recommendations and everyone else's. The point is we are merrily going to suggest what we've owned, experienced, witnessed, or all three...but unless the OP is willing to experiment and try different sticks (Like I did for 5 years) they are never going to know for sure what works....we are all just giving suggestions...no guarantees at all.

What I meant was simply that you may love a Head Radical, to YOU it's the best, someone else a PS95, what I'm saying is that OVERALL, the GENERAL CONCENSUS is that the most all around racquet is the Babolat Pure Drive, best selling racquet, anyone can play with it well from beginners to pro's, from baseliners to serve and volleyers.
 

SublimeTennis

Professional
Ummn, this statement " don't experiment with some recommendation because someone else likes it" applies to you as well, along with my recommendations and everyone else's. The point is we are merrily going to suggest what we've owned, experienced, witnessed, or all three...but unless the OP is willing to experiment and try different sticks (Like I did for 5 years) they are never going to know for sure what works....we are all just giving suggestions...no guarantees at all.

PS: Me saying the Bab PD is best all around doesn't mean it's MY FAVORITE, it's not by any means, that's probably the confusion in your trying to take me apart:)
 

A.Chase

New User
As a follow up to my previous question, I started demoing a few rackets, which made me wonder--- how much of the feel is due to the racket frame itself vs the string type? I suppose the only way to know for sure would be to use the same string type on different frames for comparison. My old Prince thunderlite is strung with natural gut. Among the demos I've tried thus far, I seem to do best with the babolat pure aero lite-- nice crisp shots with more control than my thunderLite. But could I get the same level of control by just changing the strings on my old racket?
 
As a follow up to my previous question, I started demoing a few rackets, which made me wonder--- how much of the feel is due to the racket frame itself vs the string type? I suppose the only way to know for sure would be to use the same string type on different frames for comparison. My old Prince thunderlite is strung with natural gut. Among the demos I've tried thus far, I seem to do best with the babolat pure aero lite-- nice crisp shots with more control than my thunderLite. But could I get the same level of control by just changing the strings on my old racket?

Is the gut on your Prince 15 years old?
 

n8dawg6

Legend
Tour and pro models move where it sells. Nothing more, nothing less.

yeah but why do they sell? and why does racquet weight seem to be declining steadily on the whole? the heaviest racquet Head markets right now is 320 g unstrung, and that's not particularly heavy. I'm all for heavy racquets if you're at a higher level and can actually swing them fast enough to hit some pace and spin. i just see a disconnect between the "wisdom" of the TT boards and the reality of the USTA league play and local tournaments I'm involved in.
 

n8dawg6

Legend
Yes, I need to get it restrung.

Try restringing it 1st. doesn't have to be natural gut, you could start out with prince duraflex at mid tension. But that little pure aero light is a nice frame. All the difference between the PA and your thunderstick won't be found in the strings. I expect the PA is a more maneuverable and control-oriented frame.
 

eelhc

Hall of Fame
yeah but why do they sell? and why does racquet weight seem to be declining steadily on the whole? the heaviest racquet Head markets right now is 320 g unstrung, and that's not particularly heavy. I'm all for heavy racquets if you're at a higher level and can actually swing them fast enough to hit some pace and spin. i just see a disconnect between the "wisdom" of the TT boards and the reality of the USTA league play and local tournaments I'm involved in.
My theory is demographics. The market is moving to the sweet spot of where the money is. Most USTA league players around my parts are older, a lot of baby boomers in fact, and play doubles. The largest percentage by far are at the 3.0 to 4.0 for men and 2.5 to 3.5 for the women. When USTA added 40+ leagues a few years back (which IMO is BS), almost instantly there were 2 teams with the exact same players at 18+ and 40+. Most players are in their 50s, a little less in the 40s, a few in 30s with a tiny amount in their 20s. On several trips to regionals and sectionals, I observed the same.

So the industry I think is catering to those people who may have started tennis late in life or ones who may have played tennis previously but with declining strength/stamina.

I think the lighter, more powerful racquets are fine for someone who has good stroke mechanics already looking to hit easier but still get the ball deep. However, for the beginner without a good, full stroke, they're like training wheels that never come off. I see a lot of people just tapping the ball with these racquets even after playing tennis for several years.
 

n8dawg6

Legend
My theory is demographics. The market is moving to the sweet spot of where the money is. Most USTA league players around my parts are older, a lot of baby boomers in fact, and play doubles. The largest percentage by far are at the 3.0 to 4.0 for men and 2.5 to 3.5 for the women. When USTA added 40+ leagues a few years back (which IMO is BS), almost instantly there were 2 teams with the exact same players at 18+ and 40+. Most players are in their 50s, a little less in the 40s, a few in 30s with a tiny amount in their 20s. On several trips to regionals and sectionals, I observed the same.

So the industry I think is catering to those people who may have started tennis late in life or ones who may have played tennis previously but with declining strength/stamina.

I think the lighter, more powerful racquets are fine for someone who has good stroke mechanics already looking to hit easier but still get the ball deep. However, for the beginner without a good, full stroke, they're like training wheels that never come off. I see a lot of people just tapping the ball with these racquets even after playing tennis for several years.

Yes, 3.0's and 5.0's use Pure Drives in a completely different manner. I do think it's interesting that the Pure Drive is the most used racquet in 4.5+ level doubles. That's the point where the ball is moving really fast, points are short, and reactions gotta be really fast. Someone who can control the power of a PD type racquet with proper stroke mechanics and spin is gonna start off with an advantage.
 

n8dawg6

Legend
However, for the beginner without a good, full stroke, they're like training wheels that never come off. I see a lot of people just tapping the ball with these racquets even after playing tennis for several years.

Yep, I see the tappers/pushers too. custom made for racquets like the Head PWR series or Ti56 granny sticks. forever condemned to 3.0 purgatory. Doesn't completely make sense to me since I have invested a lot in lessons to learn proper stroke mechanics and how the game is meant to be played. but, ya know, maybe they're completely fine with playing that version of tennis. more power to 'em, it's just not me.
 

Muppet

Legend
As a follow up to my previous question, I started demoing a few rackets, which made me wonder--- how much of the feel is due to the racket frame itself vs the string type? I suppose the only way to know for sure would be to use the same string type on different frames for comparison. My old Prince thunderlite is strung with natural gut. Among the demos I've tried thus far, I seem to do best with the babolat pure aero lite-- nice crisp shots with more control than my thunderLite. But could I get the same level of control by just changing the strings on my old racket?
You might just need a re-string and you might benefit enough from a new racquet to make it worthwhile. Since you're asking, I think it's worth it to try new strings in the old racquet first.

Poly is stiffer and less elastic and less powerful than most other types of strings. It has to be strung around 10% looser than multis. They are designed with spin technique in mind. A faster stroke with a more glancing blow on the ball produces more spin and protects the arm from excessive shock.

Nylon based strings, multis and synthetic guts, are stretchier and more comfortable allowing more power and control at slower swing speeds. They are less durable than polys, but retain tension better if they don't break first. Weighing durability/comfort/performance helps one choose between nylon and poly.

Natural gut has the best tension retention of all, but can be unpredictable for breakage depending somewhat on the player's skill. It is the softest and provides a type of control where the ball pockets deeper into the stringed. Spin and comfort are enhanced compared to nylon strings.

Besides string types, different colors often make a difference as well.

Silver is usually a crisp string and won't contribute a feel of its own and works well with a racquet that has a dead or muted quality.
Red adds a bit more feel than silver and usually has a crisp response.
Blue is often powerful and muted.
Black is usually dead, meaning I would say that it's muted but it still is communicating some feel to my hand.
White is just plain muted, but crisp. Great if you don't like to feel the ball.

But these are just guidelines. It takes some guesswork to find your strings.
 
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fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
As a follow up to my previous question, I started demoing a few rackets, which made me wonder--- how much of the feel is due to the racket frame itself vs the string type? I suppose the only way to know for sure would be to use the same string type on different frames for comparison. My old Prince thunderlite is strung with natural gut. Among the demos I've tried thus far, I seem to do best with the babolat pure aero lite-- nice crisp shots with more control than my thunderLite. But could I get the same level of control by just changing the strings on my old racket?

You can certainly get different feel and performance with a fresh set of string in your Prince. Natural gut has earned a phenomenal reputation both for playing well throughout its entire service life and also for being the most arm-friendly string type available. It also costs more than anything in the world of synthetic strings, but if it's right for a certain player, there's no beating it.

Natural gut is inherently soft and lively, so it will probably play and feel "right" if installed at a mildly higher tension than a more firm alternative like a synthetic gut of the same thickness (gauge). The problem with trying different demo racquets is that we typically have to try them with whatever string that's been put in there. If those strings are old and dead or too firm, that can give the racquet a feel and response that's not exactly what we're looking for in a new frame. If you try some different racquets, keep in mind that you may want a different layout to get the feel or control you want.

Multifibers are also typically on the softer side, but also cost less than natural gut. I enjoy synthetic gut in either 16 or 17 gauge - these are usually slightly less soft than multis, but also not harsh for me as long as I don't run them up at a super-snug tensions. Thinner 17 ga. syn. gut can give me a wonderful combo of crisp feel along with very good softness, but I've found my way after some trial and error. I string at home, so it's been relatively easy for me to sample different things without spending too much money.

One of our pals above mentioned poly string - stay away from this stuff, you don't need it. The pros and some college level killers can benefit from the properties of this string, but many of us don't. It's less resilient than other string types and is also notorious for sending more impact shock into a players wrist and arm. You can get all the control, feel, and performance you want with one of these other string types at the right tension for you. It may just take a little time to sort that out.
 

Roland G

Hall of Fame
I just started taking up tennis again, after last playing from about 1998-2000. I am a petite female / 3.0 player/ not muscular. I am currently using my Prince Thunderlite from 15 years ago--which is fine for now, but I would like to update with a new racquet. Although the conventional wisdom seems to be to choose the heaviest racquet you can manage, I prefer a lighter racquet. Any recommendations would be appreciated!
My wife plays at a similar level and has had good success with the Babolat Pure Strike 100 strung with a Bablolat multifilament at 54lbs. Nice weight and balance, not too light, heavy or powerful so rewards improving strokes.
 
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